Chest pain with no answers! What is going on?

Question

I'm a 24 y old female. I have had constant chest pain for about 5 days, and went to the ER on the 5th day when it increased and challenged me to breath. I had an EKG, a chest xray, and blood tests that came back fine. I was given vicodin for pain, but it didn't help. I followed up with my doctor two days later who suggested this ws a muscularskeletal injury, and prescribed muscle relaxers. I have been taking them along with motrin, and I'm not too sure that it's helping. The pain is stil there, but rather than being constant it comes and goes throughout the day. It has been overv a week since the pain started. Should I be worried? IF this is muscular, how long will it take to get better? I have had sore muscles previously and the soreness only lasted bout 23 days. What should I do? Please help.

Answer 1

Well, I know exactly what you mean. You have what is called costachronditis. This is an inflammation of the lining of your rib cage. It can be very painful and sometimes think you are having a heart attack, but of course you are not. My best advice, which works for me most of the time, is to lay with the heating pad on your chest. This will relieve the pain somewhat and also try drinking soda water or club soda. I hope you get to feeling better.
Good Luck and Good Health.

Answer 2

When you have a medical problem that doctors cant seem to get a handle on, the best approach is to become very observant about symptoms and keep a journal. Try to fine tune your description of pain: is it aching, burning, sharp or dull? What were you doing right before onset of pain first time? what makes it worse? what seems to ease it. Try some deep relaxation exercises, especially when you take any of the pain medicine, or muscle relaxers ordered. Even if all you take is Tylenol, deep relaxation can double the effectiveness and speed of relief.
Is the pain worsened when you make certain movements? bending ? twisting? Does the pain come on after you eat or when its time to eat? Does taking a very deep breath make it worse? or relieve it? Write down all your observations then make another appointment. If you have no confidence in your general practitioner to figure it out, after you've done these observations for a week or so and it seems related to food and eating, make appointment with a gastro-intestinal Dr. or if it seems related to movement get appointment with an orthopedic Dr. Its amazing sometimes how quickly a specialist can figure it out when its in his area of expertise.
I really hope you feel better. good luck.

Answer 3

Cramp.

I had this not long ago because I never exercise. When it first happened, I had a lot of difficulty breathing and could barely get myself out of bed.

It was very painful and I would not recommend it to anyone.

Answer 4

GERD (heartburn with reflux) can mimic symptoms of a heart attack. Have you tried an antacid? Get yourself some mylanta and some Tagament HB....see what happens. It may sound simple but I have had similar pain and it was associated with GERD.http://heartburn.about.com/od/gerdacidrefluxdisease/qt/gerd_symptoms.htm

Answer 5

Well, it sounds like a cardio problem has been ruled out. I've had similar pain, but very short-term. My layman's opinion is that it's probably muscular or nerve-related.

Answer 6

I would track the pain, when it comes and goes, and if it worsens or doesn't go away soon, go see your doctor again, and if your doctor cant give you any solid answer, I would recommend finding one who can.

Answer 7

Congestive Heart Failure

Answer 8

my sister went through this, it was weak chest muscles.