Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Chest Pain

jknnej

By jknnej
in Related Issues & Disorders

Recommended Posts

jknnej Collaborator
jknnej
Posted

Does anyone else get chest pain? I have it right around my left breast...it's a stabbing pain that can linger for days.

My doctors have said it's not heart related b/c I don't have any numbness, tingling, back pain, shortness of breath, etc and it has been going on for quite a few years. They think it's muscle related so I wanted to see if anyone else has these issues. I also get stabbing pains under my ribs....anyone else? those can be so sharp they take my breath away. Then these mystery pains will go away and not come back for a month, two months, or even more!

What gives???

I want to know if it's Celiac related or not.

I waterskiied this weekend so maybe I aggravated a muscle problem; you use all of your chest muscles when waterskiing.

any thoughts/help would be greatly appreciated,

Jennifer

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


rmmadden Contributor
rmmadden
Posted

Jennifer,

I get the chest ache on the left pectoral leading down into my armpit. Most of the times it is just an ache but occassionally I will get a momentarily sharp pain. I went to the doctor and wore a heart monitor and everything is normal. I take my BP daily (which is good) and exercise regularly and have never been short-of-breath (This is how I double-check myself each day). I guess it's just something some of us have to live with.

Hope this helps.

Cleveland Bob B)

skbird Contributor
skbird
Posted

I get this. I have been getting it my whole life - I can remember being about 8 and having an "attack" of it and freaking myself and my parents out because I thought I was having a heart attack.

Mine don't last for days, just usually a few minutes, though the last one (which was within the last month) lasted for a couple of hours. I kept trying to breathe differently and relax, took a Xanax at some point, no help. Weirdly, when I took my nightly B12 sublingual (and B complex sublingual) within moments (maybe a minute or two?) it faded away.

I have always envisioned it as some air bubble in my chest. This last time it was on the left side but I don't think it's always on the left. It does take my breath away - it's hard to breathe because when you do it hurts worse.

I have not gotten any answers on this - I even posted about this on another message board I'm on when it happened earlier this month.

I can identify with you but I don't know what it is... sorry!

Stephanie

Guest nini
Guest nini
Posted

I get this too, several times went to the ER thinking it was heart related... they've done the whole heart monitor thing, I have a blood pressure monitor (it's good)... None of my dr's had any answer as to what it is or why, but I def. get this.

jaimek Enthusiast
jaimek
Posted

I used to get extremely sharp pains right under my rib cage. the pain was excruciating. After going gluten-free they stopped. I have had it come back once in the past year and that was when i accidentally ingested gluten. So, I believe that mine was definitely gluten related.

Guest Viola
Guest Viola
Posted

For those of you that have the chest (rib) pain for several days, weeks, or months, it could be Costocontritis. I was diagnosed with it a few years ago and for the most part I've been able to keep it reasonably under control until I handle a big, pulling dog during training, then I'm back on the anti inflammatories again. Also, over stretching of the upper body will irritate the problem.

Costocontritis is another auto immune problem. It is inflamation of the cartiledge connecting the rib cage to the breast bone. Sometimes it is also caused by a sports injury. My doctor says that Celiacs would be more prone to have Costo.

Check with your doctor and ask about it :rolleyes:

jknnej Collaborator
jknnej
Posted
  • Author

Oh, wow! I will DEFINITELY look into this.

I keep freaking myself out, thinking I am having a heart attack. But I don't have any other symptoms of a heart issue and I am only 28 with low cholesterol and low blood pressure.

Costocontritis? I'm going to look it up on the net.

I also am a choral conductor-I lift my arms for a living! (And sing).

I haven't had it in awhile but I think maybe the waterskiing aggravated it. You really get yanked up by the boat and it uses all of your chest muscles. Weird, though, that is started hurting 4 days after the boating.

I hope that's what it is.

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Guest Viola
Guest Viola
Posted

Yup .. sounds like a good possibility. Mine started when I grabbed a tree limb to stop myself from falling down a cliff. :unsure: Now just over stretching will make it annoying. :rolleyes:

jknnej Collaborator
jknnej
Posted
  • Author

Mine can be left or right, thought it is most commonly left. Ribcage pain can be left or right, as well. Very sharp pain.

We'll see what the doc says.

