Rib pain and soreness

I'm dealing with this right now. Walking gently seems to help some with the discomfort, so does putting some soft pillows under my ribs when I lay down, and making sure I can lean back against something smooth when sitting. I'm going to try Benadryl when the compounding pharmacist gets it ready for me (I've got too many sensitivities to use the over-the-counter products), because I've had luck with Benadryl as a pain reliever in the past.

I also wonder if lymphatic drainage treatment would help some...this is basically gentle massage of lymph vessels & areas around lymph nodes, but be sure to get this done by someone who has training in lymphatic drainage massage techniques.

Another possible idea is to try hot & cold compresses. Start with a hot compress for 10-15 minutes, then put a cold compress on for 5-10 minutes. Alternate between the two a couple of times. This kind of treatment stimulates circulation and may help clear the swelling and lymphatic blockage. Stop the treatment immediately if either temperature (hot or cold) causes increased pain.

I hope this helps - take care,

I'd guess if the lymph nodes along your ribs are swollen, that this would be related to the pain you are experiencing, but I can't say this is for certain because I'm not a doctor... I hope the warm/cold compresses help. Take care,

Hi, I have this soreness too, only on my front ribs.  Putting pressure on them hurts.  I use a cream called Real Relief.  I have also tried EMU cream.  Both seem to relax it a bit.  Costochondritis is what I have heard this refered to as.  I will try the hot and cold compresses too. 

CajunGrl,

Yes, my Vitamin D is low. Yes, I've been told I have leaky gut. I have many problems with my gut, hence why I cannot eat anymore and must be fed through a vein in my arm (Total Parentaral Nutrition via PICC line). I am working on fixing this, as most of my gut troubles started with Lyme, but it is a long, slow road.

Found out my swelling around my ribs is due to low albumin (low blood protein level), caused by poor absorption and malnutrition, aggravated by allergies and liver problems (caused by TPN), and made worse when they drained 2.6 liters of fluid out of the lining of my lung when I was in the hospital earlier this month.

I've heard L-glutamine is really good for leaky gut, especially if you can take it orally. I've tried it via IV, but it didn't help.

Take care,

Hi CajunGrl and Welcome to the forum!
  I'm not sure if my experience is just like yours, but I will tell you about it.  My rib pain was VERY painful and felt like I had been poked in the rib or hit real hard with a hammer in a specific spot.  The first time it happened, it lasted for many weeks and I just put up with it until it finally went away on it's own.   The next time it happened, I told my naturopath/chiropractor about it and he told me what he thought it was but I forgot what he said!  Anyway,  he told me to massage the spot (rub it) several times a day, or as often as I could, until it went away.  I told him it hurt too much when I touched it and I wasn't sure I could do it.  Well,  he massaged one of the spots during my visit and it competely quit hurting!  I was amazed, so I did the other spot on my own at home, and after a few days, it went away too!  It happened again just recently, so I asked him to remind me what it was, and what to do.  He called it costochondritis.  I kept massaging the sore spot (even though it hurt to do so) and it went away!  It's still hard for me to believe this would work, but it did----and without any drugs!   Ask your doctor for his/her opinion about doing this.  It sure worked for me.  Maybe there are different kinds of costochondritis?  I don't know if it would work for all types.

Best wishes to you.   bablymers mom

Bablymers,

Thanks for the info. I'm not sure I can rub that area at all. I can barely lay on my sides. It's my entire rib cage...front and back. I just picked up some muscle cream from a chiropractor with chondritin and glucosamine in it. They are used to treat pain and inflamation so I will see if it helps. I willbe taking supplements with that in it too. I hope it works because I don't know how much more I can take. I have enough with the muscle and joint pain.

Do any of you all have the pain in your lower ribs across your back? I have been having alot of pain in my entire lower rib cage. My Dr. seems to think that costochondritis only hurts in the sternum.

I have similar pain on the left side of my back, lower ribs. It has been ongoing for a month and I cannot bend over or sit up straight without it making me feel sick. Resting back is fine. I am really tired of it! I remember when I had back pain similar to this before I was diagnosed and went to the chiropractor. She rubbed the "knots" she felt and it was so painful I could not tolerate it. I ended up getting pain killers from the doctor. I also get pain in my rib on the front, right but it is more isolated.

Hey Decordes,

Okay, I understand now. I know that one of the symptoms of Lyme Disease is Rib pain/soreness. I'm sure Lyme has a lot to do with what we are going through.

Your sweating and shortness of breath sounds like Babesia. I have those symptoms and I have Babesia. Sometimes the test come back negative when the person actually had it. I also have symptoms of Bartonella and the foot pain drives me crazy. I've never in my life had foot pain. Of course, I've never in my life had muscle and joint pain this bad either. This disease is hard to deal with for sure.

Anyway, I hope you feel better soon!

I am new to the forum. Looking for others with same strange symptoms.
I've had Lyme, Babs, and Bart for about 20 years.

I have had rib pain/liver pain for about a month. I had an ultra sound done that showed some stones in my gall bladder that I flushed out with a cleanse. But the pain persists.

The thing that I find the most helpful for the pain is doing castor oil packs. Very soothing.

I am so sorry to hear about those of you who are suffering from rib pain. At the same time, I am so grateful that you shared it as I don't feel like my recent complaint is "crazy". I went snowshoeing one day in December and have had strange pain in the muscles between my ribs ever since. I had never heard of anyone having pain in their ribs before my own complaints and now reading it here.

So far, I have not found real relief beyond the use of narcotics. (unfortunately, I've been using those since 2005) My hip joints always hurt, and the rib pain is dissipating, but pain continues to be a constant. I'd love to get out of this pain cycle and live a "normal" life. I work on my own personal happiness, as the channels in the body for physical pain are exactly the same pathway as those for emotional pain. Funny how when I am most happy, the pain is almost completely gone... YOWSA! Bring on the fun! I'm fighting this with positive energy!!!

NYCGal,

Welcome to the forum! Keep us posted on your progress. I am very interested to see if this works for you.