Anyone else have this? I haven't had a HIDA scan yet but I have had this off and on for a year and a half. Can't figure out if food causing or something in my spine. Could it be sluggish gallbladder??? Had one ultrasound and several types of xrays. May get another ultrasound but gastro thinks it won't show anything. It's nerve pain most of the time like needles sometimes real sharp sometimes crampy.
Same pains.
With me the rib pain is thoracic. Just started physio today, the physiotherapist says my spine is stiff in that area and started mobilisation and exercise. I will then start the hospital gym and may have a nerve block injection if mobilisation doesn't work.
I have lumbar and cervical problems (which are probably contributing to the stiffness) and also gastritis. Like you I have been confused about how much of the pain was from my stomach and how much from my spine. The pains I had when he was working on my thoracic spine highlighted my middle/upper back, right ribs, shoulder and shoulder blade pain and even down my arm was very painful.
The stomach pains must be the upper stomach, chest and back discomfort along with the bloating and burping.
Two separate things.
Hope this helps.
did you have an MRI? I know I have bulging discs but they are in lumbar region. I was told thoracic disc problems are not as common and MRI might not show them. I just don't know. I guess I'd be somewhat happy if I just had an answer!!! I too an doing physical therapy but mostly for my lower back. It's gotten better but she's giving me a few simple mid back stretches too - some exercises hurt and pull on that area. I just don't know what I have. I have scoliosis I was told - back is a mess for sure. Menopause is when most of this stuff started. The rib thing is driving me insane. Did you have gallbladder tests?
Yes I had upper GI ultrasound, all clear.
My spinal problems/oesteoarthritis also started around menopause.
Hip replacement November 2013
Emergency laminectomy L4/5 spinal stenosis July 2014
Micro discectomy L4/5 August 2015
Anterior cervical discectomy C4/5/ & C5/6 May 2017.
I haven't had a thoracic MRI (frightened) , I think the surgery is very difficult in that area and wouldn't want it so what's the point. Also just because there is a bulging disc it's not necessarily the source of the pain. My lumbar discectomy did nothing for the pain despite a bulging disc.
Just hoping the physiotherapy helps. I will start Pilates when I can exercise safely again. I have tried it before and found it really helped.
I think the secret to spinal problems is to keep moving if you can. I refuse to let it get the better of me but the constant pain is very difficult sometimes.
I think posture plays a part, all my hobbies entail looking down and years of computer & phone use don't help.
Ask your physiotherapist what she thinks of Pilates.
wow you have been through a lot. I spent most of my career sitting at a desk/computer so I know my posture needs work - I'm working on it and PT gal is helping.
I walk and/or do elliptical almost every day I too need to keep moving. Some of the exercises I do are yoga type stuff.
Did you have a HIDA scan - that's the one test I may need - I hate tests they are notfun and are expensive
PS one more question when your pain in ribs and back is flared up does a bra hurt - mine does it's awful. Docs first thought this was shingles without rash.
No not had a HIDA scan. My endoscopy found erosive gastritis and a small polyp. I had 3 months treatment with a PPI. A repeat endoscopy found it had greatly improved but not gone. I still have symptoms but the past 3 wks I've taken a daily acidophilus. This has helped but I think I'm always going to have this weakness and have to be careful. Not been back to GP since last endoscopy, sick of doctors 😖.
Yes Scruffster my bra does hurt when I have a flair up. It feels like it's really digging in on the right side and I keep trying to adjust it. I have quite a small frame and a large bust and wonder if this has caused some of my spinal problems and discomfort .
I am sick of doctors too they all look at me like I'm crazy and for past yr and a half have told me that it's most likely muscular/skeletal but I don't know if i believe it. I have to wear extenders on my bra so that it's looser. This needle like pain is bad today. Just wanna cry.
I injured my tailbone when I fell on black ice. Chiropractory made it worse and caused intense pain and burning sensations in my spine and the pain flare ups became more frequent. I avoid any strenuous exercises and stick to walking and swimming. If I get pain I take Nurofen and try to stay as mobile as possible.
That sounds awful. When I first started with this in late 2015 I tried chiropractor also because I had gone before for my lower back but it made this worse. Walking and elliptical for me also. I can't overdo anything any more - have too many aches and pains. I just wish I could rule out that this was an organ causing this. Hugs to you all.
Pain in ribs that causes a bra to hurt, could be costochondritis . I had this for three months after the stress of the chiropractory.
Yes I have often thought this too. Ortho doc said no. I think it's some sort of neuropathy but sure don't know what is causing it. Not sure gallbladder issues cause needle like pain.
Walking and swimming are the easiest and best exercise and walking certainly helps me. I feel though that my muscles are very tight, I suppose they are trying to stop me moving to prevent the pain, Its a vicious circle I feel I need to break!
I now know that my pain is from my spine as when he was pressing on the vertebrae the radiating pain was exactly the same pain. Just hoping it doesn't make things worse 🙀
I can't take neurofen or any kind of anti-inflamitories because of my gastritis.
I have worn pull on elasticated bras for a while now and although they still feel tight in a flare up they are much better. Don't give much support though 😳 but not too bad if you find the right one.
Gallbladder pain is felt on the right side. By needle like pain do you mean a pins and needles sensation or a sharp pain? I would see a different doctor.
I was told by my doctor to change my wired bra to a non wired one when I had costochondritis. However, in the end I didn't need to because the pain cleared up in the timescale to doctor said it would.
I changed to stretchy when I developed mastitis in 2013 and blamed the wires.
Scruffster my pain sometimes feels like someone is pushing a fist very hard into my side/ribs along with the other radiating pains.
I switched to wire free also when this started in late 2015. I found a warners comfy one that has a bit of lift but no wire.
I just wish I could rule out the organ thing then maybe I could relax even though this pain may go on for a while who knows. My ribs are all rotated and it does hurt when my PT gal presses on me too - I hurt a lot last time. She may need to stop doing that not sure. This whole thing is so puzzling esp since it's nerve pain. I hope you get relief soon!!!!
Sounds familiar I wish someone would diagnose me already!!! I was down to wearing bra with no extender a couple months ago then this flared up again. I can't imagine if this was an organ like gall bladder that it would go away for six months. I'm just so frustrated.
Let's hope your HIDA scan sorts it out. A positive diagnosis is probably better than no diagnosis.
I am accepting I'll always have pain and I'm now going down the pain clinic route hoping they can help. Just hoping my arthritis pain remains bearable don't want to end up like a zombie dosed up to the eyeballs.
I wish you luck and send hugs, let me know how you get on. 💐