costochondritis

[chips111]

i have a chest pain and upper back pain. the pain in the chest is on my right side sometime in the middle of the sternum or upper part of the sternum. docs dont kn whats causing the pain. i feel better after taking a very hot shower. the pain sometime go as far as my throat. what could be causing this

[cyberbarn]

It could be costochondritis, or it could be reflux, or it could be a combination. Costochondritis could explain some of the chest pain which can be made worse by muscle spasms which is why the hot water helps sooth it. The pain in your neck and throat can be muscles too, but it could also be reflux.

Sometimes the area we think the pain is in, isn't the source of the pain because the brain just listens to the nerves and tries to figure out where the pain is, but it could be coming from anywhere along that nerve, not just the small spot where there is a problem.

If it is costochondritis then any anxiety will make it worse. So it might be a good idea to jut try to relax, use heat to sooth it (hot water bottles can be useful if you have one) and see if it gets better. And for symptoms that go up to your neck and throat, just make a note of what you are eating. If there is a pattern, then that might be a separate issue, if not, it is just the nature of the pain from the joints in your ribs.

[Marylyn in reply to cyberbarn]

Unbeknown to many Drs a vitamin B12 deficiency can cause nerve pain in the chest wall. I know initially before I was diagnosed by 17th Dr I saw I suffered from chest pain,palpitations,anxiety,extreme fatigue,tremors ,tinnitus ,falls ,memory & hearing loss ,incontinence.Active vitamin b12 ,homocysteine,MMA ,vit D ,rbc magnesium levels need checking .

[Imagine1]

I had exactly the same symptoms as you, it turned out to be Costochondritis. I have to live with it. I can't take painkillers because I am allergic to them. If it get's too bad then I would take painkillers and ask your doctor what can be done and don't leave until you get a proper answer.