breathing

[Fast Fords]

i have a health related question - regarding myself. Don't worry, its nothing gross lol

every once in a while i will get an extremely sharp pain in my side. I won't be doing anything out of the ordinary; and i cannot duplicate it. It just happens so randomly. It has been going on for years now. I am active (played hockey for 14 years) and no history of any lung/heart issues with me or my immediate descent. It will never happen on both sides at the same time, but will alternate. I also noted that it leaves me breathless; if i take in a deep breath it hurts, if i take shallow breaths its fine. I went to emergency and the doctor said its muscle spasms around my rib cage. I dunno if thats really what it is though. Any thoughts?

 

[Shran]

Weird, I have the same thing happen to me as well. I have never gone to the doctor for it because it only happens 3-4 times a year...if that.

 

[srteach]

A few thoughts:
Muscle spasms can cause what you are describing. Localized lack of calcium in the soft tissue can cause the spasms, because calcium is a known nerve signal transmission enhancer. If there is not enough calcium, nerves have a difficult time sending signals through the body, and the muscles can spasm. Not usually something to worry about.

OTOH, too much calcium can lead to kidney stones (depending on individual metabolism).

I have a pre-med degree, but am not a doctor. Trust your doctors advice, and stop asking about medical conditions from a group of mostly mechanic type people. We will help you fix or mod your truck, but not your meat body.

 

[pocket-rocket]

I have the same thing happen, but mostly when I was younger and haven't had it happen for a long time. Mine was always on my left side though, and if I took a fast deep breath it would go away. I always described it like something popped out of place and the fast breath popped it back in place.

 

[LearjetMinako]

I will also get those pain in the sides. I found that uncontrolled breathing will cause them. Like from idle breathing to flat out full run breathing. If I control my breathing by taking longer, deeper breaths, it goes away.

 

[Chris.S.]

I get gas cramps that sound like what you're describing.

 

[rangerbum]

After breaking a couple ribs a few years ago I get a similar pain when my body is digesting, and gas is produced.

 

[Mark_88]

Probably what we used to call a "stitch"...basically a muscle spasm of an intercostal (between the ribs) muscle...sometimes caused by the position of your body where you are slouching and/or shallow breathing...or it could be caused by several other things...including calcium or even potassium deficiencies...

I used to get them after running hard or any physical activity without proper warmup/cooldown...

But if it goes away with a few deep breaths or you've had it before and it goes away by itself then seeing a doctor is usually a waste of time...

 

[kunar]

Trust your doctors advice, and stop asking about medical conditions from a group of mostly mechanic type people. We will help you fix or mod your truck, but not your meat body.

i know it, right? ive thought the same thing more than once, weather it be medical advice, legal advice or something else.