Brief Answer:
EMG tests, and some prescription drugs.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for your query.

I shall make an effort to provide you with good professional recommendations specific to your questions.

Your bilateral muscle spasms in your rib muscles associated with significant pain on some movements with no underlying disease in the chest area or in the GIT has some relevance especially for your age.

One, you would need specific EMG (Eletromyography) tests to study the exact nature of these spasms occurring. This would need a clinical correlation with a neurologist to see if they are trivial initially or are an offshoot of some systemic neurological condition.

If the associated pain is strong as you are experiencing currently, then adequate pain relief needs to be combined when medications are prescribed by your physician.

Antispasmodic drugs of many kinds are available which will be selected on the basis of the outcome of the EMG tests. The duration of treatment will vary and depend on your individual concerns.

There are also other drugs that are commonly prescribed which have a component of cutting out spasms as an additional benefit of the primary relaxant action on the nervous system it is intended. These will be discussed by your neurologist.

If no cause is found or no relief obtained by the above initial measures - you still will have options. Meanwhile, see if the Valsalva manoeuvre (inhale deeply and hold for some seconds as much as possible - hope you do not have a blood pressure issues, and do this only when sitting) might help you relieve the spasms.

Check on your Calcium / Vitamin D3 levels in blood too - as some altered states of these nutrients do cause these symptoms sometimes and will be corrected if normalcy is restored.

Breathing exercises will give you benefit in the long term to prevent recurrences once treated. Check with the physiotherapist for an optimal regime.

Let me know if I have missed out any other concern in your question.
Yet again, I duly appreciate your query to me, I do hope that you have found something useful to help you and I shall be glad to answer any further apprehensions.

Sincerely,

Dr Sujeet N Charugulla,
MBBS, MD.
Consultant Physician.

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Brief Answer:
Low levels.

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for the follow-up.

Yes, I was referring to the lowered levels of minerals like Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium which would lead to such spasms. A comprehensive test will rule out the same.

Also, lowered levels of Vitamins like D3 are also significantly associated with these along with or without above mineral deficiencies.

Nutritional changes often are enough to take care of if these levels are around low normal range - else if way below, then supplements will have to be taken for a set duration as the doctor advises based on your condition.

Let me know of further queries.

Sincerely,

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