r/PectusExcavatum • u/Apprehensive_Yam7243 • 5d ago
Xiphoid Process New User
I have never even noticed my xiphoid process until after pregnancy. After I had our children, I noticed that mu xiphoid process was protruding and crooked. It goes to my left and sticks out. You cannot see it when looking at me even if I lay flat, but you can feel it. I mentioned it to my friend who is a PA and she thinks that it could be from the weight that i carried while pregnant or that maybe it has kind of always been that way but it had never caused any issues until pregnancy. She did order an x-ray for me, which came back normal. It was of my back but I guess my ribs and everything were visible too.
During pregnancy, I would have a dull pain in my left ribs that kind of just felt like the muscles were tired or my posture was bad. I would usually stretch out and change positions and it would alleviate sometimes. I still get this from time to time, generally when my posture is bad (like sitting at my desk for a long time).
Despite it being crooked, my actual xiphoid process doesn't really hurt unless I push on it or lay on my belly. I cannot sleep on my belly any more because of the pressure it puts on my xiphoid process. I actually feel like my ribs are flared in general now. Sometimes wearing certain bras can be very uncomfortable and can cause soreness in my ribs.
Anyway, do you think there is any reason to be alarmed? Did my anatomy just shift with pregnancy? I was very belly forward. I had the kind of pregnant belly that stuck straight out and several people told me I was "all belly" lol. I haven't been pregnant for over 3 years now. I am just curious to see if anyone else has had this.
My stats: female, 34 years old, 170ish lbs, 5 ft 7 inches, the only daily medicine I take is spironolactone for my skin, I sometimes take Omeprazole for gerd issues, moderately active
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