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GERD versus Costochondritis

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 3/26/2009 4:57 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,

please pardon me if I am posting in the wrong area.  My name is Kim, and my daughter is 14 years old.  For the past several months, I've had to take her to the emergency at least once a month for severe chest pain.  (non cardiac related)  They diagnosed her with GERD once, another diagnosis was Costrachondritis.  I dont know what to beleive and really need help.  I would like to describe her experience.  It normally happens at nite.  She states that she begins to feel pain in the stomach, and it travels up to the chest area.  the pain is excruiating.....it is very scary to say the least...once we get to the hospial the pain has considerably decreased......x-rays do not show anything.....she also states it feels like gas pain....

one part i forgot to mention is that she appendicitis, and was hospitalized for one month due to appendix perforating....since that time (8 months now) we have been rotinely in the emergency room....

ive noticed on two occasions that when she had the pain episodes, she had eaten a green leafy vegetable called Bok Choy, or cabbage....please help me...how does a physician make a DEFINITIVE diagnosis...

it happended again 2 days ago...this time we did not go the emergency room (as their not finding anything in the x-rays)...instead i got her alka seltzer and gave her warm milk....but the time she lad down (about 1 1/2 later) the pain was nearly gone.....

is this normal symptoms of GERD?

thank you soo much

EDIT: I gave your topid a title. :)

Post Edited By Moderator (stkitt) : 3/26/2009 2:40:41 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 3/26/2009 8:39 PM (GMT 0)

Kim

Welcome to HealingWell.  This is Kitt.

Costochondritis causes pain and tenderness in the locations where your ribs attach to your breastbone (costosternal joints). Often the pain is sharp, though it can also feel like a dull, gnawing pain. Pain associated with costochondritis occurs most often on the left side of your breastbone, though it can occur on either side of your chest.

Other costochondritis symptoms may include:

  • Pain when taking deep breaths
  • Pain when coughing
  • Difficulty breathing

IMHO your daughter's sx appear to be more like heartburn or GERD sx.

You might consider taking her to a gastroenterologist or GI Physician.

A gastroenterologist has a particular interest in diseases digestive tract. To become proficient in the treatment and management of these conditions, a gastroenterologist must undergo training in both internal medicine and advanced training in problems of the digestive tract.

Remember I am not a professional of any kind.

Take care.

Kitt

Posted 3/26/2009 9:48 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, I've had both costochondritis and gerd; the CC makes the area where your ribs meet your sternum very, very tender. I've had great success having my chiropractor work on these areas as well as some ibuprofen.

The pain I (still) get from reflux is more in depth pain...I don't quite know how else to phrase it. The pain seems deeper and more diffused as well as a difference in tenderness. I don't get that tender from the reflux pain..actually, I guess mine may be motility pain, because I had the surgery and I'm not supposed to be having reflux.

I have to take exception with one thing that Kitt said though..Kitt is not only a professional ( a nurse!) but also a wise and wonderful woman!
Renee
Posted 3/27/2009 12:23 AM (GMT 0)
Hello from one Kim to another!

I have GERD and occassionally Costochondritis. It was very frightening when I had my first flare up. I did not know what was going on and had no idea why it was happening to me. I went thru the gammet of professionals until I was finally diagnosed. At night my acid reflux does act up if I eat too late (I try not eat after 6 pm), eat too big of a meal, or eat trigger foods (you have to track your meals). In addition, I sleep with a wedge pillow to keep myself elevated and when I try to sleep on my side, I stay on the left side since it helps to keep the acid down where it belongs. When my acid reflux is not under control or if I catch an upper respiratory cold/virus, I tend to feel a Costochondritis flare-up coming on and my Asthma condition gets aggravated. It is amazing how many conditions are so inter-related. Now that I am aware of the symptoms, I do my best to avoid what triggers it. I agree with Kitt that seeking professional help is the best way to handle it. I have gone to a rheumatologist for it, but over time, I have found the best way to manage it, is to manage my acid reflux. I hope your daughter is feeling better soon.  

Posted 3/30/2009 3:38 PM (GMT 0)
thank you everyone for the response....i forgot to mention that my daughter is seeing a gastroenterologist...however thats for another condition, mainly non movement of bowels....so in essence she has two problems, the pain in chest and her lack of bowels.....the gastro specialist put her on fiber and another stool softner, (although the name skips me right now) however i found that with the medications she was moving her bowels even less.......so i am only giving her fiber, she is eating the yogurt thats good for digestive health, and i now buy her soy milk......she is only moving her bowels weekly, is concerning to me...however the gastro are not doing a colonscopy on her, which i dont understand why....there could be any number of things wrong and without checking her intestines, how can they know.....this is becoming very frustrating......
Posted 3/30/2009 7:57 PM (GMT 0)
Kim37,

I understand your concerns for your daughter. Does she have a followup appointment scheduled with the GI doctor any time soon? I think it's reasonable to let him/her know about your daughter's continued symptoms and see what treatments or tests are recommended after that. Definitely make sure the doctor knows about both of her issues, in order to make well-informed choices.

percycat
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