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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes My Chest To Hurt Mid Sternum?

I am 6 weeks into my Cpap machine and getting lots of sleep... BUT I am horrifically tired ALL the time, my chest hurts mid-sternum and my middle back, too. Today I went back to bed after I got my daughter off to school and slept for another 4 hours. I feel weak, grouchy and miserable. I am 50 years old and weigh 270 pounds. I just had a stress test and it showed no blockages... my cholesterol is fine.
posted on Fri, 2 May 2014
Twitter Wed, 28 Jan 2015 Answered on
Twitter Wed, 28 Jan 2015 Last reviewed on
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Pulmonologist,  's  Response
Thanks for your question on HCM.
In my opinion you are having mostly GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), Because of following risk factors.
1. Obesity
2. CPAP machine use.
3. Mid sternal pain.
CPAP machine give air through pressure and this can also cause pressure in esophagus. So lower gastroesophageal sphincter becomes lax. And due to this the acid of the stomach tends to come up in the esophagus and cause the symptoms.
So try to follow these steps.
1. Avoid hot and spicy food.
2. Avoid stress and anxiety.
3. Avoid large meals, instead take frequent small meals.
4. Start proton pump inhibitor.
5. Go for walk after meals.
6. Keep 2-3 pillows under head in bed to avoid reflux.
7. Try to loose weight.
8. Ask your doctor to start BiPAP machine instead of CPAP machine. Because in BiPAP pressure can be adjusted in both phases of respiration. So less reflux will appear.
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What Causes My Chest To Hurt Mid Sternum?

Thanks for your question on HCM. In my opinion you are having mostly GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), Because of following risk factors. 1. Obesity 2. CPAP machine use. 3. Mid sternal pain. CPAP machine give air through pressure and this can also cause pressure in esophagus. So lower gastroesophageal sphincter becomes lax. And due to this the acid of the stomach tends to come up in the esophagus and cause the symptoms. So try to follow these steps. 1. Avoid hot and spicy food. 2. Avoid stress and anxiety. 3. Avoid large meals, instead take frequent small meals. 4. Start proton pump inhibitor. 5. Go for walk after meals. 6. Keep 2-3 pillows under head in bed to avoid reflux. 7. Try to loose weight. 8. Ask your doctor to start BiPAP machine instead of CPAP machine. Because in BiPAP pressure can be adjusted in both phases of respiration. So less reflux will appear.