Rib pain

Hey Sarah, GIRRRRL ...we must be in the same body, only my pain is under my right armpit, not the left. It does encompass my whole right side as well. There has got to be an explaination for all this insanity. It’s just so upsetting how little the medical field knows about womens health! And yes, when you press on it, it hurts like a living hell. I had a heart monitor on for two weeks and every time I had to change the electrodes and press them, I literally felt like crying it hurt so bad. It seriously makes you feel like you have lung cancer, the pain is so extreme. The burning is common as well, my friend also has it. I put a heating pad on it, use peppermint essential oil, topically, and I use liquid gel Advil‘s. I have had mine for over 10 years, but I also have fibromyalgia and rib pain is common with fibromyalgia. That’s why I can get very frustrated, because I can’t tell the difference between fibromyalgia pain and this menopause pain, because it is so varied and wide. Do you eat pasta and bread, sometimes I wonder if it’s a gluten allergy. I remember years ago when it started, I would be in the shower and the warm water hitting it would hurt, I seriously thought I had a terminal illness. Does the warm shower water hurt yours as well if it hits it directly? Sending you good thoughts 😉

Hi, there

I know this is an older post, but curious about your rib pain. I have had pain on the ribs in my back and side only.on the left. So frustrated. Hard to lay on that side. All my symptoms seem to be only.on left side. Then my health anxiety takes over and I think its lung cancer. That is only one of my many symptoms. Going to Dr next week, but doubt I'll get answers. Knowing I'm not alone helps! God bless you, ladies

Back when I was logging a million plus hours in to googling my symptoms, I too was worried that I had lung cancer. I had left sided pain in my ribs, hard to breathe in, pain in my left mid back next to shoulder blade, combined with a constant sore throat. Yep, lung cancer for sure.

I had every xray, ct scan, mri, etc.. , of course nothing was ever found. I probably did more damage to my body from all the damn radiation!

Most of us have left sided issues.

Everything for me was left sided, however I had frozen shoulder in my right (my non dominant shoulder).

Don't expect that your doctor will know anything about it, most don't.

Try not to let anxiety get the better of you. It will just make things much worse. Trust me!

Thank you, Suzanne!

I appreciate your reassurance. This is such a crazy time and if i could learn to not do research on every pain I get I would be better off. Thank you, again!!!!

Hello Woodlands,

Do you still have your gallbladder? A bad gallbladder is a nasty little bugger that can cause so many terrible symptoms. I had trouble with mine for 10+ years. I even had a HIDA scan test. For some reason, these idiot Drs. think if you don’t have gallstones, you don’t have any issues. By the time my gallbladder was removed, because I want I finally went to a real doctor, it was completely shredded, he said he had no idea how I was living with all that pain. The HIDA scan is the true test for the functioning of the gallbladder. But I have to say, I had that done and they still wouldn’t take it out, I don’t know if they had third-graders looking at the results or what;) There is a forum, a separate one, specifically for rib pain within this site. I’m sure there’s also one for gallbladder issues, in case you still have yours. Many women’s gallbladders go haywire and have to be removed during menopause. Best of luck to you 😃

Hello Suzanne,

What is with that damn frozen shoulder, I had it in my left shoulder for months, so painful. But I got great relief with my massage therapist, she’s excellent. I asked Woodlands also, do you still have your gallbladder, if you do, you may have a bad gallbladder. Please read my response to Woodlands. I have a friend who is basically going through the same issues as you, and she was afraid of lung cancer or pancreas cancer. I can guarantee you it’s just the fluctuation of hormones. I don’t know how the fluctuation of hormones can terrorize your body in such ways, but it’s exhausting. Where are you in your journey, do you still get periods ? I went through PERI for 10 years and had the horrible health scares also, felt like I was losing my freakin mind. Try looking at some of Dr Christianne Northrup literature, she has a couple books out there, actually several, you can rent them from the library or buy them on Amazon. She’s all about the wisdom of menopause and thinks it’s a time of 'rebirth', can’t really agree with her there.

ALso what you’re saying Suzanne, reminds me of gallbladder pain I had, if you still have your gallbladder, one of the quintessential signs, is the pain in the back. Our bodies are all connected, so that is not odd. If you have your gallbladder and you think it might be that, purchase dandelion tea, it may help. I suffered with it for so many years, so many mis-diagnosis 😦 I’m sure this site has a gallbladder issue forum, you should maybe check it out. When I did years ago, the whole forum talked about being mis-diagnosed, just like myself, for years un-end. At the end I had some bozo Dr tell me it was my fibromyalgia. I finally got an excellent doctor and once he removed it, he didn’t understand how I was living with the pain and he said it was shredded. yes I did call his office and leave and a A-hole ripping message for the doctor.

Nope, had my gallbladder out during all the melt down. Was hoping it was the cause of all my troubles. But it wasn't. The pain was still there after it's removal.

Unfortunately Suzanne, I have read that the pain can linger after you have the gallbladder removed. When I read that I thought please God do not let that happen to me. Milk thistle is an amazing supplement, do you take any supplements, try taking it to see if it might possibly help. I'm sorry you’re having that, I know it’s very distressing.

I don't get that pain very often anymore.

I have so many supplements I could open a drug store! Now I just need to start taking them.

I really don't think my gallbladder was all that bad, it was just a casualty when they started running all the tests on me.

My frozen shoulder hit when all the other really bad symptoms were hitting me all at once. When I say I was tortured, it's the truth. It usually is in your non-dominant shoulder. It took around two years for it to go away for me. Although I still don't have full range of movement in it. The chinese accupuncturist I saw told me that in Asia they call it 50's shoulder, because it hits women during perimeno. In fact in Japan it's the number 1 symptom for women. I couldn't even to PT when it was in the freezing stage, it was way too painful. One day I was walking my dog and she jerked my arm chasing a squirrel, well I sat on the street and cried for about 10 minutes. So so painful.. It's different than just the shoulder pain I get when my symptoms are acting up.

Yes, I have her book. I know that every woman feels like she's got it bad with things like hot flashes, but boy, when you get hit with ALL the symptoms and more it's just trying to stay upright and functioning, you know? I can't even think of a rebirth time! haha

That is very interesting information Suzanne, that your acupuncturist told you. 50's shoulder, makes sense! That is what I always say, we are lucky to be upright:)

HI all, sorry to jump in on your thread but everything you said i Sarah, i totally resonate with. My rib/boob pain is also only on the left side. It comes and goes but is so frustrating and uncomfortable. i too get the ache/burning sensation. (along with brain fog/freezing cold hands and feet intermittently) & a huge long list of other annoying symptoms. I'm 51 and have been having really heavy periods for the last 5 years or more. Just recently gone nearly 4 months without a period but still all the other symptoms. I'm so fed up of it but wary of going on HRT. I've just started to take Soy Isoflavans which are supposed to mimic Oestrogen and help with hot flushes etc.

I hope things are better for you now?

Roll on the end of this misery! lol

Best wishes, Denise x

hello sarah! i read your message about the rib and armpit pain. sounds like my problem. how are you now? any improvments? i cannot wals, stand, sleep because of the pain. my arm, elbow and fingers are in pain and sometimes a bit puffy. any advices? thank you! Happy New Year!