I bought the backpod and it arrived today, I have two questions
1- It is normal to hurt in the spine while Im using it, it’s a pain that I can handle
2- How I know it’s time to start removing the pillows? Im with 3 pillows now
Hope someone can awnser
I’ve been having these symptoms for years, and I’m no longer sure if it’s really costochondritis, as I’ve been told, or if it’s something else.
I’ve had multiple heart tests and image ones done, and every time I’ve been told that everything looks normal, even when I’ve gone to the emergency room.
Almost constantly, I feel a mild pain or discomfort on the left side of my chest, close to the sternum, along with a feeling of pressure or heaviness, as if someone is pushing down on my chest. Sometimes it feels like I’m not breathing properly. The worst episodes are when the pressure becomes much stronger, my heart starts racing, and I end up going to the emergency room.
I think I’ve developed anxiety after dealing with this for so many years without anyone being able to tell me exactly what’s causing it.
Has anyone else experienced symptoms like these?
Discomfort on the left side of the chest, near the sternum
Pressure/heaviness in the chest, sometimes accompanied by sweating during more intense episodes
Feeling like I can’t breathe properly or can’t get a satisfying breath
Rapid heartbeat
I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has been diagnosed with costochondritis or who has experienced something similar. I’d also be grateful for any thoughts on what this could be, because I’ve seen all kinds of doctors and still don’t have a clear answer.
Hi everyone,
I’m looking for people with a similar experience (25M) because I’m honestly exhausted.
For about 4 years I’ve had a strange chest pain/pressure and a feeling that I can’t breathe properly. Sometimes it feels deep inside, sometimes more on the surface. The worst part is the constant pressure and this weird sense of not getting a full breath.
Over these years I’ve done a lot of tests:
Multiple ECGs
Several echocardiograms (including with Doppler)
Stress tests on treadmill
24h Holter
Chest X‑rays (including “extra long” ones)
CT scans of the chest (2x)
MRI of the thoracic spine and spine X‑ray
Blood work: full blood count, inflammation markers (CRP, ESR), thyroid hormones and antibodies, vitamins (B12, D), kidney/liver function, cholesterol, etc.
Thyroid ultrasound
Abdominal ultrasound
Breast/pectoral ultrasound
X‑ray of the left costal area
All of them came back normal. Every doctor tells me my heart, lungs, thyroid, blood work etc. look fine.
I’ve been followed by a doctor and I’m currently taking Cipralex (escitalopram) 10 mg. It helped a bit – I don’t get the strong sinus tachycardia episodes anymore – but I still have:
Persistent chest discomfort/pain
Pressure in the chest
A vague feeling of malaise and that my breathing is “not right”
So on paper I’m “perfectly healthy”, but subjectively I still feel pretty bad.
Has anyone else had:
Chronic chest pain/pressure and breathing discomfort for months/years
All cardiac/pulmonary tests and blood work normal
Doctors saying it’s probably anxiety, stress, muscle/posture issues or functional
Partial improvement with an SSRI, but not 100%
If you’ve been through something similar:
What ended up helping you the most (therapy, breathing exercises, physiotherapy, changing meds/dose, lifestyle changes)?
Did it ever fully go away, or just become less intense?
I know no one here can diagnose me, and I’m still in follow‑up with my doctors. I’m mainly looking for reassurance and real experiences from people who have lived with this and found a way to improve.
Thanks for reading.