Pain in rib area by heart.

[Avallon]

I have a recurrent pain in my rib area right by my heart. I don't believe it the heart itself--at least, all test indicate my heart is fine. I will go to get a CT scan in the near future to be sure. Has anyone experience the recurring pain by the heart. Seem right in the rib like a muscle ache.

[Max4433]

yes I think Its acid

[Barb135]

This thread is 5 yrs old and the previous posters are no longer active on the forum.  You will get a better response if you start your own thread, listing your symptoms, recent blood test results and reference ranges.  

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There may be currently active members who are having the same symptoms.

[jw_71]

Hi , Did you find out what your symptoms were, I have the same, and been told nothing is wrong.
Thanks
James

[jw_71]

Hi, did you ever find out what it was, I have the same symptoms.
Thanks
James

[Avallon]

My pain is rib cage. If you put your index finger and middle finger and feel your heartbeat, then drop them slightly you will feel the rib cage groove where two ribs are. That's where I feel the pain. Also, I often feel a pain at the left bottom edge of my rib cage close to my sternum. Not at the lowest point of the cage, but up about a couple of inches from my sternum. It seems the pain/soreness is literally coming out of the bone itself--at least that's what it feels like. Interestingly, sometimes eating seems to exacerbate the pain at my heart area. And I can feel it when I move sometimes, especially if I sit and crunch my chest forward. Sometimes the pain can happen when I'm eating in my car and I turn towards the console to pick up food.

I understand you pain in the arms, etc. It happens to me as well. And when it does there is no warning. It's like suddenly your find and the next second there is some annoying pain in my arm or a joint or in one of my legs. For me, these pains are brief in that they don't last over a couple of minutes at the most. However, the heart/rib cage pain can last longer. I also get shooting pain emanating from my throat couple with a swollen feeling. This is the weirdest one of all as it can shoot up into my head or into my chest. Sometimes I feel what seems to be movement in my throat that I believe is my thyroid. In fact, I have actually pressed my fingers into my throat when it happens and I feel what seem to be my thyroid twitching. Perhaps this sounds bizarre but with all the strange pains and feelings I've been having it's just another something to deal with.

I know what you mean about wondering if you have a heart problem as the shooting pain in the left arm coupled with numbness and/or tingling can cause you to think that perhaps there is a heart problem. I've had these things and so far my heart has checked out fine. I would suggest that you have a CT scan done of your heart. A CT scan will take detailed pictures of your heart and be able to provide information as to whether there is any trouble brewing.

I also have soreness behind my left shoulder blade which has been with me for years. However, I used to play baseball and my position was pitching so I chalk this one up to baseball rather than my thyroid. The pain emanates from the back of my left deltoid near the clavicle. If I press my right middle finger under the edge of the clavicle, then move down towards the end of the clavicle outward, this is where the pain is.

[bncrump]

I forgot to ask you...

Is your pain under your rib cage or closer to your sternum? Does it get worse with movement?

[bncrump]

Aren't you lucky to have a dr that knows what he is doing???? Lucky you. That is great that he understands that you can still feel bad and have normal test results. Wish they all got that. :)

You sound like you are on your way to getting your thyroid under control and that is great. Glad to hear that the armour is letting you rest. The dizziness is scary sometimes, isn't it? I have never really had any trouble with stairs though...that would make me very nervous. Please be careful!

Thanks for understanding...unfortunately, we are in the same boat. It's funny, I am sitting here feeling worse than I did before. I don't know why but now I am getting pain by my left shoulder blade in my back and in my neck. Just 2 days ago, I started with this pain in my left arm that makes it so painful that I can barely lift it. I saw the athletic trainer at my school (I teach high school) and he said it was bursitis? Maybe it's all related. Recently, my rheumy told me that I tested positive for RF...so maybe I could be developing some kind of arthritis. Who knows? It could be about 20 different things. I am just hoping that it is not my heart...I don't think that it is. I am only 29 but I have a family history of heart disease. I am thinking about calling my PCP tomorrow for a quick visit....even though he thinks I am a hypochondriac I think. :)  Maybe I am????

Hope you feel better soon!

[Avallon]

I had my blood tested a few weeks ago and everything was fine. The Armour dropped by TSH down to 2.80 but my doctor said he wants to be my TSH down to 1.5. I still feel mostly fatigued with the assorted other symptoms--Best way to put it is that I just don't feel normal--basically feel lousy.

