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Long term, unexplained chest pain

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ji86
ji86

Hi all

After struggling with docs for years over this I thought I would turn to the wider world some input. I am a 27 year old, healthy (enough) male who has been getting intermitment, iregular and infrequent chest pains on and off for around 10 years. 

During an 'attack' the pain can be quite severe and sharp - I guess a bit like being stabbed. The pain is localised to the left side of my sternum and feels fairly deep (i.e. it cannot be palpated). 

Attacks can last anywhere from a few seconds to a day or so, and tend to come in 'clusters' that can be present for up to a week. There can be months between each cluster of attacks (if you get my drift!).

Pain can sometimes be exacerbated when leaning forward, coughing, lying on my side or raising an arm (seems to always vary - and can sometimes not have any stimulators).

During a 'cluster' period and between attacks I can often feel a mild, underlying ache in my chest. This is easy enough to ignore however.

I have had ECGs and chest xrays that have all been fine, and am not affected at all during exercise - I can happily go out and run 10k with ease.

Doctors have in the past rulled out gastro refulx as there was no tenderness on palpation of my stomach area, although I have sometimes thought that attack can follow a big meal and be accompnied by burping (although this may be my mind tricking me). 

Muscolskeletal problems have been mentioned, but why would attacks come in clusters and seemingly out of the blue?

I am at a compltete loss and doctors have been no help. My wife is scared that I will just drop dead from a heart attack - and I am struggling to find new ways of reassuring her.

Any help/thoughts/insight/advice would be seriously welcome!

Thanks

 

20 likes, 457 replies

457 Replies

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  • sam80945
    sam80945 ji86

    Posted

    So I have been having chest pain, under my left breast feeling like it is in my ribs, for a few weeks now. It comes and goes but doesn't seem to be triggered by anything. If I inhale it will hurt very much like being stabbed (I would assume, I've never actually been stabbed thank goodness!). I also have pain in my RIGHT shoulder which i wasn't sure if it was related and now lower back pain also. The urgent care couldn't find anything through x-ray or EKG, so they chalked it up to a musculoskeletal problem and gave me Flexeril. That didn't make a bit of difference. I went to see a doctor in my primary care physician's office and he decided it was anxiety or heartburn and sent me out with Prilosec. Also no noted changes. Just last night I felt it begin again and my right shoulder was achy. I reached my right shoulder back behind my head and pushed down on my elbow and there was a pop in my chest where the pain was! But it was instantly relieved. Now anytime since then that the pain in my chest has returned I can relieve it by doing that...but it doesn't pop as it did before. I guess I'm sort of confused and wondering if anyone has had anything similar to this. I read through the thread but no one seemed to mention as I did about the shoulder issue and being relieved if they tried that....any input is helpful. I have ANOTHER dr appointment Monday morning and if they cannot help me I'm considering a chiropractor because this is absolutely miserable.

    Thanks!

  • mattymx27
    mattymx27 ji86

    Posted

    Check out Tietze's syndrome, I too suffer the same effects as you and have done for 10 plus years, I've had all relivant tests to rule out bigger problems and all have come back okay

    • john84288
      john84288 mattymx27

      Posted

      Have your pains topped or have you been able to controll it has any bodie been helead from this
  • theladstey
    theladstey ji86

    Posted

    Hello smile

    i've been having severe chest pains constantly for the last 3 months.  They started the day after I was sick after a night out drinking too much.  At first I thought it was because of a hangover but it didn't get better.  As it was my chest I naturally started worry about everything.  Numerous trips to doctors and A&E and we are starting to get there.  5 ECGS.  Nothing.  An ECG Stress Test.  Nothing.  Blood clots ruled out.  Blood work is all completely normal.  My doctor has prescribed PPIs thinking it could be GERD related.  Also was told it could be anxiety but it came on suddenly and I don't think it is but I'm on anxiety meds as well.  Another visit to A&E this weekend as its hurting when I breathe.  Everything ruled out.  Also referred to the Chest Clinic.  I have an appointment with the GI Consultant on Wednesday and they Chest Clinic in a few weeks.  Hopefully they will find what it is and help me.  If not, it may all be in my head.  If anyone has any other ideas then feel free... Pain is centre to left and right through to my back.  Not an oww that hurts pain but a 'theres something not quite right' pain.  Now I know I am not on my own which is reassuring!

  • john84288
    john84288 ji86

    Posted

    I have the same issues to the t loke everyone else feels good to know im not alone it is very scary and we need a cure asap.