Guest Eloisa
Guest Eloisa
Posted

Those chest pains were why I went to the dr. in the first place. I thought I was having a heart attach and my md referred me to a gastrologist dr. It would last about any hour or so then it would go away but then I would have a hard time swollowing any food. I felt like someone had hit me on the chest and I couldn't speak it hurt so bad. My pain was in the center of my chest. The gastro dr. said they called this the nut cracker muscle. He said this was a result from so much reflux and acids from gluten. He prescribed nitri tabs for under my tongue for if it ever happened again. Since after that I was tested for celiac and went on the gluten-free diet it went away. Those were horrible and scary too.

Bette Explorer
Bette
Posted

Eloisa,

Ditto, after years of suffering with that symptom, I too, found out by my g.i. doctor it was part of the reflux. Nexium has helped, but occasionally it still happens, my doctor never told me about the nitri tabs. I will have to look into it. Just curious , is this like the nitro patch medication that is used for chest pain in cardiac pts., and is it g.f.?

skbird Contributor
skbird
Posted

Well it sounds like this is a different kind of experience than I've had - but also makes me think of something else that I've had a problem with as well. A year and a half ago I was in France for Christmas and eating more bread than I had in ages. Most of the way through the trip I suddenly had this mother-of-god bad pain in my left rib cage, on my side, below my breast. It was painful to the touch and spasmy as well. Breathing was uncomfortable. Made me think of when I got a cracked rib about 10 years earlier. Ever since this has been a problem of recurring pain for me.

I even went to a chiropractor and massage therapist and neither have helped. I have noticed recently that when I am glutened, it starts to hurt a day or two later and that lasts for a few days. I'm beginning to see it as an indicator of glutening.

Interesting about Costocontritis - I'll look it up.

Stephanie

jknnej Collaborator
jknnej
Posted
  • Author

My pain isn't in the center it's usually on the left side with occassional right side pain. I also get it right under my rib cage where it hurts so bad I can't breathe every once in a while.

For me it does NOT happen related to gluten, though, which is why it sounds like this costochoritis or however you spell it! I read up on it on the net and it said it comes and goes and it is an autoimmune disorder but doesn't have to be gastro related, i think.

Bette Explorer
Bette
Posted

Yeah prior to me being diagonosed with the reflux disease, my doctor did think I might of had the costochondritis, I was actually sent to a anestesiologist to get injections with antiflammatories with lidocaine right into the ribcage (the cartilage part). It did not help, but I was thankful to have somebody try to get rid of the pain. The reflux was diagnosed a couple of years later.

I guess every one persons symptoms can present very differently. But it sure helps to hear what other people have dealt with on this board, and how they dealt with it. At least now you have some ideals what it may be, so that you can look it up and then discuss it with your doctor.

Good luck

  • 2 weeks later...
Guest Eloisa
Guest Eloisa
Posted

Bette,

I'm sorry it took me so long to answer your question about the Nitroquick pills. Yes they are the ones they give you when your having chest pains from a possible heart attach. GI doc told me that the muscle around the esophugus tightens and they call it a nutcraker muscle and for me to put one under my tongue when this happened. It really freaked me out with these pills cause I knew what they were used for and it scared me to use them.

Eloisa

skbird Contributor
skbird
Posted

I'm going to my doctor on Monday and am going to ask him about this as it's been happening quite a bit to me lately. I have been taking more regular vitamin B's and when I take them when an "attack" occurs, it clears up. It's very strange. I don't know if he'll figure it out but I would like to ask about it anyway. When I google "b vitamin" and "chest pain" at the same time I keep getting "angina" results. I don't know if that's the case for me as I have had this my whole life and no other signs that would point to angina. But if your homeocystine is too high, you should be taking B6, B12 and folic acid to help metabolize and reduce the levels.

It's scary to me to even think about this... but I have to ask.

Stephanie

mytummyhurts Contributor
mytummyhurts
Posted

I've had this happen to me too, so I went and looked up costochondritis and found this page with all these links to articles. Interesting.

Open Original Shared Link

judy05 Apprentice
judy05
Posted

Once again I am glad to be reading this message board. I have costalchondritis too, I naver knew it was related to celiac's (which according to my Dr I don't have, but it seems like I have every symptom of it!). I also have the pain on my right side, sometimes on the left which Dr attributes to the IBS (he will confirm that I have this B) which doesn't surprise me. Anyway he told me to take fiber pills every day (Citrucel is gluten-free) and this is helping me. If you touch the area on your ribs and pinpoint it then it probably is Chondritis. Once again check with your Dr.

