I have a tingling annoying...not pain, but like pressure being applied to the heart side of my chest?

Question

I've had this strange uncomfotable feeling for over a week, it won't go away. Starts almost under my armpit goes half way across my chest. I'm a smoker and it seems to get worse each time i light up. I have thrown my last pack away. I also started drinking more recently and I am a cronic insomniac, I often get streesed and I have suffered accute depression. Things started when my wife left me 4 years ago. God how i loved her, I miss her, even though i have a new partner. I don't mind death, it's the getting there that hurts. My job is stressfull and I have no time to visit a doctor, besides I live in remotest Indo-China. I've had chest pains before but this feels odd, tingling and feels like someone is applying preasure to the area, doesn't hurt to breath, have not strained a muscle, no acid in throat, perhaps a little. It just feel like I've been kicked in the chest and am now recovering with tingles and bruises, but I have suffered no injury. Local witch doctor says i am being cursed

Answer 1

I really don't want to answer this in case you start on the smokes again. And you really have to get to a Doctor.
Yes I'm a smoker again and had the same symptoms and it scared the living sh*t out of me at the time. Your thinking lung cancer, right ?
According to my doctor it could be any number of things. Chest infection, muscle pull and/or strain even pleurisy and yes cancer. If you've just stopped smoking perversely this isn't helping at the moment because your lungs are working hard clearing themselves.
Luckily mine was a muscle strain of course aggravated by the smokes.
But that was me. You really have to make time to get to a doctor as I can imagine the stress of is also adding to it.
Did I mention you should get to a doctor.

Oh before I forget, you must really get to a Doctor.

Answer 2

This might sound a little harsh but it must be said.
FIND A DOCTOR.....NOW!
In your profile you say you are happily married. Stop feeling sorry for yourself, you 'don't mind death, it's the getting there that hurts',
and think of your wife and friends, and above all YOUR health.
Forget the witch doctor rubbish. (Yes, on this occassion it is definitely rubbish). If everyone was 'cursed' when they had chest pain then no amount of modern western medicine would have been able to save their lives. Get it?! Perhaps this man is dubious of the lifestyle you offer to others (all in your profile) and doesn't particularly want you around anymore.
Angina and heart disease, can both cause pain to radiate from the chest, even though typically it will start in the arm. This could be a warning of an underlying problem with plenty of time to put things right, IF YOU SEEK PROPER MEDICAL ADVICE.
Well done on the fags!

Answer 3

This is hard to pinpoint without more complete details, although yours are very good.

For example:
Does this 'discomfort' seem to ease when you apply pressure to the area?
Have you, in the past month or so, had a cold or anything of that nature?
Do you cough a lot?
Do you have a history of heart disease in your family?
Do you have a history of cancer in your family?
What age are you?
When you say 'acute' depression, are you currently still in the midst of it?
Approximately how many hours a night do you sleep?
Do you have any swelling, even slightly, in the armpit area?

Some of these questions may seem not so important, and I could go on and on with them, but without more of the basics it leaves room for too many possibilities.

If it seems to ease when you apply pressure, it may be pleurisy, but the origin would still need to be determined. A simple chest x-ray would help with this possibility.

The one thing that does stand out in your description is that you do state the pain seems to be under the 'left' armpit, which is a flag for heart related problems. I would be somewhat concerned about the possibility of an obstruction.

But, it could also be lymphatic, and a good 15 minute massage specifically to the left arm for the next several days might offer relief. If you don't have access to a trained professional, get one of the girls to start at the fingertips and work upward with smooth gliding and kneading strokes, always working 'towards' the heart.

You may even try alternating ice/hot packs, (starting with cold) leaving each on for 5-10 minutes for a total of about 30 minutes....this creates what is called the 'Hunting response' which has been known to provide therapeutic benefits.

Overall, your lifestyle is a huge factor and I know you are aware of this simply by your honesty.

Here in American there is a TV commercial that targets the effects of depression on a person's phycial symptoms, and this is yet another possibility that may contribute to what you are dealing with....

I hope for your sake you find a way and the time to get to a clinic. I also hope you work on ways to find peace in your life....because as we all know, stress is a real 'killer' of many people in this day and age, not to be taken lightly.

P.S. I think you should go see someone in Udorn Thani, there is bound to be a good resource for help there.

Sorry this is so looong...Good luck to you....

Answer 4

Its proberbly a combination of all the stress you are going through and the bad lifestyle you lead. If i was you i would stop smoking and drinking and maybe do some yoga. You should also visit your doctor even if its to put you mind at ease. Heart attacks dont last for weeks and the pain from one would be felt in you arm.

Answer 5

gosh...i think the witch doc gave u my diagnosis!!! seriously some folks think the smoking but my friend the first thing i thought of was ULCER? gerd(gastroesophagal reflux disease)i have had surgeries related to unattended ulcers that caused such pain like u described almost felt like what i think a heart attack would.....who can u see besides the internet and witch doctor? the ulcer pain is not always a tast in the mouth my experience is the pressure/pain almost cold sweat etc please be well do not ignore your health.....i did and have spent some time getting it back almost there good luck

Answer 6

Pay your doctor a visit so he can order some tests to be carried out. You did good in throwing away the cigs, especially if the sensation gets worse whenever you smoke.

Hope it's nothing serious.

Answer 7

could be anxiety see the Dr you can get the pain under your boobs feels like your having a heart attack your not but see Dr could be high blood pressure too

Answer 8

Tingling (in any part of your body) is usually a sign of poor circulation........you say you have thrown away your last pack of cigarettes....... its a pity you didnt do the same with your first pack ! !

Answer 9

visit a specialist, you'll need plenty of rest as well.
stop drinking so often,if you can.

you should move on with life,about your previous wife.

Answer 10

Man that's where I left my pencil. Thanx I'll be over to pick it up.