Dr. Timothy K. Durnin - 8/16/2007

Question
Female, smoker, age 30.

For the past month I've had pain on both left and right sides around the scapula. It comes and goes and is not brought on by anything in particular. I also, on occasion, have a stabbing pain in my right rib cage. It doesn't happen often, but when it does, I feel like someone is stabbing me with a knife. It usually only lasts a few minutes. I also have had to go up a bra band size because my bras became uncomfortable. Even up a band size, it just doesn't feel right and I would prefer to not have one on.

My GP has run blood work for h pylori, an ultrasound on my gallbladder and also a HIDA scan on the gallbladder. I was just at the GP this week because I have come down with bronchitis. They still believe that the problem is gastro - but I've been on a very low fat diet for the last 3-4 weeks and still having issues. I have not had any x-rays done.

I stopped hormonal birth control a month and a half ago due to mood swings and anxiety and have completely changed my diet. I had briefly been on a mega dose of multivitamins  while in the transition off of the birth control. I had started those 2 weeks before the pain and stopped them a week ago. My last incidence of extreme rib pain was this morning. I don't believe it is gastro because I last ate 11 hours prior to the pain. Any suggestions?

Answer
Hi Georgette,

It's nice to see MD's are so thorough when you have insurance, next thing they will be doing brain scans with Gadolinium contrast and myelograms. This diagnosis is most likely a subluxated or fixed rib easily identified with palpation by a skilled Chiropractor. Once identified, the fixation is corrected with a few adjustments and follow up manipulations. He/She will most likely and should x-ray the area to rule out any lung or bone pathology which at your age would be extremely unlikely.

Find a local DC that comes highly recommended or I can and you will get relief on the first visit.

I ask only that you take a few seconds to rate my response. Your feedback helps me refine my expertise and helps to guide future questioners.

Dr. Timothy Durnin
drs.chiroweb.com