1. < Bones, Joints & Muscles

pain in my breastbone, ribs and chest

Posted by happyat76 @happyat76, Oct 30, 2019

I have had every test there is on my stomach to find out what this pain is. I kept saying it wasn’t my stomach. Someone told me it may be Costochondritis and I looked it up and think it may be. The only thing is, this has been going on for years, not days, weeks or months. How do I find out exactly what this is. My Dr. isn’t sending me to anyone else and isn’t requesting any more tests. Should I see some kind of Specialist? I can’t breathe properly and am in pain most of the time. The pain is where the breastbone meets up with the ribs. I hope someone understands and ca shed some light on this for me. Thanks very much

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veteranspouseinpain | @veteranspouseinpain | Jan 6, 2020
In reply to @happyat76 "Hi susanjane@77 Thank you so much for your response. I honestly get a lot of pain..." + (show)
@happyat76

Hi susanjane@77
Thank you so much for your response. I honestly get a lot of pain in my left arm and wrist. I was thinking it may be carpal tunnel syndrome. Now I am thinking about this differently. I get lots of pain in my upper back, shoulders. The worst pain though is in my breastbone, ribs and chest area. When I have the pain, I can barely breathe and I have to put my head on the table to breathe. The pain feels like someone has a knife in that area and is ousting it through to my back. As far as pain meds, my Doctor won’t give me anything as I have problems with meds and them causing pain in my stomach. Aspirin just about kills me. To be honest, my Dr. has never suggested my having any x-ray, cat scan, m.r.i. or anything on my chest, back or anywhere. I have had cat scans on my stomach, abdomen etc and I have an hiatus hernia and a tumour in my pancreas. No Dr has told me that these would cause this pain. I just don’t know what to do at this point. I am so tired of suffering with no answers. I have never used Albee for pain, but imagine that it is useless. Let me know your thoughts after reading this. Thanks

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I forgot to ask you if your a girl or guy

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veteranspouseinpain | @veteranspouseinpain | Jan 6, 2020
In reply to @happyat76 "Hi boomer76 So very sorry I am only now getting back to you. Yes that is..." + (show)
@happyat76

Hi boomer76
So very sorry I am only now getting back to you. Yes that is exactly where I get the pain. It really hurts me to breathe at times. I hate having to live like this all the time. I really don’t know what to do now. My Dr. has never examined me, nor suggested a chest x-ray, scan, nothing. What kind of Dr. should I ask her to send me to? Any suggestions?
Thanks

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U said u got your pancreas tested right? Or tumor on it? you really should look up the information on the side effects or symptoms of having a tumor or something even benign on your pancreas. It can cause chest pain nausea and some of the symptoms that you were describing.I think you should get at least four or five opinions that&apos;s what I did for my daughter when every doctor said no she does not have scoliosis. You will eventually find a good doctor who cares

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happyat76 | @happyat76 | Jan 8, 2020
In reply to @veteranspouseinpain "I have been getting so many messages but I do remember messaging you. You might want..." + (show)
@veteranspouseinpain

I have been getting so many messages but I do remember messaging you. You might want to ask the doctor to test you for myofascial trigger point disease. There&apos;s really not much they can do about it other than make you comfortable with muscle relaxers. But you can make your back muscles stronger by going to the gym. Also you&apos;re going to have to change your lifestyle by using heating pads anywhere and everywhere you sit and lay down. I&apos;m sorry to tell you this but at least it said somewhat towards the right direction of finding out exactly what you might have. I hope you don&apos;t have that because at time is my husband it&apos;s pretty bad. I wouldn&apos;t wish that on my worst enemy. but if it&apos;s not that have your doctor check to see if you have scoliosis. That at least can be corrected I might take time but it can be corrected at least 90%. if you message me back I&apos;ll get back to you as soon as I can. I would love to know what&apos;s going on with you. I&apos;m here

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I just read your reply. Thanks for all the advice. I will talk to my Dr. about all of it when I see her. I will keep in touch and thanks again.

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dannimass | @dannimass | Jan 8, 2020

@happyat76 I just happen to come across your post a few minutes ago. I am not sure if my information will help you but it's worth a shot. I have been having chest pain in the same area you are describing off and on since April of 2017. I have a range of multiple symptoms, but this particular type of pain was very unsettling to me. I have had EKGs and a echocardiogram with negative results for any major heart issues. I have also had tests regarding stomach and GI issues. An appointment at Mayo Clinic in September of 2018 opened the door to my official diagnosis. Neurology referred me to a Geneticist in Jacksonville where I was diagnosed with Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos syndrome. It is a connective tissue disorder that affects collagen making it too flexible. I said all that to say that they believe my pain is coming from my rib joints moving and my muscles working overtime to keep them in place. It wears them down and can cause undescribable pain. Please let me know if you have any questions.

