HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

What Causes Tenderness In Lower Back Ribs?

Posted on Tue, 22 Apr 2014

Question: I've been taking aleve in the morning and Tylenol pm to night for arthritis for years now, in the last few months I've noticed that my ribs piticularly in the lower back are very tender to the touch. What could be the cause? And will I get an answer from the blood work I was drawn for yesterday? I'm also suffering from muscle tiredness,fatigue, and minor vision changes. What do you think could be happening? I've also been diagnosed w/ complex cysts in my left breast. Should I be worried?

Answered by Dr. Divya Kuttikrishnan (2 hours later)

Brief Answer: .... Detailed Answer: Hi there.... Thanks for writing in.. For the osteoarthritis, rather than relying only on medicines.. I would advise pain relief gel application...hot fomentation... physiotherapy etc . Yoga might also be beneficial. I would advise you to get certain investigations done , as abnormalities in any one of the following could cause tiredness and fatigue, vision changes etc : Hemoglobin, TSH , blood sugar levels, fasting lipid profile,electrolytes, Renal function test, Vitamin B12 levels and Vitamin D levels, ECG. Also, do get your blood pressure checked. If you had a palpable breast lump and ultrasound showed complex cysts in the breast, you might need further investigations like mammography and fine needle aspiration . However, your treating physician would be in a better position to guide you since he/she would have clinically examined you and also have a detailed history. Hope this information was helpful to you. Do get back to me for further clarifications. Regards, Dr. Divya Kuttikrishnan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Divya Kuttikrishnan (29 hours later)

Thank-you for the quick reply. I don't know what tests are being done, but they took a lot of blood. Vitamin b12 is one of the tests thouh as well as my cholesterol. My bp was 135/77 on Fri, and I was 118lbs. (I'm 5 ' tall). I finely got a message from the scanning place and they just said that they suspect it's benign but they want a repeat scan in 4 months. This is the second time they've said this. Being a DES baby, should I be worried? And could the cysts cause rib tenderness? I really appreciate your help. Thanks again. XXXX

Answered by Dr. Divya Kuttikrishnan (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: ... Detailed Answer: Hi... Your blood pressure is normal.. It is quite unlikely for the cysts to cause rib tenderness. I would think of costochondritis as a more likely cause. Tylenol or brufen might help. Also applying hot fomentation intermittently might help. Good to hear that the cyst is benign. Don't worry . Repeat scan and follow up should suffice. Since you are a DES baby, I would advise you to visit a gynaecologist and get a pelvic examination and pap smear done. Hope this helps.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Divya Kuttikrishnan (15 hours later)

Hi again I may sound like a nag but I'm trying to understand why everything comes back normal, yet I feel so bad. I've been taking aleve for months and the tenderness is still there. I just want to be able to do things like before. But I feel so wiped out all the time and nothing seems to be working. Should I look for an interest? Again I appreciate all your help.XXXX

Answered by Dr. Divya Kuttikrishnan (23 hours later)

Brief Answer: .... Detailed Answer: Hi there... I understand your concern and worries.. Have you tried diclofenac or pain relief gel application.. followed half an hour later by hot fomentation. If nothing helps, I would advise you to sign up for yoga classes. Do tell your health related problems to the yoga instructor. Yoga helps the body and mind. Stress/ Anxiety could aggravate your symptoms.. Hope this helps. Regards, Dr. Divya Kuttikrishnan

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar