Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Advice please

Hi all. I do not have an AS diagnosis as of today. In the past year, I have had times when my back has gone out on me. Some mornings I do feel stiff. As of today, my back actually feels very good. The problem is my side - around my ribs. For the past few months, I have been stretching morning and night. I have noticed that when I am seated and stretch to my right side that my right ribs hurt. A real tight feeling like a spasm I think. Last couple of weeks I have had the same feeling when I am standing and bend down to the right side. Last couple of days it hurts all the time! It's only on the right side. Mostly to the side of my mid-back and wrapping around the side. I just got back from my doctors appoint. At the appoint I explained my pain (he knows about my AS concerns). He asked if I could touch my toes. I did no problem BUT did it ever hurt around my ribs. Pain in the same area but much more! He gave me a prescription for Celbrex (sp?). He has said that I have ostio in my spine because an x-ray last year showed narrowing of l4-l4, l5-s1.

Does this rib pain on bending sound familiar to anyone? Weird cause my back actually feels good....

Thanks

Val

may I suggest that you read the post"frozen ribs" it might help you out..since I hurt all over due to really bad flare I cant help you. but Im sure others can.......oak

I am older then I look and I feel older than I am

Hi Val,

I get cramps in my ribs at T6-7, T7-8 and T8-9 area all the time. If I stand in one position for very long, if I sit and turn, I even get them while laying down. The neurologist and neurosurgeon feel they come from the AS, but at the same time I have spinal cord pressure at T6-7 and T7-8 from ruptured disc.

Other than stretching exercises there isn't mush that can be done for them. They have tried several muscle relaxers with no relief. When the cramps or spasms hit they cause me to jerk in the opposite direction to release, but the area stays sore for a few hours after that.

Have a good day,
Brent

Hi,

The sort of injuries/lesions at that level of the spine can do all that, nerves muscles etc

That area is also affected in SpA & AS as well as other forms of arhtritis. the Dr is treating you to a formula, the celebrex is an anti-inflamamtory and he's seeing if that helps you.

It can take a while for you to work through his formula but regardless of what arthritis you have anti-inflamamtories are usually the first step.

Did they do blood tests?

David

Hi Val,
I am sure this type of pain sounds familiar to many people here. I've had my share of rib pain since I was a teen, but the area is pretty much fused now and it's different.
Anyway, what David explained is what my doc had told me too when I was having pain in my upper stomach area.
Doc told me that the problems in my spine can cause the nerves and muscles to be effected all the way around to my upper stomach. So, even if your back isn't hurting right now, the problems you have with your back could be causing the pain in the ribs.
AS can cause costochondritis (inflammation of the ribs and sternum) and If this is the case then the celebrex should help. Hope it does and hope the pain goes away so you don't have to deal with this anymore.
Hugs,
Lisa