Chest pain for 4+ months. Cardiology won’t see me any more?
Posted , 3 users are following.
I'm a 24 year old man who has been suffering with chest pains and general chest aches for nearly 5 months. I have been seen by cardiology and have had numerous tests done such as 24 ecg, chest echo and exercise stress test. All came back normal and I managed about 9 minutes on the treadmill. I had chest discomfort during the treadmill test but it was hardly noticeable and I sort of forgot about it during the exercise. Either way the EKG trace and blood pressure were ok.
Most days I have a low grade achy feeling in my chest that is with me even at rest. I can sit comfortable with this most of the time. When I get the more intense episodes of pain I am always at work doing a physical job in a warehouse. I can last about 3 days at work with this pain but end up ringing in sick due to the pain.
When I get a severe episode I feel hot in the face and my hands get clammy but I have no sweating and no shortness of breath but the pain is quite bad where I have to take deep breaths and try not to panic. This pain is NOT reproducible when I press on my chest although my left side always feels bruised after an episode of bad pain.
I know there must be a physical problem going on even though some doctors suggest anxiety which i am not convinced. I feel like requesting an angiogram or CT scan because I am fed up of being in pain.
1 like, 6 replies
pinkjude sean2395
Posted
I have asthma and have had a pain in my chest for a few months with normal ECG. I requested a referral to the chest clinic and had a CT scan yesterday. Have you pulled muscles during your job? I injured my shoulder once but felt the pain in my chest area for quite some time.
Have you had any blood tests? I had some done too and the specialist is querying inflammation in the oesophogus which can cause pain in the chest
Keep pursuing it because you know your own body and know when something is wrong
sean2395 pinkjude
Posted
I've not pulled any muscles in my shoulder. I don't think I have anyway. I do get the ache in my shoulder and down my arm but mostly in my left chest area.
I'm wondering if my pain could be down to acid reflux but I have previously taken a months worth of antacids which didn't really help me. I have an appointment with a doctor soon which my work has arranged because I'm missing a lot of work due to the pains.
Betablockr sean2395
Posted
I have been having the exact same issue. I'm 23 but heart disease runs in my family. My dad was diagnosed with angina at 21 so I'm incredibly worried. Iv had loads of blood tests and a few resting ECG's that came back clear, I have a 24 hour ecg tomorrow and a stress test on the 26th. Only abnormality in my bloods was elevated CRP at 40-60.
Been having bad chest pains, sometimes pain in my left arm and shoulder. Happens between the shoulders too. The pain does also sometimes effect my right side have you had the same? Iv also had really bad headaches and pain behind my eyes and neck is sore.
Sometimes I have the feeling like I need to cough but its not persistent I have all these wild thoughts that I have heart failure or angina etc
Have you had any of these symptoms, are you still having them or did you find out what it was in the end?
Wish you all the best!
sean2395 Betablockr
Posted
Hello yes I'm still having the pains but they are mild when I am at home and not really active. The pains do seem to come on mostly when I'm active; either at work or out and about. To answer your question I don't usually get pain on my right side usually in the centre to the left. The pain can be in my shoulder and down my left arm too. I have an appointment with an occupational health person tomorrow.
People keep hinting at anxiety but I am really not convinced. Just due to the duration of the pain and the nature of it. i.e - deep not sharp, gnawing.
sean2395 Betablockr
Posted
Hope you get sorted! I'm fed up.
Betablockr sean2395
Posted
Exactly the same happening to me, doctors saying it's anxiety but this pain wakes me up at night and is every hour or every day. Couple of out of hours GPs have said they think it could be auto-inflammation due to CRP. One suggested Fibromyalgia or cervical angina (where the nerve in the neck is damaged/trapped/irritated and mimics angina pain) I would suggest asking your GP to try amitriptyline if they are so sure it's anxiety, the reason being is it really helps with pain especially nerve pain, sleeping and headaches etc it also acts as a calcium channel blocker so relaxes the arteries so helps the heart. It helped my pain quite a bit but I had side effect but thinking if trying it again at a lower dose as apparently after a couple weeks the side effects pass. Might help you alot with the pain. Also talk to your GP about it being nerve or spine related. Can be surprised how much it mimics the heart.
Good luck!