Costochondritis or hiatal hernia?

[MrsBarker]

Hi all

I was diagnosed with costpchondrotos but I'm really worried ablut hiatal hernia.

I get pain at the bottom of my sternum that shoots up my chest and hurts the top of my abdomen. It flares up of I get stressed, lift something really heavy, or shout a lot. It also flares if i have a cold

Does anyone else find with costo they have upper abdominal pain or are more prone to indegestion? If anyone has either of these conditions of love you to reply.

I'm really worried about this, please help.

Many Thanks Kirsty

[Sallyderek]

I have a hiatus hernia and I also get lots of pain. My food often comes back up and also my food gets stuck for hours and it won’t move through to my stomach. I wouldn’t worry about it too much.

[fillyjilly]

Hi

I suffer with costochondritis and it is by far the most awful pain, before I knew what it was I was convinced it was my heart, it actually makes me cry when I get an attack, which thankfully is not very often, about three times a month. It comes on for no reason, and I was advised by doctor to rub voltoral on the area and to take paracetamol. I find that if I drink some water really slowly and rest whilst the pain is there, I can manage it. Apparently this is a harmless condition, so I try not to worry about it, even though the pain is 9/10. I also have fibromyalgia, and people have told me that it is common with fibro.

Hope you get better soon, have a nice day.

Jilly

[MrsBarker in reply to fillyjilly]

Hi Jilly,

Thanks for your reply. I've actually got an appointment at a pain clinic to see what they think. I'm convinced I have fibro as my sister was diagnosed with it too.

I went to the GP and spoke with them about it and she told me fibro doesn'te exist which I was really upset by. I was clinging onto that as a bit of hope that I would know why I'm always in pain.

[morphalot]

I've had a hiatus hernia for many years. It is basically a little hole which part of the stomach pushes through into the oesophagus. This gives you pain, reflux etc. Raise your pillows in your bed so that there is an upward slope from your stomach and chest up to your throat. Don't bend down just after you've eaten. Ask your doctor for medication. It's easily treatable, and if the worst comes to the worst you could have surgery - I haven't needed it in about 40 years!