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Awful Rib Pain- Right side only
T5,6 ,and 7 DDD. Taking PT resolving lumbar pain. I have Osteopenia and narrow spinal column with stenosis. Resistive exercises of my arms caused severe right rib pain. Rest does not help. Can't imagine ice under my arm at rib area.
Of course I stopped the particular exercise. Lidoderm patch seems to help. Would heat application be usesful? I am avoiding NSAIDS due to cysts in kidneys.
Of course I stopped the particular exercise. Lidoderm patch seems to help. Would heat application be usesful? I am avoiding NSAIDS due to cysts in kidneys.
Sorry I did not reply to your timely and helpful replies. I was facing several health issues over the last fivel months including severe bouts of L5 pain.
1step4ward...great handle! We do seem to have the same symptoms. I am a believer in holding off on surgery until absolutely necessary. The ruptured discs in ev area causes some strange pains. The rib pain is getting more frequent and yes the warning pain does happen so I support the rib area each time at least thinking it helps with the pain. But the severe pain comes on and that spasm-like pain is over in 40 seconds! It
is awful. Getting the ice on is difficult as I am usually not near the freezer
once I am in the pain I can't move. Any twisting does start the pain. Last one happened two days ago as I stood up next to the kitchen table in a rather tight situation by the wall.
Shinty your alternating with ice and heat is normally very right and effective. Thank you for sharing that information as others with injuries
will benefit from it as I did with low back pain.
Chuckie
1step4ward...great handle! We do seem to have the same symptoms. I am a believer in holding off on surgery until absolutely necessary. The ruptured discs in ev area causes some strange pains. The rib pain is getting more frequent and yes the warning pain does happen so I support the rib area each time at least thinking it helps with the pain. But the severe pain comes on and that spasm-like pain is over in 40 seconds! It
is awful. Getting the ice on is difficult as I am usually not near the freezer
once I am in the pain I can't move. Any twisting does start the pain. Last one happened two days ago as I stood up next to the kitchen table in a rather tight situation by the wall.
Shinty your alternating with ice and heat is normally very right and effective. Thank you for sharing that information as others with injuries
will benefit from it as I did with low back pain.
Chuckie
Ice always works best in the first 24 hours following an injury (reducing swelling that is). i was told by many different medical professionals and physical therapists in particular to do the ice for 20 minutes on, then 20 minutes off, or you can go with ice 20 mins. on and go right to heat for 20 mins., and keep rotating the two. this has helped me tremendously at times (switching from hot to cold as prescribed).
shinty
shinty
Chuckie,
I've been having the same pain you described for 2 1/2 years. I also have ruptured discs in the mid thoracic area, along with sponylosis and DDD.
I get the stabbing/burning pain when ever I use my arms, or hold my head at a certain angle (Like peeling or chopping veggies). It's a difficult thing to live with as we use our hands a lot. I try to stop as soon as I feel that stinging sensation which tells me the stabbing pain will follow, but it's tough, as it's the everyday motions which cause the pain. I have taken various meds for it, but haven't found anything that works. (I've also had a 2 level lumbar and 1 level cervical spine fusion and take pain meds for that, but nothing touches the mid thoracic and rib pain.)
Like you, I feel fragile, and I'm doing less and less in my effort to avoid causing additional pain. I've been through P.T. but it just made things worse. I also had an E.S.I. in the T5-6 area, and I did get 4-5 days of almost complete relief from that. (I have no idea why a second shot wasn't offered.)
I'm seeing my surgeon next week as he's pretty sure this is referred pain from one (or more) of the ruptured thoracic discs which is pressing on the nerves. I don't know what he has planned, but I'll let you know if I get any relief. Like I said, so far, the only thing that's helped, was the E.S.I..
Good luck! :)
I've been having the same pain you described for 2 1/2 years. I also have ruptured discs in the mid thoracic area, along with sponylosis and DDD.
I get the stabbing/burning pain when ever I use my arms, or hold my head at a certain angle (Like peeling or chopping veggies). It's a difficult thing to live with as we use our hands a lot. I try to stop as soon as I feel that stinging sensation which tells me the stabbing pain will follow, but it's tough, as it's the everyday motions which cause the pain. I have taken various meds for it, but haven't found anything that works. (I've also had a 2 level lumbar and 1 level cervical spine fusion and take pain meds for that, but nothing touches the mid thoracic and rib pain.)
Like you, I feel fragile, and I'm doing less and less in my effort to avoid causing additional pain. I've been through P.T. but it just made things worse. I also had an E.S.I. in the T5-6 area, and I did get 4-5 days of almost complete relief from that. (I have no idea why a second shot wasn't offered.)
I'm seeing my surgeon next week as he's pretty sure this is referred pain from one (or more) of the ruptured thoracic discs which is pressing on the nerves. I don't know what he has planned, but I'll let you know if I get any relief. Like I said, so far, the only thing that's helped, was the E.S.I..
Good luck! :)
Thank you for your suggestion regarding ice or warm applications to my rib cage. I do that next time I have a similar pain. Muscular that is.
I appreciate this site and the professional comments. The pain catches me
frequently and now I am now prepared. My physician relates the pain to my
DDD and arthritis and muscular strains too.
As for myself I have toned down my home exercise routine and do not hesitate to use cold compresses. The pain though is stabbing and short
in nature and occurs with a simple reach or somewhat careless move into bed. Guess I am becoming more fragile with age.
At least, thanks to you, I won't panic anymore.
I appreciate this site and the professional comments. The pain catches me
frequently and now I am now prepared. My physician relates the pain to my
DDD and arthritis and muscular strains too.
As for myself I have toned down my home exercise routine and do not hesitate to use cold compresses. The pain though is stabbing and short
in nature and occurs with a simple reach or somewhat careless move into bed. Guess I am becoming more fragile with age.
At least, thanks to you, I won't panic anymore.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi!
In all probability it is a muscle pull. You can apply an ice pack to the area—believe me it is possible. Please ask your doctor if you can take acetaminophen for pain relief. Yes, applying heat will help also—especially 24-48 hours after injury, but cold compress will be more useful. Take care!
The medical advice given should not be considered a substitute for medical care provided by a doctor who can examine you. The advice may not be completely correct for you as the doctor cannot examine you and does not know your complete medical history. Hence this reply to your post should only be considered as a guiding line and you must consult your doctor at the earliest for your medical problem.
In all probability it is a muscle pull. You can apply an ice pack to the area—believe me it is possible. Please ask your doctor if you can take acetaminophen for pain relief. Yes, applying heat will help also—especially 24-48 hours after injury, but cold compress will be more useful. Take care!
The medical advice given should not be considered a substitute for medical care provided by a doctor who can examine you. The advice may not be completely correct for you as the doctor cannot examine you and does not know your complete medical history. Hence this reply to your post should only be considered as a guiding line and you must consult your doctor at the earliest for your medical problem.
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