Hello ladies, for over a month now, I have experienced chest and back pains on the left side. Sometimes it comes like a sharp sprain that makes it difficult to take deep breaths and I kind of freeze up until the pain goes away. It is usually just for a few minutes and no more. I am big breasted, (34 H) and suspected it could be related to the size of my breast but I don't think so anymore. Also, when I lie on my left, the pain worsens. It's only the left side of my chest and I just hope that this is not a heart/lung issue. Could the endo have found its way up there?
I am going to see a doctor this week but I wanted to see if anyone has similar symptoms.
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AnnaMae
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I have the same issue, not all the time but days when it happens frequently. I have stage IV endo, but I haven't mentioned this pain to the DR yet, only just started being seen by a specialist.
I have noticed that since going in to medical menopause I can now sleep on my left side for the first time in years, so that tells me that pain must be linked to inflammation caused by my endo.
I have just been making the assumption that the spasms are due to a flare up on my nerves, when it first happens I feel like my back has gone, so I freeze but the pain comes back when I breath, lasts for a few breaths and then goes, I also get this under my ribs in the left side only, but I have no medical explanation to share, sorry.
Thank you for your reply. I have level 4 endo too. It is exactly the way you have described it. I was on a cocktail of supplements namely, wobenzym, serrapeptase and nattokinase. The shoulder pain practically vanished during that time but I was concerned that it could have been masking a symptom of something not related to endo. I stopped taking the supplements in order to better monitor the pain, which returned. To be honest I was about to request for a chest X-ray. Thank you for sharing.
Hi I've had something similar, but also had lower back pain. So I don't know if this may help; I've had physio for my endo symptoms, so not endo directly but more the flareup symptoms - during my periods I get lower back pain and like a sharp downward stabbing pain in the top of my left shoulder towards my lungs. I thought it was something to do with bloating, the way I was sleeping, bad neck muscles, anything but the below!
I've posted in response to a lovely lady; it seems back pain, hip pain, shoulder pain, neck pain and pelvic bone pain are all linked to our tight lower back and hips, combined with a weak core (abs). I didn't know this until I saw a physio about it. I replied to a lovely lady with a similar problem:
In summary our core is weak from endo / surgeries / no focus to strengthen them, therefore our back compensates changing our posture and becoming tight (it can be over the years), this in turn causes all sorts of pains which can be made worse by; periods , endo generally, childbirth, sitting, a long surgery, scans where we need to stay still, you get the idea.
My pain was always lower back, hips, shoulder and coccyx. I'm having regular monthly "maintenance" physio to help with my lower back and coccyx, which is going well, I now only have a slight ache during the first day of my flare ups.
I do core strengthening classes to help my abs and my lower back.
It's not a quick solution; it'll take a bit of time with physio, core exercises and strengthening your back which may mean some at home exercises (google core strengthening). I started to notice improvement after two months. Physio works on the lower back, sacrum, hips and coccyx mobility, as often that whole area can be tight.
I'd defintely look into it yourself, mine costs about £40 per session, which is about an hour, now only once a month. The NHS dismissed mine because it isn't stopping me from sleeping / lying down - silly questionnaire they send you to analyse whether you need physio from them.
My GP just said try steroid injections which seemed a bit extreme, and doesn't actually find the source of the pain.
I know it may not be much help but we do all need to work on our core muscles!
Let me know if you can't access the link and I'll post up the info in there as it includes what type of physiotherapist I saw, what they said and what I'm having done.
Thank you for a very detailed explanation. I will start working on my core. I am suspecting that the endo has worked its way up to my diaphragm. I am no longer in the UK at the moment and I am in a place where endo specialists are so hard to find.
Yes AnnaMae, I’ve had one endometrioma removed and adhesions were found as high as my navel. Now I have the same left-sided pain you describe in my back and under my ribs in front. It makes my heart pound and my breathing labored, but doesn’t happen every day/all the time.
I suspect the same as you do: the endometrial adhesions have spread to my diaphragm and/or lungs. Nothing seems to help other than hot baths.
Take care, and I hope you’re able to get this resolved soon.
Thank you very much for your reply. I saw a GP yesterday who prescribed antiacids and gastrointestinal ulcer drugs. He also recommended an ECG. He suspected a bone problem too but said he will investigate when we have ruled out ulcer and any cardio thoracic anomalies. If I don't make a headway, I'll go back to my systemic enzyme cocktail which has been 100% effective against the pain.
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xx
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