Pain in Chest?

Question

I have this stabbing, sharp pain in my chest, every time I take a deep breath and it hurst really badly. I was diagnosed with costochondritis about a month and a half ago, but it went away within a week, when i leaped out of bed one day because i was frightened. Now, the pain is back and as bad as ever. I'm beginning to think it is not costochondritis, though, because my chest/rib area is not sore/tender to the touch. My only symptom is severe pain when I take a deep breath. It is very miserable so if someone could please help me I would appreciate it.

Would a chiropractor help?

I also think i was misdiagnosed initially with costochondritis because how could that be healed so suddenly by jumping out of bed? I'm beginning to think it is more muscular. I forgot to mention that it hurts more when i bend over and lie down.

I got a chest x-ray a month ago and it was fine. i also got an ekg which was fine as well.

Answer 1

Costochondritis does involve the muscles of the ribs, so you're right...it is partialy muscle. Your pain does sound like costochondritis, although it could be something else since you don't have the rib tenderness. You should go back to the doctor and tell him that the pain is unbearable. Perhaps he can refer you to a physical therapist who can help, or to a pain clinic. Have you tried Ibuprofen or other NSAIDs? They should be helpful if you have costo.. However, if it is caused by an infection, you'll need antibiotics to treat it.
You shouldn't have to live with such severe pain. Go back to your doc and ask him for a referral to help you get relief.

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

Costochondritis is often physician shorthand for "the patient has a mechanical, structural, or orthopedic problem in their thorax, but I don't have a clue beyond that!"

Seriously, what you are describing could possibly a mechanical problem with the thoracic spine. When you jumped out of bed you may have given yourself the equivalent of a chiropractic manipulation, which gave you some relief. You would not necessarily be tender to the touch in the area, because it would be referred pain.

If there is a chiropractor your family trusts, that may be the way to go. Or, an experienced physical therapist would be another option. (You do want an experienced PT, as the chest is a downright confusing place!)

Go to APTA.org, click on "find a PT", and search your home area. You will likely want someone who is board-certified in either orthopedics or sports PT (OCS or SCS after their name).

Good luck!

Answer 4

I don't think a chiropractor would help this. Pain when you breathe is usually a sign of some sort of respiratory problem, or maybe a rib fracture. I would suggest going to the ER and getting some x-rays. The doctor can also determine if you have a respiratory infection (like pneumonia). Good luck.

Answer 5

I have frequently "jumped on people" for reporting in a casual manner the classic Heart Attack symptoms of chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, sweating, etc. Heart attack classic chest pain presents as crushing (not always), or heavy. It is not usually described as sharp, stabbing, related to respirations, and brief, not to mention the above symtoms. The Docs diagnosed you with costochondritis, and nothing you have said would suggest otherwise.

Answer 6

If you think the pain might be your heart, make an appointment to the doctor so they monitor your heart (EKG test) and check your pulse. Another thing is anxiety can cause chest pains.

Anxiety - Intermittent, sharp, stabbing pain behind the left breast. Other findings precordial tenderness, palpitations, fatigue, headache, insomnia, breathlessness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and tremors.

It could be other things such as: Cholecystitis. herpes zoster (shingles), interstitial lung disease, mediastinitis, mitral valve prolapse.

Try researching those and see a doctor.

Answer 7

i dont trust chiropractors. it may be related to your lungs or the costchondritis. go to the doctor and tell him your symptoms dont let him send you home without some sort of resolution. are you short or breath? what helps the pain? what aggrevates the pain? maybe a chest x ray is needed. good luck

Answer 8

Go back to the doctor and get re-diagnosed. If you want to try a Chiro after that, make sure you get a referral (there are a lot of quacks out there). Try to find a holistic healer/chiropractor.

Answer 9

go get a different option from other Doctor