I AM 31 YEARS OLD. I HAVE HAD THESE PAINS SINCE I WAS LIKE 15 YEARS OLD. ONE MORNING I WOKE UP AND STRETCHED AND I HEARD  A CRACKING NOISE IT WAS REAL LOUD AND TOOK MY NREATH AWAY. I WAS IN SHOCK. DIDNT KNOW WHAT TO DO. AFTER THAT I HAVE HAD PAINS LIKE YOU HAVE DESCRIBED. I WENT TO THE DR AND THEY SAY ITS THE CARTILAGE THAT SEPERATES AND IT SWELLS UP A BIT BUT HURTS REALLY BAD YOU CANT BREATHE DEEP YOU GOTTA TAKE REAL SMALL BREATHS. ITS A STABBING PAIN AND HURTS FOR A LITTLE WHILE.  IT SWELLS UP ALOT WHEN IT HURTS AND GOES DOWN A BIT WHEN IT DOESNT HURT. IF I LYE DOWN ON MY BACK YOU CAN SEE IT POPPED OUT. ALL YOU CAN DO IS TAKE A PAIN RELIEVER OR GO TO DR AND GET CORTISONE SHOTS TO HELP. IT WONT HEAL IT BUT WILL HELP WITH THE PAIN. I REALLY HOPE THIS HELPS. KAT