Chest Pain - HELP PLEASE?

Question

Ok, I woke up at 6:00am on August 28th with horrible chest pains. I went to the doctor's that thursday because the pain woke me up at 3:00a.m. They did an EKG and chest X-Ray and said everything was normal. They said it was likely chest wall inflamation and gave me advil. It went away for a couple days and now comes and goes. I am going insane! My symptoms are: severe pain under my left breast, worst when I am laying down, radiates to my left arm pretty badly, sometimes goes into my throat, I can breathe normally-it is slightly worse when I take deep breaths, I have done heavy exercising and it does not make it worse, it does not hurt to the touch, I am only 24, in good shape and I do not smoke anything.
I have tried taking antacids and it does nothing (in case it was acid reflux). I did not have a cough or get injured or anything. I had slight cold or flu symptoms for a couple says prior. It has now been almost 2 weeks and I am miserable. THANKS for any help!!!

Answer 1

A normal EKG is a good thing. An EKG will show any oxygen deprivation (ischemia) of the heart muscle and will show tissue death (infarction) of the heart muscle. A chest x-ray will show any atelectasis (collapsed lung), or cardiomegaly (enlarged heart).

Different possibilities are: PE (pulmonary emboli) but the pain shouldn't radiate and it would make breathing difficult and you wouldn't be able to exercise at all. Also if it was cardiac related you would not be able to do any heavy exercising either.

I'm thinking ulcer (esophagus, stomach, or intestine) or gastric reflux disease. Because the pain wakes you up, an ulcer is most likely festering in your duodenum (small intestine) somewhere or possibly in your esophagus.

Do you drink alcohol? That will cause ulcers in the esophagus, stomach, and intestines which can be painful and if left unchecked -- deadly. A doctor is the only one who can tell you for sure what is going on with you. You need to see a gastroenterologist (a doctor who specializes in conditions of the digestive system -- esophagus, stomach and intestines) to have an EGD (esophagogastroduodenoscopy) done. That test consists of a tube being sent down your throat to your stomach and upper intestines to look for an ulcer. It isn't painful just a little scarry. They will give you something to relax you and you will most likely not remember what they do. Just remember you can really breathe during this test. I had one done a few years ago and they found an ulcer. I had the same symptoms that you are describing.

In the meantime, stop any alcohol intake, I would suggest taking
Prilosec on a daily basis (unless you're allegic to any ingredients in it) rather than the usual antacids, avoid spicy foods, and don't eat at least 2 hours before bedtime. The doctor will probably start you on Nexium for a few months until the ulcer heals up or if it's bad enough he may cauterize it while he is doing the EGD.

You will want to keep an especially close eye on vomit and stools right now. If you throw up and your vomit looks like coffee grounds or is red get to the emergency room right away as that is a sign of a bleeding stomach ulcer. If your stools are dark and tarry it is a sign of a bleeding small intestinal ulcer. If your stool has frank blood in it or is rusty in color it is a sign of a lower intestinal bleeding ulcer. Any of these is a medical emergency and can kill you if you don't act quickly, so if you have any of these symptoms call 9-1-1 and get yourself to the hospital.

Answer 2

Wow. It seems like your describing something similar to what I experienced as a kid and occasionally as an adult. I get those achy, sharp pain in my chest / rib area. Often the pain is mild but sometimes it's so bad I can barley take a breath. It also feels like it starts at the bottom of my rib cage and then travels up my side as it slowly goes away. I was told by my doctor it was "growing" pains. Then when I was older, I brought it up again and he said it could be a muscle spam. It's been months since I've had one. With me, the pain only last a few seconds and at the most a minute or two. They also only seem to happen once or twice in a day when i do have them. I would suggest that if they occur more frequently, multiple times in a day I'd see someone about it. It could be nothing or it could be something (kind of obvious answer).

Answer 3

Anxiety

Apprehension
Worry
Dizziness
Sweating
Trembling
Tense feeling
Vigilance
Irritability
Other body systems may be involved, with the resulting possible symptoms:
Headaches, including migraines
Heart racing
Tightness or pressure in the chest
Increased blood pressure
Stomach pain and acid feeling
Indigestion
Hyperventilation or rapid, shallow breathing
Choking sensation
Tingling sensation

Answer 4

Get a second opinion from a doctor willing to do more tests on you. You need a blood test to check for tryponin levels, a stress test, and a CT scan, among others.

Have you done anything to break a rib recently? How about any lung problems? Your insurance may or may not pay for a second visit to a new doctor, but I think it would be well worth the cost.

I sincerely hope I'm over-reacting

Answer 5

I am not a doctor just a dad with some kids.
I think you have some congestion from your cold that you need to get rid of.
Try a steam bath when it bothers you and take some cough syrup for a couple days. Not the nasal decongestant kind but the expectorant kind. Stay away from anti-histamines that might dry it up more.
Run a steamer when you sleep at night if you can.
You need to get it loosened up so you can get rid of it.
If it pursuits seek another professional opinion.

Answer 6

Did they do blood tests? They should, specifically CKMB...this would show heart muscle damage. This is something you should get checked out, if it is worrying you, but it doesn;t sound like a heart attack...is there any nausea or sweating? Those are cardinal signs of a heart attack, although I highly doubt that is occuring. Take an 81mg aspirin for pain relief, it also thins your blood a bit, so if a cardiac event occurs you are more protected. Good luck.

Answer 7

OK well you have tried antacids like tums but you need prevercide you take it before you eat or one a day from the doctor it wont just go away with tums I had the same problem and I thought I was going to die it was gas logged in my chest.

Answer 8

Hey, You need to see a doctor immediatly and if there's nono around get to the emergency room.


You are having symptoms of something POSSIBLY serious but not necessarily .

All you need to do is go to the doctor and tell him all of your symptoms and see what that doctor says to you.
Im not a doctor so I can't answer your question > SORRY .

Answer 9

ask your doctor to do a check on acid reflux disease. over the counter antacids usually dont do any good for that. you would need a good drug like nexium.

Answer 10

i think it is acid reflux or heartburn see a doc and see how it goes