TMBRA - Rider Board

[Anonymous]

Last night I had some pain beneath my lower rib-cage in my stomach area. It was like a cramp or spasm. I have had it intermittently before, but last night as I was riding out to the crit it started hurting then it was almost unbearable during the race. The legs felt great but the cramping below my right rib-cage was hurting so bad it was all I could do to just sit on the back. It's still bothering me a little today! I know that I have experienced these kind of cramps before, usually when I was out of shape and trying to do a hard run or ride, or the first real hard ride or race of the season, but I am usually able to ride through it. This was a little different considering that I am pretty fit and the pain began before I started any hard efforts and was persistant. It even hurts today some. Any thoughts?

[The Bike Doc]

Drew:

Pain under the ribs or under the sternum associated with strenous activity is always worrysome. It may be something simple as a local muscle spasm, esophageal reflux or something far more serious, the signs of a heart attack. Do seek an immediate medical evaluation to sort things out.

Thanks,
_________________
Paul K. Nolan, MD
AKA: The Bike Doc