WTF is this rib pain?

[IHeartKingThistle]

A spot between my left ribs is really sore, particularly when I wake up and when I stretch. It's been going on a few weeks but has got much worse this week. Just did a yoga class and it hurt so much the teacher has said I shouldn't go back until I've had it checked out. So I'll go to the GP next week but wondered if anyone had had similar?

For context:
-I'm 44

• came off the pill and had the Merina in in May which has been awful - loads of pain around ovulation
• had gallbladder removed in March due to a massive stone
• have upper back issues but just finished 5 weeks of physio which hasn't helped
• have pain in other joints, hip / knee / shoulder which I try to ignore, but this is worse
• have chronic gastritis / reflux which has been in a flare for the last couple of weeks but is usually controlled
• do a bit of yoga but not really any heavy exercise
• not aware of any injury

Jeez I sound like a right bag of woes. Anyway, anyone got any ideas?

Following for the replies. I've had the same pain since 2019

Oh god really?

I haven't had a cough or anything which would have caused it.

Costochondritis? It's inflammation of the tissues in between the ribs but mine feels like the pain is in the bones at times. Bloody miserable and seems to flare up when I'm stressed/run down.

My ribs are really painful. It feels like someone is gripping me really hard.

@SkyFullofStars1975 do you get it on one side or both sides?

Pancreatitis?

Skyfullofstars thanks I've just looked on the NHS symptom checker. Sounds like it for me

Was also going to say it could be costochondritis - I’m also mid 40s OP and get a flare up every couple of months and sometimes after lifting weights. Naproxen helps, it’s an anti inflammatory. I also wear non wired bras or bralettes as any wiring digging in the affected area can be really painful. Hope that helps.

Thanks. Does sound possible. Would it get worse before it got better? I'm worried that mine has got worse.

It could be lots of things, definitely see a GP and explain all your symptoms

definitely see GP as those could honestly be so many different things. However, I immediately saw Ehlers Danlos bc I have it and I have almost all those as symptoms! Worth checking out and seeing if you have any of the other symptoms for it in case they are relevant to mention in your appointment x

My gp said this, but also said it would clear up of its own accord in 3 to 6 months. If anything it's worse now. It feels like my bottom ribs are going to pop out sometimes

Mine started off in my right shoulder at the back, then spread all the way round the front. The worst place for me is my sternum, and that seems to be the weakest spot.

It does and can move around, unfortunately.

I've had it on and off for 5 years btw. Never as bad as the 1st episode thankfully though - that took around 8 to 10 months to fully get better.

I had similar pain over the years. Ended up being plurasy. And had same pain 2 yrs ago, me thinking it was the same it ended up being blood clots on my lungs. Always seem to get it after being ill/covid/cough/chest infection.

Costocondritis. I’ve had it a few times and it’s really painful.

I was told costocondritis will last between 3-6months I'm on my 3rd year.
It gets worse if I'm cold.

Yes, costochondritis and intercostal neuralgia. I have had this pain since February 2020 (I ended up in A&E)

Feels constantly tender under ribs on the left hand side and I get painful twinges in my sternum. Had lots of tests but now I just live with it and hope it does get worse.

• doesn't

Does it feel like you been stabbed in the back and can't take a full breath?

If so it could be stress

I have a lot of work stress. Like a lot. Could be!

Does costochondritia have to have a trigger? I've had no injury or cough. It's weird but so sore. One particular sore spot between front ribs on my left but also twinges in sternum, right ribs and all round back ribs. Argh.

Gastritis is not helping because I can't figure out if the pain is related. So much burping and trapped wind and discomfort. But I've had gastritis flares for 13 years, that's not new.

Typed it 3 times and still got it wrong LOL

Doesn't always have a trigger. Mine didn't but it is more common in women over 40 apparently. Naproxen and a heated wheat cushion for flare ups.

I get it, self diagnosed it as costochondritis a couple of years ago. It started when I turned 50, I’m 55 now. It comes and goes, can make my yoga snd Pilates classes quite tricky though.
It’s really painful sometimes.

Look up tietze syndrome as opposed to Costochondritis. It’s like an inflammation of the sternum where the ribs meet the cartilage, whereas CC is inflammation of the ‘meat’ between the bones. Tietze usually affects the sternum but mine was all over, right into my lower ribs and round the back. Both bloody painful. My recent flare up left my lower ribs so swollen a chiropractor said it was like a bag of water and she could see it through my top.
it was affecting my breathing, and was very painful. I have improved it by raising my workstation up (I wfh) and the chiro tapped some of my ribs back into place.

for most people it’s a short term thing but some people have chronic cases, with flare ups as a pp said, when run down or after exercise.