Ask the Advocates: Rib Cramping

1 min read

Rib cramping is very common for people with COPD and often a major frustration expressed by our community here at COPD.net. Additionally, many feel confused about what to do for rib cramping and do not feel that their doctor is able to offer much advice when it comes to this symptom of COPD.

We asked our advocate team about rib cramping, from what this feels like to tips to deal with it. Check out their answers below, and comment with your own answers!

Tips to deal with rib cramping and COPD

Karen

Mom described it as an elephant on her chest many times. Lying down triggered fear, as though the weight on her chest would push all the air out and she couldn't inhale again. When reclining, sometimes she would begin to pant or take small breaths, and then she would become dizzy. We got a lot of pillows for her to lie down with at night so that her chest didn't feel so heavy.

Read Karen's bio here!

Theresa

Rib cramping is very common with COPD and extremely frustrating! It can come on without any warning and can be so painful. While rib cramping most often occurs at night or when you’ve been still for a long time, it can really happen at any time. Staying hydrated is an important piece of the relief puzzle. When certain electrolyte levels are low in the body, it can make cramping worse. Slow, pursed-lip breathing can also help alleviate cramping. It forces you to slow your breathing down and focus on taking it easy. Muscle relaxers and certain supplements can also help but be sure to talk with your doctor before adding anything to your COPD medication regimen.

Read Theresa's bio here!

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stretch22 Member
Moving in an awkward way would start the cramping for me. I would massage it and take slow deep breaths until it eased up. Feels like childbirth contractions! Very painful!
1. Lyn Harper, MPA, BSRT, RRT, AE-C Moderator
 Hi Stretch22 - Others have described the pain as similiar to childbirth as well! Thanks for letting us know what helped for you. Lyn (site moderator)
2. Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
 Hi Stretch22 and thank you for joining in the conversation here. It's good to hear that a self-massage eases the pain for you. Thanks for letting us know what has been successful for you. Wishing you well, Leon (site moderator)
gailhyzny Member
Hi. Just logged in for the first time. I was diagnosed several years ago I never had any difficulty breathing nor did it interfere with daily life until I got my bronchitis or sinusitis. The drs told me to quit smoking. I did not realize how bad my illness would get. Now I am on oxygen 24/7 and not able to do too much. Just getting used to limitations and accepting. there anything I can do to help with breathing on very humid days.
gailm Member
I suffer from rib cramping lately and its new for me and I thought it was my lungs hyperinflating and pushing on my rib cage causing the muscles around my lungs to go into spasms. I change my position and do pursed lip breathing exercises. It helps but the spasms come back. Would a heating pad help to allievate these cramps do u think? Is it from electrolyte imbalance though bec if so do I need to have my lytes checked out? Tks
1. Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
 Hi GailM and thanks for joining in the conversation here. You've had some good ideas of your own to try and manage these types of pain. You may want to try a heating pad - that may provide some relief. Also your thought about the pain being related to electrolyte imbalances may apply as well. In order to be certain, you'll want to ask your physician if a blood test (to check the electrolytes) is indicated. Please do check back and let us know how you're doing. All the best, Leon (site moderator)
gramma4 Member
My rib cramping feels as if someone has shoved a large object under my ribs and they feel as if the will break. Difficult to breath for a while.
1. Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
 Hi gramma4 and thanks for joining in the conversation here. How were you able to get past this feeling? Leon (site moderator)
kbair55 Member
I quickly stretch in the opposite direction of the cramping and hold that position til the spasm lets up. Sometimes applying pressure /massage to the area as well is helpful. It is very painful. Feels like a fist is twisting while pushing through the rib cage area.
1. Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
 Hi kbair, and thanks for chiming in here. We appreciate you sharing what works for you. Glad you can be successful with the stretching and pressure/massage that you described. Keep up the good work! Leon (site moderator)
grandmalin Member
Hi there. I do not have the rib cramping very often but when I do I know my potassium and magnesium is low. I drink some Powerade and up my potassium and magnesium supplements for a couple of days. Drink some dill pickle juice if its real bad. On low sodium diet so don't do that very often but it helps me out on occasion. Have found when I'm having the rib cramping not to fight them by tensing up. Hurts like crazy but passes faster and using slow pursed lip breathing helps calm and relax me. Had not even thought about a heating pad but sounds like a good idea to try, thanks.
1. Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
 Hi GrandmaLin and thanks for joining in the conversation here. We appreciate you sharing with the community what works for you in managing the rib cramps. Others may read your post and have ideas for themselves. We appreciate your input. Leon (site moderator)
covid19survivor-almostcopd Member
I had covid19 in March. This ended up with chronic inflammation... often people try to tolerate those symptoms and accumulate scars that reduce lung function. They might not realize they have inflammation and must get to a doc...pulmonologist. I was lucky to be able to recruit a new PCP, physiatrist and pulmonologist after weeks of deteriorating conditions, INCLUDING RIB pain due to the body expanding lung area to make up for all the fluid and scars. First left breastbone cartilage... then lower left rib, then right breastbone cartilage then under the right shoulder....
1. covid19survivor-almostcopd Member
 I was moving rapidly into COPD... I couldn't exhale. BUT my pulmonologist stopped this from happening! My inflammation was reversible! All it took was prednisone for several weeks. This is NOT a COPD cure... it prevented me from ending up with COPD. I don't want to give false hope...only you and your doc can see if this applies. But now I'm also using an NIV (non invasive ventilator) to stretch my lungs and try to reclaim some of the scar tissue area. I hope this helps someone!
2. Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
 Hi covid19survivor-almost COPD, and thanks for both of your post(s) above, We appreciate you sharing your recent medical conditions with the community. It's also good to hear you were able to find a physician team (PCP, physiatrist, and pulmonologist), who were able to treat you and help you to feel better. We value your candor with the community. Wishing you well, Leon (site moderator <a href='https://copd.net' target='_blank'>COPD.net</a>)