Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Left Ribcage Problems

alevoy18

By alevoy18
in Coping with Celiac Disease

Recommended Posts

alevoy18 Explorer
alevoy18
Posted

Hi,

For the last few weeks I've been having strange feelings in my left rib cage. When I walked, I would get a stabbing pain. I went to my doctor because it was really bugging me, but the chest X-Ray was normal. Since then the walking discomfort is gone, but my ribcage still looks strange. My fiance pointed out when I was lying down yesterday that my top couple ribs on my left side and really sticking out compared to my left side and that she never has noticed that before. I doubt it is possible for your ribs to move, but I have never noticed it either and I'm a fairly small guy, so I its not the first time I've looked at my ribs in the mirror. The bulge is where the 2nd/3rd ribs from the top connect in the middle of my chest. It is not tender, but just weird looking. I had an ultrasound done a few weeks ago for an unrelated cause and my spleen, liver, etc. were all of normal size. I just don't know why I had that pain for a few weeks and now notice a change in my ribs. Anyways, anybody with any related info is appreciated!!

FYI - I do have Celiac Disease and according to my GI doc, I had it likely most of my life undiagnosed. (24 years old) It still is not in control as I have antibody levels, but it is getting there. I just had a chest X-ray which was good, but I've never had a bone density scan. Didn't know if this could have anything to do with it. Thanks!

Thanks.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


cassP Contributor
cassP
Posted

you're doing the right thing by having your doc check everything (your chest, your organs inc. spleen)..... im not your doc, nor do i have answers- HOWEVER, i can relate to pain the ribs and abdomen, etc.... im a massage therapist (for the time being)-> and not only do i have a ton of pain (muscular & fascia) thruough my trunk from work & postural tension- but i also know that all the ab muscles, and diaphragm & intercostal muscles & fascia- including migrating to the back can cause A TON of pain & discomfort... when i lay down and stretch my back- i TOO think my top ribs are sticking out abnormally- i dont know if i have a rib head out- or if its all the intercostal muscles all jacked up- but yes- i can relate to rib pain

im not sure how much celiac or digestion is linked to these issues- tho, it could be. a lot of people on here including me have had Shortness of Breath, and tightness in the chest related to gluten & other food intolerances- and that may have an effect on the tightness of the diaphragm and other muscles.

as long as everything checks out with your doc, then you probably only have muscular or chiropractic issues left-

quincy Contributor
quincy
Posted

you're doing the right thing by having your doc check everything (your chest, your organs inc. spleen)..... im not your doc, nor do i have answers- HOWEVER, i can relate to pain the ribs and abdomen, etc.... im a massage therapist (for the time being)-> and not only do i have a ton of pain (muscular & fascia) thruough my trunk from work & postural tension- but i also know that all the ab muscles, and diaphragm & intercostal muscles & fascia- including migrating to the back can cause A TON of pain & discomfort... when i lay down and stretch my back- i TOO think my top ribs are sticking out abnormally- i dont know if i have a rib head out- or if its all the intercostal muscles all jacked up- but yes- i can relate to rib pain

im not sure how much celiac or digestion is linked to these issues- tho, it could be. a lot of people on here including me have had Shortness of Breath, and tightness in the chest related to gluten & other food intolerances- and that may have an effect on the tightness of the diaphragm and other muscles.

as long as everything checks out with your doc, then you probably only have muscular or chiropractic issues left-

This is odd to read this post because I have had rib cage soreness leading up to and after my dx in April. It turns out that I have osteopenia and I kept wondering why the tips of my ribs (lower right side in the back) were tender and sore. Then I find out I had osteopenia. All of my lumbar area was out of whack and sore probably due to the weakness that emerged from the bone loss.

anyway, I am going to my celiac doctor at Columbia today and am going to ask what the deal is with the sore ribs...

cassP Contributor
cassP
Posted

why is it odd??? is my "thinking outloud" not coherent???

quincy Contributor
quincy
Posted

why is it odd??? is my "thinking outloud" not coherent???

not odd at all, just poor choice of words on my part. By odd I meant coincidence. I was just having pain in rib cage and was going to post and saw your post. sorry for the confusion... don't think you are incoherent at all!

