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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
This Is A Real Pain In The Lung!!!
Answered by
CO
This forum is for questions and support regarding lung and respiratory issues such as: Allergies, Asthma, Bronchitis, Colds - Flu, Chronic Cough, COPD, Cystic Fibrosis, Emphysema, Fibrosis, Lung Abscess, Nasal Polyps, Pleurisy, Pneumonia, Sarcoidosis, Sinusitis, Tuberculosis.
This Is A Real Pain In The Lung!!!
by plaidanxiety, Feb 19, 2009 12:28PM
I am a 34 Year Old Male. I am a smoker, which I know is a bad start, but I'm going through a stressful time and need a vice. Regardless, I have been having an issue for about 2 years now intermittently with the left side of my lower chest. Without notice, I start to get a dull ache in the left side of my chest...just below my breast. It does not seem to be in the muscles as pressing in the area does not affect or change it in any way. Breathing does not seem to affect it, but smoking seems to increase the pain. I know....don't smoke. Easier said than done.
The pain is very dull, unlike indegestion or chostochondritis, both of which I have had. The pain usually lasts for several days to weeks and then subsides. Months later it will recur with no warning. I have had a chest X-Ray due to this issue in the past year or so with no problems shown at all. I suffer from anxiety on top of this, but anxiety pains are generally regulated to the muscles in my chest.
Any ideas or suggestions aside from quitting smoking? It makes me nervous and I would like a solid answer on what is happening inside there if anyone has an idea. Thanks for your time.
The pain is very dull, unlike indegestion or chostochondritis, both of which I have had. The pain usually lasts for several days to weeks and then subsides. Months later it will recur with no warning. I have had a chest X-Ray due to this issue in the past year or so with no problems shown at all. I suffer from anxiety on top of this, but anxiety pains are generally regulated to the muscles in my chest.
Any ideas or suggestions aside from quitting smoking? It makes me nervous and I would like a solid answer on what is happening inside there if anyone has an idea. Thanks for your time.
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish Health, Feb 27, 2009 05:40PM
, Feb 27, 2009 05:40PM
That your recent chest x-ray was interpreted as normal/negative after symptoms having been present for 2 years, is very encouraging and strong evidence against the pain being related to some type of lung disease. The possible causes of this dull pain, which does not worsen with pressure on the chest or with breathing, would include a heart problem, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) leading to low grade esophageal spasm, or pain related to nerve root compression as the nerves emerge from the spinal cord. That smoking worsens the pain would be compatible with either an atypical heart pain or reflux worsened by the smoking.
The first step should be to discuss this pain with your doctor, regarding the question of possible heart disease. He/she will be able to ask more relevant questions and, hopefully narrow-down the possibilities before proceeding with any diagnostic testing.
Good luck.
The first step should be to discuss this pain with your doctor, regarding the question of possible heart disease. He/she will be able to ask more relevant questions and, hopefully narrow-down the possibilities before proceeding with any diagnostic testing.
Good luck.
