Rib Nerve Removal?

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Hi, everyone.

I have read several of the rib pain stories here, anmy heart goes out to you all because I'm also suffering.

I immediately got x-rayed in Dec 2014 when I had sudden severe pain in my 6th left rib (near the spine, front and back) following an intense workout class. X-ray showed nothing broken.

I am a 40-yr old female in very good shape and always 100% healthy and strong. No health problems except hypermobile joints which never caused any issues except minor ankle tendonitis.

I've been in excruciating rib pain for 21 months since this fluke injury. I've seen 14 different doctors, chiropractors and highly regarded medical professionals of all varieties. I've heard "costochondritis" & "slipping rib," but no one is 100% sure what's wrong.

The logical diagnosis sweems to be a pulled rib ligament that causes the rib to move slightly when I move, but miscrosopically. In other words, there is no displaced rib to "pop" back into place, no popping or crunching. I've had chiropractors thoroughly examine me. I've had MRIs and CTs, nothing abnormal shows up. No swelling, no heart probs. Just extreme, tearing pain.

I've tried NSAIDs, cortisone shots, and even had a blood platelet replacement injection last month. Nothing works. The pain is virtually constant--it does not "flare up"--and it feels just like a knife stabbing all the way through my body. Movement of any kind increases the pain, but it hurts even when I am still.

Needless to say, my entire life is being adversely affected by this nightmarish hell of pain.

Cut to the chase: I've been seeing an ortho who recommends possibly surgically removing the nerve that runs along the rib. He does not claim it is "the answser," but may be a last resort.

Has anyone had a similar problem, or considered such surgery, or had this surgery done??

Many thanks & healing vibes to you all.

 

2

I'm no doctor and I've been suffering from flare

Ups particularly over the past year when I do any activity which engages my chest muscles then suffer a day later for a few days. I'm coincidentally having a very bad flare up after swimming yesterday. That being said and with considerable frustration have been looking at who to see next but what I can definitely caution is to heavily weight the risk reward scenario based on nerve removal. Our nerves do some amazing and scary things when damaged so go with caution.

3

Hi

Have you been to see a pain specialist?Like you I had x-rays and seen so many doctors.I saw a pain specialist who told me I had costcondritis this was in 2012 and four years later I still have it.I take co -codarmol and do gentle exercises.Swimming makes it worse. Please see a pain specialist if you haven't already.Take care,

 

4

Yes, I have seen pain doctors and they have not helped. The ones I saw only recommended temporary pain relief options like nerve-blocking shots.

millie99, What has your pain specialist done that has been so helpful?

Dariusks, I don't think I have costochondritis because I don't have flare-ups that last a few days. My pain is bad every day. No swimming, dancing, exercise, or even hugging for me... for 21 months! It feels like there is nerve irritation or damage, because the pain shoots along the nerves, and is virtually constant. I am so tired of having friends & neighbors bring me jugs of water and carry things for me. I can do zero physical activity, except walking gently and slowly.

I am just exploring the options and gathering information, so please let me know if anyone has any experience with nerve removal surgery.

Thank you!

5

Hi

It was my pain doctor who told me I had costocondritis which was a big relief as my doctor had made out it was all in my head.He gave me pain patches which did help for a short time.I have also started to do yoga and trying not to have any stress in my life.I was very lucky and was offered redundancy by my employer which has really help.I find when I am stressed it makes the pain worse.I have the pain 24 hours a day every day since Nov 2012.If it wasn't for the pain doctor I would never of known I had this condition.One of my doctors told me that just because I have pain it doesn't mean there is any thing wrong withme.I really hope you soon  will be pain free.I will be praying for you.Love Millie

6

Hello:

I've been suffering from something similar for over a year and I've had the same symptoms as you except my ribs pop constantly and I have tenderness in my chest and upper back. I've seen countless of doctors and specialists with no sure diagnosis and I'm as frustrated as you are because it has affected my physical life for so long and still no accurate diagnosis or cure.

7

Hi, papibor1cua68.

If your ribs are popping, that sounds like slipping rib. Have you seen chiros or osteopaths that can manipulate your ribs back into place, or offer any treatment options? If it's a pulled ligament like mine, prolotherapy can sometimes be helpful, but sometimes not.

I've been approaching solving this from all angles -- nutrients, vitamins, bromelain, omega oils, lots of rest, being as still as possible & refraining from activity or posture that strains it, deep breathing (even tho it hurts!), gentle exercise (like walking), meditation, emotional healing, trying an anti-inflammatory diet, etc. Covering all the bases. After 6 months of this treatment I am a bit better, but still the problem is not resolved. It may simply take time to heal, but I'm exploring all the options.

Best of luck to you & I sincerely hope you can solve this & get on with your life.

millie99, thanks and I send you the best healing vibes as well.

8

I have been in pain for 13 months now...I can't even put my socks on or drive my car with both hands, as any push/pull movement sends a searing pain through my clavicle, across my shoulder and into my back and arm. ...I'm at the end of my tether, and would seriously look into this if it meant a life without pain.

9

hello @Miss_Wonderly did you got the rib nerve removal? or anything else worked for you? I have same issue going on for 1.5 years. will appreciate your reply just tired of doctors now:)

thanks

10

For the past 4 years, I’ve been getting stabbing pains in my chest everytime I go out into the cold. It can be summer too but as soon as a wind or the cold hits my chest, a few hours later the stabbing pains come on for hours on end. No pain medication that I’ve tried has helped. I basically just have to sit and wait for the pain to subside. It messes with my daily life and feels as though its getting worst now. No doctor here can explain to me what this is, all I know is that its soooo painful. Feels like a knife is ripping through my chest. Im forced to wear the thickest of clothing just to ensure that my chest stays warm (even on a breezy day in summer).
Can someone pls help!