should I get a second opinion?

[shiseido_faerie]

I don't really know what to post this under...I'm a 22 year old female, im fairly healthy, although I have slightly high blood pressure and I suffer from a panic disorder...about two weeks ago I had a panic attack that left me with this feeling in my upper right chest, all around my breast but mostly just off the centre to the right, it just feels bruised almost, tender to touch and occassionally a dull pain like somone poking me is the only way I can describe it. I went to the doctor after this had been going on for a week and he pressed on my chest and basically told me it had something to do with the "chest joints" and that it was nothing to worry about. Its now going on week three and I know that without examining me you cant tell me what it is but I was hoping you could tell me whether this truly sounds like something to not worry about or whether I should seek a second opinion.  Thanks very much for any info!
Nikki

[jan]

I have had costochondritis for 4 yrs now.  It has gotten to a tolerable level of pain and is very infrequent now.  I will admit to getting 3 shots in my chest and then 3 in ribs.  They really made a difference. I saw a rheumatologist for it.
I have had the feel'g of a heart attack only once, but ignored it, knowing I have costo. and seeing I see my cardio/ep every 6 mos.  
I have a young friend with it and she often feels like she is having a heart attack.  She has had it longer than I have.

I have been told that it is often a diag given when they haven't got a answer, too.  I don't know how true that is, but it scared me. LOL  

Here is a link to a costo. forum:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/costo/

[itsa4847]

costochondritis I HAVE HAD THIS AND IT IS VERY PAINFUL ESPECIALLY TRYING TO GET IN AND OUT OF BED.  HOW EVER I WANT TO SHARE MY QUICK STORY I WAS DIAGNOISED WITH HEART CONDITION 15MONTHS AGO WITH A HEART CATH.  AND AFTER 3 MORE HOSPITAL STAYS AND I CANT TELL YOU HOW MANY ATTACKS TO THE ER INCLUDING ONE NOT EVEN IN MY HOME STATE.  THAT THE LAST TIME I WENT TO THE HOSPIAL MY REGULAR DR. FOUND ME A NEW HEART DR. WHICH SAID NO WAY WAS THIS FROM MY HEART.  I HAD SO GASTRO TEST DONE ONE INCLUDING THE TUBE DOWN YOUR THROAT WHILE ASLEEP AND THE OTHER THE TUBE TO CHECK THE PRESSURES OF THE ESPHOSGAS GUESS WHAT THAT IS WHAT IT WAS THE WHOLE TIME. NOW I TAKE PROTONIX (LIKE THE PURPLE PILL) AND AMAZING IAM 95% BETTER. I NEVER ASSOCIATED IT WITH FOOD CAUSE I WAS NOT THINKING IN THAT DIRECTION, EVEN THOUGH TWICE I ATE SPAGHETTI AND ENDED UP IN ER AND WE LAUGHED CAUSE IT WAS SCHOOL FOOD. (I WORK AT SCHOOL)  SO THE OTHER THING THAT HAPPENS CAUSE I HAD A MINOR ATTACK IS MY ARM GET NUMB AND FUNNY BUT THEY TOLD ME THAT IS BECAUSE WHEN I GET AN ATTACK I BREATH ABNORMALLY AND IT CAUSES MY BLOOD GASES TO CHANGE WHICH BUILDS UP TO MUCH CARBON IN BLOOD WHICH WHEN THEY DID THE ARTERIAL BLOOD TEST IT WAS BAD! SO I WOULD ADVISE THAT YOU GET ANOTHER ADVISE.  OH PS. DID I MENTION I HAVE PANIC DISORDER I HAVE ANXIETY AND TAKE KLONIPIN. HOWEVER, I HAVE NEVER EVER HAD THIS WHEN I HAD A PANIC ATTACK.  AND I ONLY GET THEM FOR SOME REASON  WHEN I DRIVE.  OR GET IN A CLOSED IN SPACE.  SO I WISH YOU WELL I WENT THRU THE MILL AND HAVE BIG BILLS NOW AND EVERYTIME I WENT TO THE ER I ALWAYS HAD NORMAL EKG'S AND NORMAL HEART BLOOD TESTS. BUT IAM SO HAPPY THAT THEY FINALLY FOUND MY PROBLEM.  GOOD LUCK TO YOU
LYNN

[Ianna]

Hello Nikki,
-
This might be of interest: -'Costochondritis is a syndrome of chest wall pain that is due to inflammation of the cartilage and bones in the chest wall.
Also called Tietze's Syndrome, costochondritis means that the aera of the junction of the rib bones, breastbones and the associated cartilage has become inlamed.'-
-
Go to GOOGLE's search-engine and look for: -costochondritis tietze's syndrome-  you'll find more info.
-
Tietze's syndrome can 'feel' like you have a 'heart-problem'.
I myself have suffered from it.
It takes a while to heal.
-
Just an idea...   -  stay well  - *Ianna*

[CCF-M.D.-RCJ]

Nikki,

Thanks for the post.

Persons with panic disorder frequently describe abnormal symptoms in their chest at the time of attacks, but it is strange for this type of discomfort to continue for three weeks.  

One cause of continued chest pain in the location you describe, and with tenderness to the touch, is costochondritis, which means inflammation of the rib joint(s).  It usually goes away without intervention in several weeks.

Thankfully, it is uncommon for a 22 year-old to have a cause for chest pain that is serious.  Nevertheless, continued chest pain needs evaluation.  A "second opinion" would be appropriate, but this does not necessarily mean from a second doctor.  If you liked the first doctor, give him/her a second chance.

Good luck.

[hbp702]

You are a 22 year old woman with hypertension.

Did you ever get worked up for secondary causes of hypertension?

If not, get a doctor who will give you those tests.

Get a second opinion in any event.

And remember, medicine isn't an exact science - no doctor has all the answers.

[hbp702]

Oh, here is a good rule of thumb:

If you think you might need a second opinion, then you do need one.