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1 year and no answers... Tietze?

Posted , 6 users are following.

jacob41564
jacob41564

I still have yet to receive a diagnosis on the ongoing shortness of breath, chest pain, thoracic spine/upper back pain, and reflux I've been experiencing. I'm a 22 year old male, in good shape.

All of my pain is left sided, in fact, the right side of me is completely fine. I also feel as though my rib cartilage in the front (3rd or 4th rib?) is swollen. Not DRAMATICALLY so, but it definitely protrudes a bit and even makes a gritty noise when I touch it. My pain is always worse at night and accompanied by terrible acid reflux which I've never had before all this. My upper back is incredibly stiff and I can crack it dozens of times a day, which it never did before. My chest pain is not sharp. It's dull, achy, and mostly just feels like pressure and heaviness (I've had my heart checked out extensively). Although I will admit, the anxiety from all of this gives me palpitations until I calm myself down.

I've seen so many specialists over the past year. You name it, I've probably been there. I have not seen anyone who even knows what Tietze is... One rheumatologist had to google it on her computer...

Does this resonate with any of you? I'm out of work and living with my parents at this point because of how debilitating this is. I think, if I just knew it was something benign, I could fight through the pain and move on with my life. I'd love to hear your thoughts. Thanks in advance for hearing me out.

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • Ipsydaisy
    Ipsydaisy jacob41564

    Posted

    You just described me...it all being on the left side and everything!! 

    I too have had tests and seen doctor after doctor and no real answers.

    I also get panicky over it because it is a very uncomfortable feeling and almost like impending heart palps or heart problems with how you move or walk..(you know what I mean?) I have a good feeling you do. 

    Anyhow, it freaks me out and no answers.

    If it get's bad enough, I go to the hospital and get heart tracings, but nada.

    Then my back and left side, even my chest and neck (front and back) feel all out of line and sore and strained at different times. But the most uncomfortable feelings, ever and no one seems to understand how worrisome it can make a person feel. I've not had anything like it before.

    I have had sugggestions that it has a lot to do with too much sitting and as well weakened back and chest muscles or a combination of the two.

    For me, this makes a lot of sense and I try to tell myself that it can be reversed and fixed. Though this can make a person feel quite uncomfortable and worried...nevermind add into it the shortness of breath at times!

    Seems so odd that no doctors can pin point this as there are quite a few of us suffering like this with the exact same symptoms!

    Anyhow Jacob..hang in there..you're not alone.

    • jacob41564
      jacob41564 Ipsydaisy

      Posted

      It's tough because I just can't fully convince myself that this is what is wrong. It seems to fit the bill more than anything else, but without any doctor confirmation I just have trouble trusting my amateur research.

      Sitting is definitely the worst position for me and makes my back tighten up faster than any other. I actually feel decent after getting out of the shower, running, or light exercise.

  • diego_32362
    diego_32362 jacob41564

    Posted

    Yes it does i have same sympthom same problem and with all my research and acid reflux and chest pain you been having is really the samething what i have i am finally getting it fix is a hiatal hernia go to a gi doctor and they will explain why you be having all those preasure on top of your left chest i have so many visit to the E.R FROM HEART ATTACK AND IS ALSO SHORTNESS OF BREATH AS WELL GOOD LUCK I WILL BE GIVING YOU UPDATES AFTER GETTING IN IT REPAIR...
    • jacob41564
      jacob41564 diego_32362

      Posted

      That would be great, I actually had an endoscopy in February, but nothing could be found... Let me know how it goes and best of luck.
    • diego_32362
      diego_32362 jacob41564

      Posted

      Yea thats what they told me 2 years ago nothing wrong just gerd (like 50 doctors visit that is gerd). years came by a hiatal hernia needs alot of testing like esophagram andoscopy only looks inside stomach for bacterias that i had h palory but it wount tell if it is a hiatal hernia thank god i got a second opinion....i would give you a link in a bit so you could see why it might a hiatal hernia i have the same symptoms like you but the most symptoms i hate shortness of breath and alot of panic or anxiety attack believe me there not great....
  • mawmawof3
    mawmawof3 jacob41564

    Posted

    Not many people even have even heard of it.I have had the same symptoms. It is scary if you have had your heart checked I would relax. I was scared and I quit drinking caffine changed my diet completely take hot and sometimes cool baths just to calm down and some meditation. Don't do anything that will pull on the area stress really aggravates it loud noises sometimes aggravate it. Avoid these things. My Dr also said it can be caused by arthritis. Light stretching can help also. Hope this helps you some. I had xrays and and they saw the inflammation

  • deborah82032
    deborah82032 jacob41564

    Posted

    I have been experiencing interminent soreness all over my upper body for   several years now. I truly believe it is Coctochonditis. However, I also have acid reflux and feel this makes it worse. Mine comes and goes and it moves all over the place, between my shoulder blades, then should blades, down along my sides, to my breasts. THe soreness justs floats. I am convinced it is this, inflammation of your rib cage muscles. Just have to earn to live with it.

     

  • deborah82032
    deborah82032 jacob41564

    Posted

    I have reflux also and I think that when I have flare ups of reflux, it makes the Costrondritis worse. Have you been checked for cervical and spinal stenosis? When The Cost flares I also notice that my cervical stenosis flares also. My neck           seems out of alignment and I ache on top of my shoulders. However, the more you worry, the worse it can get. My bouts lasts from 4-5 days. That's when I take Ibufrofin and use a moist heating pad on low for 20 minutes at bedtime. I have no pain,,,just achiness asnd soreness that floats from top of shoulders to shoulder blades to underarms to breasts to sides of ribs and to under breasts. Sometimes it goes to center of back and I feel a slight burning sensation. after 4-5 days, the symptoms goes away until the next flare up and that is usually triggered by a stress related event.

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