Sore ribs?

I've noticed that on really bad joint days (when I wake up and feel like I've been hit by a truck), I have lower rib pain that extends all the way around my body.  It's most prominent in the front, and it hurts so much that it forces me to stop slouching (in other words, slouching (I'm a notorious sloucher) makes it worse).  When it really hurts, I have to suck in my breath and hold the front of my body very tense.  What is this?  Has anyone else experienced this before?  As I said, it usually occurs when my hips, shoulders, and neck are seriously acting up.  Tramadol helps it.

Thanks!

Elcamino

That's what I was going to ask too. I got a ride in an ambulance once cause I thought I was having a heart attack that turned out to be costochondritis. It's an incredibly crappy type of pain. You should get it checked out though elcamino. On the plus side, they give you percocets for it!

Hey again El. I would definitely mention it to your rheumy. I had it in a pretty minor way, off and on for 6 months or so, kind of like what you're describing, and then one day it just literally kicked the crap out of me. It can be a pretty wicked kind of pain if you let it get out of hand. Good luck.