What is Intercostal Neuralgia?
I.N. (Intercostal Neuralgia) is a rare medical condition
that can cause severe chronic pain along the intercostal nerves that run along
your ribs. The areas between the ribs contain muscles and nerves that make up
your body’s core muscles. These intercostals nerves can become damaged or
inflamed due to a variety of causes. Severe cases of I.N. can lead to
debilitating pain that affects the patient’s mobility, breathing, and risks
associated with chronic pain.
Often times patients with suffer for an extensive period of
time before a diagnosis is made. This is because the diagnosis cannot be
established with laboratory tests, x-rays, endoscopies, MRIs, Ultrasounds, etc.
A physician must make the diagnosis of I.N. by relying on the patient’s
history, as well as a physical examination
What is the Purpose of this Site?
This site is a place of support and information for those who suffer from I.N. Our goal is to share information and research on I.N. as well as personal stories of those who live with chronic pain caused by the ailment.
Who are the Admin on the Site?
Stacey Vaughn
I'm the mother of two boys and since 2010 I've been suffering from chronic pain caused by intercostal neuralgia. The nerve pain wraps around my right side along the intercostal nerves of ribs 9 and 10.
It started with an attack on my gallbladder and an ambulance ride to the hospital to have it removed due to gallstones and pancreatitis. While this procedure is a fairly routine one for most. I found that he wraparound-stabbing-straight-through pain that placed me in the hospital never went away. I was left with an annoying level 3 pain on the 0 to 10 scale.
Several trips to the doctor's and I found myself diagnosed with type 3 sphincter of oddi. Basically presenting all of the pain of the condition but without showing the symptoms. The sphincter of oddi is the valve associated with the gallbladder duct. I was told that I could be a part of the EPISOD study (Evaluating Predictors & Interventions in Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction).
But just before I could participate I became pregnant with our second child and had to wait... That put me at 2 years of pain. When I was finally able to become part of the study I was sent to Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle were they performed an endoscopy surgery. The pain remained, in fact, to my horror the pain had crept up to a constant 5 and sometimes a 6! More tests and procedures followed... even an exploratory surgery by the original surgeon who removed my gallbladder took place, removing a large amount of scar tissue during it.
2 years in pain became 3 years, and as I came into year 4 I found myself on pain medicine and still without a clue of what the cause was. My primary doctor made several suggestions and I sought out other doctors as well.
Then I began to see a physical therapist for some hip pains and learned that my condition was effecting my posture. Unfortunately the PT shot my pain from 5 and 6 to 7 and 8! I was referred to a pain specialist in Kirkland who arranged for me to see a nerve specialist. Between the two they've diagnosed me with Intercostal Neuralgia.
We'll never know what truly caused the condition, but it was mostly likely due to the nerves getting nicked by the surgery tools while being removed during the original gallbladder surgery. The resulting being a neuroma along the nerves.
I'm now constantly at a pain level of a 7 to 9 and spend most of my time in the bed doing as little as possible.
It started with an attack on my gallbladder and an ambulance ride to the hospital to have it removed due to gallstones and pancreatitis. While this procedure is a fairly routine one for most. I found that he wraparound-stabbing-straight-through pain that placed me in the hospital never went away. I was left with an annoying level 3 pain on the 0 to 10 scale.
Several trips to the doctor's and I found myself diagnosed with type 3 sphincter of oddi. Basically presenting all of the pain of the condition but without showing the symptoms. The sphincter of oddi is the valve associated with the gallbladder duct. I was told that I could be a part of the EPISOD study (Evaluating Predictors & Interventions in Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction).
But just before I could participate I became pregnant with our second child and had to wait... That put me at 2 years of pain. When I was finally able to become part of the study I was sent to Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle were they performed an endoscopy surgery. The pain remained, in fact, to my horror the pain had crept up to a constant 5 and sometimes a 6! More tests and procedures followed... even an exploratory surgery by the original surgeon who removed my gallbladder took place, removing a large amount of scar tissue during it.
2 years in pain became 3 years, and as I came into year 4 I found myself on pain medicine and still without a clue of what the cause was. My primary doctor made several suggestions and I sought out other doctors as well.
Then I began to see a physical therapist for some hip pains and learned that my condition was effecting my posture. Unfortunately the PT shot my pain from 5 and 6 to 7 and 8! I was referred to a pain specialist in Kirkland who arranged for me to see a nerve specialist. Between the two they've diagnosed me with Intercostal Neuralgia.
