Severe spasms in chest, under rib cage and back

[regina79]

Hello All,

It's been nearly 4 months since my first Laparoscopy and I have experienced trapped wind/gas in my chest, under my rib cage and back (upper and lower both), after the operation for about two weeks, which I assumed was normal and due to the gas they put inside your tummy during the operation.

Now, I've had this flare up again last week and it lasted 5 days. I looked online and all symptoms seems to be due to either trapped wind or heartburn. The spasms are terribly painful and they come and go. I took peppermint, ginger, lemon, Wind Eaze, Rennies, Bicarbonate of soda, but to be honest nothing really seemed to prevent them from coming back or ease them up much. It seems to be worse straight after eating or while eating even. They feel like your chest and back get very tight, so tight that they prevent you from breathing properly.

Did anyone ever experienced these cramps in their chest, rib cage and back (shoulder blades etc), after months from Laparoscopy or in general with Endometriosis??

Thanks! I'm unsure if it's a general GP issue or Gyno due to endometriosis.

Ersilia

[lizzyxx]

I have similar symptoms and was told by my specialist that it could be diaphragmatic endometriosis x

[regina79 in reply to lizzyxx]

Hi Lizzy,

oh dear. That doesn't sound good. Did you get any scan for it? Do you still get these pains? x

[lizzyxx in reply to regina79]

No as I'm having my diagnostic lap on the 18th so he's going to check it then, did they check your diaphragm during your lap? x

[regina79 in reply to lizzyxx]

Oh I see. Best of luck with it all Lizzy! I hope you find answers.

I don't think that they did. They would have told me otherwise.. I don't know how they would check the diaphragm either during a Laparoscopy. Do you know how? Are you going to get that checked specifically?

My period has come today - I read on this forum that most women who suffer with endometriosis and got these pains we have, got them normally before coming on their periods! so perhaps it's just a new symptom of endo.

[lizzyxx in reply to regina79]

They check it by making a further incision in the upper abdomen to have a look, maybe it's worth mentioning it to your consultant? x

[regina79 in reply to lizzyxx]

Oh I see. Yeah I didn't have that done... only have the 3 standard cuts.

I will definitely mention it although I checked online for the symptoms and I dont have many of them?! just the severe cramps. Thanks so much x

[regina79 in reply to lizzyxx]

I had severe pains not only on the right side of the chest and the shoulder, but on both sides, actually more on the left side. I also had these pains in the upper and lower back both. But online it says that pain in the chest and shoulder is mainly felt in the right. In the abdomen is felt either side.

[regina79 in reply to lizzyxx]

It looks like my GP thinks I have acid reflux or a stomach ulcer as a result of the overuse of NSAIDs. So she gave me a 28 day course of Omeprazole which is meant to reduce the stomach acid and treat any ulcer and also treat the stomach bacteria in case it's that! She also asked me to take a stool sample for the stomach bacteria.

I'll see how I go with these pills. x

[lizzyxx in reply to regina79]

Hopefully they will clear up your symptoms x

[regina79 in reply to lizzyxx]

Yes I'm sure they will after taking these tablets x

[Bambaloo]

Omg I could have written this thread myself. I’m really struggling with upper abdominal pain, bilaterally and changes throughout the month but breath takingly painful....I’m on omeprazole three months as severe chest and neck pain thought to be acid reflux.... dies anyone know of any diaphragmatic endo specialists?

Take care ladies,

Sx

[regina79 in reply to Bambaloo]

Hi Bambaloo,

so sorry to hear about your horrid pains. I've been there.. but I feel better since Monday, so I'm very pleased. I've started taking Omeprazole yesterday and feel much better. But I'm also on the Endometriosis Diet since two weeks so I'm avoiding a lot of foods that can cause me bloating or pain. My doctor also thought my spasms were due to acid reflux... however I don't think it was my case. My pains flared up after taking strong anti-inflammatories (Naproxen, etc). So I do think that from before my Laparoscopy and since 4 months I've been taking way too many antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, aspirin... So I think their overuse probably caused me these pains and perhaps mine is stomach ulcers. Either way Omeprazole should treat all of these...

I'm not sure about Diaphragmatic Endo as I'm not sure my symptoms are exactly those. I will ask my consultant gyno when I next see him what he makes of this endo type.

Given that you still experience these pains, please go and see a specialist about it. Don't wait..

Or, if they think is acid reflux, I was told to also avoid these things: caffeine, peppermint tea/oil, acidic fruits such as tomatoes, chocolate, spicy food, lemon and similar. I have been taking a lot of peppermint thinking it would help but apparently it can make the pains worse... Maybe try to avoid all these too for a few days and see if the pains go?

Wish you better xxx