I have been experiencing, what I think, might be muscle spasms on both sides of my upper rib cage (Even height with the breasts). They start for no reason and they're like labor pains. It starts to tighten, gets really tight, then slowly goes away. W/in 30-60 seconds it starts to tighten again & the process repeats. It will do this multiple times and all I can do is wait for it to pass. I don't know any way to stop them. I've had no muscle strain or trauma. It's been going on for 6 months now.
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Muscle spasms on my upper sides (rib cage?)
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Featured Answer
1 UpVoted this answer
6/2/16
The spasms in my upper rib cage
From: SD (Female)
Permalink:http://doctorbase.com/message/thread_reply?thread_id=9834232
Shianne Dunlap profile image
Jun 3, 04:19 AM
SD
I appreciate your taking the time to answer my question. These happen on both sides of my body. They are extremely painful. Kind of like a calf spasm, but it takes my breath away because it's up on the sides of my chest. I do take high blood pressure medicine and medicine to try to control my very rapid heart rate. I've never had any problems with my heart up to this point. I don't have insurance, so my only option is an emergency room. It's just timing it out to when they're happening.
Pain Severity: 8 out of 10
Duration: 29 days
Reply
6/3/16
Thank you SD for choosing me for further consult about your chest spasms. Like I suspected, you actually have a heart condition called cardiac arrythmias probably ca used by your hypertension. Hypertensive cardiomyopathies (hypertensive heart muscle diseases) can culminate in heart attacks when narrowed heart blood vessels fail to supply enough oxygenated blood to hypertrophic (thickened) heart muscles.
If the resulting heart muscle injury affects the Purkinjie fibers that conduct electricity within the heart, then, there is irregularity of heart beats and heart rate extremes (too fast or too slow).
The doctor who is treating your hypertension and arrythmias, should refer you to a social worker to help you qualify for medical assistance. A cardiologist will be in the best position to get you qualified for medical assistance program.
Search the DHS and Kaiser Permanente websites for available medical assistance progrms. Keep me posted on further developments.
Otumdi Omekara
Otumdi Omekara, MD
Preventive Medicine Specialist in Portland, OR
Level: Master Contributor (92)
Website: Dromekara.com Health & Fitness Publishing
The spasms in my upper rib cage
From: SD (Female)
Permalink:http://doctorbase.com/message/thread_reply?thread_id=9834232
Shianne Dunlap profile image
Jun 3, 04:19 AM
SD
I appreciate your taking the time to answer my question. These happen on both sides of my body. They are extremely painful. Kind of like a calf spasm, but it takes my breath away because it's up on the sides of my chest. I do take high blood pressure medicine and medicine to try to control my very rapid heart rate. I've never had any problems with my heart up to this point. I don't have insurance, so my only option is an emergency room. It's just timing it out to when they're happening.
Pain Severity: 8 out of 10
Duration: 29 days
Reply
6/3/16
Thank you SD for choosing me for further consult about your chest spasms. Like I suspected, you actually have a heart condition called cardiac arrythmias probably ca used by your hypertension. Hypertensive cardiomyopathies (hypertensive heart muscle diseases) can culminate in heart attacks when narrowed heart blood vessels fail to supply enough oxygenated blood to hypertrophic (thickened) heart muscles.
If the resulting heart muscle injury affects the Purkinjie fibers that conduct electricity within the heart, then, there is irregularity of heart beats and heart rate extremes (too fast or too slow).
The doctor who is treating your hypertension and arrythmias, should refer you to a social worker to help you qualify for medical assistance. A cardiologist will be in the best position to get you qualified for medical assistance program.
Search the DHS and Kaiser Permanente websites for available medical assistance progrms. Keep me posted on further developments.
Otumdi Omekara
Otumdi Omekara, MD
Preventive Medicine Specialist in Portland, OR
Level: Master Contributor (92)
Website: Dromekara.com Health & Fitness Publishing
1 UpVoted this answer
Although you have not localized your thoracic muscle spasm to left or right, what you have described is more like angina pain originating from the heart. If you also experience shortness of breath with mild exertion, that calls for an urgent care visit.
You may be very close to a hear attack. An urgent EKG is needed to to rule out impending heart attack. Symptoms of heart attack tend to this vague in females.
You may be very close to a hear attack. An urgent EKG is needed to to rule out impending heart attack. Symptoms of heart attack tend to this vague in females.
1 UpVoted this answer
I'm concerned that it may be cardiovascular disease. Once you rule that out, it's most likely muscles of respiration.
I would go to a cardiologist first in order to rule out any heart problems. If all checks out, it's best to go to a chiropractor who will not only adjust of thoracic vertebra but also the ribs associated with the condition.
www.discoverhealth.us
I would go to a cardiologist first in order to rule out any heart problems. If all checks out, it's best to go to a chiropractor who will not only adjust of thoracic vertebra but also the ribs associated with the condition.
www.discoverhealth.us
I would still appreciate any other Doctor's opinions on this please.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you for answering me. I will definitely be getting it checked now.
Have a very Blessed day.
Have a very Blessed day.