RIB CRAMP

By barbpainintheribs

1 min read

Hi, I was diagnosed with COPD August 2012.
I have cramps in every part of my body that's possible, different day brings a cramp in legs, arms, fingers, toes, face, neck, back, bowel and front area, chest and ribs. My doc has prescribed Quinine for the cramps, which has lessened the cramp but I still get it. The worst place is my ribs - this I have had over 15 years, long before I was even diagnosed with COPD. Makes me wonder when the COPD actually started? The rib cramp is so painful, I can't do anything until it goes. I get rib/back/chest cramps several times a day - just by turning my torso slightly, sneezing or laughing!!! Makes my life a living hell - not to mention the shortness of breath and fatigue!

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Meaghan Coneys Moderator
Hi Barbpainintheribs, Thank you for sharing your story with us. We are so happy you are a part of our community. I am so sorry to hear you experience cramping all throughout your body and particularly in your ribs. I thought you would be interested in the following article which further discusses rib cramping - <a href='https://copd.net/living/community-feedback-rib-cramping' target='_blank'>https://copd.net/living/community-feedback-rib-cramping/</a>. You also mention experiencing shortness of breath and fatigue. The following articles discuss those symptoms further and provide some treatment options/self care tips as well - <a href='https://copd.net/symptoms/shortness-of-breath' target='_blank'>https://copd.net/symptoms/shortness-of-breath/</a>, <a href='https://copd.net/symptoms/tiredness' target='_blank'>https://copd.net/symptoms/tiredness/</a>. I hope you find these helpful. Again, thank you for sharing you story with us. We love hearing from you. Wishing you a lovely day. Warmly, Meaghan (COPD.net Team)
beetx Member
I have copd . Was recently DX and am on O2 now plus neb meds and inhalers. I have been getting those horrible rib cramps for years now. I have problems to get dressed, driving, any twisting movement throws me into a terrible spasm under my R rib and there will be a very hard area. I also get cramps in feet, neck, face , lower belly and calves. I have been sipping on pickle juice and it seems to help the cramps.I also rub magnesium oil straight onto cramps and use Biofreeze roller ball straight on cramps.. Horrible things!!!
1. Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
 Hi BeeTx and thanks for letting us know about your rib cramping and how you deal with it. Some community members have mentioned the 'pickle juice' solution while others have had success with orange juice. If you haven't as yet, you may want to visit us at our Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/copddotnet/ We are all about COPD and you will find you can read and share your COPD experiences with other like minded members. Warm regards, Leon (site moderator)
2. shirleyann Member
 I've read on the internet that a spoonful of yellow mustard a day helps keep the cramps away. I do find mustard will help as well as pickle juice. Luckily, I like both.
peter3 Member
has anyone found anything that helps the rib cramping
1. susangray07 Member
 Peter3if yoou find an answer to that please share!!
2. Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
 Hi Peter - I'm sure you're still getting used to our website here. You posted this question on 4/30 in this same forum and I provided a response that I thought you would see. Here it is (below): Hi Peter3 and welcome. You pose an excellent question and one that has prompted a lot of discussion on our Facebook page. You can access our Facebook page here: <a href='https://www.facebook.com/copddotnet/' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>https://www.facebook.com/copddotnet/</a> The forum where the topic of rib cramps is being discussed with community feedback can be found here: <a href='https://www.facebook.com/copddotnet/posts/1717697355154949?ref=notif&notif_t=like&notif_id=1461989892333924' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>https://www.facebook.com/copddotnet/posts/1717697355154949?ref=notif&notif_t=like&notif_id=1461989892333924</a> I hope you find this helpful. Warm regards, Leon (site moderator)
susangray07 Member
Barbpainintheribs,Wow, you just described my exact story!! Just how my cramps are. So painful and you barely have to turn to get one. My doctor and the doctors in the hospital won't or can't tell me the cause.Had to almost beg my doctor for something to help pain after a couple of weeks. Not sure if he believes they are real and painful or not. Is there anything I can do to get relief or tell my doctor? Glad to know I can show him this article to explain how real it is!!!
1. Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
