Please help- muscular advice. Had this issue for 2 years and have got nowhere with NHS

[Bleubleu]

Since having my son two years ago I have had a pain at the bottom of my sternum. It’s like some sort of muscular pain. It’s not constant but often wakes me up at night due to the pain, I can’t do any abdominal exercises due to the pain. When I twist a clicking sensation can be felt. My stomach has never been flat since giving birth and I constantly look bloated. Just recently I’ve started to suffer with severe acid reflux to the point where my tongue feels burnt (not sure if the two are related).

I’ve tried a private physio thinking it may be diastasis recti but nothing much really changed. Had an ultra sound scan through the NHS and it came back clear, although the consultant didn’t scan the area that was an issue even though I mentioned this at the scan! I’m now no longer able to have this issue looked into according to my GP.

I need this issue sorting and have no idea what’s wrong but I can’t live with the pain forever and I don’t want to look 6 months pregnant constantly!

Any ideas what this maybe? Is it worth paying for a private assessment?

It’s starting to get me down now.

Thanks all!

[theconstantinoplegardener]

Poor you, that sounds miserable. Some of your symptoms sound like those of hiatus hernia. Does the pain seem worse after meals?

If your GP is telling you that you can't have this problem seen again, could you try a different GP? Keep a diary of your symptoms for a few weeks beforehand and see if you can identify anything that makes them worse.

[whatcolourisyourwednesday]

In a similar situation I found I had to see people from lots of disciplines and put the pieces together myself.
Had I just obeyed the GP I’d have got nowhere.

My osteopath would be able to help you. Try everything safe you can afford! Also, try to get musculoskeletal peeps from one disciple to recommend people from another discipline that they trust. That way you don’t have the distraction of professional rivalries...

As you put the pieces together keep posting here and you will get more clues. Good luck

[Bleubleu]

I did think it may be a hiatus hernia myself. My GP mentioned he would refer me to a surgeon as it’s the only way I’ll be able to have another scan (must be how the system works) but due to the current climate thinks the surgeon won’t see me.

It’s just the acid reflux pain I seem to experience after eating.

I think a private assessment may be the only way forward. My GP is generally very good but I seem to be getting nowhere with this issue.

Thanks for your help!

[Bleubleu]

@whatcolourisyourwednesday

Thanks for your advice. I hadn’t even thought about seeing an Osteopath but it’s certainly worth a try. A friends father is an Osteopath so could give him a try.

[whatcolourisyourwednesday]

I think so. They can figure out the structure and make educated suppositions about how this might be affecting function.....

I recognise this

. “My GP mentioned he would refer me to a surgeon as it’s the only way I’ll be able to have another scan (must be how the system works) “

It’s a pity it works that way :(

[BabbleBee]

I was going to suggest an Osteopath too.

I saw one in Italy (this may not be relevant!) and he assessed internal organs as well as skeletal structure. A very strange experience!! But helpful at the same time.

[whatcolourisyourwednesday]

Apparently a lot of what both osteopaths and acupuncturists do is reduce inflammation.
I figured out I had to work in the following order
1 sort inflammation
2 improve posture/alignment (hard)
3 do physio exercises

It took years but it got it under control.



I was told that my physio exercises were pointless whilst all the tissues were inflamed.