MelindaLee Contributor
MelindaLee
Posted

Hi,

For the last few weeks I've been having strange feelings in my left rib cage. When I walked, I would get a stabbing pain. I went to my doctor because it was really bugging me, but the chest X-Ray was normal. Since then the walking discomfort is gone, but my ribcage still looks strange. My fiance pointed out when I was lying down yesterday that my top couple ribs on my left side and really sticking out compared to my left side and that she never has noticed that before. I doubt it is possible for your ribs to move, but I have never noticed it either and I'm a fairly small guy, so I its not the first time I've looked at my ribs in the mirror. The bulge is where the 2nd/3rd ribs from the top connect in the middle of my chest. It is not tender, but just weird looking. I had an ultrasound done a few weeks ago for an unrelated cause and my spleen, liver, etc. were all of normal size. I just don't know why I had that pain for a few weeks and now notice a change in my ribs. Anyways, anybody with any related info is appreciated!!

FYI - I do have Celiac Disease and according to my GI doc, I had it likely most of my life undiagnosed. (24 years old) It still is not in control as I have antibody levels, but it is getting there. I just had a chest X-ray which was good, but I've never had a bone density scan. Didn't know if this could have anything to do with it. Thanks!

Thanks.

I haven't read through the rest of the post, only you comment, so this might have been covered, but I am wondering you have ever condidered seeing a chiropractor. Ribs can get out of alignment, because they are attached to your vertebrae. Just a thought. I know people have very differing thoughts about chirpractors. I couldn't like without mine.

cassP Contributor
cassP
Posted

not odd at all, just poor choice of words on my part. By odd I meant coincidence. I was just having pain in rib cage and was going to post and saw your post. sorry for the confusion... don't think you are incoherent at all!

ahhhhh ok :D sorry, i can be oversensitive/paranoid sometimes... maybe too much brain damage from gluten :huh:

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. Jane02
      - Jane02 replied to HectorConvector's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      314

      Terrible Neurological Symptoms

      Sorry, I just realized how old this thread is and only read the initial post from 2021. I'll have to catch up on the comments in this thread.
    2. Jane02
      - Jane02 replied to HectorConvector's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      314

      Terrible Neurological Symptoms

      Sorry to hear you're going through such a hard time. It would be worth looking into MCAS/histamine issues and also Long Covid. Perhaps there is something occurring in addition to celiac disease. It would be worth ruling out micronutrient deficiencies such as the b vitamins (B12, folate, B1, etc), vit D, and ferritin (iron stores).
    3. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to HectorConvector's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      314

      Terrible Neurological Symptoms

      This sounds very similar to the neuropathic pain I experienced with type two diabetes. Gloves and boots pattern of neuropathy is common with deficiencies in Cobalamine B12 (especially the pain in the big toe), Niacin B3, and Pyridoxine B6. These are vitamins frequently found to be low in people with pre-diabetes and diabetes. Remember that blood tests...
    4. trents
      - trents commented on Amiah's blog entry in Amiah
      1

      Help!!

      Welcome to the celiac.com community, @Amiah! First of all, you would do well to post your question in one of the appropriate community forums rather than in a blog. It will get more attention that way. Now as to your question, there are some other things that can cause elevated igg antibodies besides celiac disease. Various infections, mostly. For...
    5. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to HectorConvector's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      314

      Terrible Neurological Symptoms

      I’m really sorry you’re dealing with this—chronic neuropathic or nociplastic pain can be incredibly frustrating, especially when testing shows no nerve damage. It’s important to clarify for readers that this type of central sensitization pain is not the same thing as ongoing gluten exposure, particularly when labs, biopsy, and nutritional status are normal....
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,581
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    MaggieSc
    Newest Member
    MaggieSc
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.6k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Jane02
      Terrible Neurological Symptoms

      By Jane02 · Posted

      Sorry, I just realized how old this thread is and only read the initial post from 2021. I'll have to catch up on the comments in this thread. 
    • Jane02
      Terrible Neurological Symptoms

      By Jane02 · Posted

      Sorry to hear you're going through such a hard time. It would be worth looking into MCAS/histamine issues and also Long Covid. Perhaps there is something occurring in addition to celiac disease. It would be worth ruling out micronutrient deficiencies such as the b vitamins (B12, folate, B1, etc), vit D, and ferritin (iron stores). 
    • knitty kitty
      Terrible Neurological Symptoms

