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Is Rib Cage Pain While Breathing A Symptom Of GERD?
Question: Hi for over a month I can't take a deep breath all of the time. I also have a dull ache on and off near my right rib cage. It's not my lungs because I am still able to work out but it just feels like my breath stops a certain place most of the time. At first I thought it was Gerd/Acid Reflux issues as twice I woke up aspirating acid and I read Gerd can cause breathing problems but since I’ve been back on my probiotics that hasn’t happened again and my acid reflux has been way better. I figured with the ache on the right side that it is probably my gallbladder. The breathing is always the same not better or worse at different times of the day or night.
Brief Answer:
Need your input ma'am
Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. From the given information, I do have a few points to share with you:
1. Even if acid reflux or GERD is better controlled, it can still cause such a presentation, which can take place while standing, but is more enhanced while in the supine (lying down) position
2. Stress: One of the most common causes for such a presentation is anxiety or panic as well, if you think stress could have something to do with this, then this could be along with the underlying reflux causing the prevention that you are experiencing
3. Any underlying respiratory conditions can cause such a prevention, have you been elaborately evaluated for all respiratory conditions?
4. The pain can also be associated with a particular type of food being consumed, that could trigger pain in response to a reaction by the gall bladder (Especially fatty food), have you made such an observation?
5. I would like to request you to try and observe other types of foods that can you consume, causing such a response. This could be related to certain conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulosis, etc.
I look forward to hearing from you in order to better explain a particular point that you can better relate to.
Best wishes.
Need your input ma'am
Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. From the given information, I do have a few points to share with you:
1. Even if acid reflux or GERD is better controlled, it can still cause such a presentation, which can take place while standing, but is more enhanced while in the supine (lying down) position
2. Stress: One of the most common causes for such a presentation is anxiety or panic as well, if you think stress could have something to do with this, then this could be along with the underlying reflux causing the prevention that you are experiencing
3. Any underlying respiratory conditions can cause such a prevention, have you been elaborately evaluated for all respiratory conditions?
4. The pain can also be associated with a particular type of food being consumed, that could trigger pain in response to a reaction by the gall bladder (Especially fatty food), have you made such an observation?
5. I would like to request you to try and observe other types of foods that can you consume, causing such a response. This could be related to certain conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulosis, etc.
I look forward to hearing from you in order to better explain a particular point that you can better relate to.
Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
It doesn't matter whether I'm lying down or standing up. I don't feel it's anxiety as it is a constant thing of not being able to take a deep breath then every few minutes I am able to get one in especially if I yawn. It does not wake me up and before this happened I was running on a daily basis.
The pain in the right side seems to have intensified some in the last couple of days. I have in the past eaten fatty foods but for the past month had no alcohol and not much fatty foods. I woke up with this one day after consuming a lot of champagne so I don't know if that had something to do with it or not. I have not yet been evaluated for any respiratory conditions but will be going to the doctor this week. I am able to get enough oxygen to workout on the bicycle and lift weights. The breathing however is not satisfying or the way I used to breathe as I always have had great lung capacity and used to run marathons. It's like maybe my lungs can't fully expand or something is limiting my diaphragm. I don't have any other symptoms other than the acid reflux and generally feel well.
The pain in the right side seems to have intensified some in the last couple of days. I have in the past eaten fatty foods but for the past month had no alcohol and not much fatty foods. I woke up with this one day after consuming a lot of champagne so I don't know if that had something to do with it or not. I have not yet been evaluated for any respiratory conditions but will be going to the doctor this week. I am able to get enough oxygen to workout on the bicycle and lift weights. The breathing however is not satisfying or the way I used to breathe as I always have had great lung capacity and used to run marathons. It's like maybe my lungs can't fully expand or something is limiting my diaphragm. I don't have any other symptoms other than the acid reflux and generally feel well.
Brief Answer:
Then the first thing would be to get a respiratory evaluation, + USG
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again ma'am.
Thank you for the elaborate response ma'am.
Well, to be honest we only consider other possible causes relating to breathing issues after a complete respiratory evaluation has been conducted and has reported normal results.
So the first step would be to get evaluated for any respiratory causes, but at the same time the fact that you seemed to have experienced a gradual worsening after consuming the champagne does raise a few questions. So if you do not mind and if your insurance allows it, then please do get an abdominal and pelvic ultrasound scan along with a complete blood profile to make sure the liver, gall bladder, etc; are all functioning adequately and are not causing your presentation.
I understand how you might be experiencing frustration due to the presentation but please be patient as we shall al work together to find the cause and provide you with permanent relief.
Please in the meantime, anytime, do not hesitate to write to me; I am always here to help.
Best wishes.
Then the first thing would be to get a respiratory evaluation, + USG
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again ma'am.
Thank you for the elaborate response ma'am.
Well, to be honest we only consider other possible causes relating to breathing issues after a complete respiratory evaluation has been conducted and has reported normal results.
So the first step would be to get evaluated for any respiratory causes, but at the same time the fact that you seemed to have experienced a gradual worsening after consuming the champagne does raise a few questions. So if you do not mind and if your insurance allows it, then please do get an abdominal and pelvic ultrasound scan along with a complete blood profile to make sure the liver, gall bladder, etc; are all functioning adequately and are not causing your presentation.
I understand how you might be experiencing frustration due to the presentation but please be patient as we shall al work together to find the cause and provide you with permanent relief.
Please in the meantime, anytime, do not hesitate to write to me; I am always here to help.
Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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