Muscle Cramp or Hernia?

[Kel11]

After exercise (typically only happens when fatigued) and only when doing crunches or bending in a forward motion, I get a horrible pain between two of my ribs on my left side, just below my left breast.  The pain feels somewhat like a terrible muscle cramp (shortness of breath, sometimes naseua).  Additionally, something protrudes or "pops out" between the 2 ribs, about one inch wide and two inches long.  If I stretch out long or stand up tall, the area returns between the 2 ribs (typically after about 15 seconds).  The pain is gone when the area is not "popped out", however, can remain sore to the touch for a couple of days.  This occurs about once every other week after exercise (I've had to cut down the amount of exercise until it is diagnosed, so it could potentially happen every time).  I am prone to calf, foot and quad cramps, however, this is more painful but somewhat similar.  
An ultrasound and MRI were both negative although it was not "popped out" during either procedure.  Six medical professionals including a surgeon and all say they've never seen anything like it.
Suggestions?

[lumaelha]

I have exactly the same problem...really painful when it happens isn't it. I hvae been trying to work out whether it is a hernia or not. I know your post was a couple of years ago...I just wondered if you had resolved the problem or not?

[live4fitness]

I posted somewhere else about something simalur. I recently have been suffering ALOT from muscle cramping. I went and bought potassium pills. I take more than recommended but thats me b/c the recommended dose didn't work. I have not had any cramping this week :). You could try this aproach and see if it helps.

[barn babe]

A bunch of internet yahoos can't trump 6 medical professionals. Do you make a habit of doctor-shopping?

There's nothing wrong with you that requires any treatment, including surgery. Forget about it.

Don't worry - you're not going to be written up with some new disease nobody's ever seen or heard of. It sounds like a benign anatomic anomaly.

Time to move on.