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      This sounds very similar to the neuropathic pain I experienced with type two diabetes.  Gloves and boots pattern of neuropathy is common with deficiencies in Cobalamine B12 (especially the pain in the big toe), Niacin B3, and Pyridoxine B6.  These are vitamins frequently found to be low in people with pre-diabetes and diabetes.  Remember that blood tests for vitamin levels is terribly inaccurate.  You can have vitamin deficiencies before there are any changes in blood levels.  You can have "normal" serum levels, but be deficient inside organs and tissues where the vitamins are actually utilized.  The blood is a transportation system, moving vitamins absorbed in the intestines to organs and tissues.  Just because there's trucks on the highway doesn't mean that the warehouses are full.  The body will drain organs and tissues of their stored vitamins and send them via the bloodstream to important organs like the brain and heart.  Meanwhile, the organs and tissues are depleted and function less well.   Eating a diet high in simple carbohydrates can spike blood sugar after meals.  Eating a diet high in carbohydrates consistently over time can cause worsening of symptoms.  Thiamine and other B vitamins like Niacin B3 and Pyridoxine B6, (which I noticed you are not supplementing), are needed to turn carbs, proteins and fats into energy for the body to use.  Alcohol consumption can lower blood sugar levels, and hence, alleviate the neuropathic pain.  Alcohol destroys many B vitamins, especially Pyridoxine, Thiamine and Niacin.  With alcohol consumption, blood glucose is turned into fat, stored in the liver or abdomen, then burned for fuel, thus lowering blood glucose levels.  With the cessation of alcohol and continued high carb diet, the blood glucose levels rise again over time, resulting in worsening neuropathy.   Heavy exercise can also further delete B vitamins.  Thiamine and Niacin work in balance with each other.  Sort of like a teeter-totter, thiamine is used to produce energy and Niacin is then used to reset the cycle for thiamine one used again to produce energy.  If there's no Niacin, then the energy production cycle can't reset.  Niacin is important in regulating electrolytes for nerve impulse conduction.  Electrolyte imbalance can cause neuropathic pain.   Talk to your doctors about testing for Type Two diabetes or pre-diabetes beyond an A1C test since alcohol consumption can lower A1C giving inaccurate results. Talk to your doctors about supplementing with ALL eight B vitamins, and correcting deficiencies in Pyridoxine, Niacin, and B12.  Hope this helps! Clinical trial: B vitamins improve health in patients with coeliac disease living on a gluten-free diet https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19154566/ P. S.  Get checked for Vitamin C deficiency, aka Scurvy.  People with Diabetes and those who consume alcohol are often low in Vitamin C which can contribute to peripheral neuropathy.
    • Scott Adams
      Terrible Neurological Symptoms

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      I’m really sorry you’re dealing with this—chronic neuropathic or nociplastic pain can be incredibly frustrating, especially when testing shows no nerve damage. It’s important to clarify for readers that this type of central sensitization pain is not the same thing as ongoing gluten exposure, particularly when labs, biopsy, and nutritional status are normal. A stocking/glove pattern with normal nerve density points toward a pain-processing disorder rather than active celiac-related injury. Alcohol temporarily dampening symptoms likely reflects its central nervous system depressant effects, not treatment of an underlying gluten issue—and high-dose alcohol is dangerous and not a safe or sustainable strategy. Seeing a pain specialist is absolutely the right next step, and we encourage members to work closely with neurology and pain management rather than assuming hidden gluten exposure when objective testing does not support it.
    • Scott Adams
      Reverse Osmosis (RO) Water

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      There is no credible scientific evidence that standard water filters contain gluten or pose a gluten exposure risk. Gluten is a food protein from wheat, barley, or rye—it is not used in activated carbon filtration in any meaningful way, and refrigerator or pitcher filters are not designed with food-based binders that would leach gluten into water. AI-generated search summaries are not authoritative sources, and they often speculate without documentation. Major manufacturers design filters for water purification, not food processing, and gluten contamination from a water filter would be extraordinarily unlikely. For people with celiac disease, properly functioning municipal, bottled, filtered, or distilled water is considered gluten-free.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.