Those with Pectus Excavatum

[mountainmanz]

I don't need a doctor to tell me I have it, because I have done enough research that I am confident I do. Truthfully I'm not that concerned about how it looks (I'm use to it I guess), but I do want to get it checked out by a specialist to make sure it's not doing me any harm. Only if it's interfering with my heart or breathing would I get it fixed. I have experienced a few episodes in the past that worry me a bit. I don't even know where to start, because no doctors in this part of the country know anything about it. Trying to find contact info on specialists six hours away in the nearest large city (Denver). Anyway, glad I came across this thread. Nice knowing I'm not the only one out there. (too bad I can't post pics)

[rko4life]

I have it too. Struggled with it because I hate the way it makes my chest look. Wish I could just get a bigger chest and be done with it. But oh well, such is life. Mine isn't toooo severe where I need surgery or anything, but it sucks. You learn to deal with it.

[vanMelick]

I have it moderatly.. I was looking around on the web and saw you can also do plastic chirurgy for it. They make a hard implant with which they fill up the hole. Did anybody have this done?

[FrozenMercury]

I have it moderatly.. I was looking around on the web and saw you can also do plastic chirurgy for it. They make a hard implant with which they fill up the hole. Did anybody have this done?

Really? I've never seen that one. Must be fairly new. I've always wondered if it could be done. Or how well that would work.


EDIT: Forgot to mention I have PE.

[tmertz]

Before thinking of surgery try going to the gym. Mine use to be fairly bad but after going to the gym you can barely notice.

[Sam9530130]

The "hole" in my chest looks even bigger now than it did before I worked out. I never cared about it though. Most people find it weird/cool lol. It's not like it restrains me in any way so

[FrozenMercury]

I used to be really insecure about it. Like I was mortified. It become more pronounced as I finished my last growth spurt. I also had major stretch marks on my back. That happens when you go from 5'10" to 6'2" in just a few months. You can see some pics of my sink hole here. http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...#post465885471

It doesn't really bother me too much anymore. After a few people saw it they'd remember how someone else has it. They'd think it's neat. But you try telling a teenager that the hole in his chest that none of his friends have is quite common. One time a friend and I were watching TV and he said, "hold my drink." Puts his Pepsi in my hole and walks up to the kitchen. It was perfectly still till I started laughing.

This condition, the male usually is the carrier. My father doesn't have it. Only my grandmother which is kinda rare. *shrugs*

[vanMelick]

Really? I've never seen that one. Must be fairly new. I've always wondered if it could be done. Or how well that would work.


EDIT: Forgot to mention I have PE.

Its in dutch but if you look at the pictures you get the idea

plastischchirurg.info/folder/pectus_excavatum.htm

(add the www infront of it, not allowed to post links yet.........)

[TheAsianMan]

my GF have it as well as her dad, there is no concave in her chest because it is very mild, however she does have some 2-3 deform lower ribs that stick out.

[AlmostEasy]

Yeah I have it too.

Went to the doctors about it. It's all good. It doesn't cause any problems.

Basically with mine my left peck is built up more than my right, and it's sunken a little bit in the middle but not that bad.

[Supish]

Okay guys, I'm 15, about 5'7, and asian. Pretty much everyone at my school knows about my chest hole and I have been working out for a little over a year now. Before I worked out i was like 5'5" and 95 Lbs. Now, im 5'7" and about 112 (yes i know, I'm light). Now as you guys can see from my picture, my upper abs dont show up too well and my chest isnt very defined. oh and my chest kinda flares out on the lower ribs like that 68 year old guy (woo, I'm with ya dude). Any input guys?

hxxp://i40.tinypic.com/qp30d2.jpg
(replace hxxp with http)
note: im skinny so stuff shows more (yay me!)

[Danny-H]

Hey guys, another sufferer here. Never really paid much attention to it, because hell, there are people missing legs, so I cant really complain.

