Prickling pains in ab muscles 3 mos post-op?

[ahoy 3]

Hey folks!

So I'm firmly in another weeks-long stall after dropping 10lbs in a week following a 6-week stall. GROAN. But that's not what I'm writing about. I'm coming to simply accept it.

What I've noticed the past few weeks is, well, prickly pain around my ribcage on both sides. I'll be sitting still, or moving, and suddenly it'll feel like a couple hot needles in my side. Like when you get the blood flow back in a limb that fell asleep. It'll last just a second or two and then gone. Or I'll be sitting still, or moving, and there will be a "bubble" of achiness… it'll start small, grow, and then stop hurting, all in just a second or two. Sometimes it feels like my muscles are being "tugged" on, which reminds me of post-op pain.

It doesn't seem to be related to when I eat or don't eat. Sometimes it happens when I haven't put anything in my tummy for hours.

It FEELS like muscle pain. It's not bad pain.

But I had surgery 3 mos ago. I hadn't had this pain until 2-3 weeks ago. I wonder if I hurt myself by helping to lift suitcases and boxes in the past month.

Does this sound like I need to see somebody?

I'm in the US, my doc is in Austria, and I don't have health insurance here. I can afford to pay if it's important, but obviously I'd rather not waste hundreds of dollars if it's NOT.

What do you think?

Thanks for your help!

Amy