Rib cage tightness: Not sure what it might be

I was told that I had this disease for about 30 years. Kept complaining. Went to an excellent digestive specialist.
He did a barium swallow and discovered I had achalasia. After I had a balloon dilation, most of the pain went away. The diet is somewhat limiting. However, being on a semi-soft diet is much better than having a pain
in the chest. This is a rare disease but it's diagnosis might help you feel better. Most regular Gi doctors don't
test for this. Good luck.

@gdanker and @bfort,

I appreciate you sharing your experiences with tightness around the rib cage. While those of us on Connect are not medical professionals and cannot diagnose, this symptom has been discussed by other members. You might be interested in the discussion about Slipped Rib Syndrome, here is the link for that discussion, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/slipping-rib-syndrome/. Tightness around the rib cage can be referred to as MS Hug and is common in folks with Multiple Sclerosis. Here is a link to an article about MS Hug, https://mstrust.org.uk/a-z/ms-hug.

I encourage you to keep searching for answers as you have been. Persistence is important when trying to find help for a hard-to-diagnosis problem.

What type of specialists have you seen about this symptom?

@gdanker I have similar issues with rib cage tightness. I also get tight near the diaphragm at the bottom of the rib cage. My issues come from thoracic outlet syndrome, and some cervical spine problems. I am a spine surgery patient fused at C5/C6 because of an old injury that caused a whiplash, that deteriorated with aging 20 years. One side of my chest gets tighter and doesn't expand enough.

My physcial therapist is an expert level in the John Barns methods of myofascial release which has helped me a lot. It sounds to me like this may help you. You are describing tight fascia. The key to releasing the tissue is doing it gently and holding the pressure; nothing aggressive. Here is our discussion where you can learn more about it. This is specialized training so not all PTs will know how to do this, and it is very hands on and they feel the tension patterns in your body with their hands.

Here is the discussion on Myofascial Release Therapy with lots of information in the first pages. There is a provider search at http://mfrtherapists.com/ .

-Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) for treating compression and pain: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/

Have you heard of MFR therapy before?

Yes, I went to a neurologist who was referred to me by my GP. He ruled out MS. He also didn't seem to know much about the MS Hug which surprised me. However, it is the closest description that I've come across of what it feels like. I'm also starting to think that the problem lies in the fascia.

Thank you for your reply. I will definitely view the videos.

Sincerely
GDanker

Thank you, that is all most helpful. I will definitely look into more info. I am really thinking that this is related to tight fascia and, or stuck diaphragm. I am narrowing this down to where I think that I might have a chance of getting better. I did go to rehab for MFR but the person working on me was very new to the practice and was not experienced. It consisted mostly of pushing on a few trigger points. Also, not enough time was allowed.

Sincerely
GDanker

Am following this b/c I have the same issue. Plus my legs are very weak and achy and I have little energy. This band around my rib cage is SO AGGRAVATING, it just sucks the life out of me. It isn't exactly painful, it's just a lot of pressure/tension in my whole torso. I've been to doc, had ultrasounds and all are normal. No hernia, no masses or swelling. Well, something isn't "normal". My body does not "normally" feel like this. I hope someone figures this out. I need help as I see some people having this for years! I don't know how anyone can live with this that long!

Welcome @whatisthis, I do like the membername you chose! Now if we can just help you figure out what it is. Did you see the reply earlier in the discussion by @loribmt? Here's a link to Lori's post - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/716376/.

Does what Lori mentioned seem like a possibility?

thank you, yes, i read that. i am adamant about pharmaceuticals, especially anti-depressants, those i won't try. i have started taking holy basil and a homeopathic remedy for anxiety. i will try the FDgard otc she mentioned, tho i have tried peppermint oil in the past to no avail. i have health anxiety and the talk of MS frightens me, as i do have some of the symptoms. but i really don't think it's that. just wish there was a concrete answer but doctors just don't seem to know much other than prescriptions and surgery. hoping to find some clues here.

Yes, it is difficult to explain to people just how uncomfortable this feeling is. If you say to them that it is not exactly painful, they minimize it. Yet, to me, it's as if I have some medieval torture device around my lower ribs and midriff. How I've managed to live with it for 4 years is simply that I've endured it. Also, I wear a hernia brace around my middle which seems to counteract the pressure somewhat. I was diagnosed with a hiatal hernia at one time but then it didn't show up on two separate CT Scans, so I don't know if I have one for sure or not. I have an appt coming up with a new gastrologist at the end of Aug. as I'm tired of evasive answers and no definite answers and a bottle of pills for heartburn shoved at me for non-existent heartburn. I don't however think it's related to that anyway but I still want to know.

As far as the brace goes, it's more as if the pressure is coming from the brace and not my body so much. It gives some relief but not really that much. I'm still very much aware of it. The only respite I get is when I lay down in my bed.

Now, I am beginning to think that there could be different causes for different people. Some people with MS have what is called MS Hug apparently. but I do not have MS. I'm thinking that in my case, it might be due to tight fascia in the rib cage area or maybe something to do with my diaphragm.

I do have pulmonary problems as well but my pulmonary doctor told me that it was not related to my lungs. He suggested it could be due to spinal problems dealing with the vertebrae and trapped nerves and so forth. It's worth considering as I do have some degenerative changes in some of my vertebrae.

Before Covid, I was still seeing doctors about it but it's been quite a while since I've actively pursued trying to find a cause and treatment. Now, I am again getting so fed up with the quality of my life, that I am going to take the bull by the horns and tackle it again.

I wish you well, as a fellow sufferer of this somewhat rare condition. My GP
is well-meaning and has sent me to different doctors but he really doesn't know much about it himself. I hope you have a good GP who can assist you in getting you the right treatments. If I come across anything of value, I will let you know, and hope you will do the same. Good Luck!

it is indeed nearly impossible to explain the feeling and not being pain, people don't understand that it can be just as debilitating. my quality of life is very low right now. this has been happening for me for a little less than a year, but that's long enough! i understand there is not a definitive test for MS. do you know of one besides all the diagnostic testing to rule everything else out. i don't choose to go that route.
your statement, "it might be due to tight fascia in the rib cage area or maybe something to do with my diaphragm." is what rings true for me as well. i think it's my intuition and i'm trying to listen to that. i have a chronic case of post nasal drip for over 10 years which causes me to cough a lot, sometimes hard in the mornings b/c it gets stuck in my throat. i feel the muscles that are already tight, tensing considerably when i have to do that. it's every morning. groundhog day! it's another relentless symptom of something, i know not what. so i think i strained my diaphragm or rib cage or fascia....just as you said. and i can't wait to go to bed at night, as that is my only complete relief. sitting is better than walking, but still obvious. yes, please let me know what you find as you explore. i will do the same. thank you for your thoughtful reply.