Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group rib pain

Hi -
I'm wondering if anyone gets the pain in the upper back, but like around a rib(?) It feels like the costochondritis, but it's hurting in a different place than my usual. Hurts to take a breath. Wanda

i get those pains usually when i cough or i breathe in real big its part of AS effectint that area of your back....oak

Thanks Oak,
As much as this hurts, I'm so glad to hear from you. The pain is in a different area than usual, so it threw me off a bit . My last bout with costo lasted about 8 months, but I think it helped to get my dx. I am thankful for that, but now I just wish it would stay away. Wanda

Wanda - I do not know what the ailment that you mentioned is - but in the early years - 20 years ago - I was often amazed when I could have sworn I had a broken rib or two.

Hang in there - I use heat and as hard as it is to get used to - ice packs

Brian

I've been having rib pains for 10 years now, on and off. Aside from the sternum pain, the area where i feel most of the pain is in my back (in the thoracic area) but not straight in the middle, more like in each sides of the vertebras. While it wasnt as constant before, its now triggered everytime i take a deep breath. Things like coughing, sighing, yawning, sneezing all cause me pain. If i cough a lot (like if i have a flu or asthma), then the pain goes up to a point where i cry and i want to stop breathing... can be very miserable then... feels like my whole back and ribs are on fire then, associated with stabbing sensations making any effort to cough/take a deep breath like total torture.

In the last year i started noticing its also triggered if i eat too much as well (xmass party, restaurant, etc etc). The explanation i give to it is if my stomach is full, my belly cant expand (because of my pants), so it makes pressure on the diaphrag, forcing me to breathe more deeply then i would normally... this causes me a lot of pain so i cant enjoy parties and special events as i used to...

Sometimes i wish it would fuse already



Carole

When it is at its worst, the rib pain bothers me more than anything else. For some reason, a hot shower works much better for me than any other form of heat treatment, especially for rib pain. Sometimes it can be the difference between a sleepless night and enough sleep to get by.

Since I started Enbrel, 2 months ago, the rib pain has become a distant memory.
Lou

My rib pain does move around abit. Sometimes its right in the middle and sometimes its just on one side or in back. It can really take your breath away, I have told my doc when its at its worst I hope I dont ever have a real heart attack cause I'll just think its the costo kicking in and ignore it . I think hot showers help too...


Angie

Thanks Guys, I really appreciate you answering my post. I was so sore through the night and this morning that I decided to go to see the doctor. I guess I just wanted to be sure I didn't have some type of infection also. Of course, I don't know what I would have done if I had, because I think they would have had to tie me down to give me an antibiotic. My remicade infusion is next week and I'm not about to mess up that schedule.
He gave me Valium because he thinks theres also muscle spasms involved. Has anyone used this during an episode of Costo? I haven't taken it yet, but I have taken the Oxycodone. I'm having a lot of other pain, it seems to be getting worse the closer I get to the end of my infusion. Has anyone ever mixed the valium and oxy? I hate it when they give me more meds to take. Then again, where would we be without the meds? That's scary, I don't want to find out. If I can make do with just the oxy, that's what I'll do. Thanks, Wanda

Hi Wanda,
I have been struggling with the rib pain off and on for several years. I have taken valium and oxy at the same time as they both do different things. My understanding is that the valium will relax your muscles and stop the spasms(it may also relax your mind as well, until you get used to it), while the oxy works to relieve the pain. Hopefully, it settles down soon!
loriann

I have had SI pain for 11 years. I have had facet injections, prolotherapy and still the pain never leaves. Thoracic and neck have been treated since 1980. Now I am having rib pain which is what brought me to this site. Tender ribs. Twice this week I woke up with chest pain that started on my right ribs and travelled. Osteopath said that my heart, lungs and liver/gallbladder all look fine so it was the ribs. He adjusted the ribs and yes, they were tender. Great. How does one distinguish between heart attack and rib spasms. Horrible pain I had so I am thinking all of this may be AS. Never heard of it til I found this site. I also have had 2 small hemorrages in my eyes. Sometimes eyes are irritated. My rib pain started 2 years ago as an ache in my lower rib near the center of my chest. Former osteopath said it may be the cartilage that flip flops. Also GI, is all good. It is hurting now cause I did art for 3 hours today. I do have a hot tub out back to use.

Tell me, can one still have AS if blood workup and exrays come out normal? I really would like to put a name on this stuff. If it walks, talks and looks like a duck, it is a duck. Your site really has described what I have been going through. I cried when I saw all the responses to rib pain as I felt very alone. I am grateful to have found you.