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costochondritis symptoms???

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Posted 3/14/2011 8:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone,

I need some info.  I have acid reflux and fibro.  I have had "attacks of reflux where there is alot of pressure and burning in my upper chest and the burning goes up my throat.  I t gets worse when I bend down or if I move from one position to another.  It gets worse at night or if I exert myself.  My gastro dr. said it sounds more like costrochondritis.  Does it burn?  I always thought of it as pain.  Has anyone experienced this?  I do have a endoscoppy schedulled in a few weeks but the dr told me to talk to my Rhymatologist.  What do you think?

Thanks. Lisa

Posted 3/14/2011 10:23 PM (GMT 0)
I have wondered what costo feels like myself.  I also have had the burning in my upper chest going up my throat.  I also had an endoscope, diagnosis was reoccurring gastritis.  I am interested in they replies you get.
Posted 3/14/2011 10:35 PM (GMT 0)
Costochondritis shouldn't burn up in the throat. It's pain where the ribs meet the cartilege of the sternum. Google the word and see some of the websites. If you can feel ribs slipping over each other on your sides it can be slipping rib syndrome. That can cause a burning sensation, but near the surface, not deep inside.

Frankly, burning sounds more like GERD. Remember we're not doctors here, and take anything we say with a grain of salt!

I'd ask for a barium swallow. You can only see so much looking down the throat. Reflux can't be seen happening during endoscopy. It can be seen on barium swallow! Endo will show damage to the esophagus, so it's not useless. But barium swallow can show if there is a problem with swallowing., but this one's done by a radiologist, so the GI doc doesn't make money.

It can take months to get to see a rheumatologist. They mostly treat arthritis and such.
Posted 3/14/2011 11:15 PM (GMT 0)
Alcie, I have had that pain where the ribs meet the sternum and it isn't fun. Never diagnosed with costo tho.
Posted 3/15/2011 12:55 AM (GMT 0)
I have the burning sensation that goes up from the sternum to the lower part of the throat. I forgot to mention that it can take my breath away and sometimes make me cough and causes more burning. I also burp alot when I have an attack. In fact, I am having a small attack now. Not fun! I am going to look up slipping rib syndrome and research more about this feeling. I will take any advice on this. And thanks for answering!
Posted 3/15/2011 1:18 AM (GMT 0)
Sounds like acid reflux to me.  I have both acid reflux from Crohn's disease and also costochondritis.  I take Prilosec and sometimes have to add Tums to the mixture for my acid reflux.  You do want to keep that under control.

 

If I eat acid-type foods like tomatoes or anything greasy, I do pay a price with the acid reflux.  Try eating early, too, so you aren't lying down with a full stomach.  Too much caffeine can cause more acid for me, too.  Some people have had to raise the head of their bed some and other sleep on a foam wedge that you can find at medical supply stores.  I don't need anything because I watch what I eat and use the Prilosec daily and Tums as needed. 

 

Yes, bending over will cause the acid to come up in my throat, too.  So really watch what you are eating and stay away from acidy, spicy, and greasy things.  I don't fry anything.  Once you get it under control then you can try adding things back in the diet slowly.  I can eat tomatoes and spaghetti now.  The endoscopy will probably show what is going on.  If you have never had one of these tests, don't worry about it.  It's a piece of cake.  They give you a mild sedative that will put you to sleep and it's all over within 15 minutes. 

Sherrine 

Posted 3/15/2011 1:42 AM (GMT 0)
Sherrine,
Thanks for the advice. I have had this for up to 10 years however it seems to have gotten alot worse the last month and a half. I do drink too much coffee and it affects me sometimes. I have had the endoscopy twice and the second time I woke up. Interesting! Any more advice? Where to start? and does Fibro play a hand to this? My gastro person says that I have atypical symptoms, that the reflux should get better when I lay down, that it is worse in the morning and that the pain should not be between my chest.
Posted 3/15/2011 2:49 AM (GMT 0)
I'd see a new gastro.

Fibro makes pain worse, but doesn't cause GERD symptoms. Reflux gets worse when you lie down, especially after eating. OF course pain is in the chest! The stomach is right next to the heart, just separated by the diaphragm. Ask the ER docs. They see GERD masquerading as heart attack all the time!

Since the pain has recently gotten worse, you may have a new or worsening hiatal hernia. Normally they don't cause a problem, but if the stomach gets stuck in the chest (paraesophageal hernia) because of a large hernia, it can be serious.

BTW, a lot of GI docs don't knock you out at all for endoscopy. It's not necessary unless you have a terrible gag reflex. You can refuse anesthesia, although take the throat spray! I would certainly refuse Versed. It does nothing for pain, only gives you amnesia. Then you're woozy and stupid for hours afterward.
Posted 3/15/2011 11:08 AM (GMT 0)
~Alcie, Thanks for the info. It is much appreciated. My gut feeling is that it is the reflux. I absolutely want the endoscopy. I must confess that I am alittle nervous about what they might find. BUT what I do know is that I am very uncomfortable.
Again thanks!
Lisa
Posted 3/15/2011 8:28 PM (GMT 0)
Alcie is correct.  I'd exit...stage left...from that gastro.  It's typical to have reflux when lying down!  It doesn't have gravity to work against.  I know many have had to raise the head of their beds or raise their heads one way or another.  If I have eaten something that really caused the reflux to kick in, I will have the acid come up into my mouth.  Now, that's not my idea of sweet dreams!  Then I'm coughing a lot because of the acid burning my throat.  THAT'S when I get extra pillows to help slant my upper body up...that and 3-4 Tums usually help.  If my throat still is burning and making me cough, I keep butterscotch disks in my nightstand and they are soothing and calm the burning down.

 

There is a link on Fibro 101 all about costochondritis.  It is a muscular problem.  The burning you described is what I feel with reflux.  After all, the esophagus runs up behind your chest wall.  You will feel it!

 

Don't be nervous about what they find.  They might find some scarring from the acid.  I have that and that's why it's important to try to keep the acid reflux to a minimum.  I'm careful now that I know that can happen.  Nevertheless, you do need to be checked out so you know your plan of attack.  For me, I'd rather sleep through the endoscopy!  Cluck, cluck, cluck!  tongue    They didn't give me too much anesthesia and I woke up and actually was perfectly fine.  I had no dizziness, weakness, etc.  I've had three of these done and this has worked for me.

 

Anyway, be sure to let us know how things go for you because we really do care about you.

 

Sherrine

Posted 3/15/2011 9:12 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Sherrine, I think that I will! I thought that what she said sounded funny. I have had medicine to make me alittle sleepy and I would like to have that again. I don't mind it. :) Yes, I will keep in touch! Thanks for the support! and I will read the section on Costo!
Lisa
Posted 3/16/2011 1:32 AM (GMT 0)
I have been dealing with costo since November - not fun! One thing my doctor said to distinguish costo from heart issues (it can feel like a heart attack) and I assume gerd also, is to press on your sternum and around the area and if it is really tender then it is costo.

I hope you start feeling better, gerd is the worst feeling.
Posted 3/16/2011 3:36 AM (GMT 0)
Lisa,

My husband has GERD really bad, has to be on Prevacid 2x a day, and Pepcid. He has a pre-cancerous condition from it, Barret's Esophagus (from all the acid.) He had bad vomiting episodes for about 6 months before they did an endoscopy and found it. Also a medium-sized stomach hernia. So he has to be checked regularly - of course, getting him to actually make the time for the procedure is another matter.

Nothing that feels muscular. So I'm with the majority here, take it seriously.

Debbie
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