> when I try to take in a good breath using the lower part of the rib
> cage, where it never caused trouble before, I find that it now makes
> the back muscles (on one side or the other -- it's happened on both
> sides), just above the bottom of the rib cage and near the spine,
> cramp. They also cramp at night when I shift into an "arched"
> postion, or in the morning when I stretch, again arching the back.
>
If you are over 35 or so, it could be due to arthritis in the spine. If you
are over 45, it could be due to osteoporosis causing slight collapse of a
vertebra. At any age you could have strained a muscle or ligament.
Remote possibilities would include lung pathology or any number of things in
the abdomen.
It would be difficult to sort it out by yourself. If this has been going on
more than a couple weeks, you should probably see your doctor.
John
John J. Messmer, M.D.
Assistant Professor, Family & Community Medicine
Penn State College of Medicine
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