Hope111
New Member
Hello,
I'm 22 years old and have been dealing with chronic pain since November 2023. The pain started suddenly while I was at work scanning papers. I experienced a heavy, dull ache below my xiphoid that was unlike any pain I had felt before. Initially, I thought it might be related to a sickness I had been experiencing, but the pain persisted and became debilitating. It made standing, walking, driving, and even touching my lower ribs extremely painful. Additionally, I experienced significant discomfort in my thoracic region that sometimes caused nausea.
Despite undergoing various tests and treatments, including blood tests, endoscopies, steroids, and proton pump inhibitors, the results were inconclusive. I was diagnosed with musculoskeletal pain and referred to physical therapy. After two months, my back pain improved, but the rib pain persisted. During one therapy session, the therapist deviated from my usual treatment plan to try a different approach. This involved an exercise where I was positioned with my chest against a mat, while the therapist applied pressure to my back and had me lean back to stretch my thoracic spine. This exercise was uncomfortable and painful, and after it, my symptoms worsened significantly.
A CT scan showed no structural damage, and a subsequent course of prednisone did not fully alleviate the pain. I continued physical therapy for three more months with partial relief but ultimately decided to stop therapy. Now, in August 2024, I'm still experiencing pain. With no clear diagnosis, I've been researching conditions like costochondritis and xiphodynia, which are thought to involve inflammation that may not be visible on imaging. I found some information online that was concerning, particularly about costochondritis. There was a physiotherapist from New Zealand named Steve August who suggested that costochondritis could persist because the joints in the back tighten with cartilage. However, costochondritis is typically characterized by sharp pain aggravated by movement, while my pain is more in the lower ribs and xiphoid area, and I don't have tenderness in these regions.
I recently came across TMS (Tension Myoneural Syndrome) and am unsure if it could apply to my situation. My symptoms don't involve pain in the back, neck, and limbs like most others. I'm open to any possibilities but am struggling with uncertainty. I frequently cancel plans and find it challenging to manage work due to persistent pain. During flare-ups, the pain is present even when resting.
I'm looking for clarification on whether TMS could potentially be responsible for my symptoms or if there might be another explanation. Any insights or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
I'm 22 years old and have been dealing with chronic pain since November 2023. The pain started suddenly while I was at work scanning papers. I experienced a heavy, dull ache below my xiphoid that was unlike any pain I had felt before. Initially, I thought it might be related to a sickness I had been experiencing, but the pain persisted and became debilitating. It made standing, walking, driving, and even touching my lower ribs extremely painful. Additionally, I experienced significant discomfort in my thoracic region that sometimes caused nausea.
Despite undergoing various tests and treatments, including blood tests, endoscopies, steroids, and proton pump inhibitors, the results were inconclusive. I was diagnosed with musculoskeletal pain and referred to physical therapy. After two months, my back pain improved, but the rib pain persisted. During one therapy session, the therapist deviated from my usual treatment plan to try a different approach. This involved an exercise where I was positioned with my chest against a mat, while the therapist applied pressure to my back and had me lean back to stretch my thoracic spine. This exercise was uncomfortable and painful, and after it, my symptoms worsened significantly.
A CT scan showed no structural damage, and a subsequent course of prednisone did not fully alleviate the pain. I continued physical therapy for three more months with partial relief but ultimately decided to stop therapy. Now, in August 2024, I'm still experiencing pain. With no clear diagnosis, I've been researching conditions like costochondritis and xiphodynia, which are thought to involve inflammation that may not be visible on imaging. I found some information online that was concerning, particularly about costochondritis. There was a physiotherapist from New Zealand named Steve August who suggested that costochondritis could persist because the joints in the back tighten with cartilage. However, costochondritis is typically characterized by sharp pain aggravated by movement, while my pain is more in the lower ribs and xiphoid area, and I don't have tenderness in these regions.
I recently came across TMS (Tension Myoneural Syndrome) and am unsure if it could apply to my situation. My symptoms don't involve pain in the back, neck, and limbs like most others. I'm open to any possibilities but am struggling with uncertainty. I frequently cancel plans and find it challenging to manage work due to persistent pain. During flare-ups, the pain is present even when resting.
I'm looking for clarification on whether TMS could potentially be responsible for my symptoms or if there might be another explanation. Any insights or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