Here is my "before" pic from my workout log (before I started working out, about 10 weeks old), and its pretty easy to see.

hxxp://img442.imageshack.us/img442/3618/p1000397.jpg

[quietstormx1]

Ran across this and wanted to share it...
----------------------------------------



Abstract
Background/Purpose

The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of pectus excavatum and associated conditions in a large autopsy series. It also sought to determine whether there were different survival patterns for pectus excavatum patients than for patients without pectus excavatum.
Methods

A computer-assisted search of autopsy files maintained by Johns Hopkins University was conducted, dating from 1889 to 2001. Each patient's Autopsy Pathology Information System report was reviewed for diagnosis and comorbid conditions. To determine whether there were differences in survival patterns, we tested whether pectus excavatum patients survived longer than controls, using a standard epidemiological method. Each patient in the autopsy series was compared with the 2 patients entered in the autopsy database chronologically immediately before and the 2 patients immediately after the case. A Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was conducted.
Results

Pectus excavatum was identified at autopsy in 62 of 50,496 cases. Of these 62 patients, 17 were 65 years or older and appeared to have died of causes unrelated to pectus excavatum, the oldest being 91 years. Twenty-one were between the ages of 14 and 65 years and were found to have coexisting conditions or syndromes. Six were between the ages of 1 and 4 years. One of the 6 died in 1947 because of complications from pectus repair. No autopsied patient with pectus excavatum died between the ages of 5 and 14 years. Eighteen were infants younger than 1 year, and all 18 died because of conditions unrelated to pectus excavatum. There were no reported cases of pectus excavatum before 1947, and the severity of deformity could not be determined from the autopsy data. Survival analysis indicated that pectus excavatum patients had a different survival than the controls. Pectus excavatum patients tended to die earlier (P = .0001). However, pectus excavatum patients who survived past the age of 56 years tended to survive longer than their matched controls (P = .0001).
Conclusion

Although there were no histological abnormalities noted in the cartilage of the pectus excavatum patient's conditions, pectus excavatum was associated with several connective tissue abnormalities. Analysis is consistent with the theory that this condition can impact survival.

the advances made in the medical world recording PE have come leaps and bounds over just the last few decades. those statistics are for patients who lived between 1947-2001 (it says no reported cases were found prior to 1947). im willing to bet that the live expectancy began to increase as the year increases.

[quietstormx1]

I think this is actually the reason I got so underweight, I always thought that my stomach stuck out because it was fat, not because of a deformity

having PE tends to make the stomach "bulge" out a little more and if youre not really toned, it can make you appear to have a slight gut.

[FrozenMercury]

having PE tends to make the stomach "bulge" out a little more and if youre not really toned, it can make you appear to have a slight gut.

Yup, totally agree lol.

[tmertz]

having PE tends to make the stomach "bulge" out a little more and if youre not really toned, it can make you appear to have a slight gut.

Work your chest hard enough and your stomach won't look like its bulging

[_HungryWolf_]

Hmmmm i have this aswell i never knew this was a condition.... I am also flat footed, and i feel as if i was the most tired/breathing the hardest during when i was in football practice / conditioning. I've had basic physicals done and no doctors has ever mentioned it. Do i need to bring this up to them or no? I am 19 years old now though and i doubt i will be doing anything as hard as two a days again in my life. What do you guys think?


&... How do u correctly measure this? I think my sinkhole is 2inches. From inner to nipp?....

Oh and just to add, I remember searching this about ribs pointing out and reading about 20 different threads saying that the person needed to eat more and etc. Just interesting to see no one knew hehe.........

[tmertz]

Do heavy flys for aset of 8, 6, 4 and really try to work the bottom of the pecs

[n113]

I dont think i have it, but i do have quite a sizeable gap between my pecs which i'm hoping will look ok as my pecs get better.

[sinco]

Here is mine....

I like to think it adds character and helps me look more ripped . lol

Would be cool to know if anyone has filled it in by working out.

[Don_Q]

I have this too. And that's not all. My lower ribs, also stick out a bit more than the others and it makes my chest looks weird, I think. From front it looks okay.

I used to think that these things were caused by a lazy sitting position, and a sleeping position on the side, which I thought, put pressure on the side of my ribs, making the lower ones stick out more. But I don't know.

I have pictures on my Public Profile, I would like to hear if mine is really that bad, like I think.

[PowerLP]

Alright Guys,

Was interested in reading this thread so thought I'd register and post my opinion.

I have the condition as you can see.

I know how de-motivated some people can be towards sport when having this condition because it makes people feel less 'bulky', I work endlessly on my Pecs and Abs but visually doesn't appear to be too beneficial. But let me tell you, physically it is working wonders. I'm an international high jumper, I've competed for England in Europe and whatnot and I've come a long way in the past 2 years. So if you do have it and think it'll stop you from reaching your potential....Don't give up. Keep working!

