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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Pain In Rib Cage While Inhaling?

I just woke up and I have a pain in and under my rib cage on left side three inches from my sternum, in the ribs and under, like a rib is out maybe, it hurts more when I inhale but hurts all the time, like something is stuck or lodged under there, I very dizzy and my arms feel a little weak, I feel whoozy... Anxious too
Fri, 23 Jan 2015
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Pulmonologist,  's  Response
Thanks for your question on HCM.
I can understand your situation and problem.
Your chest discomfort is on left sided with arm weakness, so we need to rule out cardiac cause first.
So get done ECG first to rule out cardiac cause.
If ECG is normal than no need to worry much for cardiac cause.
Chest pain on inhalation is also seen in pleurisy (inflammation of pleura). So get done chest x ray to rule out possible causes of pleurisy like pneumonia, pleural effusion, tuberculosis etc.
If chest x ray is also normal, I think it is musculoskeletal pain mostly due to muscle pull.
So try to follow these for better symptomatic relief.
1. Avoid strenuous exercise and heavyweight lifting.
2. Avoid movements causing pain.
3. Avoid bad postures in sleep.
4. Take good painkiller and muscle relaxant.
5. Apply warm water pad on affected site.
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What Causes Pain In Rib Cage While Inhaling?

Thanks for your question on HCM. I can understand your situation and problem. Your chest discomfort is on left sided with arm weakness, so we need to rule out cardiac cause first. So get done ECG first to rule out cardiac cause. If ECG is normal than no need to worry much for cardiac cause. Chest pain on inhalation is also seen in pleurisy (inflammation of pleura). So get done chest x ray to rule out possible causes of pleurisy like pneumonia, pleural effusion, tuberculosis etc. If chest x ray is also normal, I think it is musculoskeletal pain mostly due to muscle pull. So try to follow these for better symptomatic relief. 1. Avoid strenuous exercise and heavyweight lifting. 2. Avoid movements causing pain. 3. Avoid bad postures in sleep. 4. Take good painkiller and muscle relaxant. 5. Apply warm water pad on affected site.