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What Causes Pain Around The Sternum Ribs And Above The Breasts?

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Posted on Sat, 18 Oct 2014
Question: I had laparoscopic surgery in January then another in April to take biopsies from two cysts in the outside of my stomach just below my sternum
I am suffering from severe chest pains around my sternum ribs and above my breasts aches down both my arms and pain in my neck and jaw
I have had an echocardiogram and a cardiac ct scan along with xrays and blood tests and ecgs and the cardiologists said my heart is fine and healthy and that it could be possibly be trapped Co2 pain from the surgery or possible costochondoritis
Would I still be feeling Co2 pain this long after surgery?

As well as the stomach cysts I have a cyst on my right ovary could any of these cysts be causing my upper body pain?

I'm also having dull pain when I breathe deeply and feel as though I cannot take a full breath
The pain in my neck and arms is severe and constant where the pain in my chest and jaw comes and goes. The pain in my sternum and ribs is a dull ache and is pretty much constant and I had the hiccups today which caused me severe pain on my sternum
The pain doesn't change on position but feels more worn and tense when moving after so long
My gp is not worried and has told me it's just general aches and pains but im a nurse and I know it's not

If i go to a and e they check my heart and send me home I'm very worried and don't know what to do
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (5 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Explained

Detailed Answer:
Hello and Welcome

I appreciate your concern.

The ovarian cyst, you mentioned is highly unlikely to be the cause behind the symptoms which you are describing. If the cyst is enlarged or ruptured or twisted it can give abdominal pain and not the dull chest pain which you stated.

You also mentioned Hiccups associatd with the chest pain , making it worse.
I would empirically recommend a two week course of a course of A PPI like Esomeprazole and a prokinetic like Itopride or metoclopramide to see for improvement, if symptoms persist then an UPPER GI ENDOSCOPY should be considered in consult with your doctor.


The trapped CO 2 could be one of the causes but other causes need to be ruled out initially. As your cardiac workup was normal, costochondritis can be treated empirically with Nsaids to see for improvement. Workup should also include assessment for complications arising from the biopsies taken, a CT abdomen and an Ultrasound can be done for that purpose.



Let me know if you have any query

wishing you best of health

Thanks
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2012

Answered : 2906 Questions

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What Causes Pain Around The Sternum Ribs And Above The Breasts?

Brief Answer: Explained Detailed Answer: Hello and Welcome I appreciate your concern. The ovarian cyst, you mentioned is highly unlikely to be the cause behind the symptoms which you are describing. If the cyst is enlarged or ruptured or twisted it can give abdominal pain and not the dull chest pain which you stated. You also mentioned Hiccups associatd with the chest pain , making it worse. I would empirically recommend a two week course of a course of A PPI like Esomeprazole and a prokinetic like Itopride or metoclopramide to see for improvement, if symptoms persist then an UPPER GI ENDOSCOPY should be considered in consult with your doctor. The trapped CO 2 could be one of the causes but other causes need to be ruled out initially. As your cardiac workup was normal, costochondritis can be treated empirically with Nsaids to see for improvement. Workup should also include assessment for complications arising from the biopsies taken, a CT abdomen and an Ultrasound can be done for that purpose. Let me know if you have any query wishing you best of health Thanks