I am sorry to say that no, I have learned nothing new, but then, I have not pursued it like I should. I already have several medical problems and it seems that going to doctors does not really help with any of them! I just keep discovering more health issues, the further I pursue them. Lots of diagnostics, but no real treatments! So, I'm just dealing with this condition as best as I can, for the time being anyway.

I do think, though, that my pulmonary doctor may be on to something as he believes it to be what is called "referred" pain from a bulge in one of the T vertebrae that seems to correspond in area to where I feel this encircling tightness. Some kind of nerve entrapment, I guess! I also have upper back and shoulder pain! I have some disc degeneration in that area!

I have read of a few others who have this problem, and to make this even more of a puzzle, and difficult to know what direction to go in, is that several also had a hiatal hernia. Mine, apparently, has not been visible on X-rays, as of late, so I don't know what's going on there! I have some rib case spasms, from time to time. Not sure, of course, if it's related to this specific condition or not!

I wear a soft, elasticized 4-5 inch width hiatal hernia band , or actually , I have found an umbilical hernia band to be better, around my lower rib cage area. It has a Velcro closing and I wear it loosely, during the day. Oddly enough, this kind of has the effect of feeling as if the tightness comes from the band and not my midriff, though, of course, it is not really worn very tight at all. It's not helping as much as it used to, and I cannot say whether it would help your or not. I live with this tightness round the clock. When I'm laying down, I feel at my best. Eating does not help it any and sometimes does seem to even increase it a bit!

I will keep you in mind, as a fellow-sufferer of this "mystery ailment" and if I ever do get to the bottom of it, I will let you know. I hope you will do the same and also, while my comments might seem a bit negative, I really believe that it's necessary to keep one's spirits up as much as possible! Who knows, unless we keep trying?

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