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Suggest Remedy For Pain And Discomfort In Sternum Area

Posted on Tue, 1 Dec 2015

Question: Recently, in the past month, I have had fluttering in my upper back between my shoulder blades. Never had it in the past. Also, have some discomfort in my front sternum area, not sharp pain, just sore, discomfort. The discomfort is almost directly in the same place from front to back, where the fluttering is. The only other abnormality I have is pain under my left armpit but not all of the time. I have no health problems and am not on any medication. Any idea what this could be?

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (41 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Need more info

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for the query

The problem you are facing is indeed tricky as it involved multiple areas. In order to help you I need a few more details

1. did you have any trauma to the back anytime ?
2. along with fluttering is there numbness and tingling as well?
3. did taking ibuprofen help?
4. do you have pain in the neck region?
5. any history of chest pain and difficulty in breathing especially after strenuous work?

Please get back to me , I am awaiting your reply

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (1 hour later)

No trauma. The fluttering almost feels like itching underneath the skin. Occurs about 50% of the day. Ibuprofen doesnt really help. No pain in the neck. No history of chest pain. Have been healthy my whole life. Not on any medications.

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Needs evaluations

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thank you so much for getting back. The constant itching and twitching definitely requires evaluation. It could mean multiple things either involving the nerve fibers or the muscle fibers. Here is how you should go about it
Apporach a GP and get the following things done

1. Vit b12, low Vit b12 most common cause for twitching however it usually involves the peripheries
2. mri of the brain and cervical spine to look for nerve compression and neurological causes like multiple sclerosis
3. Vit d level

Please do not neglect these symptoms , get it evaluated as soon as possible

I hope I was of help, if you have any further queries please get back to me

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina

Follow up: Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (8 hours later)

Do you think it could be some form of cancer? Lung or esophageal? I had a routine 3 D mammogram about 3 months ago and it said it was normal but because I have such dense breast tissue it is hard to determine if there are any abnormal areas. It said I should possibly have an ultrasound as further diagnosis. Just wondering if the fluttering between my shoulder blades, pain under my armpit and discomfort in my sternum are all related? Could it be a tumor pressing or affecting all those areas?

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (34 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Not tumor

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for getting back. I am sorry for the short delay in my reply , I am on a vacation and I get wifi only when I come back to the hotel

You have asked a very interesting question. It is true that a tumour can cause such symptoms however it will be along with other symptoms more particularly with dull aching pain and with lung cancer there will be pain and blood stained sputum. Patients with cancer will almost always have loss of weight inspite of normal eating habits and appetite. So I don't think what you have is cancer

Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D