  • 2 weeks later...
Anne Downs Newbie
Anne Downs
Posted

Las week, I had tightness and discomfort (not sharp pain) in my chest after walking for 20 minutes. Then I felt weak and slightly nauseated. I went to my internist who promptly put me in the hospital for tests in the cardiac unit. All they found abnormal was a low blood level of potassium which can weaken the muscles, including the heart muscles. So I'm supposing that my gut isn't absorbing the potassium from my diet since i eat plenty of fruits and veggies that are high in potassium. Are there enzymes to take that increase the absorption?

Is anyone else low in potassium? Maybe that is causing some of other peoples unexplained chest pain.

Thanks, Anne

sdore Enthusiast
sdore
Posted

I get this too! On the left side. It doesn't hurt bad but it very annoying. I also hurt in my lower rib cage. One of my doctors said this (under) can be caused by wearing underwire bras. The underwire puts pressure on that one area and can make it quite sore. I know it may sound crazy but he's a pretty good doctor. This could be causing the under pain.

Anne Downs Newbie
Anne Downs
Posted

Thanks for the reply. However, my bra is wireless.

tarnalberry Community Regular
tarnalberry
Posted

A friend of mine was getting chest pain - varying in intensity. Turns out it's shingles for him. Unusual presentation, and not a very fun one to have, but not life-threatening.

CaliGirl Newbie
CaliGirl
Posted

How wierd!

I have had this my whole life. Every 3 to 6 months or so, I would get a really sharp pain inside my rib cage (always the left side), and it would really hurt to breath in deeply. I would just take some time out, breath really shallow, and it eventually would go away after 15 minutes or so. I thought it was just more examples of my body making life difficult for me.

It's always nice to know you're not the only person who has these side effects.

skbird Contributor
skbird
Posted

CaliGirl - yes, that sounds like what I get. Especially the breathing part. I saw my doctor last week and asked about it and he asked how long the episodes last - I said 5 mins? Maybe a little longer, except the one that was about an hour. And that they go away with B vitamin supplementation. He said that B vitamins can help blood vessels to relax, if they are spasming. I asked if this was angina - and could I have it my whole life? And he asked if it came on from exertion (it doesn't) and said not likely, then. Said if B vitamins help it go away, then keep taking them.

I don't know how I feel about this because it wasn't an explanation. He's a real, "if it works, then go with it" kind of guy. I like answers better than ease, but was glad it didn't alarm him.

  • 4 weeks later...
DOCKLEARFAN Apprentice
DOCKLEARFAN
Posted

Not sure if this was mentioned but...I have Mitral Valve Prolapse (A heart valve keeps "flopping" around, sorta gets backed up and then releases) it is VERY common and the Dr says not to worry about it unless you get other symptoms of course)

My symptoms were dull to severe chest pain, sorta like someone was squeezing my heart. I don't remember getting Sharp pains however.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,547
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    gizmo1jazz2
    Newest Member
    gizmo1jazz2
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Scott Adams
      Taken Seriously

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Your post demonstrates the profound frustration and isolation that so many in the Celiac community feel, and I want to thank you for channeling that experience into advocacy. The medical gaslighting you endured for decades is an unacceptable and, sadly, a common story, and the fact that you now have to "school" your own GI specialist speaks volumes about the critical lack of consistent and updated education. Your idea to make Celiac Disease a reportable condition to public health authorities is a compelling and strategic one. This single action would force the system to formally acknowledge the prevalence and seriousness of the disease, creating a concrete dataset that could drive better research funding, shape medical school curricula, and validate the patient experience in a way that individual stories alone often cannot. It is an uphill battle, but contacting representatives, as you have done with Adam Gray, is exactly how change begins. By framing it as a public health necessity—a matter of patient safety and protection from misdiagnosis and neglect—you are building a powerful case. Your voice and your perseverance, forged through thirty years of struggle, are exactly what this community needs to ensure that no one else has to fight so hard just to be believed and properly cared for.
    • Scott Adams
      Looking for a gluten-free roomie in Denver CO

