Chest/Breast Pain

[Char213]

When I cough I get this really sharp pain in the left side of my chest upper part at top of breast area. And it was happening every now and then but here lately. It's ever time and the pain is worse and stays longer. I thought at first it was gas pain. but wouldn't that be all the time not just when I cough.
Like so many others I don't have insurance and we don't have a local clinic that is income based. So going to the doctor is a last resort for me. At first I thought it was my heart but now not so much.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated
Char

[Dr J Singh]

Hello,
The symptoms are suggestive of pleuritic chest pain or chest wall pain due to injured muscles located between the ribs (intercostal muscles).Pleuritic chest pain can be due to  viral and bacterial infections, cancer,embolism,pleural effusion,rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Drink plenty of fluids, and try anti-inflammatory medicines like diclofenac for the chest pain.You can also apply warm compresses on the chest along with some topical muscle relaxant gel.If the symptoms persist or is accompanied by fever then pls consult a physician and get other lung conditions and cardiac causes ruled out.An x-ray or CT chest may be needed to confirm a diagnosis.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted.Kind regards.

[caregiver222]

Your pain is pleuritic, which means you aren't having a heart attack, if that's any consolation.

Usually these pains can be very intense, and generally are self-limiting, but if they last over two weeks, you might want to have an x-ray.

Pains as you describe can be caused by all of the terrible things, which shall go unmentioned, but mostly these are due to muscle strains.

Sometimes they can result in separation of the sliding tissues, and cause what is known as a pneumothorox. Not a happy development.

I would be concerned, but not overly concerned, walk into an ER (take the bus to the nearest city, if you have to) , and not worry about payment. They jave to evaluate you.

You should go on the net and review the government web site for Hill-Burton facilities in your area that will treat patients for free.

Many local clinics have prohrams that provide for small fees (usually ten dollars) a visit for low-income individuals without insurance. Inquire with a local social worker at a hospital as to where one of these clinics might be.

Your condition would be classed as an "emergency" though it probably isn't life threatening and every hospital in the United States recieving federal aid is mandated to provide you with ER treatment, which will at least get you a chest film. When the bill comes, throw it away.