Anyone have pain in the ribs/side?

[oops1990]

Hey guys, I was wondering if anyone has had any pain in their ribs or sides. This has been a new area of pain for me in the last 2 weeks or so. A little background, I do have a syrinx. As of an MRI 6 months ago, it was beginning to get larger again, so I'm wondering if maybe it's starting to affect a different set of nerves now? I started seeing pain management in December for worsening back pain from the syrinx and I see them for a follow up on the 24th of this month. I've been trying to hold out until then to get checked out for this new pain. I also don't want to get any testing/imaging done right now because I don't have full insurance coverage until March 1. The pain wraps around from my mid and lower back almost all the way to the front of my rib cage. Sometimes it's a stabbing pain and other times it's just an ache. The back pain is all over, which I've been managing, but most of the rib and side pain seems to be on the left with an occasional stab of pain on the right. There isn't anything I've done to cause the pain that I can think of. I just noticed it one day at the beginning of the month. Activity makes it worse, even simple things like cleaning house or cooking dinner. Even laying in bed is pretty uncomfortable. I've had a blood clot in my lung and pneumonia before, and this definitely does not feel like that, so I think I can rule those things out on my own, as breathing feels okay and I don't have a cough. Any help is appreciated. I just hate that my first thought is always that it's the syrinx but I don't know what else to blame :(

[selmaS]

  Oh so I was right...lol....I hate the rib pain as I get it as well it is common for those with EDS.....

Keep a journal of your activities and when your different pain flares to see if there is a relation to what you may be doing.

[oops1990]

I finished up my aquatherapy this week and saw a spine specialist about the scoliosis a couple of weeks ago. I have some answers but no answers at the same time haha. The curve of my thoracic spine is at 27 degrees and my lumbar spine is starting to curve as well to compensate. We're going to watch and wait and follow up in a year. The specialist also mentioned that my ribs could be costochondritis. It seems to be settling some, but just as I think it might be getting better, the rib pain starts up again. I see my pain management doctor again in July and I guess I'll see where to go from there. Still avoiding my NS for now because I'm stubborn, but I'm getting burning pain down my arms again and hadn't had that for a while, so I might have to make that visit sooner rather than later. Thanks for all of your advice :)

[selmaS]

  I figured it was the water....but such a strange sensation for sure.....good luck I pray it helps.

[selmaS]

  I know what you mean.....ahh...aqua therapy....I loved it...but the first time out of the pool my legs were so heavy.....lol...did that happen to you? I am told it is the heated water that does it....but it was so strange....got better with time and I loved being in the water. Hope it works well for you.

[oops1990]

That has happened to me getting out of a heated whirlpool, so I imagine it would be the heated water. I'm actually starting the aqua part of the therapy this Tuesday because they've been overbooked with patients lately, so I've only seen her in the regular office up until now :) The therapist sounds hopeful that it will help, so I am too!

[selmaS]

  Since you can not get to a true Chiari specialist can you get your Dr to consult with one? I know others have done this to help get the help they need....some Drs are willing to ask others for help.....while others will not....but most Chiari specialists will offer help.....

[oops1990]

He has consulted with others on my behalf in the past, so I don't see why he wouldn't. I could bring it up, but I haven't had to see my NS since August and I try to avoid him when I can because I've seen him so much over the last 3 years. As it is right now, I see a pain management specialist an hour away, and now will be seeing a spine specialist an hour away. So I'm going to try and hold off depending on what the spine specialist says. I'm also doing aquatherapy twice a week for chronic back pain, so it just seems like everything is a hassle right now lol

[selmaS]

  I was also told I had mild scoliosis....but was told it was due to my tethered cord....and or EDS.....

[oops1990]

I haven't been diagnosed with tethered cord or EDS. Everyone suggests going to a true Chiari specialist, but that just isn't an option for me right now, so I have to take what I can get =/

[STL5]

I have a syrinx and also have similar pain.  I have had it for years. The pain is worse when I have been doing a lot.  Nothing seems to make it feel any better.

[oops1990]

I've noticed that the pain I have gets worse with activity too. One doctor told me it was bronchitis... and two others told me they thought it was a muscular issue. It's been a little over 2 months now and the pain isn't going anywhere. I'm hoping that with this recent diagnosis of scoliosis I can see if my ribs are somehow in the wrong place or something like that. It will be interesting to see how everything relates to the Chiari and syrinx.

[selmaS]

  Hi...yes, and it can be due to two different things Chiarians can get/have.

One is your ribs may be sublexing out of place and for me it can happen if I turn a certain way, laugh etc....and it can be very painful....

The other which could be more likely since yours seems to linger longer then a subluxtion....Costochondritis is a painful condition of the chest wall. It is caused by inflammation in the joints between the cartilages that join the ribs to the breastbone (sternum). Although painful, it is not a serious condition. Usually it has no obvious cause and settles over time.

I do believe both issues can be due to Ehlers-Danlos....which is a related condition to Chiari.

[oops1990]

I've now officially been diagnosed with scoliosis after some imaging. I'm being referred to a spine specialist who I hope can help explain this further. I think it might be the answer to the rib pain I've been experiencing. Thanks for your help :)