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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karenann01 | @karenann01 | Jun 4, 2023

Thank you for your thoughts on this. I think part of my problem with treatment is the fact that I travel a lot & Have not stayed in the same area for a long time. I will see my original pain Dr next week & see what he suggests as a next step. I will also be living in one area for about 6 months of the year, so will try to find a good pain Dr in the area.

crystalxdee | @crystalxdee | Jun 5, 2023

So sorry that you have been dealing with this. I had pain around my right flank into my mid back and then front ribs. It also lit up my nerves in my shoulder and neck. Caused some weird chest pains too. I found a doctor at MUSC in SC who specialized in slipping rib syndrome. I was diagnosed with this and he repaired the rib that was affected in the anterior (front part) of my ribcage. Took all my pain away. Could be worth looking into if you haven't already. I hope your pain improves.

auntnanny | @auntnanny | Jun 6, 2023

I just want to come on and say I have had this since a teenager and I'm now 82. It's not deadly. But, it hurts. It used to scare me a lot when I was young and went to several doctors, ER's, etc. I have found that over the years it isn't as bad as 60 years ago and perhaps it just no longer scares me. When I was young, I thought I was having a heart attack. I don't do anything for it except maybe a vibrating heating pad which does help. I hope you find relief and ease of mind soon.

marye2 | @marye2 | Jun 6, 2023

I sometimes find a walk helps me breathe better. I also have a 4" diameter, 4' long foam tube that I can roll on to massage my upper back and shoulders. Of course, microwaveable heat pack or ice pack can help. Look for stretches for shoulders/neck/upper back, also. You may have referred pain and these things can relieve it. I like Dr Jo on you tube, if your PT doesn't give you any stretches.

suzfuse46 | @suzfuse46 | Jun 7, 2023

I woke after 3-5 hours of sleep every night with mid thoracic spine pain for 3 1/2 years. Finally I was diagnosed with a herniated disc compressing the nerve root at T-10. I had a laminectomy and fusion surgery to release the pressure on the nerve root which stopped the ripping pain under my ribcage from radiculopathy. I'm 4 months out from the surgery but there is still pain in my thoracic back, a tightness in my chest and discomfort especially after sleeping for 3-5 hours. I'm wondering if intercostal neuralgia could be the answer? I have already asked before the surgery if it could possibly be slipping rib syndrome.