9yo boy chest pain... any ideas?

[raeraekathleen]

I thought I'd try here as I'm at a loss. For the last 18 months my 9yo has been complaining of bad chest pain. It's got a lot worse in the last 4 months. He's crying every day. The doctor can tell he's in real pain but can't find anything so far... chest sounds fine, ECG fine, peak flow fine. He says he feels like he can't get enough air.

He absolutely hates school, he suffered from children being very unkind. He hated going back after covid. Things are a bit better friend wise now. I partly wonder if it's anxiety but then sometimes it happens on a happy chilled day, e.g. in the Christmas holidays... or at football which he loves. It's horrible seeing him cry and scared. He's been referred to paediatrics but it's a 12-16 week wait and every day is so hard, trying to get him into school and seeing him so upset. Anyone else's child experienced anything like this? He says it hurts in the centre of his chest and struggles to get enough air.

Costochondritis?

My son had similar after covid - tests didn't show anything but a nurse advised to start him on high dose vitamin d as it helps muscles and the heart is a muscle. That helped loads and he hardly has the pains anymore after over a year of suffering! Worth a try perhaps?

I was also going to suggest costochondritis. I have suffered with this for years and it can really flare up at the strangest of times. Nothing shows up in scans for it sadly.

Thank you everyone! That's really helpful. I could always try with some vitamin D and a warm compress. It has always been since he caught covid in August 2022. Sometimes goes away for a bit but been recurring since then... I did tell the doctors this in November and December 2022 but they just brushed that idea off. I'll keep these thoughts in mind and see if warmth and vit D help x

Slightly left field but GERD? My partner got hit in the chest hard in the chest a football and for about a 12-18 months he had very painful heartburn and felt like he couldn't breathe. The GP (cardiologist specialist) said it was likely to be as a result of the trauma from the football incident. He was on omperazole for about 3 months and that resolved it.

Thank you! The doctor has this week said he will try omeprazole, I was a bit apprehensive as to whether there's any hope of it helping but it sounds as though there is some hope! Thank you x

Hi, did omeprazole work for your son. My daughter is 10 and suffering from left side chest pain from last one week. Had an ECG and blood test, everything normal. Lying down making it worse.

I’ll tag OP in case she doesn’t see your message, BlueStork.
@raeraekathleen?

Hello,

It didn't help unfortunately. We have since been to the hospital for more investigations, the x-ray was clear. They believe it's anxiety associated with school. I'm hoping it will improve soon! It seems slightly better. I hope your daughter feels better soon.