neck & chest pain

[msT264]

Hi,
For the past couple of days, I've been having this ongoing neck & upper chest pain! It becomes really painful when I bend over. When I lie down it feels like I'm going to sufficate. When I'm talking, it becomes painful when I inhale & I have to pause & inhale slowly. It doesn't hurt when I swallow, only when I'm taking deep breaths! And when I'm taking deep breaths, it feel as if someone is choking me! The pain is only in the front of my neck & it's constantly ongoing. The pain in my chest is on & off, & it's just below the front of my neck & it becomes more painful when I lie down. I went to the ER 2 days ago & they ran test to rule out my heart. I am anemic but then they said my magnesium level was low. I've never heard of a magnesium level! But I'm still in pain & at times it get worse. What do you think could be causing this?

[Christopher R Newey, DO]

Thanks for using the forum. I am happy to address your questions, and my answer will be based on the information you provided here. Please make sure you recognize that this forum is for educational purposes only, and it does not substitute for a formal office visit with a doctor.

Without the ability to examine and obtain a history, I can not tell you what the exact cause of the symptoms is. However I will try to provide you with some useful information.

First of all, it is good that you had your chest evaluated for cardiac causes of pain. Chest pain can be of many qualities. The classic quality of cardiac pain is squeezing sensation as if an “elephant is on the chest”. The pain also classically radiates to the left side. The typical workup for this is cycling cardiac enzymes, EKG, and if indicated, a left heart catheterization. Since this workup was negative, you should follow up with your primary care physician to address other potential causes of chest pain, which can include anxiety, gastrointestinal disorders, and musculoskeletal pains, to name a few. With regards to musculoskeletal chest pains, the pain is typically more superficial/anterior. The pain may be reproduced with pushing on the areas of the pain. There are many causes of this type of pain including muscle pains between the ribs, thoracic/cervical neck dysfunction, inflammation of the tissue at the site of pain, etc.

Again, I would suggest you follow up with your primary care physician. If the pain is believed to be of the musculoskeletal system, you may benefit from a referral to a chiropractor or osteopathic physician who performs osteopathic manipulative medicine.

Thank you for this opportunity to answer your questions, I hope you find the information I have provided useful, good luck.

[msT264]

Thank u so much, I'm presently awaiting an appt date!