Persistent left side of chest pain.
Posted , 4 users are following.
I don't know what to do, I'm going crazy with this...
For months I have been experiencing pain on the left side of my chest, above my nipple, under my clavicle, in that area between in the middle. I feel a constant tightness & pressure & when I lightly push the region, it feels bruised & tender. When I'm walking around, I feel it constantly. I have had an echocardiogram, ECG, chest x-ray, 24 hour heart monitoring, CT scan & blood/urine test. Everything came back normal except for the CT scan which said my T4 & T5 vertebrae are fractured but healed & this was likely caused by a car accident I had 10 years ago. As a result of these fractures, I now have Schmorl's nodes in that area. The CT scan also showed a calcified node in my lung, which is not cancerous. Besides those findings, the report said they couldn't find anything to relate back to my chest pain. They found no evidence of pericarditis, myocarditis or anything that would affect that region. I dont know what to do because this pain is still here and it often feels like a heart attack impending. I understand that anxiety can be a factor in chest pain, but I don't feel that this is the cause. I am otherwise happy person & this chest pain has persisted for months. It is such a strange & concerning feeling. Even right now I'm lying in my bath & I can feel a burning sensation in the area & stabbing prickles accompanied with a tightness. I am pre-empting questions about my diet, so at the moment my diet is consisting of seitan, tofu, vegetables and oats to put it simply. I follow a plant-based diet. My blood work came back & my doctor was really impressed with the state of my health. I have no deficiencies, low cholesterol, everything is at perfect levels. Literally the only concern I have in my life is this chest pain & I keep being told that I am fine. After all these tests, the doctor wants me to have an MRI which is going to cost me $300 & I feel like it's gonna end up with them just telling me nothing is wrong & everything is fine again. This has gotten me to points where I've called an ambulance to the hospital because I felt like I was going to have a heart attack. I don't know what to do...
0 likes, 3 replies
regina66524 Anonymoose
Posted
Hello,
I'm sorry you are going through this. I'm also experiencing left sided chest pain. It is a tight pressure and sharp pain that extends through to my back and into my lower left throat. It almost feels like a mass is in there. I've also had numerous tests run that have been normal. For the past couple of days, I've been having one of the worst flare ups I have had and its scaring me badly. I don't want to go to the ER or a doctor because everything will probably be normal. Just thought I'd share my experience so you know you aren't alone. I hope you feel better.
Betablockr Anonymoose
Posted
I've been where you are and understand your struggle, if I was you for the sake of your own sanity speak with your doctor about long term pain relief. Such as Gabapentin/pregabalin. There can be a risk of dependency with them but this can me monitored and is safer than many other pain relives. They work mainly for nerve pain but can help all sorts of other pains.
I'd also ask for a endoscopy, where a small camera is put down your throat to check for any issues in the throat or stomach. I'd also check for a duodenal hernia which can mimic the pain of a heart attack. It sounds scary but it's a relatively easy to correct thing so don't feel panicked by that suggestion.
It's always a good idea to check out your family medical history too to see if anything was inherited.
In your blood tests are they any patterns, like mild inflammation markers, raised ESR etc.
I really hope you get your answers soon, stay strong and hang in there. Don't give up!
m13593 Anonymoose
Posted
If you can feel pain when pressing on your chest then it's most likely Costochondritis or Tietze Syndrome. It's harmless but can be very painful and mistaken for a heart attack. It causes inflammation in the cartilage that attach to the ribs and sternum and when it's severe enough, the inflammation can go through the entire left side of the ribs and into the left arm. There is a trigger point right between the breasts, so most of the pain will be felt there. It's debilitating and scary! You can try taking two ibuprofen or aspirin and see if the pain lessens.