left breast pain 3yrs

[gobler]

3yrs ago, I started having sharp pains in my left breast along with pain in back shoulder and heaviness in chest area. I went to ER and was checked out for heart problems (ekg,stress test) no problems were found. Other doctors visits - possible pulled muscle or torn cartilage. Pain pills given - but pain still returns. Was told "cancer is not painful" so no need to do tests.
After 3yrs of ongoing/reoccuring pain, I am concerned it could be more than a pulled muscle. Just curious to have another opinion!

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear gobler:  Pain that travels to the shoulder and back and that causes heaviness in the chest is not a "typical" presentation of breast cancer.  Without evaluation, including a physical examination, we cannot speculate as to the cause of your pain.  You need to see your doctor for evaluation.  

[cyn17]

How interesting to hear this. I experienced the same thing about a year ago...went to ER twice in 2 days, had ALL the tests, and...nothing. The doctor decided that it must have been a tight muscle in the back that was pinching nerves that wrap around to the chest. I did have a specific area near my shoulder blade that was sensitive to touch. Good luck figuring this out!

[healthcareguerilla]

A couple of things to try.  Cut out caffeine.  Also have someone check for trigger points -- those hard knots one gets -- no, don't see just 'someone' -- pay to see a massage therapist - someone who knows about myofascial release.  

There are exercises which will help tremendously.  Also, if there's a lot of congestion in the muscles, a saline injection is sometimes used, and that you would get from a physician who is clued into myofascial release, if called for.

I did not have the saline injection, but cut out caffeine, had a friend work on the trigger points, mine in the left trapezius, muscles in my back, and did the exercises.

[healthcareguerilla]

PS With myofascial release, as with any action, including massage, that 'gets things moving', be sure to assist by drinking plenty of water immediately afterwards, and throughout the next few days.  (We should all drink lots of water, anyway).

[cyn17]

Good point regarding massage therapy. I failed to mention that I did follow up with weekly massage for a few months (my insurance covered it) and it did help loosen things up in my back. Tight muscles in the back can affect so many areas of the body, including causing pain in the chest and breasts.

[boninclyde]

Is there any swelling in the breast or is one larger than the other?

[boninclyde]

Is there any swelling in the breast or is one larger than the other?

[volsfan]

I too have reoccuring pain in the left breast and shoulder and even down into the arm at times.  When this happens I usually find that my heart rate goes up.  I have been to the er several times.  The last time they kept me for two days and did bloodwork, echocardiogram, heart cath, and ekg.  All came back normal. When this happens I usually have burning in my esophagus also.  The doctors said they believed it to be possibly a muscle coupled with stress and acid reflux.  Still get the pain but if I massage on the shoulder will go away.  (Even been to a chiropractor)

[jodixonmsn]

I am very interested in what everyone is saying.  For the past 10-12 days I have been experiencing pain in the side of my left breast.  The pain is also in my lower left shoulder blade.  It seems to wrap around in a sense and feels very muscular.  I have been asking my husband to rub my back and the muscles are obviously twisted up.  
I do have breast implants and was wondering if it could somehow be related.  
Ironically, I was just diagnosed with GERD as well.  I am 34 years old and other than muscle aches and pains am relatively healthy.  I must admit I do always fear the worst; so I have been a little paniced about breast cancer or some other form of muscular cancer.  I would love any insight any of you could provide.  I am trying to avoid running to the ER.

[Haileys Mom]

Hi, I too, have been having left shoulder pain (a vertical area mostly, and under armpit and top of arm) and left breast pains. The pains could be explained as sensations, shooting pains, twinges, or a slight dull ache that comes and goes, almost everyday for 2 months now. It seems to have come out of the blue. Because I get so worried, I sometimes get heart palpitations, which I have had before, but I have had an EKG and echocardiogram, so that's all fine.

Dr. can't give me a definite answer, but seems not too concerned, saying it's possible myofascial pain in shoulder, due to nerves/muscles/trigger points??? Or, combination of poor work posture (work over a microscope 8 hrs. each day for ongoing total of 10 years now.) and constant stress on shoulder area from picking up 1 year old daughter repeatedly. Still, it's strange!

Also, per my request, he sent me to get a diagnostic mammogram, and that came out good, no problems. Didn't even need to ultrasound, apparently. I also suggested a chest xray to rule out lungs, pleurisy, tumor, etc. That came back good as well. At one point I drove myself to the ER when dr. was on vacation (during my lunch hour!) and was told 'nerve' or 'muscle' issue, arthralgia was the generalized term on release form, for which I was given 10 Elavil pill... only took one and pain went away but came back about 3 weeks later. Don't want to band-aid fix a problem... so I haven't taken any Elavil since either.

Pain moved to back and middle of chest a few times, but didn't last long there. After repeated phone calls to dr. and some use of Ibuprofen, and dr. reassuring me, I've come to the conclusion that I must stop worrying, and trust the results of the tests.

I'm hoping this all goes away, as some days seem fine. Good luck to us all! It's nice to see I'm not the only one with odd aches and pains.

BTW, I am turning 39 years old and have been in excellent health leading up to this.

[Tina910]

Hi, I am relieved to have found this board. I am having the same exact issues(Hailey's mom)you described what I feel to a T. I had the mammogram done, blood work, numerous trips to the ER just knowing I had something wrong. Every test came back fine. I was still not satisfied and I went to the best breast specialist I could find. He said it was a pulled muscle and nothing more. I do have a disabled child and a baby that I pick up all the time. I am trying to trust that this is all it is. He just told me to take ibuprofen. It's been bothering me for 2 months now.

Tina

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