please help anyone

[chrissyb13]

hi
im 21 years old and for 3 months now i have had pain in my left arm shoulder chest and beneath my left breast i am worried it is a build up for a heart attack....... iv been to 3 diffrent doctors they say pinched nerve but i do not have the funds to do tests the pain has gone now to my left jaw is stiff and pain in the back of my head i really would like to get rid of the pain because i am scared can a heart attack take so long

[chrissyb13]

can it be lymth nodes as well?
the pain ***** it is affecting my daily life once iv been by the physio im sure he can tell me if it is a pinched nerve or muscle spasm if it is not then it has to be my heart

[scanclinic]

I think diagnosing heart assaults and heart disappointment manifestations is much more difficult in ladies than men. Their indications can be everywhere, while our own are a great deal all the more barely characterized. Also, yes, at times the related indications can exist for a considerable length of time (I truly think you may require a second therapeutic supposition, at any rate about the recommendation that a regulated anxiety test snared to an ECG would be important in flushing out heart shortcomings and issues.)

[achillea]

One of the most common causes of pain in the thumb and pinky is carpal tunnel syndrome, caused by an irritation of a nerve.  It is very common.  

You can google it for more information.

[des900]

i think its never related to heart as you can reproduce the pain and make it go away by pressing etc. also to confirm do an echo it will tell if main arteries near heart is working properly also valve function etc.

in my view its chest rib, muscle, skeletal related and doing a chest mri will better tell the reason why experiencing pain.

[ScalpMassager]

Have you had a stress test (supervised on a treadmill while hooked up to an ECG)?  I see that as an excellent test for you to inquire about at this point.

[des900]

stop smoking, drinking, illegal drugs (even antidepressents like 5htp comes under this).

reason why 5 htp and other serotonin raising drugs is bad is because serotonin produced outside body get stored in platelets and can cause heart valve problems if used for long term.  psychiatrist and other doctors won't tell about such info but all those can affect your heart.

[chrissyb13]

but iv been to 4 doctors and the pain comes and goes no family history of heart disease really and im sure it is mainly anxiety its been 4 months now and will stop smoking im sure ill be ok otherwise doctors and the ambulance would of picked up long ago just scared

[ScalpMassager]

I think diagnosing heart attacks and heart failure symptoms is far more challenging in women than men.  Their symptoms can be all over the map, while ours are much more narrowly defined.  And yes, sometimes the related symptoms can exist for months (I really do think you may need a second medical opinion, at least about the suggestion that a supervised stress test hooked up to an ECG would be invaluable in flushing out heart weaknesses and problems.)  

Once you've experienced an actual heart attack, the markers for that ought to be in your blood for a few days (but, so many people do not survive their first heart attack -- that's not a terrific diagnostic plan to rely on).

You say you feel like dying.  Because most of the pain is in your thumb?  Or because during such experiences you feel generally weakened, unable to fight back or feel at risk of succumbing?  I'm really apprehensive after seeing your earlier remark about "cannot smoke because I feel like passing out".    

For safety's sake and until this is resolved, I think you ought to give up smoking (the biggest immediate reason is that the nicotine's narrowing your arteries, and there may be something very wrong with your heart).

[chrissyb13]

but they said it was a muscle spasm feels like im dying all the time most pain is in my thumb and the pain is bad in my pinky sometimes pain in whole arm and numb sometimes when i move there is a sharp pain in my cheat but when i cough and breath heavily theres a sharp pain in my shoulder below my shoulder blade i am scared but i do belive i am going to stop smoking and get a cholestral test to be safe

[ScalpMassager]

" as well around 5 in the afternoon i cannot smoke because i feel like passing out "

You're referring to smoking nicotine containing cigarettes?  Nicotine's well known to constrict (narrow) blood vessels.  If you had dangerously narrowed arteries already, the nicotine might be constricting them even further.  If (as seems likely enough considering the faintness) those arteries were the ones supplying your heart, that's not good at all and is worth exploring.  I think an immediate step to consider would be to stop smoking (though the stress of withdrawal might counter the heart healthy benefits from the absence of nicotine).

I disagree with the above poster's remark about stress tests being of no use if you have not had or actively are having a heart attack.  A supervised stress test (while hooked up to an ECG), is imo, an excellent way to flush out suspected heart weaknesses (and, ought not be an expensive test).  And, that the heart recovery rate at the one and two minute points following maximum exertion during such stress tests, can be used as good predictors of the patient's risk of sudden cardiac death.

Some surgeons are pro-surgery (no surprise there), some doctors are not (at least not so much).  If weight were an issue or the issue, I do know that reducing weight down to a low normal healthy BMI range (from average to high normal) can substantially reduce blood pressure and blood lipids (fats), as that's my own experience.  I think that's because, with not so much fat throughout the body, the arteries become more clear of obstructing fat, allowing for more free flow of blood.

