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Original poster

Feeling like something gets stuck under rib when bending over eg in forward fold

111 replies

SaltyLemons · 19/12/2024 17:37

It only ever happens in a particular position eg a forward fold in yoga or just now when I was sitting cross legged and folding over to do my bikini line/bits! It began happening after the birth of my second child (which was a section) and it's only ever in that position. It bloody hurts! I have to stretch out straight to make it go away - it feels awful! Can anybody relate?

OP posts:
JiminaSlump · 19/12/2024 18:46

YES - MY PEOPLE

I've had this since having my older DC. It's like a horrible tight knotty cramp under my ribs that comes when I bend over and I can only get rid of it by stretching both arms over my head and stretching out. It REALLY bastard hurts and sometimes aches the next day if it's particularly bad!

Never had it before DC1...

MoorGirl · 19/12/2024 18:51

I get this every week at Pilates! Uncomfortable rather than painful, feels like pressure which could pop.

Original poster
SaltyLemons · 19/12/2024 18:55

I remember a yoga session once where you forward folded towards the right (no probs) and then to the left - I was in agony! Wont do those kind of forward rolls every again

OP posts:
IdaPrentice · 19/12/2024 19:03

I get this, although I had C-section 19 years ago! Only when I'm doing a standing forward bend to touch my toes, in pilates/yoga style. And only in the last few years - since I've put on a bit of weight, not sure if that's relevant. For me it's relatively minor and the pain disappears after a few seconds - it feels like something is being squashed causing a cramp.

Interesting to hear about floating / displaced rib syndrome.

Suhbataar · 19/12/2024 19:06

Oh good grief, I'm so relieved to read this thread! I've had this for ages - more or less since I had the first DC (now 16). Mine's on the right and comes on when I 'fold' to put on socks, shoes etc. I have wondered for years of there was something out of place but Dr Google came up empty and at some point I decided that if it was anything to worry about, it would have showed itself by now.

It's horrible isn't it? Hurts like a bastard

sunshinechaser · 19/12/2024 19:19

I have this too!!! I've never seen the GP as it's intermittent but when it happens it's AGONY. I feel a hard lump pop out on my LHS and I need to stretch my arms in the air and massage it back into place. I thought it might be a hernia or something. It often happens when I bend over to paint my toenails or similar position.

thesunisastar · 19/12/2024 19:27

Omg this is ME!! This is exactly what I've experienced - only since having children and always on my left hand side. First time it happened I thought I was going to die haha it was so sudden and SO painful, I thought I must have ruptured something. The way PPs have described it is exactly right. My GP checked me for a hernia but it wasn't that, and she had no other suggestions. Fascinating to hear about this floating rib syndrome.

I'm really careful to avoid forward folding movements because it's so horrid. I can somehow feel when I am getting close to it happening.

MushMonster · 19/12/2024 19:27

I cannot believe that there are so many of us!
I do describe it as a stabbing pain, as good as someone had place a knive inside by ribs, just below my breast. Horrible.

NeedMoreTea · 19/12/2024 19:31

This is amazing. Thankyou so much for posting about this. I've had it for years on my right (after having DC). Usually bending and digging at the allotment, doing yoga or doing shoe laces. I find the only way to get rid of the pain is to lie down on my left hand side and stretch out. When it's really bad the pain travels up the nerve to the base of my neck/shoulder.
I never went to the doctor as I thought it would be impossible to replicate in a 5 min appointment.

Cathelptumour · 19/12/2024 19:34

@AlisonDonut what did the French doctor say in terms of treatment or any complications? Mine is not too bad pain wise - it goes quite quickly but I worry that something could go wrong and become more serious. Thanks

Callingallbutterflies · 19/12/2024 20:02

Very glad you posted this OP. I get this. Feels like things are moving about and then get wedged under a rib. Thought it was because I am bit fat.

AlisonDonut · 19/12/2024 20:29

Cathelptumour · 19/12/2024 19:34

@AlisonDonut what did the French doctor say in terms of treatment or any complications? Mine is not too bad pain wise - it goes quite quickly but I worry that something could go wrong and become more serious. Thanks

Nothing! There are 2 doctors in the country that actually know about it, and both are in Paris so in the new year I'm going to contact them and find out how to get a proper diagnosis. I'll also contact the one that suggested it and see what she says. My own GP just said 'see a osteopath' and I did and she didn't have a clue. I then saw another GP who basically said 'live with it'.

From what I gather there are a few pinning/plating options, and a removal of the lowest rib option, but not alot really in terms of realistic treatment without surgery.

