Chronic pain on my left flank

Hello,

I am a 21 yr old male, and have been living with chronic pain on my left flank for more than 4 months.. I know that it started with stress. ( as at the time i was in the process of purchasing my first home) My BP and a burning sensation in my left arm got so bad one night that i rushed myself to the hospital thinking i was having a heart attack, after 5 hrs i was dismissed and it was diagnosed as a palpitation.. I have been to the doctor several times with no real diagnoses as to what this could be.. My GP has put me on 15mg of Buspar for anxiety and 6mg of Coreg for my BP. It has now been almost 5 months and my symptoms have not subsided.. I have a constant pain in my left arm, and the left side of my ribcage,from the nearest i can tell, right outside of my heart(especially after i eat) The pain will radiate into the base of my neck, my legs, and sometimes my right arm. If i strain i will get a severe pain in my sternum. (i suffered a severe injury to my sternum when i was 12) I never saw the doctor about my sternum and have lived with it for more than 9 years. My sternum feels as if it tries to come apart on either side when i strain to lift something heavy.

I have had numerous EKG's, a stress test, numerous blood tests, and an ECG, all tests have come back normal. I have no idea what could be causing this and am at a loss as to what it could be.
Also i was prescribed 200mg of Celebrex for my pain but never took it fearing the possible side effects... Should i take this?

Any help would be greatly appreciated
again thanks,
HW

[RLP]

Beginning 7/31/2000 pain began in the sturnum area along with extreme tenderness in the same area.  Diagnosis was to remove the gallblader (gallbladder).  This did not help, just gave me the same pain along with healing from surgery.  I have been to so many Dr.'s I can't count - I am not able to work.  Now if that wasn't bad enough, I started having kidney stones.  (I have read info about liver disease PBC Kidney stones can be a symtom).  About 1 year ago I had to have surgery to remove kidney stones that were too big to pass, followed by a stint (male, age 43).  While stint was in place I began having pain in my left side also, I mean severe pain - now both in my sternum and my left flank.  

One thing that had been unusual for years before, was a sensation when I drank Mello Yellow or a regular margarita (I would order strawberry and be fine).  The sensation was a paralyzing pain up the back of my neck and this took several hours to wear off and could start with only a couple of sips.  Since the pain in my chest started this paralyzing pain in my neck is very frequent without having either drink.

I am in bed 95% of the time - I have never had a chest injury - I was a very active guy - life of the party - dancing, dancing, socializing.  Now I don't want to see anyoneand very depressed; it is rare that I can even take my wife to dinner.  Both of us saw our quality of life change tremendously when this pain began.

A few more things about myself since:  I drank heavy for about 10 years; late 20's - early 30's.  I smoke 1 pack of cigaretts per day.  I have smoked since I was 20.  I have bloating at times just below my sternum (I will look like a pregnant woman).  My skin has become spotty on my face and I have strange calcified bumps on my forehead mostly.  This is going to sound outragous but I have had to have lots of dental work since this began, but right now I need 20 root canals!  I am weak, have no appetite and my memory is terrible and my joints ache more at times than at others.

I take 10 prescriptions per day, from helping with the pain, depression, indegestion and sleep.  I NEVER TOOK MEDS OR DRUGS BEFORE, I HATE THEM!  

Does anyone have any ideas?

[Annie62]

I would suggest you go back to your doctor and show him/her the calcified bumps on your forehead and spots on your face, and tell him of all your other symptoms-the chest pain/tenderness, etc.  If you are bloated/look pregnant, that could be from an accumulation of fluid in your abdomen, gastroparesis/slowed stomach emptying (probably unlikely, but anything is possible).  I'm sure your doctor would have some ideas.  I'd also tell them of your history of heavy drinking just in case it might be relevant.

In the meantime the best thing you could possibly do for yourself is quit smoking.  I'm sure you already know that and probably don't want to hear it, but as you know it is one of the worst things you can do to your body-your heart, your lungs, etc.  It is as stupid as standing over a gas pump and inhaling the fumes.  And if you are having unexplained/undiagnosed medical problems, you certainly don't want to add to them or copmlicate the picture.  

I smoked between the age 18 and 31 and was not successful in quitting until I got seriously ill at the age of 31 with unexplained chest pain, shortness of breath, etc.  It's funny how sometimes one takes their health for granted, feeling invincible, and then when good health disappears one realizes what a gift it is and that it should never be abused or taken for granted.  Good luck to you.