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happyat76 | @happyat76 | May 25, 2021
In reply to @artscaping "@happy@76, Good morning. What a great alias....except I think I beat you by 1 year......yep 77...." + (show)
@artscaping

@happy@76, Good morning. What a great alias....except I think I beat you by 1 year......yep 77. I was attracted to your discussion title because I have just a bit of experience with that issue. I am going to assume you found the site (link below). It is very interesting. At the bottom of the page is a series of symptoms that are not costochondritis. For the most part, clinicians diagnose with patient feedback and because the diagnosis is one of exclusion may not appear to be knowledgeable.

And now to another set of symptoms that appeared for me and were attributed to a pretty severe reaction to Boniva (and other bisphosphonates). I eliminated a few possibilities like heart attack.....this was a bone issue (in my opinion)....from the ribcage and sternum up to the jaw and even the eye sockets. I was also having difficulty swallowing.....and I wanted to pull all my teeth out of my head.

My PCP discontinued the medication and I visited my Myofascial Release therapist for several treatments until the discomfort subsided.
Are you taking any osteoporosis medications? I moved to Tymlos and have not had a reoccurrence.

I am not a medical practitioner and can only relate the chapters in my book of experience that might shed a little light. I do wish your DR had been a bit more forthcoming if in fact, he suspected costochondritis so you didn't worry. May you be free of suffering today. Please let me know your thoughts. Chris
https://costochondritis.com/diagnosing-costochondritis/

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Hi Chris,
I am just now reading your answer to me about our pain and what it is. I had to go to the hospital nearby not too long ago as I thought I may be having a heart attack. This was a very different pain in my chest than what I was used to. This emergency Dr. told me that this pain was in fact Costrochondritis and suggested I try Amitriptyline for the pain. Well, I tell you Chris after just a few days, the pain went away and hasn't come back. I sleep much better also. I couldn't get over this as I had suffered for a number of years with this damn pain and now it was gone. What do you think about this?

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2 replies
mfratt | @mfratt | May 26, 2021
In reply to @happyat76 "Hi Chris, I am just now reading your answer to me about our pain and what..." + (show)
@happyat76

Hi Chris,
I am just now reading your answer to me about our pain and what it is. I had to go to the hospital nearby not too long ago as I thought I may be having a heart attack. This was a very different pain in my chest than what I was used to. This emergency Dr. told me that this pain was in fact Costrochondritis and suggested I try Amitriptyline for the pain. Well, I tell you Chris after just a few days, the pain went away and hasn't come back. I sleep much better also. I couldn't get over this as I had suffered for a number of years with this damn pain and now it was gone. What do you think about this?

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What is Costochondritis if I might ask. I have similar pain but I have thoracic spin problems and attribute mine to nerve issues.

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1 reply
happyat76 | @happyat76 | May 29, 2021
In reply to @mfratt "What is Costochondritis if I might ask. I have similar pain but I have thoracic spin..." + (show)
@mfratt

What is Costochondritis if I might ask. I have similar pain but I have thoracic spin problems and attribute mine to nerve issues.

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Costochondritis is pain where the upper ribs attach to the breastbone. This causes inflammation. I don't know why it happens, but I am so grateful that Amitriptyline is working for me.

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Mentor
Chris Trout, Volunteer Mentor | @artscaping | May 29, 2021
In reply to @happyat76 "Hi Chris, I am just now reading your answer to me about our pain and what..." + (show)
@happyat76

Hi Chris,
I am just now reading your answer to me about our pain and what it is. I had to go to the hospital nearby not too long ago as I thought I may be having a heart attack. This was a very different pain in my chest than what I was used to. This emergency Dr. told me that this pain was in fact Costrochondritis and suggested I try Amitriptyline for the pain. Well, I tell you Chris after just a few days, the pain went away and hasn't come back. I sleep much better also. I couldn't get over this as I had suffered for a number of years with this damn pain and now it was gone. What do you think about this?

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Good for you. How wonderful. I have read that Amitriptyline is one of the best......supposedly for pain and the side effects of depression. Good for you. I guess I am a bit surprised that it took so long. And I am thrilled that you are sleeping better and living more joyously.

May you be safe and protected.
Chris

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happyat76 | @happyat76 | Aug 20, 2021

I would like to let everyone know that my Dr. finally put me on Amitriptyline 75 my and my pain is 100% gone. I feel like a new woman without the horrible pain of Costcochondritis.

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1 reply
Amanda Roe | @amandajro | Aug 21, 2021
In reply to @happyat76 "I would like to let everyone know that my Dr. finally put me on Amitriptyline 75..." + (show)
@happyat76

I would like to let everyone know that my Dr. finally put me on Amitriptyline 75 my and my pain is 100% gone. I feel like a new woman without the horrible pain of Costcochondritis.

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@happyat76 what a wonderful update and relief for you! What do you plan to do with this new lease on life?

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