We'll never know what truly caused the condition, but it was mostly likely due to the nerves getting nicked by the surgery tools while being removed during the original gallbladder surgery. The resulting being a neuroma along the nerves.
I'm now constantly at a pain level of a 7 to 9 and spend most of my time in the bed doing as little as possible.
Ever Cuyler
Introduction coming soon!!!
Chris Vaughn (Mateo Hellion)
I'm Stacey's husband and I'm mostly just along for the ride on this blog. If you have any technical questions about the blog please feel free to contact me.
We're always looking for people who would like to share their personal story about I.N. or an article about I.N. or chronic pain. So if you have one (500 to 2000) words preferred, please send them my way and we'll post it with you as a guest blogger.
Also, if you're wondering about the "Mateo Hellion", that's my pen name for my horror writing. Feel free to stop by my blog and get spooked out! MateoHellion.com
Oh my god. There are others. I mean, I know there are others, but to read about someone else? It's almost a miracle. I would like to help with this blog. I have had IN (I didn't even know there was a short form!) for 12 years and I have tried almost every treatment available. My knowledge of chronic pain and what it is like to live with it is depressingly impressive. Please contact me, I'll give you my gmail because I think this might post publically. It's rioseven1971@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteHi Rio. My husband Jim was diagnosed with IN 4 years ago. He had the spinal cord stimulator implanted over a year ago. He's in constant pain. He has a new pain that feels like a hard mass on his upper back shoulder area and waiting for the MRI appointment. I Google places specifically in the Netherlands where they do neurectomy and seem to have more knowledge than the US, but not sure. All seems like it's trial and error. I don't think my husband could tolerate any more surgery now unless it would be successful on a high percentage . It's hard as people don't understand the pain. Being his wife, AND folks don't know what it is, so getting support is hard. My husband tries to look fine when we're put with family and friends. Can't have a scowling face all the time. We tried going to John Hopkins in Baltimore, but they said it's be the same procedure in Charlotte (spinal cord simulator). It has helped tremendously even though Jim's incapacitated most of the time. Thanks for listening.
ReplyDeleteHi Christine. Sorry to hear what you and your husband have been going through. It is tough. Listen, if you want to talk directly, email me at the address I provided in my last comment. I can tell you what has worked for me and what has not worked for me. Recently, I discovered something new. But, as with all chronic medical conditions, there is no one magic solution. Rather a tool box of different things that help. If you can throw enough at the problem, you can achieve what they call pain management. Anyway, email me and we can have a direct conversation.
ReplyDeleteHi Rio,
DeleteI am just seeing your reply now. Yes i would like to hear all. I dont know if I am responding to your email address.
Thanks for getting this going I am in such pain...pain clinic gave me a diagnosis after screaming through an exam...pain so bad friggin docs dont e ven examine me I had to say I was suicidal to get help in and out of the hospital for 4 months asked the new /@ assigned every week to please examine me (half ass exam) told them I had a diagnosis do they know what intercostal neuralgia is. NO I said can you look it up in and out of the hospital now for 4 months I am diagnosed with a psychiatric condition!!!! And discharged a month ago with a note to my file.....do not admit (dr sent to all 3 hospitals) I found out when I tried to go back to emerg..I was on morphine which helped while in the hospital but the pain clinic said no ween her off it is making her pain worse!!! Then discharged me weening off morphine at the age of 66 went back to emerg 3 times because now all the pain is back...no help pulled my file and found this doctors note do not admit do not help makes suicide threats for admission uh. I was in the hospital when I said that and was sent to the psych ward for 2 months...where finally the psych got me into the pain clinic it has been a nightmare..I dont know where to turn my neurologist is trying he told me write a letter to the director of our pprovincial Health care system and he sent a letter of support to complain how out of hand this is getting and funny I ask the GPs do you know what intercostal neuralgia is nope do you think you could look it up nope...but when I cry and feel suicidal they will write about that now waiting to see pain clinic as it is staryting to affect my breathing..cant go to emerg though my spppine is aching my ri cages bothh sides my abdomin my chest wall my sternum muscle spasms and I am home with nothing!!!
ReplyDelete((((Hugs!)))) I understand!
DeleteI have it too - it is a horrible disease. I have been working, even though on a scale from 1-10, I hit the barrier at 50. It is horrible! Now after almost 5 years, there is nothing left in me. Honestly I wish I wasn't here - but I do have a wonderful son, and I have to stay for him. I am sorry you and others have it too <3
ReplyDeleteHugs!
Have you tried the medication Lyrica?
ReplyDelete