Mentally, I'd say the condition has had quite an impact, not so much because I dislike the way I look, but more so when I take my top off on holiday, there always seem to be a few people blatantly staring at it, and occasionally the someone asks "What is wrong with your chest" (thanks, nice one). Just reminds me of a comment made earlier "Looks like you've been punched in the chest"...It's people saying stuff like that, that makes it feel like a problem.

There's always the "Concentrate on more upper body stuff to make it less visible", yes I do need to be relatively strong for my event, but irrelevant weight (such as too much upper body muscle) will just hold me back. High Jump isn't particularly a body built event.

There's just one question I have. I have read a few people stating that there is a condition normally related to it that affects the length of the arms and legs. I currently have Patella Tendinitis, I've been out for around 6 months and was wondering if there could have been a link at all?

Just thought that I'd add. My Cousin also has the condition, along with my best friend and also my dad used to have it.

Regards

[tmertz]

I think you are talking about Marfins Syndrome?

[K2Rum]

This is a pretty long thread and it seems like there is a lot of people who suffer from PE on this site so I'm willing to offer my knowledge on it. I had PE from as early as I can remember but about a year an half got surgery to fix it so I'm pretty knowledgeable when it comes to this condition. Just a guy who knows how it is and would like to help anyone who has any questions.

[apfishhead]

Wow i cant believe there are so many people like me out there. Ive never seen a forum like this one before till searching right now. Im 24 soon 25 and i had surgery done to fix mine when i was 7. My brother has it aswell and only had his fixed maybe 2 years ago and he is now 20 soon 21. Ive always wanted to know if there is any hope in gaining better muscle to my chest. Has any one had any real sucess? is there any hope for me?

[jmjnewbold]

Hmmmm i have this aswell i never knew this was a condition.... I am also flat footed, and i feel as if i was the most tired/breathing the hardest during when i was in football practice / conditioning. I've had basic physicals done and no doctors has ever mentioned it. Do i need to bring this up to them or no? I am 19 years old now though and i doubt i will be doing anything as hard as two a days again in my life. What do you guys think?


&... How do u correctly measure this? I think my sinkhole is 2inches. From inner to nipp?....

Oh and just to add, I remember searching this about ribs pointing out and reading about 20 different threads saying that the person needed to eat more and etc. Just interesting to see no one knew hehe.........

I was born with Pectus and had absolutely no problems until I hit puberty. Then in high school I noticed I wasn't as fast as I used to be and my stamina suffered. I didn't know why but figured that if I worked harder I would be ok. Then one day running the mile I almost passed out. I could not catch my breath and my heart felt like it was pounding out of my chest. I finally went to the doctor and he refered me to a specialist at UCLA. Come to find out my "hole" had pushed my heart to the left and was straining the cardiac muscles. It also caused a stiffening of the chest wall so that when I breath heavy my chest won't expand to allow for the deep breathes I need. The doc took xrays and did studies and told me that I needed surgery. The ONLY way to fix severe forms of Petus is with surgery. They cut me open cut my ribs and sternum, flattened my chest out and placed a bar under my chest. The bar stayed in for 6 months and then was removed. I know feel normal physically and mentally. Its tough going through school with a hole in your chest. I play hockey and can now keep up with everybody and my muscle definition is fine. I do have a scar but with new medical cremes out it is starting to go away. Anybody who feels like their "hole" may be holding them back physically really needs to have a specialist check them over. you dont know if your hole is pushing on your heart which can lead to arrhythmia murmurs and even valve prolapse. It really isnt something to take lightly!!!

[harley21]

Yeah I have it too, no doubt it's been an impassable obstacle in my bodybuilding path.
Have a few questions, how bad is mine?
And with PE, is it possible to still define my abs?
Sorry for the same view, a little hard to take pictures.

[FrozenMercury]

Yeah I have it too

Yours is minor.

[harley21]

Yours is minor.

Seriously? I thought mine was quite bad, my friends' been using that to make fun of me, although in a jokingly manner, but sometimes its very demoralising.
Anyway, how do I build up muscle mass in my pecs?

[DaBosse]

I had a spinal curvature called kyphosis, not the same as yours but a similar crappy bone structure. I found by adding mass around the area that it really blends in and becomes somewhat invisible, just some advice.