I'm sitting at my computer, 1 am in the morning, to try and discover why the upper right side of my chest is in such pain.
Last night it felt as though my kidneys were throbbing in pain so I drank a lot of cranberry juice and that seemed to work for that. Tonight the pain feels more in front and on only the right side. No matter what position lying down, the pain kept getting worse, not better. I took 3 asprin, the pain remained and so here I am.
As I'm sitting upright typing, the pain doesn't feel as severe but I feel it more in the back side than in the front this time in the kidney area I believe. Anyway, before I found this site I wasn't sure whether or not I was having a heart attack. I've never suffered from indigestion. Thought this type of pain would be more near the stomach area.
After reading some of the comments above I became curious about the similar pain experiences and that they occur at night or in a lying down position. Also reading about a rib fracture is curious as well. My husband, when placing his arm around me at night, exerts so much pressure that sometimes I wake up feeling my arm or ribs are bruised. It's more frightful when his arm's around my neck or most of his chest is on my back and I can't breath. Anyway, I began to wonder if perhaps my rib is fractured.
Thanks for your contribution. Reading the many questions in this forum, you can understand it is impossible for me to make any diagnosis over the internet. What I write here is **only meant to be used in furthering discussion with one's personal physician**. I cannot give any concrete recommendations nor diagnosis without seeing the patient, and that is not the purpose of this forum.
Slipped rib syndrome is a musculoskeletal etiology of pain in specific location in the rib cage. Unfortunately, treatment options are limited - there is no consensus data showing one option giving a significant improvement to this disorder. Options that have been studied in small trials include chiropractic manipulation as well as physical therapy. You may want to discuss these options with your personal physician.
You may also want to consider a referral to a physiatrist (a rehabilitation physician). They are specialists in evaluating and rehabbing chronic, musculoskeletial discomfort.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b
I have had a similar kind of pain off and on for many years. When I had an xray done fours ago, they found I had an extra partial rib on the left side. Many people are born with this and are not symptomatic. But for some, they describe symptoms similar to yours and mine: a kind of nagging upper rib pain, for me it was in my back, which often is worse at night or awakening in the morning. I suppose because of the reclining position. My doctor prescribed some physical therapy to help strengthen the upper body, mainly the thoracic area, so that my muscles are stronger and help to support the diaphram and upper skeletal area. I now do these exercises regularly, and only rarely do I have pain. Sometimes all I have to do is some stretching of the upper body, and it is fine. I am no Doctor, but thought this might help you.
Thanks for your comments, I really think many more people suffer from this / these types of syndromes than doctors are aware. I'm sure you know how frustrating it is to have constant rib pain and have no explanation. I thought if others saw this it might help to explain their condition... CAmom