lump under sternum

[jaypr9]

I recently felt what feels like a lump under my sternum, it feels like its connected to my sternum and only way i even relized he was there was because i was feeling around my stomach area one day.

It really doesnt bother me but lately ive been noticing it more and more. I dunno if its all in my head just because i found it. Im just wondering if I should go see a doctor, ive read of the xiphoid process and im not sure if thats what it is.

Ive also just had x-rays done on my chest and ekg also for heart examinations which all came back normal, this was about 2months ago, so im thinking if there was something there it wouldve shown up on there, wouldnt it have? Anyone else just suddenly notice something like this, or have any clues on what it may be?

[jhawks5]

27 Male, noticed knot under sternum 20 minutes ago. I have read several comments and I now feel comfortable in NOT spending hundreds if not thousands of dollars to have it looked at. I also have several other joint and bone issues: one including pectus carinatum. The bump/lump under the sternum is called the xiphoid process: it's trying to turn into bone or harden. Its common in teens and those of their 20s. Leave it alone. Don't worry.
: )

[srogers1920]

On one of the post a lady was talking about a  hiatal hernia. Said that it caused her husband to have heart attack like symptoms. Thats the only other thing Ive noticed in the posts besides the xp

[dragnheart38]

anyone else with this problem having trouble with food getting stuck on the way down when they eat?

[azzysmooter]

I would notice my pain starting 5 years ago when my 6 month old baby would crawl on me and put his little hand and the weight of his body into the area just below my sternum.  After all these years it has never really went away.  Even when I'm super protective of it, it seems to only get slightly better.  Now even if my cat walks on me while I'm laying down on the couch and puts his paw right there it hurts and even makes me a little nauseated for a second of two.  Ultrasound showed nothing, and I'm waiting on MRI results.

Anyone else have notice this problem after having little kiddo's always crawling all over you?  

42 yr old male.

[Deedot73]

I also have a lump. Noticed this since I got my laptop, and no wonder! I've been lying on my stomach for hours every night as I surf away...

[Dreamzz]

I have the same symptoms although I have to ad that when I swollow it feels like an air bubble that gets stuck right at the end of my sternum.

[dpixel]

I've read a lot of these comments before, as I had the same issue.  The other day put a hand-held vibrator on it and pressed for 20 minutes and 2 days later it was back to normal.  Also, some of the other symptoms have disappeared.
I've been dealing with this for years.

[dobble]

Hi all,

I too had a small lump just below my sternum. I only 'discovered' it when I was about 41 (couple of years ago) and the doc said it was muscle and part of the xiphoid process, part of a structure holding the ribcage together.

Check this link out: http://cranquis.tumblr.com/post/2164385222/how-to-identify-your-xiphoid-process-so-you-can-stop

Hope that helps all,

K

[dbayducks]

Did you ever find out what was going on with your lump? I have the same symptoms... lump, heartburn and pain in my back, but not always. My lump is just below my sternum and about the size of a walnut.
I would appreciate if you have any info.
Thanks!

[Lumpyand50]

Hey XP - I just noticed my lump on Sunday morning (May 6) - and for the  record I never noticed it  before then.  I did change my diet and exercise habits drastically when I turned fifty on March 1st and I've dropped a dozen pounds. . I quit eating meat and dairy, sweets and processed sugar and alcohol as well.  I do take B12 supplements  and I also started doing 30 mins a day cardio on the elliptical and follow that up with a handful of pull ups. I sleep on my stomach as well.  I read through all the posts on this thread and it doesn't seem that it will just go away.  On the plus side. it doesn't seem to be that big of a problem or cause any pain from most unless you press on it. I'm of the mind set that it is a build up of cart-ledge from the heavy exercise combined with the small stomach that's led to it being more noticeable.  I am happy that I found this thread just a few days after finding the lump as I began to worry and after reading of how common it is, I have been able to lay my worries down and go on with life!

[Laura1853]

After you see your Dr, can you get back on here and let us know what they say?  Mine has never gone away and several posts say its the xyphoid process? So I'm curious.

[kcdcmc]

I have the same story, 50 years old lost 20 lbs, lump in the center of my lower rib cage. I have a doc appt in the morning. Can't tell if it's really bothering more or if its sore from poking at it. Sounds just like all the posts on this site, let's hope that and nothing more!

[Callynbarb]

Hi, I'm 58 and male and I have the similar lump in the XP (sternum area).  BUT, I also have the same type and size of very painful lumps in other areas of my abdomen.  Also, they come and go.  I haven't read anyone mention this going on with them.  I have 4 to 5 lumps that suddenly appear under my skin and can vary in size from small pea to marble size.  They are all very painful.  Then they disappear in a day or two or three, only to reappear a week or so later.  Sometimes I can relate them to more stress.  Other times, it has been after I have gone to the doctor and he has pushed and kneaded, etc.  Usually, when my Dr.'''s appointment comes, the lump disappears.  Then when I get back home (after he had been pushing on my abdomen and chest) they will appear one at a time.  I've had them now for two years and it only started with one.  The first one was in the middle of my sternum.  Then a year later, when that one went from tiny pea to small marble, then another appeared on my right side.  Then another two on my abdomen.  It's weird how they come and go.  The doctors have taken images which show nothing.  They really bug me.  Recently I have gained alot of weight and now my tailbone really hurts. Just got some pain meds while the doctor wants me back in two weeks.  

