Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
132 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

Stabbing Pain In Left Ribs, Shocks On Lying Down, Rolling Over. Due To Shingles?

I have had recurring pain -shocks, stabbing pain, in my left ribs since 1999. It occurs every few years and starts out as just one tiny pinch, then it keeps escalating to where it will shock me so bad that sometimes it about knocks me off my feet , or causes my left arm to raise with the shocking, to where it s hard to get my arm to come down for a few seconds. Lying down and rolling over also causes many shocks, or I may not be doing anything and I will get shocked, or stabbed. I ve never had a rash , but I suspect this could be shingles . I ve seen several doctors and neurologists and have been on several different medicines, but they don t know what it is, and the medicines have not helped.
posted on Mon, 23 Jul 2012
Twitter Fri, 18 Oct 2013 Answered on
Twitter Fri, 18 Oct 2013 Last reviewed on
Report Abuse
Internal Medicine Specialist,  's  Response
Hi there,

Thanks for your query.

Firstly, did you have shingles over the left side of chest or left upper back, prior to 1999? If yes, then you have a condition called Post-Herpetic Neuralgia which manifests similar to your problems. Long-term course of anti-epileptic drugs like carbamezapine, gabapentin, pregabanyl will relieve you of these problems.

Other cause can be compression over the nerves in the upper part of the spine, due to prolapse of a disc or collapse-compression of a vertebra.

Discuss these possibilities with a Neurologist, who knows what is best for you.

Dr. Rakesh Karanwal

I find this answer helpful
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Recent questions on Chickenpox


Loading Online Doctors....
Stabbing Pain In Left Ribs, Shocks On Lying Down, Rolling Over. Due To Shingles?

Hi there, Thanks for your query. Firstly, did you have shingles over the left side of chest or left upper back, prior to 1999? If yes, then you have a condition called Post-Herpetic Neuralgia which manifests similar to your problems. Long-term course of anti-epileptic drugs like carbamezapine, gabapentin, pregabanyl will relieve you of these problems. Other cause can be compression over the nerves in the upper part of the spine, due to prolapse of a disc or collapse-compression of a vertebra. Discuss these possibilities with a Neurologist, who knows what is best for you. Dr. Rakesh Karanwal