I would strongly suggest that you check with your doc about this, especially if it's something new for you. Pain in the ribs and chest area can be any number of things, some associated with COPD and many not. Best to get it checked out, unless it's clearly muscle pain as Gordon talked about in the above post.

I also have chest pains, also back and neck muscle aches. My Drs tested me for vitamin and mineral deficiencies. I am low on the following: Vit. B-12, D3, Magnesium and at times, calcium and potassium. I now take these as supplements because he says that they are not absorbed properly due to ageing, medications that deplete them and mal-absorption. I am 73 and this seems to be helping.

@ AlisonReeve. Hi , Oh how I wish I could give you an answer , I too have a simular problem . I do not always wake lick it, In my case its due to constant coughing. My way of tackling ealry motnings is to take paracetamol and a full glass of cold water, then make a pot of strong coffee and sit in my comfy chair and whach the world news untill my bits belong to me again then its a hot shower sorry Alison thats the only answer I have .

I actually do not wake up with my ribs/chest pain, but get spasms during the day, no rhyme or reason for it. When I get them I usually lay down and try to stretch out until it stops hurting. If I am somewhere where I cannot lay down, I usually put my hands across my chest, and double over until it stops hurting. I read an article on this and it stated that most doctors do not know what causes this. I will see my pulmatologist until June and my regular doctor did not know the answer.

Are you on statins? and is it possibly coming from them