clicking sounds in chest!!!

[Stephie1982]

hi - i'm a 22yr old female and i just wondered if anyone out there has any idea to why i get (which i can only describe as..) clicking noises when i take a deep breath. It doesnt happen all the time, but when it does its very uncomfortable - i've had it now for about 7yrs, and it has got worse as i've aged. I did go to the docs when it started years ago, an got sent for xray but everything seemed fine, and the doc couldnt tell me why - so i got discharged and carried on with it, but it has got worse - and the clicking noises louder!! anyone know what this is?? - Thank you - Steph

[rossssssco]

wow massive thread, that has answered a load of q's, cheers folks. It seems that chrisbristol et al and i have the same, sleeping on a fairly hard matress - wondered if a softer one may help. Clicking, especially when i breath in deepely. Glad it is a 'common' complaint!!
thanks again all

[mitchg]

I'm 17 years old, I read these posts on this thread and It makes me feel better knowing I'm not the only one. I truly can't live with this. I can't sleep as much as I used to.  I have had chest xrays and EKG tests and its all normal, but I can hear the snapping, I can feel it. It hurts so bad. It happens when I am sitting and lying down.  It has been happening the last 3 months and is getting worse and worse.

Thank you for posting this thread, I hope there is some solution to this. Going to cardiologist in a couple weeks.
                                                                     -Mitch G.

[Pistolpete1491]

I also have the same problem, when I take a deep breath, am lying down, or when I press on both inner sides of my rib cage its a click and/or popping sensation...it doesnt hurt just very annoying maybe its just me I feel like i can't eat as much at one time then I used to because of this..any info on this would be helpful and much appreciated../i am also a male,22 years of age and in good physical condition..thanks

[funks]

Had the same problem myself for a couple of years.
Seems to flare up with exercise at gym, particularly chest exercises.

i believe its literally tendinitis of the chest.

My clicking has been so loud my partner could hear it, and it hurts lying on the side.

Ive found that rest helps (gym),  glucosamine tablets  and anti inflammatory tabs.

Heres hoping OJ123 is correct and we will out grow it (im 42).

[TJ0622]

Stephie,

I have had the same symptons for awhile now and finally went to the doctor for it.  The person who did my Echo test said I may have a problem with my valve but I am waiting for the results.  It's frustrating because I know how it feels and the doctors look at me like I am crazy.  I just hope they figure it out!

[aiman_nz]

Wow long thread... thought I would share my story with this. I have had the sternum click for a few years now and I'm 26. A previous comment mentioned the xiphoid, but my click originates in what seems to be called the sternal angle. However the pain I get seems to not be in the area of the click, but in the parts attached to the sternum and even up higher by the collar bone and towards my shoulders. Like other people have said I can reproduce the pain by pushing my chest and shoulders inwards and putting my arms out in front of me. The pain came on a few months ago and has given me some quite bad anxiety, because I had no idea what it was. I went to the GP and she gave me stomach pills and a referral to a cardiologist. The stomach pills did nothing, and the cardiologists did a stress ECG and found nothing but a fast heart rate, probably due to anxiety. Im pretty sure it comes down to my lifestyle.
* I have very bad posture as I work hunched over on a computer all day and then at home for fun too.
* I smoke heavily.
* I exercise twice a week on average, I do 10km runs easily and light to medium weights.
* my chest is stronger than my back
* I am 6'0 (182cm) and have a lean build with wide shoulders.

I have found correcting posture helps to some degree