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Intercostal Neuralgia

Posted by karenann01 @karenann01, Aug 24, 2022

For the past 3 years I've had pain, basically under my upper rib cage & breastbone area & around to my back. It's very hard to explain. It started out hurting when I bent over & lifted something heavy. I went to a Dr & ended up having every heart test you can imagine. Then to the GI, where I had everything there tested. I've had blood work & chest xray. No one could seem to explain it. This year it's been worse, doesn't take much to make it hurt. I went to the pain Dr & had him look at my back MRIs to see if there was anything there causing it. When I explained everything to him, he reached around me & started pressing on certain areas of my ribs, some were very painful. He's of the opinion I have Intercostal Neuralgia. He suggested physical therapy & gabapentin. Since I was also going to PT for knee replacement, I took my order to them & asked what they could do. My therapist said there really isn't any special treatment for it, but he did have a few exercises that might help. Those exercises certainly pull on those muscles, but I'm not sure it's helping. So far, I don't see any benefits from the gabapentin, except weird dreams at night & it's been over 2 weeks. Has anyone else had any experience with this. I really don't know what else to do

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jenatsky | @jenatsky | May 10 12:46pm
In reply to @rashida "@gunnera how was your artery blockage diagnosed? What is a CABG? I am terrible with acronyms!..." + (show)
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@gunnera how was your artery blockage diagnosed? What is a CABG? I am terrible with acronyms!

I wonder what the difference is, between Intercostal Neuralgia and Costochondritis …? To me they sound the same …

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@rashida coronary artery bypass graft

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jbjana6827 | @jbjana6827 | May 30 7:34am

I see that much time has passed since this post. I am curious to hear if your problem has resolved. I am currently in the throes of healing from the same issue.

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hagerfam5 | @hagerfam5 | 3 days ago
In reply to @rbyaar "@charliemclain “About 8 months ago, I had an injury while closing the door of a tempo..." + (show)
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@charliemclain
“About 8 months ago, I had an injury while closing the door of a tempo traveller. The door suddenly bumped back with force, and I immediately felt a sharp line-like pain starting from my mid back and radiating toward my upper abdomen. At that time, I ignored it thinking it was just a minor strain.

Over the following months, the pain gradually became worse instead of improving. The sensation feels like nerve pain — sharp, radiating, burning, and wrapping around the rib/upper abdominal area. Along with the pain, my abdominal muscles feel constantly tight and strained, almost as if they are being pulled from inside.

The muscle tightness has also affected my digestion and bowel movements, leading to constipation and discomfort in the abdomen. Sitting for long periods, travelling daily, twisting movements, and poor posture tend to aggravate the symptoms.

I underwent a thoracic spine MRI, but the report came back normal, which was frustrating because the symptoms are very real and continue to affect daily life. Despite the normal MRI, the pain pattern strongly resembles thoracic/intercostal nerve irritation or thoracic radiculopathy, especially because it started immediately after the injury and radiates in a band-like pattern from the back to the upper abdomen.

Living with this for months has been physically and mentally exhausting, especially when scans appear normal but the pain persists every day.”

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@rbyaar

This is exactly the symptoms that I have had for over three years now. Messes with my digestion and overall well being. It took 2 years for them to diagnose me with intercostal neuralgia. I get nerve block injections every three months and also Botox alternating every 6 weeks. It is a rough go but it isnt terminal. I am with Kaiser and they refuse to do any further forms of treatment. I am leaving Kaiser in November when I can change my insurance and going to UCSF to see what I can do. I am 49 almost 50 and I can't imagine living the next 30 years in this much pain. I hope you can get the help you need but I would see a neurologist as soon as possible and have them test for intercostal neuralgia. I can give you further advice if you need. The constant pressure and nerve pain is exactly how i describe it. Like someone is squeezing my heart and flank side of ribs. Also what comes with it is feeling like a horrible side cramp that will not relax. Only thing that helps me at that point during a flare up is a hot epsom salt bath completely submerged. I lost so many activities in my life. From my love of golf to 3 years + of not playing. I can no longer go on hikes or long day trips with family unless I take a lot of breaks. Good luck to you. I hope you can get some relief soon.

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