Long term, unexplained chest pain
Posted , 235 users are following.
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
lisa24615 ji86
Posted
This post was made over a year ago but I am right in the middle of it! I have been fighting an unknown chest pain for about 3 years now. I have had some issues with GERD and I also have MVP. I've done everything under the sun including taking meds for both issues. I was recently scoped and I have esophagitis and gastritis. Still these problems havent always been there but the chest pain has. It has stolen my quality of life. I can hike and do anything I want and it seems to make the pain better. I have no idea what triggers it. I stopped all coffee and things that can trigger the MVP and I am on Prilosec for the other. Its not touched this pain. Sometimes it gets so bad I have to take something for pain and it helps. I'm at the end of my rope.....I've spent much time cryig over this. Has anyone had any luck finding out what might be causing this ghost chest pain?
Kwurtz33 ji86
Posted
I'm 30 and I have similar symptoms of this. I'm lost for words. I can go play basketball for 2 hours, or go workout and run a mile or 2 and feel fine. I get the deepest sharp pain randomly now for 6-8 months off and on. Some of the morr serious paid search come only when I'm sitting at the desk, doing nothing. It like hits me out of no where and freaks me out and makes me stand up and walk around. Been to 3 different doctors, calcium heart scan, PET scan, Holter monitor and doctor still says it's not heart related... wish I could get some feedback
TGrove Kwurtz33
Posted
Hi Kwurtz33,
I have the exact same symptoms as you. Everytime I go to the dr, they say it's not heart related, so go home. About 3 months ago it got really bad, so a different dr did a d-dimer test. It was super high and I ended up with blood clots in my lungs. Not sure if one was related to the other, but I believe the possibility exists. Just an FYI. Hope you feel better.
Kwurtz33 TGrove
Posted
TGrove Kwurtz33
Posted
I don't know if the two are related or not, but for a few years leading up to it I had the exact same symptoms as you do. Exact same. They kept telling me it might be gerd, it might just be chest muscles, etc. A d-dimer is just a simple blood test, but you have to have clots to have it register as high. All I know is one day the pains were much worse, and they found some blood clots in my lungs. Now I am on blood thinners (Xarelto). I'm not sure if the two are related, but the pain was similar and I can't help wonder.
TGrove
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joshuamang Kwurtz33
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Guys I have also the same problem as u!! One of the Doctor told me it is not about the disease or sickness!! It's all about your mind!! The problem or the issue in your body is Chest pain anxiety symptoms!! Try to rest in your house or hotel for one month!! Hope it could help u!! Don't think about anything or worry!! Just relax and read the Bible or meditate to God!! That's it!! Try it!!
Kwurtz33 ji86
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TGrove Kwurtz33
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They never found out why I had a pulmonary embolism, and I'm not saying that's what you have, I just want to make sure you are aware of it and aware of my story, because yours sounds so similar.
Kwurtz33 TGrove
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TGrove Kwurtz33
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No issues since I've been on the blood thinner (except some healing pains), but it's only been about two months or so, and I typically got those pains randomly every two to five months give or take.
Kwurtz33 TGrove
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Okay this is the last question I swear LOL did you do that D-dimer test right after you had an attack? Also I sometimes when I'm laying in bed I feel like I get restless leg syndrome, you felt like that happened
TGrove Kwurtz33
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TGrove
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My feeling is (but I can't be sure) is that the pains were smaller clots that took care of themselves, until eventually I had a bigger one (or more of them)
Kwurtz33 TGrove
Posted
ok cool, well I'm going to schedule an appointment and mention that test. I just want to figure it out, it's just lasted too long for not to be anything.
TGrove Kwurtz33
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