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Left side upper back pain... does this sound respiratory?

Posted , 3 users are following.

mel33039
mel33039

Hi, I am 30 years old, female. Have been a smoker all of my adult life... and some of my childhood. So for 15 years I smoked about 20 roll ups a day.

For about 6 months I have had chest pain. Seen my GP numerous times and have also been investigated for acute cause and anything immediately cardiac had been ruled out. Have been referred to cardiology clinic. The pain is to the left side on the front of my chest. Slightly to the left of my sternum. No change noticed on breathing. I do not have a cough.

3 weeks ago this pain changed and is now intermittently in the front, side and left side of my upper back. Sometimes feels like a stitch. I went to the gp 2 weeks ago and I had a wheeze on the left side. She gave me a ventolin inhaler. I did peak flow and scored 350 and I'm booked for spirometry on 28th.

I went back to the go on friday as the pain is still there. The wheeze is gone now but there is apparently slight crackles. I asked him if this is respiratory and he says he does not know. Suggest to continue pain killers and wait for spirometry.

I am concerned as this is getting worse and not better and has been going on for such a long time. I also feel like I am wasting doctors time by going there so much. Any input from anyone here would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • ptolemy
    ptolemy mel33039

    Posted

    Are you still smoking? If so giving up might help.

    • mel33039
      mel33039 ptolemy

      Posted

      No... Too little, too late maybe. I stopped smoking when I got the back pain.

    • ptolemy
      ptolemy mel33039

      Posted

      Fantastic. I hope you get things sorted out.

  • amkoffee
    amkoffee mel33039

    Posted

    I truly am sorry you're going through this and I don't care if you're smoking still or have quit. I just think that the person who made the comment was very insensitive. However I think that you're quitting is an excellent idea and I hope you can stay away from cigarettes. It's a hard thing to quit and even harder to keep from starting again. Has your doctor ruled out costochondritis? it's not serious but it can cause a lot of chest pain in the sternum area. That does not explain the sounds your doctor is hearing in your chest and that certainly is of a big concern.. good luck to you. I hope they're able to figure out what's going on soon.

    • ptolemy
      ptolemy amkoffee

      Posted

      I assume that your comment about an insensitive post was referring to myself. I was in fact extremely concerned about Mel continuing smoking. You were not to know but I used to be a smoker and this week my GP thought I might have lung cancer, so Mel giving up is very important to me. I should say that I found your comment about me being insensitive is extremely hurtful, particularly as I feel pretty low already.

    • amkoffee
      amkoffee ptolemy

      Posted

      You are correct I had no idea that you have been diagnosed with lung cancer nor that you were an ex-smoker. I too am an ex-smoker and isn't it great that all three of us have been able to kick that nasty habit.

      When you offered only one piece of advice and that was to quit smoking I took it to mean that you thought her problem could be solved merely by quitting smoking. it came across trivial and non-supportive to me. Much like my doctor would constantly bug me about stopping no matter what I went to see him for.

      I have accumulated three respiratory conditions, two of which were caused by my smoking. so like all of us I didn't quit in time. I certainly hope that you are able to conquer this Beast (referring to lung cancer). It's got to be a very frightening time in your life.

    • ptolemy
      ptolemy amkoffee

      Posted

      I have not been diagnosed yet. I am having xrays and blood tests and doctors' visits at the moment.

  • mel33039
    mel33039

    Posted

    Sorry I have not been back here I have just been feeling a but sad mainly with what's going on but quiting he fags hasn't improved my mood. I am pleased to say tho I've been a non smoker for 1 month today.

    I don't care if anyone is here to judge me. I just take no notice of unhelpful comments. Thank you guys for commenting on my thread.

    I don't think costocondritis, I am led to believe that this is actually a lung problem now I just didn't want to believe it! Smokers are optimistic people and always looking for excuses not to blame the fags. Even now a part of me is thinking... maybe it's all that bleach I use to use to tye dye!

    I have had spirometry and been back to the go today. My lung function is poor. My FEV1 is 65% and should be above 80%. So airflow is obstructed. I can't exhale all of the air I am taking in. The doctor said his is why I struggle to take a deep breath in.

    I have no diagnosis yet but have to go back for spirometry in 2 weeks. If worse then for respiratory referral.

    I never thought I felt short of breath but actually I do. I always put this down to being tired and unfit. Again the excuses of a smoker!!

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