I call them strained or pulled muscles. My Dr told me they are muscle spasms from the little muscles in-between the ribs that help us breathe. I get the on the lower ribs in front and side, sometimes in the back. [ if it was only on the left side I would have thought it a heart attack.] It helps to rub them out. He has me doing upper chest exercises. Lifting a 5# hand weight up above my head and out to the side and front shoulder high. Then also doing some deep breathing exercises. I do the daily now along with walking. That has helped a lot, so exercise is important for us. Now sometimes when I have a bad coughing fit it will still give me a twinge, just rub it out like a sore muscle.
I don't believe steroids from the inhalers would make that worse. *But I'm not a Dr. That is what help me.

Hi Susan. I do not know about the spasms other than around the rib cage and back. I did a little Google research and found that the pain I have around the ribs is not called "muscle twisting" as I referred to it but "rib spasms". What is interesting is that many people with COPD have reported these horrible rib spasms, but when they asked their doctor about it, the doctors looked at them quizzically like they never heard of such a symptom! Believe me, they are real, as you know. So I guess until doctors are convinced, we won't get much help from them? If you find any new articles that I missed on these "rib spasms" let me know & I will do the same. I am so sorry you are experiencing them in other parts as well; that must be so painful and frustrating. Sometimes when I stretch, it helps. Other times "walking it out" just around the room helps. But that last episode nothing helped....I just had to wait til it passed. I have not received the results from my lung CT scan. Hope they don't find anything new that would "help" explain it. Take care.

Sounds like Costeochrondritis to me…

Thank you, Michael. I am glad your doctor is familiar with the symptom. I have weights sitting waiting for me to actually pick up and use again. I appreciate the advice and I will use it. Thanks so much!

I take Trimbow inhaler twice a day. I find the muscle spasms the hardest thing to deal with. I get them in my ribs (feels like wired is being tightened across them). I get them on the front of my calf if I put my feet or legs up when sitting, even though it helps swollen ankles. I get them in my back, feet and hands, and sometimes, though not a lot, I get them in my jaw and it feels like my jaw is going to lock. Does anyone have any advice on how to minimise them?