Rib Cramping

By carolcole

1 min read

I was sitting in church. This was about 5 years before they told me I had stage 3 COPD. I believe I had COPD back then, I just had not gone to a doctor to find out. My dad passed away with COPD. Back to my story. I was sitting in church and all of a sudden I doubled over with the worst squeezing pain in my chest. It felt like someone was taking my lung on the left side and squeezing it real hard or the muscle around my lung. I don't know, I just know the pain was terrible. Well, everyone near me saw me double over and thought I was having a heart attack. At first I sort of thought the same thing. But, it didn't last very long. Still I knew it was not gas - not the way it hurt or felt. This was a squeeze and pain. Like it was smothering me. Well, my husband said he was taking me to the ER to have me checked out. After several test they found nothing wrong with me. SURPRISE! The doctor said it was probably just gas pains. I am here to tell you THAT WAS NOT GAS PAINS. I have had these same squeezing problems several times now both before they said I had COPD and since they told me. I still don't know what is causing them. Maybe muscle spasms, perhaps nerve damage, no one seems to know. However, after reading about rib cramping I am so happy to just know others with COPD are having some type of this same problem. I am not crazy after all lolol. Once I just calm down, lay down and rest, the pain and squeezing leaves till the next time. I sure wish they could find out what is causing this because I don't enjoy that pain.

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Allyson.Ellis Community Admin
Thank you for sharing your story with the community, carolcole! That sounds like horribly uncomfortable pain! I'm so sorry you go through those episodes periodically. I'm glad you are feeling less alone with others having shared about rib cramping. It's great you have found what works for you manage while the "squeezing" lasts. I, too, hope with the growing research around COPD in the medical community that an answer can be found for why these squeezing, cramping pains occur and what could be done to ease them. Best, Allyson (site moderator)
suzannebigras Member
I am sorry for your extreme discomfort that you experience. I can relate to it because i get these weird pains. With my issues I rarely know what is acting up so I investigate. What's the weather doing ,pressure,moisture etc. What I ate and air quality. These all affect my copd but I also now have extreme anxiety due to mis-diagnosis that at times when I am in the grip of my issues I get confused then panic sets in and I can set off a panic attack that makes it all worse. If I can remember to breath slowly and with focus then my pain and other symptoms seem to reduce. I was just hospitalized for an episode. Super scary and I left feeling untreated. No explanation for what happened. I am just finding out about COPD. I see now why they don't think it's my heart, even though I have had a heart attack and have low EF and GERD. I can add the chest pain and squeezing feeling to my COPD symptoms. A relief in a way. Sending a not too tight hug
uptowngrl55 Member
I just start doing windmills with my arms & it subsides
floridatwigs Member
i have had the same experience as you. I'm stage 4. it's a real scare having these.
1. Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
 Hi again, floridatwigs, and we hear you! In view of your concerns (related to this article on rib cramping), I thought you might find it helpful to look over this material on that very topic: <a href='https://copd.net/living/relief-rib-cramping/' target='_blank'>https://copd.net/living/relief-rib-cramping/</a>. Warmly, Leon (site moderator)
2. hmorgan Member
 <inline-mention username="Leon Lebowitz, BA, RRT" user-id="2445532"/> thank you for this information
julie wilson Member
i cannot say this enough. until i found this site and the wonderful people sharing symptoms, i could barely function. i am now gaining confidence in daily activities, and controlling my panic with my mind. thank you again for giving me the information and support rarely received from the professionals. 
1. Leon Lebowitz, RRT Member
 <inline-mention username="julie wilson" user-id="2436065"/> Hi Julie, and thanks for your kind words. It is WE who should be thanking YOU for being a member here. We are glad your found us too! Please know you are always welcome here. If there is anything we can do to assist you, please let me or any other moderator / team member know. All the best, Leon (site moderator <a href='http://COPD.net' target='_blank'>COPD.net</a>)
wally2 Member
helo, i have empherseyma, and get the same sort of pain you talk about, it goes from my left lung into stomach and then into my jaw, it lasts about 3to 4 miniuts and then goes, my doc thinks it might be the way i sit when im short of breath,the trouble is i dont know when its going to happen its not that often so just have to live with it, i hope you can get some releive from your pain, best regards
wally2 Member
brian
beverlydemarco Member
HI CAROLCOLE, I JUST READ YOUR POST ABOUT RIB CRAMPING, ITS VERY SCARY AND YOU THINK THE WORST WHEN YOU ARE DOUBLED OVER, I USUALLY GET IT WHEN I COUGH OR DO MY BREATHING TREATMENTS, IT DOES GO AWAY BUT ITS STILL VERY <a href='http://SCARY.WE' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>SCARY.WE</a> HAVE TO DO PURSE LIP BREATHING VERY SLOWLY.,AND ALSO DOING EXERCISES SLOWLY. THEY DONT KNOW WHY THIS HAPPENS, I WAS TAKEN PILLS FOR GAS AND BLOATING TO SEE IF THAT HELPED BUT THE RIB CRAMPING COMES AT ALL DIFFERENT TIMES.

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