Can acid reflux cause chest pain?

Hello doctor,

I have suffered pain in my upper right pectoralis just next to my right armpit for several months. I have got done many negative tests, such as CT scan, MRI, ultrasound, and hemithorax X-ray. The pain is mainly triggered by movement and by touch. I am having difficulties wearing a bra, or shoulder bag, putting the seatbelt on, and sleeping on the right side as all these things provoke pain. I do not know what triggered this. The only thing I can think of is that I had a bad episode of acid reflux just before this happened. NSAIDs probably provoked the reflux I had taken the previous days for some headache and period pain, and I have stopped taking them since then because I have understood that they are not suitable for my stomach.

• Could there be any correlation between my acid reflux and this pain?
• Could the stomach acid have traveled up to that part of my chest? I think it could be costochondritis.
• If it was costochondritis, would any of the exams I have done show it, or is it something you do not see in diagnostic tests?
• Can costochondritis happen in that area of the upper chest?
• Can the pain radiate to the armpit area?
• Could I apply any nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine like gel or cream on the area? Do these have the same efficiency as oral NSAIDs?
• Could I benefit from applying heat or ice on a cold pack in the area?
• Will this go away with time?

Thank you.

Hi doctor,

Thanks for the reply. So you think it is nerve pain because it radiates. What is the outlook for local neuritis? Does the nerve heal itself with time? How long can it last? I have had it for more than two months now.

Thanks.