On multiple occasions I have awoken in the middle of the night with, what I can only describe as, the feeling of a football shoved under my diaphragm. It feels like my stomach (internally) is solid. The pain worsens if i lay on my stomach. I have to immediately stand and hold my arms over my head in order to get full breaths. In addition, there is a dull pain that runs through my lower sternum to the middle of my back.
Hi, thank-you for providing the brief history of you. As per the history a thorough clinical examination is advised. For blotting of the stomach it could be an acidity or gastric issue which needs an examination. Getting a thorough blood test and ultrasonography of the abdomen can help us understand better. Also, the pain in the lower sternum to back can be due to this but on a safer note getting a cardiac assessment done by ECG and echo of cardiac will be helpful to differentiate the problem and rule out any cardiac pathology. Also, for breathing problems it could be an acidity which is stopping the diaphragm to function properly and thus breathing exercises for respiratory muscles should help to resolve the problems. Regards Jay In Chat Doctor.