Dr. Hive - wanna help diagnose me?

[Noreen Claire]

Two and a half years ago, I was 65lbs overweight and having chest pains (left side chest pains, no pressure, worse on breathing deeply). I had an electrocardiogram in the doctor's office, and they said it was perfectly normal. I have always had excellent blood pressure, and my blood tests are always noted as 'normal'. They (doc & nurse practitioner) decided it was 'heartburn', and I was directed to take antacids and watch what I ate. I started antacids, lost 30 pounds, and never really noticed when the pain went away, but it did stop.

Since September, I have managed to put 15lbs back on and my chest has started hurting again. I'm going to have to schedule another consult with my doctor (I just had a tele-physical in March, before the pains started again.) I have had rare bouts of actual indigestion, for which antacids work fairly well. Antacids don't seem to help for the pain this time. (I honestly don't remember if they helped last time?)

So, could this be directly linked to my weight? (Yes, I am trying to lose weight again - it was a long covid winter!) Has anyone had similar issues, and could you tell me what it was and what helped it go away?

[Ottakee]

It could be reflux pain and weight can have an impact on that.

Thay said, I am not a doctor.

[Katy]

If it’s acid, you can have a scope done by an ENT to confirm. 

[whitestavern]

Look up costochrondritis. A friend of mine had this, and I thought I did too, but mine ended up being stress-induced hbp. 

[Noreen Claire]

20 minutes ago, whitestavern said:

Look up costochrondritis. A friend of mine had this, and I thought I did too, but mine ended up being stress-induced hbp. 

Thanks - I'll check that out.

[Laurie]

 Hiatal hernia?   https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hiatal-hernia/symptoms-causes/syc-20373379

I hope you feel better soon, and I'm glad that you'll be able to see your doctor. 

[MercyA]

The "worse on breathing deeply" makes me think it might be pleurisy. I usually only get it on one side at a time. The pain is very sharp. Mine sometimes seems tied to viruses and sometimes just seems to crop up. Anti-inflammatories and time take care of it.

[ktgrok]

Could be many things, from pleurisy to costochondritis to gall bladder pain to esophogeal spasms, etc. 

[popmom]

I have had costocondritis. It can definitely be aggravated by weight gain. It’s chest wall inflammation. In my case I was breastfeeding. The doctor said it was due to breast size. Weirdly, my main symptom was that “it only hurts when I laugh”. Seriously though, that’s what triggered the pain for me. If you put fingers and press down on your rib cage/ chest area, is it tender” I had no idea until my OB did that, and I nearly came off the exam table. It felt like the worst bruising ever. I hope this helps you narrow down some possibilities. 

[Noreen Claire]

15 hours ago, popmom said:

I have had costocondritis. It can definitely be aggravated by weight gain. It’s chest wall inflammation. In my case I was breastfeeding. The doctor said it was due to breast size. Weirdly, my main symptom was that “it only hurts when I laugh”. Seriously though, that’s what triggered the pain for me. If you put fingers and press down on your rib cage/ chest area, is it tender” I had no idea until my OB did that, and I nearly came off the exam table. It felt like the worst bruising ever. I hope this helps you narrow down some possibilities. 

That's good info, thanks! I don't have that feeling when I push down on my ribs. It hasn't hurt since I made the initial post (isn't that always the way?) but I will make a better note of my symptoms the next time it happens.