Sudden Chest pain?

Question

I was awakened this morning by a SHARP pain right in the middle of my chest. At the end of each breath it would stab into my sternum. No other pain, no breathing problems, no problems when i went to sleep. I went to the dr. this morning, they say...maybe its digestion problem and give me meds for heartburn. I dont think thats what it is. I dont have heartburn or any burning sensation, its a sharp pain. I took 2 asprin and the pain get duller but didnt go away. Now its 10pm and It still hurts. Any ideas?? Im only 34, no High BP, no major health problems. I am overweight. I think maybe I slept wrong??? Please help!

Ok let me add a few things, I went to the dr in the a.m. , they did a quick EKG in office, said no abnormalities there. Pain comming from sternum I would say but pressing on it doesnt cause the pain. Hurts when i inhale, not exhale, right at the end of the inhale. I have gotton asthma when sick but this is not the same. I have no congestion, lungs clear. I dont feel sick at all, just strong pain. This morning I would say 8 out of 10 for pain, during day it flucuated between 2 and 5. Now, at midnight, Id say about a 4. Thank you for the great responses. I think it is some kind of torn cartliage but I dont know how I did it, except for maybe I slept wrong?

Answer 1

Your description is too vague . . . Where do you think the pain came from - lungs, ribs or sternum, muscles? By 'end of each breath' do you mean when you exhaled or inhaled? Can you make the pain occur by pushing with your hand on the spot where the pain comes from?

If the pain feels like it is coming from the sternum or ribs, then there's a good chance its caused by the joint where your ribs connect to the sternum - a condition called costochondritis. A rib can also slip out of place and cause this type of pain. Both of these thing usually go away on their own, but the problem can last for days or weeks before it clears up.

Chiropractors are good at fixing this sort of thing and they also can recommend some stretched to keep it from happening again.

Answer 2

http://www.womensheart.org/content/HeartDisease/heart_disease_risk_quiz.asp

That's what your doctor uses to determine whether or not you need to be seen by a cardiologist (heart specialist).

If you don't meet most of the criteria, then you aren't at a great risk. It doesn't mean you couldn't still have some sort of heart problem but it's highly unlikely.

I would want to rule out the risk of breast cancer. The criteria is similiar in that you aren't at high risk unless an immediate family member (mother, sister) have had it. Take this test:

http://www.cancer.gov/bcrisktool/

Do a self exam and have your gynecologist do an exam at your next Pap smear. Sometimes anxiety can cause chest pain. If you are still in pain in a few days or experience any of the symptoms mentioned on the above sites, please see your doctor.

Answer 3

Could it be possible you coughed really hard or stretched too fast in the wrong direction and tore a muscle attached to your rib cage?
If you start spitting up yellow stuff (bile) you might want to get checked out again and stop eating all fatty foods at night and cut out as much fat from your diet as you can, before you develop a gall bladder problem. The pain for that feels like it starts on the sides and works its way in to the center of the chest.

Answer 4

As soon as you hear "chest pain" you automatically think of a heart attack...thank God it wasn't that.
You should have seen some relief by this time if it was related to digestion so something else is going on.
If you don't go sooner, and you have the same pain in the morning, I'd make another appointment to see a different doctor and request an X-ray.

Answer 5

It sounds like an severe asthma attack. I've had those. (I'm not exactly the fittest either) If your overweight it can bring on a asthma attack. The first time I had one I thought it was indigestion but like you said the pain was in the back. ASTHMA IS NOTHING TO FOOL AROUND WITH. (don't mean to "yell" theres no bold sorry) My dr. told me with the pains I had he had seen people DIE with Asthma. You can get asthma at ANY age.

Go to your ER and ask for Ventalyn (not sure right spelling but is the name of the stuff) and you'll breath it in for a half an hour and right away you should experience relief

Answer 6

The questions is what was the last thing you ate...the same thing happened to me a few months ago...I'm only 26...I thought I was dying :) I got these pills called soothe...for heartburn and it helped me feel a little bit better and eventually the pain went away

Answer 7

Too many different opinions.Get it checked out properly by a doctor.

Answer 8

hi

you try to reduce your weight by exercising or eat less . maybe it will help. and rest well.

take care

Answer 9

sounds like a lung collapse.....are you tall and skinny...happens most often to this body type....go to the ER is your best bet...usually more intelligent drs there