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Rib cage tightness: Not sure what it might be
I am at wits end with this hugging tightness around my rib cage. Does any have any idea what might be causing this and who can help me. It started almost 4 years ago when I was diagnosed with a hiatal hernia. That got repaired but the squeezing tightness never went away. It will calm down at night but during day it start buy end of day it leaves me so uncomfortable and it’s gotten worse. Doctor I am seeing is ruling out MS. Thanks for reading my post.
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I have this too, mainly a reaction to stress. First 10 years ago when daughter died of cancer, it went away after a few weeks. Again after knee replacement, took longer to go away. Now, chronic since July but not intolerable. Probably because the surgery as a failure. I swim which is painful at first, then lessens. Do not take any medication. Don’t notice
too much during day for which I am grateful.
Long Shot: I once self referred myself to a Physical Therapist for longstanding pain that extended up into the right sided chest area. Unlike the Internists I had seen, this Physical Therapist asked me if I had taken a fall. It did dawn on me finally that I actually had taken a fall from a shelf much prior to the onset of this pain. This Physical Therapist was even able to locate a trigger point over the area to my complete surprise. So, that fall in the garage that you didn't think much of at the time, and completely forgot about can come back to haunt you in the form of a trigger point.
I have MS and I was going to say it sounds like the MS "hug" we all know and hate. You posted this in June, I'm responding in December. I'm really hoping that between these months that your Dr has been able to totally rule out MS.
Hello @greekcan,
As it has been a while since you last posted about the tightness in your rib cage area, and I was wondering how you are doing.
Is the tightness still a problem? Have you found any answers yet?
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1 ReactionHi, did this ever get better? I'm experiencing the same and have been tested for almost everything and it still continues.
Also, did you experience the tightness when standing?
Looking for help. Thank you in advance.
Hi @greekcan,
Wondering the same...thank you so much.
my rib cage is alittle tilted and tightness i know. i found a physical therapist that helped me. try calling a few tell them your problem do not be too worddee
I have had this same condition for over 4 years now and it's getting worse. It is constant and the most relief that I get is when I'm laying in bed on my side, but even then I am aware of it. I also have an unrepaired hiatal hernia which was discovered during an endoscopy about 3 years ago but they just give me Omeprazole for it and, of course, it does nothing. My pulmonary doctor says it's not my COPD but thinks that it has to do with pinched or damaged nerves in my rib cage but X-rays have not been much help although they did show some deterioration in that area of my spine that might relate to my condition - nothing definite was discovered. Still, nothing is being done. I, like you, can hardly take it anymore. I'm 77 but still would like to find some answers. There's all this diagnostic equipment but what good has it done me - none! Have you, since you post of June 10, 2022 discovered anything new or relevant to our conditions? Thank you!
Hi know this is a year old post but was wondering how you are doing. I too have this tightness that comes entirely around my ribcage. It used to just be under front ribs but now full ribcage. It sometimes feels like the squeezing is outside like a band but now I also have pressure from inside pushing out. Like it is going to explode. Yikes. I have a mild hiatal hernia, bad GERD and pancreatic issues so it makes so hard to know what causes it. I thought of MS but mine comes on right after eating. I was originally given Hyoscyamine and a PPI. That helped but now the under front rib pain and total front and back ribcage pain is worse. I even get upper back and shoulder pain which can be indicative of pancreas but for some reasons docs don't think that's it. They assume it is spasms from GERD. I go to a top gastro doc in LA so I hope he knows. It is very painful! I think it would help to know for sure so I don't worry along with the pain. You were first person I saw that posted similar symptoms. Are your symptoms right/soon after eating and have you gotten any help?
I have tightness in upper stomach all the time. My bras keep feeling tighter even using suspend fasteners. I have lost weight so is not a weight issue. It gets worse as day goes on. I do have severe acid reflux that causes inflammation in my vagus nerve and severe vagus nerve pain. Sometimes I feel pain in upper left rib. Does this sound like a hiatal hernia?