Left rib much larger than right

[Liddy1993]

Hi guys this is my first time posting. I have generalized anxiety and am currently awaiting a counselling referral after going to my doctor finally last month and had been taking lexapro for the last month and it seemed to have eased my symptoms but my prescription ran out last week and I feel like I’m slipping back into hell. I’ve alwyas been an anxious person but in the last few months my health has been a major issue skin cancer lumps on my neck brain rumours being the latest worries which I know logically I have no need to worry as I’m fit and healthy and have had the concerns checked through out the years I can’t help but panic everytime something new comes up. I’m 25 and female and I can’t pin point exactly when I noticed but it’s at least 8/9 years ago now my left rib under my collar bone and above my breast protrudes more and is much larger than my right side. My right side being flat and my left one rib being much thicker I mistook it for a lump when I first noticed it. 2 days ago after overcoming a breast cancer worry I randomly worried about this. I now am worried I have some sort of bone rumour even though I’ve never had any symptoms and I’ve never worried since noticing it I’m trying to think logically and don’t want to run off to the doctors again as I know I’m feeding into it. Any help with this? It feels much much larger than the right but it’s defintiely a rib.

[Sabbine17]

I have the same thing on the right side. I noticed mine about 6 months ago when I went to physio for something unrelated and she pointed it out. If you’ve had it for that long and it hasn’t caused problems I doubt it’s anything to worry about. We’re asymmetrical by nature and we all have weird bits here and there so try not to overthink it! :)

[Liddy1993]

Most people I’ve asked (pestered :D) have said the same thing that they have one side bigger than the other but my brain can’t seem to fathom that and mine feels much larger almost like an extra rib on top of the rib. I’m telling myself if it was anything serious I’d have known by now but we know how anxiety works. I’ve made my ribs sore from touching and feeling both sides so much I think I’m gonna stop myself from doing that and try get it out of my head. Thank you for your reply I feel a bit relieved now. :)

[Sabbine17]

Just noticed you replied to my post as well :D I’m glad to help, I’ve had exactly the same fear and my rib issue has caused me to look at other people’s ribs and pester people too! I decided to exercise every time I start poking and prodding it as I’ve noticed it helps my back and chest muscles and is generally good for me, maybe that could help? Sure it’s nothing to worry about tho :)

[Liddy1993]

Hi guys, after an almost 3 month break of little to no anxiety it’s back again. I posted about this before but I noticed when I was young, can’t put an age on it but between 12-14 maybe younger that my left upper rib above my breast and below my collar bone is much much larger than the right. It feels sort of like a lump or a rib on top of the rib or and the right is completely flat. If I rub my hand across it I can feel it. I know we aren’t symmetrical and I know logically it’s probably been like this forever but I’m now worried about it again. I’m 26 now so it’s been at least a decade since I’ve noticed it and I’ve never had any pain it’s never grown it only bothers me if I poke or prod at it and it becomes tender like any other part of your body does. Has anyone got any rational thoughts that could help me with this? I think I was triggered as my grandfather has a nose bleed (once off tiny bleed)during the week while I was staying with him and I started worrying about that and it triggered this as I always jump the gun. I spent so much time in and out of the doctor last summer when my anxiety was at its peak so I don’t want to run back unless it’s necessary and know I will sound silly asking him to check something that’s been there so long.

[Gee]

How funny! Mine is the same ! On my right side it’s way bigger - I kept telling the doc and specialist it was a ‘breast lump’ they were like noooo it’s your rib! And like u said they also kept saying no one is symmetrical - also it can be due to very slight (ie nothing to bother about everyone has it a bit) scoliosis- that’s what the breast surgeon told me - don’t worry lovely - tbh it still bugs me a bit so I get it but I just keep repeating what they told me to myself!

[nomorepanic]

Hi

This is just a courtesy reply to let you know that your thread was merged with another of your threads.

Please when posting on similar topics add it onto your previous post rather than starting a new one.

It is nothing personal it is just to make it easier for people to follow your story and to give you advice as a whole.

[Liddy1993]

No way? That’s a relief I’ve actually searched on here and come across a good few people that have it too so I do feel a bit relieved. Really appreciate your reply because I can relate so much. I’m just gonna continues to tell myself that it’s been there this long and probably all my life really and I’m still here and if it was something bad I’d have found out by now. Thanks gee x

[Fishmanpa]

We're asymmetrical by nature.

Positive thoughts