Something serious wrong with me? Any Dr here please..

[Summervibesnow]

For the last 2-3 months everytime I sit back, say on the sofa or chair slightly tilted back, I feel like a something tight is hugging me just under my boobs.
Like my ribcage is very tight.
It doesn’t make me breathless or anything, it’s directly under my breasts.
It’s not sore or anything.
To describe it closely it’s like my boobs feel too heavy or big and their weight is sort of pressing on my stomach or ribs, BuT my breast are tiny, definitely not big, not swollen so it can’t be that.
I went to see GP about it twice, she felt my breasts and vaguely the stomach area, when she pressed the ribs the was sensitive but otherwise it’s not painful or sore at all.
Or like you would wear extremely tight bra ( I don’t wear bra)

I am now thinking that maybe I have a some stomach cancer, a tumour pressing inside on my ribs inside or even pancreatic cancer etc as I also get lately lots of heartburn and stomach pains, but as I never drink much water my whole life- I’m 49 yrs old ( only a one coffee a day and then nothing) I always thought perhaps dehydration etc.

I had breast ultrasound in January for not connected reason, also had CA125 test,FBC, thyroid, Amylase, kidneys / liver blood tests for another not connected reason in February all were normal..
Im seriously worried now.

I also wonder if it could be from my back?
I get occasional all sorts of neck/ back pains, especially after sleeping, since I was in my 20s but I just assumed it’s normal, everyone gets back pains etc..
I just take some paracetamol and carry on..
Sometimes I can’t even turn my head but as I said I just assume I slept badly and carry on.

No idea OP but just wanted to offer a bit of support.
What did the doctor say about your symptoms?

Sounds like you're dipping into an anxiety spiral so first things first, don't panic.

I'm no doctor but my first thoughts are that it is maybe muscular. The back pains you get almost certainly are (recommend pilates and a new mattress).

If you can afford it, go and see a physio. Often attached to sports clinics.
Alternatively, call your gp and ask to see one on the nhs, they might have one attached to the surgery who you can see quite quickly.

I wouldn't mix up the two problems, keep them separate.

Go back to the gp about the pressure if you want a second opinion. Does it happen all the time? Any breathlessness with it?

When faced with an uncomfortable mystery, it's easy to start worrying about cancer but there are many benign things it could be.

I wonder if it could be a gall bladder issue. I have minor issues with mine. Sometimes around my bra area/ bottom ribs feel tight and my upper back hurts. Perhaps it's the beginnings of something similar.

@007DoubleOSeven @cokezero26
thank you.
Dr said nothing about it, just offered some different painkillers.
it’s not painful or sore at all.
I’m not breathless either, I don’t think it’s nothing to do with my lungs, it feels in the bottom part of ribcage under my breast, it’s not sore in my back either.
I connected the stomach and that as it’s probably inside the ribcage and with my heartburns and hangry pangs I suffer since 2015 ( I saw few GPs about it and was told too much acid or gas- indigestion etc)
I will have to make another appointment but I was hoping if someone could kindly shed some light on it.
Also I’m guessing I’m in Perimenopause now too as my periods are all over the place.

If you suffer with stomach acid then try taking a gaviscon and peppermint tea regularly and see if it makes a difference (or ask for a prescription).

How old are you?

@007DoubleOSeven im 49.
yes Gaviscon always helps me for hearburn or the stomach hunger pangs.
But the tightness is still there..( last few months)

No idea on the medical side or whether internal organs or your acid reflux issues could cause this feeling, but have you tried something like yoga to really open out your chest and get your back flexing? If the Dr can't find anything worrying maybe it's that your muscles are tight and causing that sensation? Sorry if that's not helpful.

Sorry I'm not offering any advice or insights on what could be wrong, but I did pick up on your fluid intake being very low? As all your tests are fine that's a great sign, but being well hydrated is so important for general health. I know this doesn't help with what you're experiencing, and apologies if it seems like a lecture 🙊

@lomondlady i know that so well but I never can force myself to drink enough.
My whole life, I drink very sparingly, literally nothing.
I tried myself so many times, got all these fancy counting bottles, reminders…
In the end I can go whole day without a single drink without feeling thirsty.
Only what I noticed I get these strange hunger pangs and I looked into it and apparently it would be caused by low intake of water as it’s the acid eating it’s way into my stomach wall causing ulcers, even cancer.. I know all this but I still won’t pick up glass of water even it sits next to me.. story of my life…

@Summervibesnow That must be hard for you, if you just don't feel thirsty. I'm not the biggest fan of water, but I try to drink squash/flavoured water. Totally understand your concern re your health. It can be so frustrating experiencing pain or ill health with no known reason. Sending hugs 🫂

@lomondlady thank you.
It’s just I’m never thirsty so I won’t pick up the glass.
I imagine probably most of my issues is due not to drink enough liquids.
I witnessed it the other week, we were driving down from the North from visiting in-laws and my neck started really to hurt, I could hardly move my head, it was a shooting pain into jaw and around ears, I assumed it must need the bed and the way I was sleeping.
I was counting the miles down as it was terrible pain.
I had a few sips of water I packed with me ( but usually I never even open) and the whole pain got better within minutes, so I drank more and it all went away.
I just literally couldn’t believe it , probably was seriously dehydrated without even realising..

Perhaps you ought to set hourly reminders on your phone

You need to drink, so important for your health.

I’m a doctor. Doesn’t sound worrying . Probably músculoskeletal.

Many years ago, I was convinced I had what my Mother died of. I had just had a baby. It was Health Anxiety. Sounds very much like you have this!

One coffee a day and that's it? Stop wracking your brain and start there.

So you know you need to drink more water. You know lack of hydration might be affecting your health. So just drink more. Force down a glass of water in the morning, a glass with your lunch and a glass later in the day. It should be more but that will start you off. Or if you would prefer, regular sips. Just do it.

You absolutely need to drink more. I know you're not thirsty but drink anyway. It's so bad for you to only have one coffee a day. Your body must be crying out for hydration. No wonder you have stomach issues and odd pains.

I get this exact feeling and the acid reflux you describe and I have a hiatal hernia! Has your GP given you a PPI to try such as omeprazole?

With respect, what are you expecting from doctors if you refuse to help yourself?

It doesn't have to be water. Find something you like to mix it with.

If you abuse your body long enough it gets tired and just can't do it anymore.

It sounds like possibly the start of gallbladder issues .

It sounds like costochondritis along with possibly some health related anxiety.

Suggest gallbladder to me but you really need to hydrate better

I'm sorry, I missed this reply earlier.

So we know peri menopause causes changes which can effect how your body feels. I think you need to address the things set out here - find a way to get more fluid into you (this seems pretty crucial) and see a physio for msk issues.

There are other ways to get fluids into than drinking from a glass (and by the way, do you ever drink alcohol? Go to the pub?) that I urge you to try:
Broths
Cereal
Porridge (milk and water)
Jellies (if you make your own with gelatin sheets then you can control the sugar content)
Ice lollies
Water drops https://www.jellydrops.com/
Gravy
Soups
Lettuce and cucumber

Incorporate liquids into as many meals as you can. Like a cat, if you're not going to get enough from a glass, you need to get it from food. So all of the above (and do try the jellydrops) and make you add extra water into things like pasta sauces. Get creative and wage a war of attrition on your fluid intake!

And do ask for a prescription for your reflux.

Out of interest, do you forget /not notice other things if they're not pressing (out of sight, out of mind)?