I don't know what I did. I am 3 weeks out and did some more bending than usual today. But for some reason when I let out my breath I get a pain in my chest/sternum area. What could this be? It is not from food, because I wasn't able to each like I usually do, and the pain started early today, when I had only eaten a yogurt- the pain started a few hours later. suggestions PLEASE!!!

Hi, I suggest calling your Surgeon first and secondly I had something like that happen exactly three weeks after my surgery!

I had costochondritis, because it is so hard for me to explain I have included the description below, I thought I was having a heart attack and ended up in the emergency room, but better safe than sorry!

Definition

Costochondritis is an inflammation of the cartilage that connects a rib to the breastbone (sternum). It causes sharp pain in the costosternal joint — where your ribs and breastbone are joined by rubbery cartilage. Pain caused by costochondritis may mimic that of a heart attack or other heart conditions.

Your doctor might refer to costochondritis by other names, including chest wall pain, costosternal syndrome and costosternal chondrodynia. When the pain of costochondritis is accompanied by swelling, it's referred to as Tietze syndrome.

Most cases of costochondritis have no apparent cause. In these cases, treatment focuses on easing your pain while you wait for costochondritis to resolve on its own.

How long did yours last? I really don't want to call my surgeon. I can't afford to take ANY time off work. How about if I see my reg doc tomorrow?

Thank you for your feedback by the way...

Has anyone else had this problem and had it be serious?

I just started having the same exact thing happen and I'm one week out today. It really sucks and really hurts. Mine is closer to my right breast though.

I called and they said it was probably muscle pain, and to try cold compress 1st, then it that didn't work, try heat. If I still have it tomorrow, to call back. I have it today, but not at bad as yesterday. It gets worse with bending and breathing out deep, so I am trying not to do that:wink2:

I had this pain immediately following surgery. It was extremely painful. I was told it was due to the air in the chest/sternum area. Prior to surgery, I was, however, given a spirometer and did deep inhalations and worked toward getting the "slider thingy" up to the top and kept it up there. I was required to use the spirometer several times a day for several weeks following surgery. I did not have any more chest/sternum pains. Maybe you could talk to your doctor about it. Good Luck

I am having this problem 6 mos out. What did you do to remedy the problem? I called my Dr. today and NP said for me to treat with mylanta and go to a liquid diet for 2 days, then 1 day of pureed, 1 day soft, then back to normal eating. She said if after that it persists, they will want me to come in for an x-ray.

Hi, I suggest calling your Surgeon first and secondly I had something like that happen exactly three weeks after my surgery!

I had costochondritis, because it is so hard for me to explain I have included the description below, I thought I was having a heart attack and ended up in the emergency room, but better safe than sorry!

Definition

Costochondritis is an inflammation of the cartilage that connects a rib to the breastbone (sternum). It causes sharp pain in the costosternal joint — where your ribs and breastbone are joined by rubbery cartilage. Pain caused by costochondritis may mimic that of a heart attack or other heart conditions.

Your doctor might refer to costochondritis by other names, including chest wall pain, costosternal syndrome and costosternal chondrodynia. When the pain of costochondritis is accompanied by swelling, it's referred to as Tietze syndrome.

Most cases of costochondritis have no apparent cause. In these cases, treatment focuses on easing your pain while you wait for costochondritis to resolve on its own.