Sternum Pain?
By jdeforge
@jdeforge (224)
United States
December 10, 2007 10:10am CST
This is a personal question out to my Mylotters. In the last year or so, I've been having a pressure like pain in my sternum. Some days its painful, some days not so much, I do take Advil and it helps it a bit. If I roll my shoulders forward, my sternum feels like its going to break, if I stretch my shoulders back I feel my whole chest stretching and pulling. Sometimes if I stretch back right, my sternum actually pops. I mentioned it to my doctor a few months ago, he didn't seem concerned. I just made a new appointment to go again because it's not going away.
Most mornings I wake up, and my first couple of deep breaths my rips are actually sore. That goes away (thank god) after a few breaths. I'm wonder if this is arthritis or something.
Does anyone else experience anything like this?
2 people like this
8 responses
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
10 Dec 07
I have had sternum pain in the past, but not as frequently as you get it. My husband gets it as well. We have both been told that it is from muscle cramps. Since you get the pain so frequently, I would go have it checked by a doctor just in case it is something more than muscle pain.
1 person likes this
@jillbeth (2705)
• United States
11 Dec 07
I used to have pains like that when I was doing factory work. Certain jobs would bring it on. I think it was the type of movements involved. If I bent over and raised up again I would have a pain that sounds similar to what you described. I never did see a doctor about it; I just figured it was muscle tension and I haven't had that problem since I left the job. Do you have a physically strenuous job or do a lot of physical exercise? That might be contributing to the problem.
@jdeforge (224)
• United States
11 Dec 07
Just the opposite lol I sit at a computer all day. I do physical strength training 3 times a week but nothing crazy to where I'm even sore, let alone hurting myself.
My friend who used to be a nurse said she believes its muscle related because Advil makes it feel better. My doc appointment is tomorrow, I don't have high expectations that they'll know whats up, but at least I can know its not my heart or lungs.
1 person likes this
@jdeforge (224)
• United States
14 Dec 07
Spent 2 hours at the doctor, an ekg and 2 xrays later...I got perscriped 4 aleve a day. lol
But I got to thinking...if I hurt at all after 4 Aleve a day..something is TERRIBLY wrong :)
So far..so good. I think it was an inflmation of sorts and this Aleve is calming it down. Thanks for asking!
@helkinsfl1 (1)
•
7 Aug 08
Are you still experiencing this pain or did it completely go away? I'm having the same problem and it has come and gone since mid-May. It doesn't feel like the muscle. Typically my workouts don't effect it except this week. Working out my back two nights ago and then working out my chest tonight really irritated and put me in a lot of pain. I will eventually go to the doctors to get it checked out if it doesn't go away, but I don't want to overreact and have them run a bunch of tests if it's not necessary.
@jdeforge (224)
• United States
7 Aug 08
I completely know how you feel. I do not feel it everyday, but yes, I still experience it a lot. This has been going on for over 3 years now.
I've been working on my posture, I've noticed that all the pull and "pain" i'm feeling is when I actually sit or stand straight and put my shoulders back. I think that I've been slouched for so long, that I actually have to stretch and strain to sit properly. I've also been told all pain in back/chest starts in your hips. I've been doing exersizes I found online that help stretch the chest, help your hips and I've felt much relieve from this.
Still go get checked, never ever assume its okay. Never also assume that what I'm experiencing is the same thing. Be prepared that you'll walk in, get an EKG and Xrays. They did that with me. But its harmless and best to be checked anyway.
Definitely be more aware of your posture and start there.
@squellykah (1)
• United States
13 Aug 08
I have also experienced similar pain in my sternum. On occasion that area pops and I feel like my chest exploded. It also pops when I sneeze which is pretty painful while sort of comical. The area is constantly sore and hurts when I breathe, pull myself out of a chair, etc. It's hard to find a comfortable position to sleep too.
I went to a chiropractor who has me in for adjustments/intensive therapy three times a week. So far, it doesn't seem to be helping yet (but I'm just in the first week of treatment). He also mentioned he believed my problems were posture related. He called it "desk posture" - basically that I spend way too much time hunched over a computer. He recommended icing the area 2-3 times a day for about 15 minutes and gave me a list of exercises designed to improve my posture. He also recommended that I look into an ergonomic chair. I'm interested to know if anyone else who has experienced this problem has actually received any treatment that eased the pain and/or completely corrected the problem. I'm only 29 but I feel and move like an old lady...
@helo99kity (1)
• United States
2 Sep 08
I have had the same problem since April. It has been bothering me so much that I got on the computer to look up my symptoms. My pains are in my upper chest, just a little to the left. Im left handed so Im wondering if thats why.
My pains come and go and sometimes they are worst than others. It hurts when I barely move, if I bend over or lift anything. Also, when I sneeze my chest pops! It hurts really bad.
It first started when I had to move alot of furniture. It didnt go away for a few months but sometimes it would hurt more than others. It went away for a while but it is back now and hurts more than ever. I have a new puppy that I have been carrying around... Maybe that brought it back??
@cheap1 (1)
•
21 Nov 11
I have only just started experiencing pain around my sternum. It comes on suddenly and when it happens I can't walk,stand or breathe properly because of the intensity of the pain.
I have found that if I lie on my back with a pillow under my head and another one under the small of my back and a hot pack/hot water bottle (so long as not too heavy) placed up around my sternum the pain eases within a few minutes and I am left with an ache. I figure that what I am experiencing must be muscle related. I would really like to know how you are getting on with the exercises that you were doing - have they helped?
@VPhillips1979 (1)
• United States
6 Feb 10
OMG...You just described what I am having...to the "T". I can actaully feel it popping when I move my arms back. Have you figured it out yet? I am at a loss. I have been having it for only three weeks or more, but now the pain in so bad it is constantly on my mind. I am going to make an appointment on Monday.
@airhead51 (1)
• United States
20 Dec 10
Jdeforge,
Has your doctor told you what this was yet? Because I have had the same problem for 5 years-exactly the same. Sometimes when I wake up in the morning, it hurts to breathe, like I'm stretching my ribs and back bones out. It goes away after awhile. Do you have other symptoms, like sharp pain in your temporal lobe, or pain in your hips, but not near your appendix?
