Been here before. Probably a Hypochondriac.

[ACerulean]

I have been here before. I am very young. I am only nineteen years old. I have been having chest pain after exercise for many years now. It has always bothered me, but all of my cardiac tests have always come back normal. I don't think I have heart disease and I don't think I have heart failure. I don't think I have an arrhythmia or anything else cardiac really. I do know, however, that I have Becker Muscular Dystrophy.  My question is this. I have already tried all the cardiac tests. I have had echocardiograms, and I have had EKGs, and I have had holter tests. I have run the gambit of tests and never had anything come back with results. I have also tried Yoga, and stretching. I have seen a physical therapist who said he couldn't do anything for me. I have tried taking muscle relaxants and Ibuprofin. I have tried cold compresses, heat, and even Bengay cream. I really have tried everything and it never helps. I have had a little success with Asprin, but I now know that I am not supposed to take Asprin because I am only nineteen. So therefore, is there anything that can explain this pain? It has come to the point that I have been trying to learn to ride a bicycle and I cannot ride for more than about 2 minutes without severe, by which I mean an 8 or a 9, chest pain and the feeling that my heart is about ready to beat out of my chest.  Is it possible that this is cardiac? I did however have a cardiac test just a few months ago and it came back normal. What could be causing this insufferable pain?

[joshua77]

Anxiety and gerd can also cause some severe pains in the cheat

[achillea]

Well, first the Becker's Muscular Dystrophy:  If you have not been extensively worked up by a neurologist, had EMG tests, muscle biopsies, and/or the newer genetic testing, BMD is unlikely.  On the other hand, if you *have* had all this done and have been officially diagnosed by a neurologist, then that would go far to explain at least some of your problems.

And in that case, you would be asking the neurologist now in charge of your care for help in managing your symptoms.

Is a neurologist taking care of you?

[ACerulean]

My parents are fully aware of my health problems and they wish just as much as I do that something could be done about them. I was on a fairly good plan under Healthy Families in California, but I timed out of that when I turned nineteen. I am now on a decent plan that I can get through Anthem Blue Cross that is available through my school. I don't really know if I can afford more testing or if my plan would even cover it. I do however know that I am open to any suggestions. Thank you all for your kind and considerate words.

[achillea]

I have read and re-read your very troubling posts a number of times and am sorry that you are suffering such pain and worry without a satisfactory explanation.

Your situation seems complicated, and one worry is that in the USA, it is unusual for a nineteen year old to have insurance coverage that will cover so many expensive tests in a young person unless he is clearly quite ill or is still on his parent's insurance plan (which is unforturtunately rare after a person reaches the age of 18).  Are your parents aware of your health problems?  I would think that a teenager would need his family's financial and emotional support when dealing with health problems like these.

I do have other thoughts about your symptoms, but your ability to afford more testing is a serious consideration.

[ACerulean]

I have had multiple x-rays done and they all came back completely normal. I have never had an MRI of the spine. I do know however that I have an extremely small scoliosis, but the doctors have already said that would not be causing the problem. Would a cervical rib show up on a chest x-ray? I am really at my wits end about this problem.

[Smiley2000]

Hi there,

Welcome the Medhelp Forum.  No one on here will tell you that you are a hypochondriac and we're here for support and info, even though we are not medical Experts and on this Community you may not find anyone with experience in Becker's.

It is good that you had your heart checked out and that it all seems to be okay.  Now you can go on the process of elimination:  Have you had your spine checked out with an MRI? you may have a cervical rib (extra rib) that can cause symptoms while you exercise.  That would explain non-cardiac chest pains as it refers into your chest.

Many heart-patients will tell you that cardiac-related-exercise-induced chest pains feels like an elephant that sits on your chest! A sharp/dull pain is muscular.

Keep talking to us and maybe we can help you to find a solution.