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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Pain In The Ribs While Suffering From COPD And Diabetes?

I am 72 yr old female with COPD and diabetes. For the past month I get periodic pain on my right side and around my back. I feels painful when touched and it seems centered above the ends of my ribs. I don t know what it is. It has been going on too long to be muscular I think. Do you have some suggestions I might explore?
Thu, 17 Aug 2017
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello
I understand your concern.

Pain at right side of chest which goes to back with tendeeness on skin can be because of impending shingles or herpes zoster infection.
Considering your age and medical history,it is quiet possible you may get shingles due to decreased immunity.
Just look for any red blister or tingling numbness appearing on the affected area.
For now,you can have analgesic like acetaminophen 250 mg dose orally for pain and local calamine lotion application for soothing.
If the blisters appear,it confirms shingles and it can be treated by antiviral drugs like valacyclovir for 7-10 days.
Second possibilty is pleural disease.Does the pain increases on coughing,breathing deeply in?
If so you may get a chest Xray done.
Also get your ECG and blood lipids done as pain of cardiac origin may present in atypical ways.

Hope this information helps.
Any further query is welcome.
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What Causes Pain In The Ribs While Suffering From COPD And Diabetes?

Hello I understand your concern. Pain at right side of chest which goes to back with tendeeness on skin can be because of impending shingles or herpes zoster infection. Considering your age and medical history,it is quiet possible you may get shingles due to decreased immunity. Just look for any red blister or tingling numbness appearing on the affected area. For now,you can have analgesic like acetaminophen 250 mg dose orally for pain and local calamine lotion application for soothing. If the blisters appear,it confirms shingles and it can be treated by antiviral drugs like valacyclovir for 7-10 days. Second possibilty is pleural disease.Does the pain increases on coughing,breathing deeply in? If so you may get a chest Xray done. Also get your ECG and blood lipids done as pain of cardiac origin may present in atypical ways. Hope this information helps. Any further query is welcome.