problem with lungs or heart?

[dlmere]

I have had upper left chest pressure (In the same place) on and off since right before Christmas. It is not on exertion.  I have been to my primary care physician and I have had an echocardiogram done, which she said was normal, a chext x-ray and upper GI, which were both normal as well.  She was going to send me for a CAT scan of the chest but my insurance company would not pay for the test because my chest x-ray was normal.  My doctor has given up, saying that she does not know what is causing it.  She assumes it is just stress and put me on Zoloft.  The Zoloft has not helped.  The pressure is not really that uncomfortable but just annoying, and I don't understand why I am having it.  My doctor thinks that I have acid reflux and am on Nexium for that.  I have hoarseness quite a bit - in the mornings, especially.  
I have been to a cardiologist -- it has been almost 2 years ago. I was sent to him because I was having palpitations (and still am) but he said that they were benign.  He had me get a stress test and wear a holter monitor for a month.  (it was showing a lot of PVCs but nothing to worry about he said).  I was told that I had mitral valve prolapse in the past and was put on Inderal.  This cardiologist said that mitral valve prolapse did not show up on the echo and he told me to quit taking the Inderal, which I did.  
Do you think that I should go to another physician or just not worry about the chest pressure?  Should I have another stress test?  My cholesterol is good and my blood pressure is fine.  
Thanks -

[National Jewish]

You definitely should return to the cardiologist for reevaluation.  He should appeal the decision to not allow a CT Scan. There are multiple causes of such chronic pain, many of which are not evident on chest X-ray.

[4boys]

Wow, came to check something else but I am going thru the EXACT same thing. Havent had tons of testing yet since it just started about 3-4 weeks ago. EKG fine. Always have had palpitations as well. Doc also put me on meds for acid. Cant wait to see what others post. (wish I could help)

[dlmere]

Thanks for responding - hope you find out what is causing your symptoms.  I don't know what your age is but I am 47 and am menopausal and I am wondering if my problems are related to that......  it would be nice to know for sure.

[Road]

My mother, age 57, has been smoking since age 16 and currently smokes approx 1 carton a week.  She recently had 2 check x-rays and a follow up CT.  The results from the CT indicates a linear density in the right lung which may be fibrotic and also calcified granuloma in the right lung. There is also a minimal linear scar formation in the anterior portion of the right lund with no indication of an acute process or a mass.  No effusion is seen.  The results also states the mediastinum is unremarkable.  CAN ANYONE TELL ME WHAT ALL OF THIS MEANS? I am really concerned for my mother.  Thanks.

[Inanga]

hi I had several years of chest pains that no xrays could find. Inretrospect after all that's happened there were 2 possible causes:
1. acid - eventually had a fundiplication to tighten up the sphincter between the esophagus and stomache. A barium procedure showed there was reflux even though other normal symptoms weren't present. Recently had chronic chest pains - couldn't move out of bed - turned out to be food related. The stomache sites quite high in - not down in you belly.
2. a continuous cough stressed caused me bronchitis and pains in the chest muscles. Cause of the cough was excessive mucous/post nasal drip. have cured that by avoiding wheat, gluten and SOY products. Fine now.

Heart stuff is potentially serious so keep pushing the docs. But
palpitations are normal and can be a symptom of chronic chest breathing. I have been through that and you suspect the heart of course. After traing to diaphragm breate properly the palpitations and chest pains have gone away. If i get palpitations I invaribaly realise i've slipped back to chest breathing - I consciously diaphragm breathe for a few mins and it's gone.

best of luck

[rickjames]

I too have these same symptoms since about Febuary.
I got the flu and it got in my lungs and I havent been normal ever since.

Has any one of you had the flu prior to these symtoms?