Can pain near my sternum/below chest cause sinus issues?

@emilystewart30, I looked at your profile and see you have been dealing not just this the sinus and sternum pain you write about here but also pain but also bowel problems, unintended weight loss and sleep problems.

It sounds like you may have something underlying going on that is affecting you systemically. When I think about what is just below the sternum and where sinuses are located I visualize the esophagus that runs up through the neck to the mouth and airway. The nasal passage and sinuses are connected as well.

I relate to the variety of problems you have been having. I am not medically trained and I can’t confirm anything for you. What I can do is tell you absolutely, from my own personal experience all of the sensations/symptoms you have been having could be related. I also am convinced the best chance you have of figuring it out is to find a doctor you trust that is willing to walk through the process with you.

You mention having a doctors appointment this month. Have you been working with your doctor concerning other symptoms you’ve had? What is the symptom you are having that causes the worst problem for you?

@jlharsh thank you for responding. Recently I ended up gaining some weight back I think, and I didn’t make a post updating that. Sometimes I’ve wondered if my sleep problems are my own fault because I’ve had bad habits in bed like being on my phone too much and maybe spending too much time in bed.
I haven’t been working with my doctor about what’s been going on. Last year I saw a nurse practitioner one time and mentioned things going on with my bowels, and she mentioned to try taking Meta mucil everyday for a month, and then if that doesn’t help go from there. I haven’t done that and have been hesitant to because I was worried if that’d make me feel worse, or like I’d start going and then feel like I need to go more but nothing comes out. Or I thought maybe it’d cause something like overflow diarrhea, where I’d go but still feel like there’s something too hard to get out.
I think either the constipation or when I’ve had it, the pain/uncomfortable feeling near my sternum/chest has caused the worst problem. Sometimes I think stress from not knowing what’s going on has been a problem too, and like not knowing what’s going on/not getting relief mentally/physically is a problem.

Absolutely fear of the unknown cause can be crippling. Are you afraid to find out what the cause/problem is? Your post seems to indicate that you have told us readers more about your condition than your doctor, with whom you “haven’t been working”. Why do you see her? Next you visit an NP regarding bowel issues. Most NP’s are highly regarded and effective. Yet you didn’t follow her advice, choosing instead to worry and fret that you would only feel worse; that overflow diarrhea might develop, yet feeling that you still couldn’t get it out. And sleep hygiene likely causes poor sleep. I know from experience! Might acute concern over “emptying”yourself mirror the need to tell someone about long pent up fears, frustrations, feelings that you may be loathe to address? I sympathize fully with you and wonder how you face it. When you see your doctor, consider asking if she could help to allay your fears. And list them all. I pray you find peace.

@hopeseeker22 At times I’ve been afraid to find out what the problem is, and sometimes I’ve been hesitant to deal with what’s been going on because I’ve ignored it for so long, and I don’t know what doctors or people around me would say when I tell them symptoms I’ve had for a while. Sometimes I want to think I’m fine and somewhat alright because I’ve gotten use to things being this way, and there’s times I feel somewhat alright.
There’s been times in the past that it seems like I had overflow diarrhea, and I was hesitant to take the np’s advice because in the past I’ve had what seemed like overflow diarrhea, or cramps from feeling like I need to go but can’t. I could try taking her advice though and seeing if it helps.

You mentioned about if the concern over emptying myself mirrors the need to tell someone about fears, frustrations and feelings, and I’d agree with that. There’s things in life I haven’t dealt with or moved forward on, both physically and mentally, and that’s caused stress at times.

@emilystewart30, you will need to decide what you want to accomplish and actually, maybe look at what will be worse…..taking a step into a situation that is uncomfortable or letting your symptoms go and hope they will get better, not more complicated. There is no wrong answer, and you are the one who has to make that decision (and deal with the consequence). You have been doing a wonderful job of recognizing what you are feeling, then trying to troubleshoot to see what you can do to help yourself. You mention noticing you have habits that may be leading to poor sleep as one example. I am thinking whatever you decide to do you will be successful at it.

I started making progress when I consistently saw the same providers and bought into their troubleshooting process. I would like to tell you there is an easy button but I’m not sure that exists. You mention your worst symptoms are the constipation and pain. It has really, really helped me to be active and consistently eat well. I have thought of it as sort of a two-for-one help. A good lifestyle helps my body function better. It also helps my doctors see more clearly what may be happening.

What do you think you’d like to see happen? Do you think working with your doctor, or getting back in touch with your nurse practitioner would be the right thing for you?

Emily,
Thank you for responding to my reply. It was IMPRESSIVE! You calmly & analytically dealt with any point I raised, not seeming “apologetic” at all, but secure, reasoned, consistent and confident. You had mentioned concern about what “doctors” and “people” around you “would say” about your symptoms. Except probably for the doctor, you should not care what others say. Why need they know in the first place? Unless you would confide to a much trusted friend perhaps. WHO after all is suffering here? Others? Some no doubt but your FIRST obligation in all matters is to yourself! Do you find something “wrong” wrong with yourself? From from little I saw in your reply were the thoughts of a most intelligent, insightful, educated and very well spoken person. But I fear that perhaps you do not share my conclusions. Well sorry, but your true character traits slipped out. You let your guard down as it were and allowed others to see your goodness, value and worth. Not medical terms but descriptors - while deserved - that were not nurtured in you. Sound hokey? It’s not. By my early 20’s I was hypochondriacal. Fearful of the occasional skipped heartbeat. Worried about my occasional diarrhea. All of which and more blew up into a horrid panic attack, at work no less. And that only enhanced my fears. For me it took benzodiazepines and eventually talk therapy just to move on to tomorrow.
And when a “light” finally did go on in therapy, it helped provide a reason for my self-doubt, not a cure. But better than “a poke in the eye” as my dad used to say. To this advanced day in my life, self-doubt lingers. Fearfulness, GAD. Were you also not nurtured, praised at times, celebrated, encouraged? Due to unintentional life circumstances faced by others perhaps? I hope that you can come to accept the wonderful person you are, disallowing what you only guess wha strangers may think. Listen to a doctor - he or she has dealt with worse combined symptoms than yours. Let there be two-way communication. Such as you certainly proved you’ve mastered. All good fortune to you. ☀️
Tom