 Hi Susan. I'm sorry to hear the pain you're experiencing with rib cramping. If you scroll down a bit, I think you'll see the reply to Peter's question may be helpful to you as well. Regards, Leon
shirleyann Member
I have Dilated Cardiomyopathy, Congestive Heart Failure, as well as COPD, so often I'm not sure which condition is causing different symptoms. I have had these sudden rib cramps for seems like about 5 years now and have complained to my dr's about them but none of them had ever heard of these rib cramps. I do also cramp in other body parts, firearms, hands, feet and thighs, but they are easy to massage out. However, the rib cramps are the most debilitating and nothing seems to stop them, so they seem to just have to go their course. I get them in the bath or in the grocery store and anywhere else. I'm sure I look strange in the grocery store as I go into various contorted positions while pushing my cart and trying to get the excruciating rib cramps to stop. I am so relieved to read here how common this symptom really is! Thank you everyone for sharing so I no longer feel alone! 
1. Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
 Thanks for sharing YOUR experiences with us, Shirley. You are never alone here! If you haven't as yet, you may want to check out our Facebook page here: <a href='https://www.facebook.com/copddotnet/' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>https://www.facebook.com/copddotnet/</a> You will find all things COPD there - our community members share all kinds of anecdotal experiences they've encountered with COPD symptoms. You may find more to discuss with the larger community there. All the best, Leon (site moderator)
shirleyann Member
I also wonder if these are symptoms anyone else with COPD suffer from: Spells of excessively runny nose. Like, I mean literally running like a faucet! Suddenly esophagus seems to close up while I am eating and I have to stop eating for 15 or more minutes while attempting over and over to swallow the last bite I took, but it seems to be stuck in my throat and sometimes I have to bring it up and flush down the toilet. After awhile, my throat relaxes and I can continue eating.
1. Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
 Hi again, Shirley. Many in our community have expressed similar symptoms such as a runny, runny nose. You may find it helpful to read this article on "respiratory conditions linked to COPD": <a href='https://copd.net/basics/conditions/respiratory-conditions' target='_blank'>https://copd.net/basics/conditions/respiratory-conditions/</a> Although we cannot provide medical advice here (for your own safety), the concern you have with your esophagus 'closing up' while eating is concerning to us as well. For symptoms like that which recur and are persistent, I would urge you to see your private physician for a more thorough evaluation and diagnosis. We're glad you found our community and appreciate you being here. Please check back with us and let us know how you're doing. Regards, Leon (site moderator)
linda66 Member
Oh thank God, I have had this cramping also and I talked to my oncologist about it. I am a non-hodgkins lymphoma survivor, so I assumed it could be related to that. However, since I wasn't cramping at the time, he couldn't say what the problem was. During an ER visit an ultrasound was done since I still have my appendix. I have been thinking I pulled a muscle somehow. The pain reminds me of when I was pregnant and the baby would get up under my ribs. So when a cramp hits I do like I did with the baby, gently massage and slide the lump toward my waist. Works for me.
1. Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
 Thanks, Linda, for letting us know how you resolve the cramping you are feeling. Others in the community may derive benefit from reading about your experience. If you haven't already, you may want to visit our Facebook page here: <a href='https://www.facebook.com/copddotnet/' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>https://www.facebook.com/copddotnet/</a> You will find an entire community which focuses on all things COPD. We share scientific information, anecdotal experiences and positive support. All the best, Leon (site moderator)
susangray07 Member
I have the same thing happening! No answers about the cause from my doctor's! It will stop me in my tracks until it pasts. Thank you for sharing. Good to know I am not alone!!!
1. Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
 Hi Susangray07 and thanks for sharing your experience with rib cramps. You are never alone here on our website. You may also want to visit our Facebook page which you can find here: <a href='https://www.facebook.com/copddotnet/' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>https://www.facebook.com/copddotnet/</a> We are all about all things COPD. Feel free to visit as often as you like. Warm regards, Leon (site moderator)