Rib cage pain. Er docs don’t know what’s wrong with me

I have just had similar discussion with another person on here. I am not a professional but it sounds like Slipping Rib Syndrome. It is rare. MRIs are not helpful. SRS specialists can see it on regular CT abd/chest without contrast, but the untrained eye can easily see the fractured cartilage once the CT is converted to 3D. It is when one or all of the false ribs 8-10 have fractured cartilage and the loose ribs slip on overlying nerves. Very painful with a wide range of symptoms. It can be left, right or bilateral. Extremely painful and debilitating. It is rare and most doctors are unfamiliar. I had 5 years of normal tests before I self diagnosed, found a Facebook administrator who converted my CT to 3D and saw a SRS surgeon. Please check it out. There are 2 Facebook groups SRS Info Outreach and the other Slipping Rib Syndrome. They can help you convert your CT to 3D and advise seeing a doctor from the list of SRS surgeons which are few and scattered across the country.
Good luck. Hope this helps.

@mdamiani57 I mean it’s an option to look into and helpful insight. I appreciate it.

@crbarefoot that’s interesting I’ve never considered that before. I’ll see if I can retrieve my scans.

@cantsleep30303 I asked to see if perhaps it was related to the muscles between your ribs that aid breathing or to the lining of your abdomen. Your answer suggests that this is not the case. So at least 2 possibilities ruled out.

I was told it was costochondritis, to me it feels like one rib sits to close to another ( for want of a better way to explain it). it can be really painful if I bend or turn or ..................

@tisme can you find a chiropractor who works with muscles? ie not the bone cracking type. I have painful ribs (hypermobile although not Ehler Danilos). See if you can find one who uses an activator.

Chronic myofascial pain syndrome is one option doctors should consider. Mine developed gradually following the two years after a fall and regular PT did not help, and in fact made it worse. I feel like the pain is all around my torso u def my ribs and sometimes extends downward. Finally my pain specialist sent me to consult with a rheumatologist and the diagnosis was made. I take Lyrica and Cymbalta and get some relief. But the best thing for me is doing aqua therapy in a warm pool along with the meds. I had never heard of this before. It is similar to fibromyalgia but without so much chronic fatigue. Best of luck.

This is my first time ever commenting but I think we have the same pain. I have myofascial pain syndrome and fibromyalgia. I would get severe pain starting in the middle of my back and then it would go to my rips lasting 20 minutes to almost 2 hours. I just that it was back spasms. I went to the ER a few times and they agreed. One time was worse than giving birth. I hyperventilated and felt out of my body. I realized on my own it’s severe gas pains. Now I take gas pills, sip on water and eat a few crackers and I can make it stop. It can be extremely painful and scary. This went on for years. I just felt I needed to let you know and maybe it is gas or maybe it’s something else but I had a strong feeling I should tell my story. I have many weird symptoms. I will eventually share my struggles. I hope this might help. Good luck!