    Hard to sleep eat ive quit smoking and eating healthy still no change meeting with a heart doctor yhis wensday im gonna tell him about all these cases i will return with good news.

    Good luck and god bless you guys if anyone knows your pain i do i almost rather not live then deal with this everydah but my babies need me we need a cure fast

  • john84288
    john84288 ji86

    Posted

    Water you guys down about two cups of water no matter how sick you fill or depressed took ky chest pains away almsot instantly and i have the same issue for a year just foind that today
  • JessieL
    JessieL ji86

    Posted

    Hi I know it's been awhile however I've been experiencing this same pain Left, Center and right down arms for 6 years on and off... Could have swore many times that I was having a Heart Attack however EKG after EKG, Stress Test after Stress Test, and even Heart Cath I am being told that My Heart Looks Good and they are almost 100% positive that it's not my heart. However I hurt all the time and Now it's caused me to begin having Anxiety Attacks and PTSD and I'm on Lyrica, Nsaids, and even Ativan and nothing seems to work....... PLEASE HELP SOMEONE

    • alex37559
      alex37559 JessieL

      Posted

      Hi Jessie. I'm having the exact same problems as you - I've had every medical test you can name and still nothing has helped. Medication doesn't seem to be helping either. I've had the same pain in the same area for coming up to 4 years now.

    • JessieL
      JessieL alex37559

      Posted

      Hey so have you ever Heard of Tietze's syndrome. I just for the first time heard of it a minute ago and to a tee it kind of explains what's going on check it out just Google it and then let me know what you think.....

    • alex37559
      alex37559 JessieL

      Posted

      I've spent the last 4 years typing my symptoms into Google and everything that comes up could be what I have. The only thing I can rule out is heart attack because I would have been dead by now! Doctors are no help at all they just keep prescribing different medicine that isn't working. Do you live in constant pain or does it come and go?

    • john84288
      john84288 JessieL

      Posted

      The er to me seems like they blow everyone away its not life threating so they send you away not knowing or caring how much this affects your life do you have any remedes to relif the pain also a chiropractor one of the best for these going to see mine tomorrow ill let you know. As well as a cardiologist and a sports and medicine doctor i cant live like this and i always forget when it gos away but when it comes back its a constant slap in the face good luck
    • alex37559
      alex37559 john84288

      Posted

      Couldn't agree more John. I saw a cardiologist for the first two years. He then basically said there was nothing more he could do. Where do you get your pain?

    • john84288
      john84288 alex37559

      Posted

      Ive never had pain in the back noticiable. But my pain. Comes from the center of my chest and right below my breast it last up to 3 or 4 days constant then will go away when im active or forget about it it only started at night then became very frequent threw out the whole day i to have been to the er twice both times 100 percent i wasnt having a heart attck or any enzymes never had a cat scan xrays ekgs all fine they belive i tore a mucle but i know this has gave me ptsd and anxiety but i try to confirt myself saying im not gonna die. Which hepld with it beating fast but the constant pain for 24 hours and discomfort i can do for 2 4 or 12 years this affect my life bad espicially the first 2 days of the attack i dont fill like slepi g eaiting or doing anythibg in life which is a big problem and get a depressed felling when im hurt like this
    • john84288
      john84288

      Posted

      And seing a cardalogist and getting the ok shoupd be good means your hearts ok make sure you get 2 diffrent advices from them but do you fill its muscular or heart cuz im pretty sure ita muscular with me but im going to see the cardiologist tommorw just to make sure i did everything i could to delete all chances of it bieng heart. But im even whelling to have them open me and see thats how bad im in pain and constant and nothing works to heal it nothing water realif it momentarily but im still fighting even though its hard
    • alex37559
      alex37559 john84288

      Posted

      At first they were convinced it was pericarditis. No one has ever been able to tell me what it is or where the pain is coming from. I've seen a pain specialist and no one has been any real help. It is ruining my life. Scared to go away on holiday, can't go out with mates because they don't understand my pain. Recently been suffering from panic attacks too. All round it's not good.

