Why do I get cramps under my rib cage (ie my lungs)?

[shiiloh]

I don't know if I am quite in the right place for this question to be answered, but I think here may be a good place to start.

Now. I don't think it is anything serious but I would be intrigued to know why I get cramp under my rib cage (which looks like it is the lungs). It is very much like the stitch but in the wrong spot and I never get it after running or doing excercise.. like this morning for instance, all I was doing was walking around. I went to get my breakfast and there it was, the stitch that's in the wrong place.
The pain always occurs in the same place, in the left lung (or around because I don't know if it's to do with the lungs or muscles etc) just above my stomach.

Again. I don't think it is anything too chronic which is why I am on here not at my GP.. although if it does sound bad I think I will head off to see him.

Thanks for your help

[gma60418]

I hope by now you found the answer. I get the rib cramps when I sweat a lot; it is a lack of potassium and sodium (drink Powerade- I drink the zero calorie). When I am overworked, tired, stretch the wrong way or cold I get the cramping as well. Some times if I cough or move to another angle they ease up. I have used 3 aspirin and store bought leg cramp pills as a quick fix.

[missmissmiss]

I have this too and my friend gets it even worse than me, it like a massive stab and hurts so much you cant move and have to breathe really shallow breaths so it doesn't hurt as much. I looked it up and read through a blog with many people with the same symptoms from there I found out about this syndrome: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Precordial_catch_syndrome . The website explains all of my symptoms and also says that it is harmless and gets better with age, so I guess we just have to wait :/ As for other people who seem to have different symptoms where it hurts their right side and back, I don't know.

[Miss_Misfits]

I'm thinking since we all have the same-ish symptoms that its indigestion related. I was working and had my "off shift drink", ate a meal which was kind of spicy and a little bit later I had this pain, which I've had on and off for about a week now. This is something I've experienced since I was a child as well and everyone always told me it was ingestion/gas related. I think possibly when some of us with more sensitive stomachs eat or drink certain things, our bodies act in more bizarre ways then most people. That also could explain why when some if you had gone to the doc for it all your tests showed back positive results. I'm really hoping this is the reason because although painful, its not as bad as it could be if it were something worse like pneumonia (which I have had and it felt similar) or a lung disease. Anyways, I know this post is from years ago but I'm hoping it helps anyone who stumbles across this in the future. :)

[stinker43]

please look up pre-cordial catch, that sounds more like i have

[stinker43]

these are cramps or spasms, costrocondritis usually is pain in middle of chest when you take breaths, totally different feeling. i have had these rib cramps for 30 years with no help from doctors, i put pressure on the spot and just hold tight until it leaves. and no muscle relaxers doesnt help it is usually gone before the relaxers kick in. just saying

[Dehl]

Hi all,

I have the same problem for 5 years.  Went to doctor and they can't find anything wrong.  Somebody told me that I just need to take more liquid.  I drink at least 8 glasses of water each day or 64 fl oz of Gatorade.  Believe me, it works.  I have been pain free for 4 years now.  Good luck.