Mystery - somewhat solved

Ends up that I have somewhat figured out the source of my mystery pain. It is.... (insert drum roll here...) my ribs. Yup. I did some searching the net...you know the place for great information if you can see through the crap. LOL. I found many references on message boards about unexplained right upper quadrant pain like I have. Lots of tests with nothing found to be wrong. Then I found a reference to costochondritis. Which is inflammation of the cartilidge that connects the ribs to the sternum. It is a *****ronic but it can cause chest pain. Well, mine isn't chest pain but I had a "hmmm" though. Early mornings I don't hurt so as I laid in bed yesterday, I traced the edge of my right rib cage down and actually found a bit of a sore spot. Let me tell you...that the simple act of rubbing it a bit... stirred up my pain like anything. I actually initiated the pain! It is still unhappy today but at least I'm somewhat pointed in the right direction. It is a relief to know that it probably isn't something internal that is going to cause me big problems/disasters later. Costochondritis can be cause by bacterial or viral infections or injuries. Since the rib that is bothering me is a lower one and not up with the sternum, this may be the wrong diagnosis but at least I know it is something in that ballpark of conditions. The treatment of course is anti-inflammatories... NOT. Possibly steriod injection(s) - okay. Acupuncture or chiro might help. I have one of each of those in my arsenal so I'll give those a try for sure. While I'm obviously not 100% about this... I feel that much closer to a solution. Kathy

Hey Lady, I've just been catching up on some posts this morning. Yours got me thinking. I've noticed that any thing that is wrong or aching/hurting or not feeling right with me I think is surgery related. Could it be there might be other things happening NOT related to this thing that is on my mind 24/7??? That our bodies might still be working around this gutting we had done??? I am being a bit sarcastic of course. But I am wondering if you have stumbled across something here with your ribs. Wouldn't it be wonderful if this has been causing your pain, and can be simply helped? I am praying for you Kathy that this is what is going on. I have been hoping that you don't have to have exploritory surgery. So much anesthetic in such a short time, ya know? I'm sending well wishing, happy thoughts your way. Whats the next step here? Are you going to suggest this to your doc? It really is so important to be proactive in your healthcare. Have a great day Miss Kathy

And you should get the consult fee ... Hope that's it, even though the solution is not so easy. If it's inflammation then a heating pad might give you pain relief. Also, anti-inflammatories are off our list, but my surgeon says that if they are the best/only solution, then that is weighed into the decision to use them. He then will prescribe prevacid or something like that and monitor closely. You may be onto it. Eileen

I had this!!!!!! Not too long ago and my doc said that it could be caused from a bad sneeze or cough or something irritating the sternum or ribcage. I had a spot myself (mine was more on my xyphoid) and my doc touched it and I about jumped off the table. But same thing - the cartilidge being inflamed and irritated. Mine has gone away now, but it still acts up occasionally. Since I don't take the anti-inflammatories either, I just kind of let it be. My doc said if I started running a fever or anything to let him know immediately and we'd start anti-biotics. Michelle

Kathy, I just got my synvisc shots in both my knees this morning. I will have 2 more a week apart. I've developed a painful tendonitis in my elbow, so while I was at my orthopedist he gave me a shot of cortisone in that. All these aches and pains are so maddening, but, the shots really help me, so maybe they can help you? Lori

Kathy, it's always a relief when we can begin to connect the dots and solve some of these mysteries, isn't it. Glad you have a lead. I have had this on and off for a few yrs. Something that helps me is when I am at Curves doing my curcuit I use a machine that is primarily for pumping the legs which has a padded bar to rest the chest on, I center my chest where the sternum is and lean into the padded bar while doing the leg back pumps. When it is flaring up it is uncomfortable at first but it seems to relax the area and shorten the flare ups. Also massage therapy or manual physical therapy which works trigger points in the area can relieve it as well. Best wishes for relief. Mary