odd epigastric discomfort

[umterpfan]

i just recently felt this pain (it's been bothering me now for approximately 24 hrs). it's a very localized pain/discomfort. i can feel it right below my sternum (where the rib cage splits off to the left and right). it's almost like a knot or sharp grabbing sensation. it becomes more noticeable depending on how i sit or lay down. it hurts the most when i try to take a full deep breath - when i do, i get a sharp, squeezing sensation in that area. any help would be most appreciated.

[ISHA]

THis comment is for the one above me.....i take vicodine when i have my attacks.....Morphine seems a bit much.  Usually they give morphine to people who are terminally ill or people in the hospital.  Just as long as you don't take it on a regualr basis....it is very addictive.  Smoking causes all types of problems.......the nicotine is really bad for acid reflux which you amy have a bit of.  Cut down or eliminate smoking!!

[bummers2002]

Hi, I am a 53 yr old woman, i just had my gall bladder out 9mths ago. i have G.E.R.D also hiatus hernia i take lose twice daily and watch my diet. I do smoke however. i have been having these attacks of SEVERE pain betwen my breast and lower it is like contractions and THE PAIN is so bad, i,ve taken injections of buscopan an antispasmodic and morphine but at the onset of these attacks the sympyoms are always the same....the chills then diahrrea then the pain and contractions start. afterwards
i feel like i,ve done two days at hard labour???
the Dr. said i may have some sludge???? i,m so tired of this
can anyone enlighten me????

[larbear]

My wife is having similar pain, about two inches below her sternum.  The pain is the strongest on the second day of her menstral cycle.  If you push on the area it hurts her most of the time.  Does this sound familiar to any of you?

[kyra]

Yes!  My pain cannot be tied to any event like a menstrual cycle because it occurs on a daily basis!  Mine seems to be related to my posture.  You know how you cross your legs and one leg goes to sleep?  When you finally realize that... you uncross them and they either tingle or sometimes it hurts!  Well, I feel that way when I slump over...for a period of time. That is when I have severe pain!  Initially, I can bend over to tie my shoes, or twist my body to speak to someone with no pain, but if I REMAIN in that position, it positively, and every single time causes me excrusiating pain!  Endoscopy has discovered no hernia, neither has a CT Scan done with an injection die.  However, a daily dose of Childrens St. Joseph aspirin, only helps to keep the pain at bay.  My doctors treat me like a hypochondriac.  But doesn't a placebo placate them?  No medication has helped me.  Please tell me more about your wifes pain in the middle of her chest behind the sternum!  ISHA is the only other person I have found on the internet that experiences the same pain.  Thank you for your comments1

[kyra]

Your are the only person I've recognized that experiences a particular type of pain out of all the comments I have read in this forum...Pain in the middle of the chest exactly behind the sternum.  I recently had a pH test.  Horrible!  It took my throat 3 days to stop hurting!  Anyway, I have a high alkalinity.  It ranged from 6.8 to 9.1.  A high alkalinity indicates a lack of vitamin D, which gives credence with me that acid blockers DO block abosorption of food, because I love milk!  I drink it like water sometimes, so why do I have a deficiency in vitamin D...?  Go figure...?  

Why is it though, that you and I are the only ones that complain of pain in the same area?  Since we share this same pain, I would like to have further dialog with you, without having to weed through all the other comments.  (Not that I don't care about others pain, I still share many of their symptons revolved around gastric reflux).  Please contact me personally @ ***@****.  If there are others experiencing the same type of exact pain, I would gladly appreciate your experiences.  Thanks!

[ISHA]

i had the ph test like 2 years ago.  It showed tightness as well.  When i  have these severe attacks i take nitorglycerien.  You have to lay down because it lowers your blood pressure and since you are  not having a heart attack you don't need to lower it.  SO ask your doctor.  It works as a smooth muscle relaxer.  It will take the pain from a 10-5 within 5 mins.  At this pain level you can at least function.  I also have a perscription for vicodine to take with that if it is too bad.  I only get these attacks every 2 months.  The other times i just have severe heart burn and they do say that is acid reflux.  He thinks the attacks could be just from irriation from the acid reflux.  Who knows,  i am just glad i found soemthing that will at least take away the pain for now.   I have a theroy that the attacks could be hormonal related but that is just my one idea.  
I am on nexium now for the last 2 weeks,  so far it has been a bit better.  Have a good one!!!  
ISHA

[kyra]

I am a 36 yr. old female and I too have the same abdominal pain.  Right behind my sternum! It's in the very middle too.  If I don't watch my posture it begins to hurt severely as though I have a bruise and someone is pushing on it!  I get this white foamy stuff, that when I spit it out, it just builds more and I can spend 1/2 hr. spitting, while enduring the pain!  Maalox, etc. barely soothes the acid reflux I get, but it takes daily doses of baby aspirin to relief or keep the pain at bay.

I've had endoscopy, they only found that my cardiac sphincter is tight.  No hernia, no ulcers, no cancer. (Frustrating that they haven't found anything!  I'm getting very tired of enduring this also!)

I've also had a tube put through my nose into my stomach to check for esophageal muscle reaction, basically, my esopahgus freaks out (spasms) whenever I eat or drink anything.  They called it an Esophageal Motility Disorder.

Recently, I have had an ultrasound done on my gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, liver, kidneys and am waiting the results.  Next I have an appointment scheduled for a pH test (sounds just as fun as the esophageal test).  I will keep you posted, my advice to you is DON'T WAIT!  Get tests until they find your problem.  I have read that not many (if any) survive cancer caused from acid reflux.

[ISHA]

I have had pain in my esphogus for about 7 years.  I get severe pain every 3 months or so.  These attacks are located right below my sternum directly in the center.  The attacks last for 9-11 hours.  Then the next day it is real hard to eat and i feel like a battled the flu or something.  I have been to cleveland clinic and have had every test down probably twice now.  Does anyone have any of these symptoms?  I am so sick of dealing with this pain and the doctors don't seem to know what it is.  I am 23 years old and a female.  Any ideas?  Don't say gerd,  i have a bit of this but that shouldn't cause these severe pains.  HELP
Thanks,
ISHA

[Beaker]

I would see my doctor to have him/her check to see if you have something wrong with your pancreas.  Does it feel better if you sit up and lean forward?  If you lay down is the pain worse?  Is the pain worse after you eat? Especially after a burger and fries.  It could be gall bladder if the pain is more localized in the right upper quardrant.  You should see your doctor if a pain has been active for 24 hours.  Your blood levels will be elevated if you actively have the pain when the bloon is drawn, rather than waiting until the pain is gone.  Let us know how you are doing. Good Luck!

[Rosalita]

Check for gallbladder disease, you don't have to have stones to have nausea, bolation and pain.   I recently had mine out and they found the gallbladder to be thick and full of sluge.

Rosalita

[Abbey]

What tests did they perform on you for evaluation? I had an ultra sound and hida scan which showed my gallbladder working at 67%.  He told me my symptoms which the original poster described and mine being the same was due to GERD.Another doctor from out of state said that was low for my age.  

I am getting so tired of the medical profession giving me the run around. Thanks for your reply in advance.

Abbey

[Abbey]

Hi,

I've had the same problem for months now along with other symptoms. It sounds like GERD to me or a hernia. I would seek a good gastro doctor and have him/her do an endoscopy. I've found a new gqastro guy and hopefully with the new series of tests which include another endoscopy I can find the reason for my pain also. Mine is exasperated due to cervical herniated disks.

Good luck to you and don't wait to do this.

Abbey