Pain in upper/middle left side of chest

[Frankie99]

I'm 27 years old and have been having pain in the upper/middle side of my chest for about 3 months now.  The pain comes on suddenly, sharp at first and then duller as I'm taking a breath.  The pain has started when I'm just sitting there, when I've bent over to pick something up, laughing, etc. like non-strenuous situations.  Sometimes it lasts for 5 minutes, other times it lingers overnight to the next day.  I feel short of breath when I have the pain, but other than that feel pretty healthy.  I've actually gone and played floor hockey and the pain has gone away.  The nurse practioner said it's probably muscular and gave me Ibuprofin, but I've gotten it twice since I started taking it.  I would think it would be the other way around, pain while playing and go away while sitting there if it was muscular.  Any help would be appreciated!

[shawna251]

It could be esophogeal spasms. I have had them, and it is similar to what you are having. My doctor prescribed sublingual Nitroglycerin and it does help most of the time. Esophogeal pain does refer to your left side also. Have you had a cardiac workup to make sure it isnt your heart?  Just a thought.

[Frankie99]

I haven't had a cardiac workup, but the doctor listened to my heart and lungs and said they seemed fine.