Chronic chest pain!

Morning/afternoon/evening... am curious to find out more and to read others' comments; maybe some more details and "who" is telling you to hang in there? So many different causes/reasons for chest pain but to "hang in there" seems a strange remedy!

My primary, cardiologist, GI and neurologist.

Oh, sorry to hear that... spouse has the primary , cardiologist and GI .. triple heart bypass surgery a few years ago, really took the wind out of his sails. 17 meds a day for all - heart, bowel, diabetes etc. etc. I fee its a wonder he is walking around with all those meds including nitro patch... and has a glass of wine too and few months ago had a bad spell with the mix... I suppose I should NOT suggest this, no medical background, but have you done any searching on the Internet... thing is, there is a lot of hogwash on there but also some excellent medical and other subjects from hospitals, even cardiologists themselves. He is having speed stomach-emptying test next week .... not sure what the Gastro Dr. is looking for. Hopefully with a few more details of symptoms someone else reading can relate? J.

I had a lot of chest pain with Covid and it lasted a while....did you have Covid by chance? I also am experiencing a lot of chest pain right now with pneumonia, asthmatic bronchitis and it has worsened my reflux . Costochronditis (Sp?) can also cause chest pain. That is inflammation of the breast bone and is not talked about a lot. It's very painful. Your breastbone will be sore to the touch with that. It tends to go along with autoimmune dieases but can be brought on by something as simply as swimming. Acid reflux when not treated can cause chest pain. A doctor would have to diagnose these for you. Praying for you to get relief. God Bless You!

Ya I did have Covid pretty badly in 2022. That’s so interesting you mentioned Costochronditis since that has been mentioned quite a bit but never can be seen in a X-ray I was told. I do have GI issues that my GI dr is dismissing since all the tests they have been given have all came back normal as far as a EGD and a barium swallow. I have since been referred to another GI hopefully my old GI dr didn’t let it go too long. Thank you for your response 🙂

I was not xrayed for Costochronditis years ago. The old timey doctor simply palpated the breastbone area and diagnosed me and at that time I could take Advil for it. My mom battled it too.....hereditary? I can no longer take NSAIDS. Heat does help some, like one of those bed buddy heat packs that you put in the microwave...just don't get it to hot and burn yourself. I just had an upper G.I. done along with an esophageal dilation and all looked well. Covid can do a number on your esophagus & mucosa & salivary glands. I pray you get some answers and feel better soon.

Hi, @manojuan619. Being told to "hang in there" in almost any scenario can be deflating and frustrating. It sounds as though you are in the process of getting a new GI which will hopefully lead to some new ideas between you and your provider.

There is a costochondritis conversation on Mayo Clinic Connect you may find worth your time participating in:

- Costochondritis
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/costochondritis-1/
Without a definitive diagnosis, it is difficult to say but the conversation may still be worth investigating.

I'd also like to tag @bonnieh218, @peggyn, @juliar19, and @tsc, to this conversation as they have all discussed chronic chest pain issues as well.

@manojuan619, other than just hanging in there, have any other management options been suggested? You mentioned you have GI issues. If you are comfortable sharing, are any of those GI issues managed, or have you been in a wait and see approach for all of your symptoms?

Ya I’m comfortable sharing. Food gets stuck making it really hard to swallow. Then of course I panic cause I can’t swallow normally. I have a extremely hard time burping and when I do it relieves chest pressure. When I eat my chest automatically goes tight it’s the weirdest thing. I am managing the best way possible with anti acids. Basically I am at a standpoint and waiting on a new GI for now. This is a struggle!

I have no idea what kind of chest pain you are experiencing, but all the doctors would always think mine was heart related.

I used Aciphex for many years and it was only after I stopped using that, because it wast causing other issues, that the chest pain materialized.

I had the chest pain for a number of years. They ruled out cardiology related with with heart caths. I did have GI issues because of Schlotzsky's ring. About 3 years ago I was able to resolve the chest pain issue when I cut out all oils. Olive oil and any other kind of oil. When I eat food that has oil in it, like hummus. I am reminded I should not do that. I have successfully consumed food that used a bit of oil in the cooking. But I avoid doing any type of exercise, like even walking, for 1 hour after eating.

Sorry, I don't have anything constructive to add to this discussion.. When my husband had costocondritis, he was given a box of lidocaine patches, but his pain was short lived, he only used one patch. Another doctor I know questioned that as a remedy.
Turmeric and ginger have really helped me with muscle pain in the shoulder and arm, but they might be problematical for someone with digestive problems.