[SherryS316]

Yes, It can take that long or longer before an actual heart attack happens. At the age of 39 I started having chest pain and pain in my left arm it started out as mild pain in mid June of that year. I worked as a nurse and knew this was classic signs of a heart attack. I scheduled an appointment with my primary care Dr. I was told I was too young and too fit to be having a heart attack despite my long family history of heart disease. My Dr. said it was stress since I was going through a divorce and raising 3 boys on my own. As the days went by the pain increased until it was sever pain. It's a long story so I will try to shorten it by saying over the course of nearly 4 months I went to three different hospital's and 2 other doctors to be told that the pain was in my head,that my heart was fine. At all 3 hospitals I had blood test all come back negative, I had EKG's all negative, and stress test all negative. The pain became so bad that I could not function to do even the basic things. The only thing that gave me the slightest relief was taking a shower as hot as I could stand it, but the pain would return as soon as I turned the water off. Finally Sept. Labor day weekend I got to the point I could not stand , I felt myself just starting to fade out. I became so nauseated, but could not vomit, my skin color became a bluish grey. At this point I had been staying with my mother so she could help tend to my children plus she did not want me alone having seen the pain I was enduring. Anyway she decided to call 911, Lucky for me the other 3 hospitals closer to my home where I had gone over the months were all full because of the Holiday. So paramedics took me to Johns Hopkins the only hospital somewhat close to me that I had not yet been to. Almost as soon as I arrived I had an EKG done in the hallway, I was told immediately I was having a heart attack  a very big one and I need  to go to the Cath LAB ASAP! I questioned the Dr attending to me and asked "Are you sure"? I had been told by so many dr's over these last months that my heart was fine and the pain was just all in my head that Now I didn't believe this Dr. knew what she was talking about. Well I'm very blessed to still be here today. After my surgery the Dr's told my mother and my family to be prepared for the worst that his professional opinion was I most likely would not make it through the night. My mom loves to tell me this story.. how she told that Dr. that was just unacceptable and that he did all he could do and that i was in God's hands   and he will do the rest and she was not going to tell her daughter goodbye, as he suggested.Well as you can see I made it through that night and many more :). I spent 2 weeks in Cardiac ICU on a heart pump , that greatly increased my chances of survival. All those months of pain and being left untreated did much damage to my heart. Leaving me with heart failure among a host of other conditions.This past Sept.05 was 6 years since this happened and tomorrow I celebrate my 45th Birthday! I was told  I most likely wouldn't live to see 40 and when I did then I was told the life expectancy of someone with my condition is 0 - 5 years max. These last 6 years have been a real struggle, I have had 3 heart surgeries, 4 stents, a pacemaker/Defibrillator, 3 smaller heart attacks, 2 strokes , blood clots in my lungs, and kidneys.6 months ago I was in the end stages of Heart failure when I received a heart pump, for me since I'm not eligible for a heart transplant this has been the next best thing. It's not the life that I had pictured, but I will take it. :) I was able to see all 3 of my sons graduate High school , go to college and become self dependent. So I urge you or anyone that is experience chest pain, arm pain, etc and it does not go away don't let doctors write you off and tell you it's nothing"especially women". Insist they at least do an echocardiogram  or angiogram. Blood test, EKG's and stress test are of no use if you have NOT yet had or actively having a heart attack . Had the other hospitals have done one of the other test they would have seen i had a huge blockage and most likely prevented the heart attack and the damage that was caused and I'd probably be living a normal life today.

[achillea]

If you can change or produce the pain by pressing on it or moving or changing position, the rule is that it is NOT heart pain.  I repeat:  It is not heart pain--not a chance.

[chrissyb13]

the pain goes away when i press on the pain when and no when i press on my shoulder ect goes away can this be my heart tho?
there is a bone below my shoulder if you press it it hurts but takes the other pain away?
could it be heart related i am 21

[achillea]

This is important, so please think about your answers:

If you press on your chest or breast where the pain is, can you increase the pain there or make it go away?

If you move your left arm or shoulder, does that make the pain appear or change it in any way?

If you press on your arm or shoulder, does that make the pain start up?

Does the pain in any of these areas change when you stand, sit, or lie down?  If so, how?

If you are smoking and are worried about your heart, you absolutely must quit smoking.   Smoking pretty much anything will harm your heart, lungs, and blood vessels.

[chrissyb13]

as well around 5 in the afternoon i cannot smoke because i feel like passing out the doctor said it is a muscle spasm but can a muscle spasm cause these symtoms pain in left arm as well

[chrissyb13]

thank you iv had the pain for 3 months going on 4 and when i push on the painit hurts a little my face and jaw go a bit numb

[achillea]

Can you touch the painful spots?  I mean, does it hurt when you press on them?  Does moving or changing position have any effect?

[des900]

have you noticed a reduction in your weight recently?

it seem like the pain is due to inflammation of the ribs of the chest cavity and feel like chest pain but nothing to worry about, it will subside after some days. costochondritis is the word used for such condition you can search on internet for more info.

[chrissyb13]

thank you i went to the doctor said it is a muscle spasm still get lightheaded never did a ekg he said my heart is beating fine said i should go to a physio but can that affect ,y heart still get sharp pains tho?

[VICourageous]

Go to any drs office or clinic and tell them you are having chest pains. They will put you on the ekg and look at your heart rhythm and such. This will at least give you a yes or no there is something with the heart. If it is off they will have you do a nuclear stress test. You could be just fine and I think you are a bit young for heart issues. However, YOU never know these days and the way our food is put out here. I had 2 stents put in at 57 & had no clue I had anything wrong. They said it started yrs ago..Just know that there are different signs for Heart Trouble and I do no believe yours were one. It does sound more like what the Drs told you..BUT I am no Dr either. Just keep a eye on this and maybe do that easy test at any Dr office.
Bless