What is good about my doctor is that he knows that that TSH levels can be in the normal range but yet one can still suffer from hypothyroidism. In other words, one size doesn't fit all. Just because a person may have a 3.0 TSH level, which is within the normal range, doesn't mean he or she is not hypothyroid. Some people do better with TSH lower such as .50, 1.0. or 1.5. Doctors need to listen to their patients. Doctors, however, are beginning to understand this. It's just a matter of finding one who is experienced with hypothyroidism and is familiar with all the latest research. Also, I've been interested in learning about Adrenal fatigue which may also be a factor.

Interesting you mentioned feeling dizzy because I literally have to pause a moment sometimes when I approach stairs because the depth of the stairs can cause slight/brief disorientation. Not like spinning but enough that I sometimes have to pause a moment. There have been times that I have literally held on to the banister all the way down as a precaution. My feeling is this has to do with fatigue and not getting proper rest. After a while lack of sleep can cause all kinds of problems. However, the Armour is helping me to get better sleep and as of late things are better. I would like to be on 30mgs of Armour twice a day rather than one 30mgs in the morning.

My sympathy goes out to you because I know that it can all be frustrating and even emotional at times. All you want to do is feel normal. Believe me, I feel the same way. I want to know what it's like to have the kind of energy that can get me through the day feeling happy. I'm hoping it will happen soon because all this feeling lousy stuff can cause stress.

[bncrump]

Hum...isn't that interesting...I had the same thing. I get dizzy and lightheaded all the time and get "weak spells". I have no idea what it could be from though.

Have you had your blood tests done lately? I had mine done about 2 weeks ago and my TSH was 4.51 and Free T3 was a little low. Could it just be the lovely hypo symptoms? My pain is also radiating in to my back. :(  I could cry just thinking about how frustrating this all is.

I had costrochondritis when I was 17...maybe that is it? I don't have any suggestions for you because nothing is making mine any better. Even the chiropractor didn't help. If you find anything...please let me know. I think I am going to take some anti-reflux meds...I have a prescription for Nexium, maybe I will try that before bed and see if it helps.

I hope that it's not heart related for you and that you get it figured out. You sound like me, you aren't even stressing about it being your heart but you are stressing because the pain is annoying. Mine really is more like a tightness. Maybe your dr can see you and give you an idea of what it could be.

Good luck!

[Avallon]

Your story is airily familiar to mine. Back in April of this year I'm sitting down watching TV and suddenly I felt a weak spell come over me. I became weak in my shoulders and even my legs felt weak. I felt anxious and I was having some slight difficulty catching my breath. I had been experiencing the chest pain right where the end of my chest muscle is, which is right near my heart. It's a strange pain--not a debilitating pain--but enough that it's certainly noticeable. And yes, it can also manifest as tightness.

Between the symptoms coupled with the pain in my chest, I drove myself to the emergency room. I wasn't sure if I was having a heart attack or a stroke. I kept myself calm but I was pretty concerned that I could be having a major health setback. I had been doing some Internet research of my symptoms which led me to believe that I could be hypothyroid. So I asked the emergency room physician to test my thyroid during the other routine blood testing. And sure enough my TSH came back at 9.74.

Since then I've still been having these chest pains from time-to-time. My tests came back negative for heart problems so I'm thinking the chest pain is related to my thyroid.  I was hoping to have confirmation that it's thyroid related.

By the way, I have all kinds of strange pains in my body from time to time. Another symptom is pain emanating from my throat that travels up to my head or it can cascade out to my chest. Sometimes I swear I can feel my thyroid having a spasm. I'm on 30mgs of Armour Thyroid and things are better in that I'm able to sleep better. However, I believe I may need a higher dose.

[bncrump]

Is it on your left side? Mine is on the left, directly under my left breast. It's not really a pain, almost like a tightness. Like my bra has been too tight. Does that make sense? I had the same feeling a few months ago and went to the ER because I was having palpitations and chest pain (turns out my TSH was too high) and they did a chest CT and xrays and blood work and my heart was fine. So, when it came back this time, I didn't rush off to the dr. I just assume it's the same thing as last time...whatever that is.

I went to the chiropractor on Tuesday and he did adjust my rib cage but the feelings didn't go away. I have no idea what it is!!!! My TSH was 4.51 a 2 weeks ago and I just my meds adjusted so it could be something like hypo symptoms OR it could be anxiety. I have been pretty stressed out lately. :(  I haven't had any panic attacks lately though since my meds have been changed.

You are not alone...it's scary though isn't it?

[Avallon]

I've had it a while--over a year. I do get upset stomachs now but I don't get the acid up into my throat. I tend to think it's likely anxiety--hypo symptoms and work related perhaps.

[Cynnieb4]

Pain in heart, sounds like maybe anxiety how long ago did it start? It could also be acid. I don't think its anything serious, I would have your levels checked again.