My chest hurts around my rib cage and breastbone; I went to the ER and they told me my heart was fine, HELP!?

Question

I'm 19 years old and I'm having some chest discomfort around my left rib cage/breastbone area. I have no idea what it is; I went to the ER last night just to check it out and they did an EKG and said my heart looked fine and there was nothing wrong with it; plus, I had my blood taken 2 months ago for a physical and they said it looked great. However, I'm still in some pain -- when I turn my neck a specific way it hurts and occasionally hurts my back; it's like a pulsing pain in my chest that is not constant. I'm glad it isn't my heart, but I still have no idea what the problem is. Could it be from stress? This has been going on for about 2 weeks now. Please help.

Update: Thank you guys so much for responding so quickly! However, as of now there are 11 answers, and you are asking me things that I didn't put in the first time. Allow me to answer them:

1. I do not smoke, or drink at all.

2. I don't lift weights, and I haven't done any heavy lifting in a while.

3. I'm 5'10, 160 pounds, and there is no history of any heart problems in my family.

4. It definately isn't a twisted rib.

5. It feels like a "pressure" in my chest, and although my bloodwork was fine, I went on WebMD and found that it's possible that it's possibly something called "Costochronditis" - just a guess though.

6. The only reason why I went to the ER is because I was worried that I was having a heart attack, and because I'm at college and my Family doctor is in my hometown.

Answer 1

Since I've had the same pain before, I am going to guess you have a rib that is twisted. A chiropractic adjustment can put it back where it goes. It sure helped me. It was sore for a couple of days afterwards, but then it healed.

Answer 2

First off, I would suggest that you make an appointment with your regular doctor and explain to them the pain you are having. Then they can take additional tests.

There are many possible reasons for the pain you are having:
1. Heavy lifting.
2. Have you done any vomiting recently? If so, it can pull the muscles between your rib bones (intercostal muscles) along with other muscles. When this happens to me, it hurts to breathe.
3. Gall stones.
4. Stress. Stress can do unusual things to your body.
5. ???

I hope you get to feeling better soon.

Answer 3

I don't know if this is right, but I had a similar problem at one time. I actually pulled my pectoral muscles, and it hurt just like that but on both sides of my rib cage. I couldn't laugh or sneeze without feeling immense pain. It also lasted for a couple of weeks. I pulled it from doing some weight exercise in which you pull you arms back; apparently I pulled too fast with too heavy of a weight. I don't know if this if your problem, but it could be.

Answer 4

Could be anxiety, or stress. Could be a really bad chest cold too. I suggest seeing a GP. The ER is really too busy to check every little thing out for you. Your family doc could take more time, and order more tests. Get your bum over there, and don't wait another two weeks!!

Answer 5

Hi there, i've had panic attacks before where i've been told they can feel like heart attacks. (i'm in my 30s) I turn really white and can hardly breathe. It helps if I walk around in circles and get some fresh air. See if that helps, if it doesn't you may want to see a specialist or your regular doctor to see if it may be something else. Good luck!

Answer 6

Go see a chiropractor a lot of back problems will affect your chest. I too had something similar and had the Dr check my heart and he said we have major nerves that run down the center of our chest that could cause it.

Answer 7

Brother?
Go to a doctor!

Answer 8

Pulled muscle, anxiety, chest cold. could be any of those. You need rest so it can heal.

Answer 9

could be an anxiety attack

Answer 10

DO U SMOKE?? DID THEY CHECK YOUR LUNGS? IF NOT HAVE THEM CHECK THEM,