Ribs out. Help!

Hello, Im a healthy 26 year old female. Ive been having back pain when taking a deep breath and pain at one spot to the right of my sternum.( where the rib attaches) I went to my GP who referd me to a physical therapist because he thought it was a rib out (which it was) I was un-able to keep my appointments with her so I went to a chiropractor who found a few ribs out. Two in the back which is the same area I'm having pain when taking a deep breath. And one in the front (where I have the sternum pain) He said they have clearly been out for a while and set me up for 6 sessions and feels they should be better by then.

Yesterday was my forth one and I told him my back feels better, at times I still have a very dull pain when breathing deeply but not all of the time. I still have pain next to my sternum as he has not touched that and said it should settle down once My back ribs are 'fixed'.
Im posting this because he totally freaked me out yesterday and wanted to let me know that if this treatment doesnt help, he wants to do a chest x-ray because the pain could be caused by a tumor. WHAT?! I havnt even finished all of my treatments and now hes totally freaking me out! He finished by telling me he thinks everythings fine because Ive gotten some relief. Im TOTALLY freaked out...I feel useless today because thats ALL I can think about! He anyone had rib subluxation(sp) and still felt SOME pain? Was he out of line to mention that to me soo soon? Ive had 2 complete bloos tests in the past few months both of which were normal. and a c/t scan that coverd most of my chest. I worry about my health ALL the time and hate that he even made mention to me of that!!! Can someone please give me some insight or suggestions? Anyone else had anything similar to this? PLEASE!!

Richmond
Your chiropractor was way out of line, and he is not a medical Doctor, and he has no business telling you something like that! if I was going to have a chest Xray I would have it done or ordered by my regular doctor, not a chiropractor! It sounds like he might just want to pad his bill a little to me! I am kind of surprised that he signed you up for that many sessions right off the bat!! Anyway has anyone mentioned chondritis which is an inflamation of the cartilage it can also cause the pain you described. and that usually goes away by its self! Sometimes if it continues longer than a few day or a week, some doctors might give low dose steriods for a few days to help it! If it continues you might want to ask your Doctor about that, In any event, you might be better off going back and talking with your Doctor again anyway.



Good Luck to YOU and keep us posted.



White Beard

Hi Richmond,

I've never even heard of the situation you are describing, so I can't offer any words of wisdom. I would like to offer a little support though, so I'm sending some cyber help your way.

I hope you are feeling somewhat better. An x-ray isn't really a big deal and would probably ease your mind. Perhaps you should consider asking your GP if one is warranted. I have anxiety issues too and (although I DO NOT think you have anything to be concerned about with the results), I can understand the worry this idiot has caused you. I'd ask for one just to relieve my own mind.

All the best to you!

I'm right there with you Richmond.  Health has always been my primary anxiety (except for work...but thank God I'm retired now).  Now I only worry about them taking my retirement away.  It's actually much better.

I really do understand where you are in this with the worry.  For me, once I get the results I can handle them....and some have not been so great, but knowing for sure makes the worry go away.

Please keep us updated on where you are with this.  By the way, I take a controlled release xanax (2mg) in the morning and ambien (15-20 mg...depending) to sleep at night.  I can't take any other MH meds because they create major problems for me, but the controlled release xanax works wonderfully for the anxiety.  I just make sure to see my Dr as scheduled and always check out my medical conditions as they occur so I won't worry about them.

I'll keep checking the board for your post.  Believe me, you are not alone.  I think there is an anxiety section of HW, but I only visit the CP section.  This is where I have found my "home" and people who are kind and understanding.  They will be there for you too!

Best to you!

UPDATE:  I just re-read your initial post....I'm not trying to diagnose and I'm certainly no Dr, but have they ever discussed costrocondritis (sp?)?  I mention this because I have had REALLY bad episodes of costrocondritis and I honestly felt some of the same things you describe.  It doesn't ever really go away, but once the initial pain subsides the flares are usually when you have done something to irritate the area.  I don't generally do anything to irritate it anymore because of my back issues, but I do remember it well!