I Just Might Have the Weirdest Problem in the World

2

Replies

  • nikkiprickett
    nikkiprickett Posts: 412 Member
    this sounds interesting, bumping for later
  • Kanohane
    Kanohane Posts: 112 Member
    On Friday, I went to the doctor to see what's going on with my side. I've been having pain there for a long time, like over a year. Its not really my side, kind of like my back, near where my kidney is. I'm scared it's another golf-ball sized kidney stone and I just don't want to deal with that again. Anyway, doing initial tests, the doctor really doesn't feel that it's a kidney stone. I've done a couple pee tests and blood work and an ultrasound, and nothing is indicating a kidney stone or kidney blockage of any kind. So, he comes up with this bizarre theory that he thinks it's my free floating rib that is poking me and causing pain. He pressed on it, and it really hurt. And he think it is bruised from knocking into my pelvis bone when I do certain types of exercise, and it also is stabbing into my meat and causing pain for me.

    He has been on this theory since I visited about 4 months ago to first start looking into my side pain. He is somewhat convinced because he says right there where I am having pain, there's just nothing there. It can't really be too many things. If its not the kidney, then it's my stupid free-floating rib.

    If it turns out to not be my kidney, he said he wants me to lay off exercise, sit up straight, and take Aleve or something for about 3 months and see if the pain goes away.

    I asked him if my doctor is recommending no exercise. He said no. There might be some things I can do, like walking and elliptical. But, he said probably no running, and no yoga and no lifting and no crunching. I thought, WTF!

    W E I R D E S T. P R O B L E M. E V E R!

    I asked if I could just have the rib removed. He thought that was a weird question, I told him I think this problem is weirder than my question. He said is possible, but pretty major.

    Anyone else have this issue?
    I once had pain like that...but it came from drinking too much soda...no doctor was needed for me, once I started drinking water it went away...Do not remove your rib D:
  • neverstray
    neverstray Posts: 3,845 Member
    I'll make my CT scan appt tomorrow. I'll follow up with the results from that.
  • jppd47
    jppd47 Posts: 737 Member
    Haters gonna hate I guess. He's not a quack. I've been with him for 30 years. Second opinion, maybe, if we get there and it's needed. This kind of thing is not just an immediate fix. We have to eliminate variables in order to pinpoint the issue. Geez. Some of you really need to chill out.

    lol, srs, this is the internez, its better than staying at a holiday inn express :)
  • melissachipman
    melissachipman Posts: 3
    Go to the chiirpractor happens to tons one right pop and pain is gone.
  • mlb929
    mlb929 Posts: 1,974 Member
    I'm voting for a Chiropractor too. Or maybe a massage therapist. I don't typically believe that regular dr.s now much in the way of physical therapy, and exercise, as I always get really weird answers from them, a physical therapist may help too.
  • melissachipman
    melissachipman Posts: 3
    Ask some people around you for a good chiropratior recommendation ! There is a lot of crappy ones, I have a rib pop out all the time 20 minutes in chiro office and pain is gone. All better. Get a foam roller it really helps too!
  • Smuterella
    Smuterella Posts: 1,623 Member
    Ooh, another weird rib person here. I have an extra pair of ribs at the top of my back. :-)
  • leomom72
    leomom72 Posts: 1,797 Member
    bump
  • Lauren8239
    Lauren8239 Posts: 1,039 Member
    I have the exact same thing on my right side. Floating rib as well from when I had them busted being trampled by a horse. Same thing, doctor says there's nothing there to cause pain but the rib. I feel a lump there, but tests show nothing. So I just carry on and grin and bear it. :smile:

    Edited to add: Can you pull the rib out so it pops? I do that to mine and it relieves the pressure.
  • Phaedra2014
    Phaedra2014 Posts: 1,254 Member
    I feel a lump there, but tests show nothing. So I just carry on and grin and bear it.


    It's a trigger point. The lump you feel is the knot in your muscle. http://books.google.com/books?id=IYqqY5Ae_VoC&pg=PA146&lpg=PA146&dq=trigger+point+between+ribs&source=bl&ots=wPggYCCxw6&sig=VaNHhYHwZQvpaDKGbLOLuXvjewU&hl=en&sa=X&ei=mQwDUJqxCIqw2wWbx7CyCw&ved=0CFMQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=trigger point between ribs&f=false

    Read the section on intercostal pain. All you need are your fingers and a tennis or lacrosse ball.
  • Lauren8239
    Lauren8239 Posts: 1,039 Member
    I feel a lump there, but tests show nothing. So I just carry on and grin and bear it.


