Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group rib cage or heart involvement and typical pain for

i knew one of you guys would pick up on this! but i faced that fear head on!

sue

ditto for me on chestpain like wendyR, pain went away with acupuncture for some reason? I say for some reason because no amount of acupuncture ever got rid of the other pain and I was an acupuncture guinea pig for students

Hi Peg,

Yep, I get exactly the same pain. Sometimes it feels like I'm having a heart attack.
The breathing pain is always consistent - sharp when the lungs are fully inflated or deflated.
James

though my rib pain is really rib pain, i had a particularly bad episode where every breath was extremely painful, so i did go to the doctor to make sure it wasn't more serious.....but it was just the ribs. still, going to the doctor to rule out something potentially serious, is never a bad idea.

sue

Problem is, one can feel like one is camping on their doorstep! Could have camped on his doorstep last night. Managed to get to sleep, then woke up four hours later to searing abdominal pain, nausea and vile GERD. Then on came the ribs and crushed chest, unable to breath... Then, as I tried to sit more upright, the SIs threw in a drum roll for good measure.

Lay there, not daring to move, but wanting help and wondering how the heck I was going to get it! Also wanted pain meds - but would have prob chucked em up... At last dozed off a bit to come to with the door bell going like the very devil himself was at it. Struggled out of bed somehow, with my left leg going into a spasm of a flippin Charlie cramp. Stumbled my way downstairs, clinging to the bannister, no one there! What the? Then, from across the road appears this wee gnome of a man (my opposite neighbour): "Oh madame, your shutters were open on that side and the window ajar! I was afraid for you!" Well, kind of him, but, that window has been on air vent adjar with the shutters open for weeks now...

Went into the kitchen, trying to breath, sight met my eyes. Complete mess. A veritable pee'scene together with crud everywhere. She must have gone paddling in the stuff.

By the time I'd cleaned it all up and disinfected everywhere...I'd forgotten all about the pain and being unable to breath without pain.

Don't need the doctor, got me a dog instead!!

Now gotta take lump out for a walk, do my French homework and get me to my French lesson. OK world. Let's restart the day! (Wonder if she had been 'out in sympathy' with me or had it been me 'out in sympathy' with her? )

Yes, I'm like Bunnynest, pressure over the sternum, even light pressure produces pain and does lying on the ground on my side. This gives me rib pain.
My physio suggests standing neck deep in the hydro pool, placing hands around your ribs and deep breath. The water pressure adds resistance to really work the lower areas of the lungs and chest.

Sonja,
Ouch, I am sorry.
Does anything help?

peg,
Yes, it is familar, a daily struggle.
I work out daily, and try to expand my lungs throughout the day. All the post seem to offer osmething.
Pick and choose what works for you.
Use it or lose it - I believe in that truth.
Take care

Mine was mostly on the sternum, very sensitive and very painful to touch. My 2.5 year old son sitting on my lap to read a book, putting his head back on my chest was too much to bear. Nsaids cleared it up fairly quickly. The discomfort was preceded by my chest "popping"/"craking" like a knuckle...a bit disconcerting and just plain odd feeling.
I find that if I sleep on my side too much, with shoulders rounded, it starts hurting. Trying to sleep flat on my back as much as possible. Small heating pad right before I go to sleep feels nice too. (and warms me up in the cold sheets!)

unfortunately nothing helps. Thankfully its not a constant.. only happens on the worst of worst days. And I'm getting pretty good at reading the signs of the crushing feeling coming.. and i lie down and hope it doesn't start.

its horrible..

Does anyone else ever get pains like this?

Sonja