Hi im 17 years old, Female and Ive had rib cage pain for about 4 years now. I was diagnosed with costochondritis after having to go to the E.R. last year september because I wasn't able to breathe, the pain in my ribs felt like it was constricting my lungs almost.I had an x-ray done to rule out an broken or fractured ribs. But another doctor thinks it is to do with my stomache..... i really don't feel like it is. Also I read costochondritis feels like having a heart attack...but that is not the case.
The pain flares up very randomly from movement or coughing or heavy breathing. Like today I bent over to my left for my dog's leash and I had the worst pain under my left breast (same applies to if I was bending more to my right or even just leaned over forward ). I have been taking anti-inflammatory meds every time I need to and I stopped playing sports because I was told to lay off such activites for awhile. But honestly the pain feels no different from before. It jus occurs less often because I don't do much now. Also the pain is different from chest pain. it feels like a very specific rib....but ANY rib in either left or right, depending in the way I move is BENDING INWARDS like a flexible ruler! or so it feels but I when i run my hands over my ribs I don't think I feel any type of indentation. But the only way for the pain to stop is if I stay in the postion or striaghten my posture untill it feels like the presure has eased off.
symptoms:
-feels like bending ribs in either left of right
-occurs in my lower ribs, close the my sternum, around the collar bone area or on my sides
- tenderness usually all the time
- rarely does an area swell
- extreme pain
- makes breathing hard at times
can anyone relate?! or tell me what it can possibly be!??? is it be the muscle or the bone or cartilage? i don't know.