OMG THIS IS AGONY...painful left rib

[EdieMcredie]

I am 15 weeks pg and my left rib is so painful. I had the pain before I was pg but being pg has made it worse. GP says its a dislocated cartilidge but he didn't examine me or anything. I am not kidding, it is absolute agony and making me quite depressed. Any ideas?

Talk to your midwife, and if you can, go to a different gp. Unless it was diagnosed before you were pg, how can s/he say what it is without examining you . I don't know if it's the same where you are, but in my area, you can bypass the gp and go straight to the hospital maternity unit when you are 16 weeks pg.

Yeah im gonna speak with m/w when I see her next week. This pain is making me miserable. Thanks.

Def get it checked out by midwife/hospital. If afterwards there is nothing they say they can do some gentle exercise might help. I had awful rib pain on the right side when pg - sometimes when out I'd have to find somwhere to sit cause I thought I would pass out. I found gentle swimming was wonderful and would keep the pain at bay for a few hours and reduced for the rest of the day. Also went to aquanatal classes (not a great swimmer normally but in the last few months of pg pool became my second home) Also a gentle stretch of your arm above your head on the side of the rib (I used a pilates move) helped. When really bad I also took paracetamol - didn't like doing it but helped. I feel for you its really awful, do get it checked out first though.

I had a chostochondral seperation (which I think is the same thing as 'dislocated cartilage) after a very bad and persistant cough. It is v painful so I sympathise. I was given strong painkillers & anti-inflamatories which helped with the pain whilst it healed, although I appreciate you may be restricted if you are pregnant.

I would seek a second opinion. If it is a chostochondral seperation it is only going to get worse as baby grows and causes your ribs to flare.

Thankyou that's really helpful. I might try the swimming.

Yes he did mention chostochondral something or other. Its bloody awful isn't it?!