[FreeRider5683]

Hi,

I'm 52 and lost 20 LBS from diet and exercise.  I also started noticing my sternum seems to have a knot on it or something.  I also started freaking out like I had cancer or something.  I feel a little better after reading these posts.  I have a doctors appt on Tuesday so I will ask about it.  But I feel a little better now after reading everyones comments about something simular.  I will post my doctors comments here on Tuesday if anyone cares.

Thanks.

[raddycent]

hi i have a lump in the shape of a ball in the middle of my chest and the doc said its fine is cartilige but i also have a bad back and knee pains when i squat could this be connected?

[rdp5280]

lol- I have the same lump as all of you describe. I have been freaking out. And yes, I have a history of anxiety.  thanks for your post.

[erdu]

I'm wondering if you aren't feeling the gall bladder or, as mentioned, the ducts that would be part of the digestive process.

Try this: Mix a tablespoon of red vinegar and one tablespoon of honey in a full glass (8 oz) water. Warm if you wish; it makes a nice tea.

This mixture helps digestion and acid reflux, especially after a meaty or greasy meal. While some may protest that it seems counter-intuitive to add acid to an acidic problem, I understand that the chems of this solution is beneficial, not adversarial. The acidic stomach is the result of inefficient breakdown of food. Google search for the value that the daily vinegar soln gives. Make your own decision.

[nelsmam]

i have the same symtoms but only flares up bad at nite time is anybody else the same... had lump about year and a half pain had gone while was pregnant on 4th child now he is 6 months and it is back with revenge but mainly at night dont feel it during the day feel silly going back the doc again with same problem

[jonnymac401]

if you are are having pain on the Right of the stomach that is nagging, you may want to have an Ultrasound done as x-rays will not pick this up.  This could possibly be indicative of GallBladder disease; which I have.  I do not have GallStones, but I have a dysfunctional gallbladder.  

I get those same symptoms to the right just under my ribcage as well.  It's mostly after eating a rather large meal; which I have been trying to avoid all the while.  

Hope that gives you some insight.  

[bmelt]

Hahaha

[bmelt]

I have most of the same things going on.  I have had CT scans and Xrays.  Today I had a ultra sound.  They tell me I have bronchiectasis.  Nobody has told me if the two are related.  Do any of you have a pulling, tugging sensation in that area?  That is how mine started.  No pain at all.  Now I have some pain, but not too bad.  It has been about a year.  I have not heard the word xiphoid till today when I asked the tech what that part of my body was called.  She also said it was not unusual to be able to feel the ridge when you touch the area.

[jadey1234]

Right guys I found a very painfull lump in my 5th rib  its hard almost like bone I went to the doctors they sent me to the hospital which they gave me an X ray witch come back negative so then I want for an ultra sound this come back as swollen cartilage the hospital sent me to a specialist surgeon and now I am waiting for an operation to shave/file the none down but don't give up it took me 12months to get to this point hope this helped x    

[LennardS]

It is amazing to read everyone's posts. They seem so similar to mine.
I also recently noticed a tender lump that seemed to have grown just below my sternum where my ribs join.
I thought I had something weird, but now I see I'm very much not alone.  

I'm 57 y/o and like most people posting, I recently lost quite a bit of weight, from an obese 102kg down to an overweight 83kg right now. I've been doing it through diet and exercise including dumbell work. I thought maybe I'd maybe torn something from working out. Strangely I also have a history of really bad acid reflux causing me a lot of discomfort (pain).  I also spend a lot of time slouched in front of a PC AND I tend to be insomniac. I also recently discovered I'm type II Diabetic - which is why I went about losing weight

I don't know if its linked in any way, but about 2 1/2 weeks ago I was admitted to a cardiac ward with a suspected heart attack. Most of the signs were there. Everyone, including me, was convinced I'd had a heart attack. Three days later after an angiogram and an ultrasound of my heart, they could find nothing wrong with my heart and I was booted out, feeling like a (still dizzy) fraud.  The cardiologist suggested I might have had an arterial spasm. It doesn't seem logical, but having read all the posts, I'm vaguely wondering if the enlarged XP might have pressed against something.

[tutu219]

pheewww
i am 20 and it has been only 5 days i discovered that.i thought that i am in danger,after reading all your comments i am a bit relaxed and can have a sound sleep.
i was doing exercise and crunches and push-ups before 5 days it happened.
thank all of you,but i am going to see a doctor very soon.