Lillygolightly · 19/12/2024 20:30

I get this! Have had it since before having kids, though it happens much more frequently since I had kids.

Mostly on my right side, can occasionally happen on the left. Bending over the bath to was hair or trying to fasten strappy shoes is guaranteed to do it.

For me it feels like my lower rib crosses or folds under the other. The pain is incredibly sharp and nauseating and it just feels really really wrong. Don’t know how else to explain it. Have to literally bend myself as far back as possible in the opposite direction and it can leave my ribs feeling sore for days!!!

Horrible horrendous painful sensation!!

camperjam · 19/12/2024 20:34

Yes! I was trying to explain it to my husband but couldn't describe it properly

Godesstobe · 19/12/2024 20:42

I have had this, usually on my right side, but sometimes on my left, since I was a teenager - so, long before I had DC. I have only ever met two other people who know what I am talking about - my DM and my DD. DM can't remember when it started but thinks it was well before she had children. DD has had it since early teenage years so, again, before she had DC. They both only get it on the right side.

I don't worry about it - it's intermittent and passes quickly and I have had it so long that I don't think it is going to kill me. DM is 95 and still going strong.

I describe it as feeling as though my ribs have crossed over.

TherebytheGraceofGodgoI · 19/12/2024 20:42

You’ve all described it exactly! Like a rib getting stuck, or a muscle cramping. I’ve had this since having a c section 17 years ago and it’s always on the LHS, usually comes on if I’m putting socks on or washing my legs sitting in the bath.
I have to stand up straight and press down on the site which feels like a hard cramping muscle. I never realised it was so common!

cakeorwine · 19/12/2024 20:44

Well this is what I think I was trying to explain to the GP recently. I thought it was because I'd put on some weight and it was skin folds or something on the lower ribs.

TheWorldKickedBack · 19/12/2024 20:56

I get this too on the left side when I bend over too much. The only way I could describe it was like a cramp. I thought pregnancy had weakened my rib cage. I have to stand up straight and cough a few times which helps a bit to relax the muscles or make it feel like I'm pushing my ribs back out.

Oldieandgoldie · 19/12/2024 21:00

.

ChatHRT · 19/12/2024 21:02

Oh this thread has been a revelation, thank you.
1 CSection 17 yrs ago, 2 VBACS, fit and healthy.
If I bend to put socks on it sometimes feels like an organ has prolapsed between my ribs and is v painful
Sometimes when driving I have to wedge my elbow into my ribs to support and prevent pain
I had an ultrasound which found nothing, was referred for MRI but then left my job with healthcare insurance and have never followed it up
I am so relieved to know I am not alone

Queeezy · 19/12/2024 21:14

Me too, sometimes it happens when I'm painting my nails too. I also started getting a back spasm if I walk uphill so think it's muscle related. So painful

isaidwhatisaidandimeantwhatisaid · 19/12/2024 21:18

Yep! I get this too when folding myself over. I've got hypermobile EDS and I've always called it my slippy rib. Always on the left.

Also noticed it since having children (9 and 6 years ago, 1 natural birth and 1 CS).

AnyFucker · 19/12/2024 21:19

I have something similar but not quite the same

I have had a feeling for several years now that I have a tennis ball stuck under the right ribs. It is there all the time but worse when driving or bending forward etc. Strangely, it isn’t tender to touch.

I have worried it could be many different things like liver disease, enlarged spleen, pancreatic disease etc. I saw a GP pre Covid I saw a gp who ordered an abdominal scan which showed nothing. Since then I have been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease which I assume is unrelated (wrong area). I have had extensive bloods showing normal liver and pancreas function. No lumps or bumps are palpable.

I figure by now if it was something serious I would be dead, but here I am.

cakeorwine · 19/12/2024 21:22

AnyFucker · 19/12/2024 21:19

I have something similar but not quite the same

I have had a feeling for several years now that I have a tennis ball stuck under the right ribs. It is there all the time but worse when driving or bending forward etc. Strangely, it isn’t tender to touch.

I have worried it could be many different things like liver disease, enlarged spleen, pancreatic disease etc. I saw a GP pre Covid I saw a gp who ordered an abdominal scan which showed nothing. Since then I have been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease which I assume is unrelated (wrong area). I have had extensive bloods showing normal liver and pancreas function. No lumps or bumps are palpable.

I figure by now if it was something serious I would be dead, but here I am.

OMG. This is just what I thought.
GP just said they couldn't feel anything,
I also got a chronic kidney disease diagnosis. But as you said, it's the wrong area.

AnyFucker · 19/12/2024 21:24

This is a very reassuring thread 😊