Costochondritis

@aurore - a doctor at emergency diagnosed my costochondritis. He told me he could tell I had it by pressing on my rib cage and sternum (he had done an X-ray, ECG and bloodwork prior to that and I had been hooked up to a heart monitor which had displayed normal readings). Didn’t say what caused it, but I have fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis so I guess in my case it happens when I have flares of either. My ribs and sternum are sore to the touch when I get an episode of costochondritis.

@jadillow - if your doctor has ruled out any heart conditions and costochondritis the chest pain could be due to acid reflux.

I have GERD due to a hiatal hernia and I get random, sudden chest pans.. Sometimes I have been woken up by them. I always keep a bottle of water with me, and a glass of water close at hand at home. As soon as I get that pain I take a few sips of water and the pain subsides. Sometimes it returns within a half hour or so and I just take a few more sips of water again. Rarely have I had to do this more than twice. If your pain doesn’t go away after several attempts to ease it, it’s a good idea to go to Emerg. just to rule out heart trouble.

@jadillow - has your doctor diagnosed anxiety attacks? Anxiety can cause similar pain too.

I've recently developed symptoms of GERD. I bought a large, triangular pillow that starts at my hips and elevates my top half. It has made a big difference in stopping the reflux. I also keep a bottle of water and a bottle of Tums by my bedside just in case any symptoms bother me during the night. I also was having asthma from the reflux and that has gone.

@bfort - I think you are dealing with more than costochondritis. Costochondritis is a musculoskeletal pain- inflammation of the junction of rib cartilage and sternum. It typically hurts on pressure over the area.
Heart conditions and GERD don’t hurt on external pressure.
You have pain after eating and weight loss- this combination sounds familiar to me.
My problem was caused by pressure of an artery in the abdomen, causing less blood flow and pain after a meal. The condition is called MALS ( Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome). A ligament from the diaphragm puts pressure on the celiac artery. The celiac artery supplies blood to organs involved with digestion. The pain is quite severe.
I had surgery to cut the ligament and later a stent placement to keep the artery open.
Cure for now - 6 years later.
We have many members on Connect with MALS and there often is a discussion going on.
Diagnosis is made by Doppler ultrasound of the abdomen- showing change in speed of botflies. It’s confirmed with a CT angiogram.
Where do you get your medical care now?

Hi
Thank you for your information. I have had 12 various scans and tests and really found nothing.
I am scheduled for a esophageal monometry next month at the Cleveland Clinic. I am only going there for this test because it is not given in my area. I live in Naples FL.
I am going to mention this to my internist and see what he says.
I'll post when I hear my results.
Thanks again.

Oops ! Just read my posting and noticed that my autocorrect had used the word “botflies” instead of “blood flow “. Sorry!

I too have had this pressure mid sternum that I just ignore but its getting worse. I thought it was from the underwire bra. I have a hiatal hernia. I did have an echocardiogram a few years back and nothing serious. This last year has been the most stressful. Spouse ill, now my brother has pancreatic cancer stage IV. Too much stress as I am getting older hitting 65 soon. thank you for sharing about the MALS Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome. I have had issues in the past after eating a meal and just wanting to go lay down. when we went out to eat I couldn't wait to get home.

@katzpur
I’m sorry about the stress you are dealing with. I’m too very familiar with what that kind of stress does to you.
Have you talked to a doctor lately about the pressure around mid sternum? If not, I advise you to do so asap. You want to know that it’s not heart related, such as angina. You are under such stress now and at your age it could be a sign of heart disease. With your spouse and brother ill, you have to be healthy. Can you promise to go and get checked?

I have mild discomfort around where my bra fastens. I also have a hiatal hernia. After eating noon meal it worsens and I must loosen bra. Also stomach swelling. I do have an ileostomy but not sure what is causing this discomfort. Not awful but very uncomfortable around bottom of bra and waistline.