    It's a trigger point. The lump you feel is the knot in your muscle. http://books.google.com/books?id=IYqqY5Ae_VoC&pg=PA146&lpg=PA146&dq=trigger+point+between+ribs&source=bl&ots=wPggYCCxw6&sig=VaNHhYHwZQvpaDKGbLOLuXvjewU&hl=en&sa=X&ei=mQwDUJqxCIqw2wWbx7CyCw&ved=0CFMQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=trigger point between ribs&f=false

    Read the section on intercostal pain. All you need are your fingers and a tennis or lacrosse ball.


    Thank you very much. :flowerforyou:
  • mrsslimkatie
    mrsslimkatie Posts: 46
    Maybe its a tight muscle like your QL. You could try going to a qualified massage therapist (one that specializes in sports massage) and have them see if they can help. Im a LMT
  • Jezebel9
    Jezebel9 Posts: 396 Member
    I recently have had flank pain, and the kidney docs say my kidneys are fine, but I think it is exercise induced nephritis or athletic nephritis or pseudo nephritis. But, if it is your rib, shouldn't it hurt when you are doing the exercises that are aggravating it?
  • carolyncmahoney
    carolyncmahoney Posts: 1
    Today I saw this post. You are not the only person who has this problem. Have you learned any more about it since writing this message? My ribs sit on my iliac crest of my pelvis--bone on bone--no space between. After calcification and limited ability to rotate my torso, the two floating ribs (not an uncommon term as suggested) on that side were partially removed. Yes, it allows me to gain more rotation, but the problem still exists and is getting worse and extremely painful--my entire side is in spasm as a result. It appears there is a "corkscrew" effect of my body which is worsening as I age. There is a history of scoliosis in my family, and the hip on that side seems to be drawing upward and forward, making it almost impossible for me to sit.

    I hope you see this post and can give me some feedback as to your status today. Many doctors look at me as if I am making this up, or if they recognize the seriousness of the problem, they don't have an answer. I am impressed your doctor had the recognition that this could even happen--but it does. The problem is now impacting my hip, the way I walk, and even my intestines and correct bodily bathroom habits. Nerves are obviously being damaged, and I don't what is ahead for me.

    Please respond to this post. Thank you.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    All of your ribs are attached in the back. The bottom ones sort of come out as a Y shape. They are not free floating. They only call them that because they are not attached in the FRONT. You only have a very few bones that are totally unattached...like your patella and the hyoid bone in your neck.

    I think you need another doctor.

    Why would I need another doctor?

    I'll look for another opinion if I need to, but there's been nothing to indicate he's wrong yet. And because when he push on it, it was really sore, he has a point.

    because it hurts and the solution isn't just always wait and see if it goes away...

    also leaving bones just "floating about in space" is an issue- for obvious reasons.

    And you should ALWAYS get a second opinion on major issues- that's the logical and adult thing to do- not all doctors are right.
  • FrnkLft
    FrnkLft Posts: 1,821 Member
    Seriously, you guys are trying to give him treatment advice...?

    OP if you don't like what your doctor said, then just go see another one, or do what your doctor says.

    Also no, haven't heard of it, but I'm not a doctor.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    Seriously, you guys are trying to give him treatment advice...?

    OP if you don't like what your doctor said, then just go see another one, or do what your doctor says.

    Also no, haven't heard of it, but I'm not a doctor.

    I've seriously NEVER heard of anyone balking at "second opinion"

    that's usually almost always the # one thing you do when you go to the doctor and the diagnosis is unacceptable or illogical or super expensive.

    2nd opinions are a must. Medical industry isn't always trying to 'just help you' and neither is your insurance for sure.
  • saradewhurst
    saradewhurst Posts: 2
    Just wondering if you have an update on your painful rib?
    I have a similar problem. The tip of my 11th rib on my left side has been sore to touch for about 4 months. Some days worse than others. Today it is quite painful, usually it doesn't really bother me unless I press it.

    I see a chiropractor regularly (every 8-10 weeks) and he said it was a common issue with boxers! I'm not a boxer :-)
    He said it would just go away with rest and ibuprofen but I think I will go to the doctors next week.

    I was wondering what your CT scan showed and what your treatment was.