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      I had no idea there is a "Louisville" in Colorado!😉 I thought it was a typo because I always think of the Kentucky city--but good luck!
    • Scott Adams
      Allergy medication: cetirizine by the HealthA2Z is it gluten free?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      Navigating medication safety with Celiac disease can be incredibly stressful, especially when dealing with asthma and severe allergies on top of it. While I don't have personal experience with the HealthA2Z brand of cetirizine, your caution is absolutely warranted. The inactive ingredients in pills, known as excipients, are often where gluten can be hidden, and since the FDA does not require gluten-free labeling for prescription or over-the-counter drugs, the manufacturer's word is essential. The fact that you cannot get a clear answer from Allegiant Health is a significant red flag; a company that is confident its product is gluten-free will typically have a customer service protocol to answer that exact question. In situations like this, the safest course of action is to consider this product "guilty until proven innocent" and avoid it. A better alternative would be to ask your pharmacist or doctor to help you identify a major national brand of cetirizine (like Zyrtec) whose manufacturer has a verified, publicly stated gluten-free policy for that specific medication. It's not worth the risk to your health when reliable, verifiable options are almost certainly available to you. You can search this site for USA prescriptions medications, but will need to know the manufacturer/maker if there is more than one, especially if you use a generic version of the medication: To see the ingredients you will need to click on the correct version of the medication and maker in the results, then scroll down to "Ingredients and Appearance" and click it, and then look at "Inactive Ingredients," as any gluten ingredients would likely appear there, rather than in the Active Ingredients area. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/   
    • Scott Adams
      Protein or fat?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      What you're describing is indeed familiar to many in the Celiac community, especially in the early stages of healing. When the intestinal villi are damaged from Celiac disease, they struggle to properly digest and absorb fats, a condition known as bile acid malabsorption. This can cause exactly the kind of cramping and spasms you're seeing, as undigested fats can irritate the sensitive gut lining. It is highly plausible that her reactions to dairy and eggs are linked to their higher fat content rather than the proteins, especially since she tolerates lean chicken breast. The great news is that for many, this does improve with time. As her gut continues to heal on a strict gluten-free diet, her ability to produce the necessary enzymes and bile to break down fats should gradually return, allowing her to slowly tolerate a wider variety of foods. It's a slow process of healing, but your careful approach of focusing on low-fat, nutrient-dense foods like seeds and avocado is providing her system the best possible environment to recover. Many people with celiac disease, especially those who are in the 0-2 year range of their recovery, have additional food intolerance issues which could be temporary. To figure this out you may need to keep a food diary and do an elimination diet over a few months. Some common food intolerance issues are dairy/casein, eggs, corn, oats, and soy. The good news is that after your gut heals (for most people who are 100% gluten-free this will take several months to two years) you may be able to slowly add some these items back into your diet after the damaged villi heal. This article may be helpful: Thank you for sharing your story—it's a valuable insight for other parents navigating similar challenges.
    • Beverage
      Diagnosed celiac for 1-2 months ago and everything makes me bloated.

      By Beverage · Posted

      I had a very rough month after diagnosis. No exaggeration, lost so much inflammatory weight, I looked like a bag of bones, underneath i had been literally starving to death. I did start feeling noticeably better after a month of very strict control of my kitchen and home. What are you eating for breakfast and lunch? I ignored my doc and ate oats, yes they were gluten free, but some brands are at the higher end of gluten free. Lots of celics can eat Bob's Red Mill gluten-free oats, but not me. I can now eat them, but they have to be grown and processed according to the "purity protocol" methods. I mail order them, Montana Gluten-Free brand. A food and symptoms and activities log can be helpful in tracking down issues. You might be totally aware, but I have to mention about the risk of airborne gluten. As the doc that diagnosed me warned . . Remember eyes, ears, nose, and mouth all lead to your stomach and intestines.  Are you getting any cross contamination? Airborne gluten? Any pets eating gluten (they eat it, lick themselves, you pet them...)? Any house remodeling? We live in an older home, always fixing something. I've gotten glutened from the dust from cutting into plaster walls, possibly also plywood (glues). The suggestions by many here on vitamin supplements also really helped me. I had some lingering allergies and asthma, which are now 99% gone. I was taking Albuterol inhaler every hour just to breathe, but thiamine in form of benfotiamine kicked that down to 1-2 times a day within a few days of starting it. Also, since cutting out inflammatory seed oils (canola, sunflower, grapeseed, etc) and cooking with real olive oil, avocado oil, ghee, and coconut oil, I have noticed even greater improvement overall and haven't used the inhaler in months! It takes time to weed out everything in your life that contains gluten, and it takes awhile to heal and rebuild your health. At first it's mentally exhausting, overwhelming, even obsessive, but it gets better and second nature.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.