Excruciating shoulder and chest/rib pain when breathing??

[joop]

Hi

I am 12/13 weeks pregnant,going for scan in 3 weeks so will know for sure then hopefully. For the past couple of days I've been experiencing lots of stabbing pains at the top of my left ribs, middle of my left breast and extending out to my shoulder. Been to docs who said my chest was clear, nothing wrong. I asked for Gaviscon which I've been taking for the past 2 days. I called midwife today who said it was NOTHING to do with the baby, suggested trapped wind, indegestion or a chest infection. I am still taking Gaviscon, drinking hot water and peppermint tea but the pain is still just as bad, I feel as though I am being stabbed when I breathe in. Has anyone else suffered from this or can offer me any suggestions? This is my first baby. Thanks a lot.

doesn't sound good - has your doctor done any further investigations? think you should go back and see him or if you can face it go to casualty. I would doubt if it was anything to do with the baby at this relatively early stage, sounds like a lung infection or something which should probably get looked at. others may have better suggestions - but in my exp indigestion is generally in the middle, doesn't radiate to your shoulders and is fairly instantly recognisable even if you haven't had it before...

Not in pregnancy - but I occasionally get what you are descibing - and I've heard it referred to as a "trapped rib" which makes me feel like I can't take in a breath, and it's excrutiating. Not sure what causes it, but it could almost be described as getting a cramp inbetween the ribs. Perhaps it might be this - and it's as a result of your ligaments softening, that you are susceptible?

The pain started a couple of days ago right after I had been sick, have been sick on and off mostly for the past 2 months, has abated slightly now (sickness)but had a bad day Wednesday and then this pain started. Thanks for the advice, I have had a few problems with ligaments etc. I've always been quite fit but as soon as I fell pregnant hamstring in my right leg felt as though it had been torn and also lots of abdomen pain twinges when I sneeze or cough.
Thanks again for advice, I will go back to the doctors on Monday if this doesn't pass over the weekend.

joop - how are you? It sounds like you may have strained your rib muscles while retching. Try hot and cold flannels on the pain and gentle stretches. I found physiotherapy and osteopathy both very helpful during and after pregnancy (osteopathy excellent for morning sickness, in my case 24/7 sickness!),