    Hope you are feeling better

    X
  • MSnFL
    MSnFL Posts: 1
    I've had this pain for over 4 years and I am currently seeing the 3rd doctor, regarding this problem.
    I've tried sitting on the inflatable roller balls, to stay limber at my desk, and I've tried numerous vitamins (a-z) to help with pain, and all of the cold and/or hot remedies I could find.
    I have severe pain at the lower front-right part of my ribcage and when the doctor touched the back of this rib, I almost came out of my seat. I knew then I had found a doctor that had a clue about my problem.
    He suggested a surgery to cut the nerve, which sounds a lot better than removing the rib altogether.
    He also mentioned they might want to try and burn the nerve first, but I want a sure thing, like pain gone.
    The problem is the doctor's office, that he referred me to, has not called back like they said they would, and they don't seem to be in the same league as my doctor.
    My doctor explained the details and functions of the floating ribs and how they are only connected by cartilage. He also told me how this makes healing near impossible, as they move with every move you make and every breath you take. He put me on a mild pain medication, that dulled the pain enough, so I no longer spend my days thinking of ways to end it all. I just want to get back to living my life again and being somewhat active. I'm going back to my doctor for another recommendation and get this show on the road.
  • Jenny3157
    Jenny3157 Posts: 1
    an x ray would give you an immediate answer
  • mishtery
    mishtery Posts: 148
    You need a 2nd opinion!
  • jacobwelden
    jacobwelden Posts: 1
    i was wondering if you ever had your issues resolved. i have a similar discomfort on both sides of my rib cage. it has been like this for the last two years. i have already seen a chiropractor about this and no explanation was given.at first it started on my left side and moved to right after about a month or so. the pain comes and goes and swaps either side or both sides at once. the only temporary relief i have found is punching myself in the kidneys ,but that only works temporarily and i cant say i would recommended it. my first thought was my floating ribs then i moved onto the theory of kidney stones but that doesn't seem likely. it is hard to exactly pin point the pain, but it is definitely in that area. also i know my rib is not touching my hip bone because i can feel the gap although it kind of feels like they are touching. if you hear anything on it i would like to know thank you.
  • sabified
    sabified Posts: 1,035 Member
    Sorry OP, I'm no help, but bump to save... my ribs end pretty close to my hips as well, and I would be so sad if I had to stop everything I'm doing (which is basically everything your doc told you to stop).
  • Sagittarius1981
    Sagittarius1981 Posts: 3 Member
    edited April 2017
    I've had the same pain for 2 years and after many x rays and ultrasounds and an MRI, I have only just got an answer. After seeing a good Chiropractor (after being made 10 times worse by Osteopath who said it was my diaphragm and stretched and pulled my ribs) I've finally been finally given an answer. It's called rib-tip syndrome. My floating rib is too close to my hip bone and when I strain, bend or laugh hard, my bones are rubbing together it's extremely painful. I will let you know if Chiro helps. Doctors had no idea after 2 years and 3 Doctors. Hope you get sorted.
  • livingleanlivingclean
    livingleanlivingclean Posts: 11,751 Member
    edited April 2017


    Eta... Should check thread dates and read the whole thing!
  • 35dollars
    35dollars Posts: 832 Member
    FWIW, I had the same diagnosis from my doctor, a number of years ago. I kept getting unexplained pains in my left side, which he diagnosed as (something to do with) my floating rib on that side, and that there was basically nothing that could be done about it.

    Over the course of the next year or so, the pain (which had been intermittent for about 5 years previously), just went away
  • Sagittarius1981
    Sagittarius1981 Posts: 3 Member
    Get a life mate. I did read the dates. You never know if someone else sees it and could benefit from the comment. You really need something more in your life to focus on, than putting others down
  • livingleanlivingclean
    livingleanlivingclean Posts: 11,751 Member
    edited April 2017
    Sagittarius1981 wrote: »
    Get a life mate. I did read the dates. You never know if someone else sees it and could benefit from the comment. You really need something more in your life to focus on, than putting others down

    Umm. I was talking to myself. My comment was irrelevant.
  • Alatariel75
    Alatariel75 Posts: 18,230 Member
    Sagittarius1981 wrote: »
    Get a life mate. I did read the dates. You never know if someone else sees it and could benefit from the comment. You really need something more in your life to focus on, than putting others down

    Calm your farm, the person you're abusing answered the original post, then edited her post to acknowledge she was 5 years too late. It had nothing to do with you.
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