    • john84288
      john84288 alex37559

      Posted

      Thats so scary im no doc or anything but ive also noticed everyone in these discusiion i take place in either got it done with a acupuncture or chiropracter or look and brought ideas to there doctors no ones who been heales from this has walked in and got fixes or been giving help properly unless they come in saying how about this how about that stay positive i was down hearing people have had to deal with this for 12 15 years plus.with no cure or a way to subdue the pain then i hear peoplw who demanded there life back and got it stay poaitive and rwmeber its your life not theres im juat hopefull men im not leaving any of these three office without bieng fixes or giving an answer theres nowl way ive ran int o more than 500 people with this problem and not one doctor can figure it out look into going to a sports medicine doctor get a full physicall of your bones muscles and joints thell figure you out problem with the doctors is they sewm to never figure out things tell its to late. I fill i have done more for me than the er did all they said if it gets worse come back not a referall to a cardioligiat he said he beilives its my muscle no medicine no pain killers no hey go see a sports doctor there more trained in the muscle i had to do all this research myself keep it up my friend and im here to help hopefuly we can get this fixed do you have constant for 24 hours straight is it every single day or come for 3 days to month then gos away maybe for a few days a few years then comes back ?
    • Beezer
      Beezer JessieL

      Posted

      I am not saying this is what you have BUT you may want to look into Coronary Microvascular Disease..also known as small vessel disease or cardio syndrome X. It's very tricky to diagnose...most standard tests miss it.

      I have it. I was first diagnosed with pericarditis (which it wasn't) then possible PE (wasnt) then GERD (wasnt) costrochondritis (wasnt) then anxiety (wasnt). My symptoms were very much heart attack symptoms...chest discomfort, chest pain, pain in left arm, shoulder blades and mid back. It would come and go and be worse AFTER exercising (like hours after). I have extreme fatigue at times and shortness of breath. My pain is not made worse by breathing nor can it be reproduced my touching anywhere. My pain is made worse by household activities like cleaning, folding clothes, etc. Check it out and see if your symptoms fit. I hope they don't but it's good to know all possible causes of chest pain/angina.

    • mattymx27
      mattymx27 Beezer

      Posted

      Hi I have all these symptoms and have suffered for years, and recently been feeling like I get a random block in my throat for a second when I breath in! Just wondering what tests you had for them to diagnose Coronary Microvascula thanks 23 yr old male
    • mattymx27
      mattymx27 john84288

      Posted

      Mine vary day to day they never last long 30 mins at most, but come off and on throughout the day sometime's worse than others, I feel they affect my breathing sometimes but I'm trying to believe its anxiety as the doctors are saying, I've had blood tests, ECG, 24hr ECG, chest X-ray, and all clear, it's mind boggling really as I've had them for years, but they got more prominent over the last 3 months, if I find anything at all that helps I'll be straight back to help I'm not giving up smile

    • john84288
      john84288 mattymx27

      Posted

      I cant either its affecting my everyday life my pain not to bad but i have constant pressure in my chest and have had all the blood work and ecg as well i do fill anxiety and wake up everymorning embracibg the pain even if i dnt fill it i kinds fill l8ke i bring it on i have a doctor's appointmnet tommorow i just left the er yeasterday but the thing that geta me i know it will go away but it comes back so often

    • Beezer
      Beezer mattymx27

      Posted

      23 is awfully young for such a medical run around! I'm sorry you are going through this. One test that MIGHT show it is an MRI stress test with Adensoine stress injection. The only gold standard test is called a reactivity cath. If I were you, I'd ask if you can try Nitro to see if it helps with pain. Actually, I'm almost positive you can go into any pharmacy and get nitro tabs over the counter. Try nitro...if it works...you may be onto something. Nitro does work for more than just cardiovascular issues...and the doctors will tell you that. But no matter what this is you have, if nothing has helped ease your pain...nitro could be worth a shot!

    • ensmartened
      ensmartened john84288

      Posted

      On the subject of seeing your chiroptractor, that's a good, first step to ruling simple things out. The Chiro can make sure your speleton is aligned properly and that you have no subluxated ribs. This can feel pretty painful,at times. Ribs are meant to be flexible as they assist in breathing and can nudge out a bit from exercise, coughing or even sleeping "wrong".

      But a Chiropractor isn't a medical doctor and doesn't have the knowledge base to accurately diagnose things which are unaffected by misalignment. Definately start there but make sure you continue on to other specialists until you find out what's wrong. Good luck.

    • john84288
      john84288 ensmartened

      Posted

      Chiro should be last step u need to make aure you are not having anything seriouse i whent to a cardiologist and all thw doc once i was cleared i whent to a chiro my doctors told me i nothing about one they coupdnt even figure out what was wrong they just new i wasnt having a heart attack or had a bad heart. Had pain constant no stop for 5 days and when to chiro and felt instant relllif.

      Inflamation in chest from muscle to ribs. I couldnt live like that for anylonger and needed something and all though its gomna take a while for the swelling to go down i fill better day bye day and visit bye visit

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