Like Barb, it is a daily thing for me, just worse at times and on the left. I do not have abdominal reflexes on that side. They have been absent for a few years and I know won't be coming back. On a daily basis, I don't sit for too long as that irritates it.

The pain varies but during a flare I am flat on my back as just moving irritates it. Breathing is difficult as I am being squeezed and it is at those times that I call it the MS vise grip. Additionally, I at times have experience the feeling of a board being shoved in to my side, a burning ripping pain, and muscle spasms that can be seen. Truly, this is my most painful symptom and is constant to varying degrees.

To help with the pain, I use ice (which is good for nerve conduction) and put my arm above my head, which helps both the pain and with the breathing.

Sending you gentle, gentle cyber's.

BTW - You can always tell where I am on my rib pain level by whether or not I have a bra on. Sometimes bras seem to irritate it more and cause more banding.