Extreme sharp pain in chest and abdomin waking me up at night

Question

Last night was the second night this week that I went to bed feeling fine and was woken up at around 3 in the morning feeling the worst pain I have ever felt in my life. The first time this happened, the pain was not as bad and was focused mainly in my chest, right in the center between my breasts, with some pain radiating through my abdomen. Last night though when I woke up, the sharp pain went through my entire torso- shoulders to groin. I stumbled to the bathroom feeling like I was going to puke all over the floor to take some vicodin I had left over from my knee surgery last year. I spent several minutes sitting on the floor next to the toilet before I was able to move again back to bed. I had to sit up in bed since laying down made the pain ten times worse. Panicking also made the pain grow stronger. Only holding still and breathing slowly through the pain caused it to lesson enough so that about an hour later I was able to lay down and succumb to exhaustion. It was the same way a couple nights before. My fiancé had to calm me down because of my whimpering and inability to hold still through the pain. When I wake up the next morning, I have a tightness in my chest and a slight but bearable pain, nothing like the night before, so I am fine enough to go on with daily life. I was just wondering what would be causing my so much pain at night- pain worse than even that from my knee surgery or breaking my leg. I have been close to just telling my fiancé to take me to the ER those two times because he pain was so bad I thought I was going to die. Actually the second time the pain was so bed I did just want to die. Next time it happens, I probably will go to the ER, especially if the pain continues to worsen.

Has anybody experienced anything like this before? Does anybody have any suggestions to what it could be? BTW I am an 19 year old fairly healthy female. Neither my fiancé or I drink, smoke, or do drugs. I am on birth control and am currently on my period. If anyone could help me, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

skydnsr · Answer

It could be due to anything, but the pain is bad enough that you should see a doctor.  What you're describing is way beyond having a random ache or pain.  The next time you respond to one of these episodes by simply taking a vicodin and going back to bed could be the time that something serious happens.  Really, it could be anything in the abdomen or anything in the chest that is causing this, but you don't know.  That's the big problem, that you don't know.  You don't know if it is life-threatening or not, and you don't know how to stop it from happening again.  Therefore, you've got to get help, because even if it's only the worst menstrual cramps on the history of the world, you've got to get some help.  Nobody can live like this.

DrAnitha · Answer

Hi, you should have yourself evaluated for the chest pain. It becomes all the more significant because the pain is radiating to the shoulder. It could be angina, pain due to inadequate supply of oxygen to the heart muscle. This could be more relevant if you are a smoker, are overweight, have a positive family history, are a diabetic and have hypertension. The other causes to consider would be cervical spondylosis (neck problem) or disorders of the nerves, muscle or shoulder joint and GERD. It would be wise to consult a doctor just to be sure it’s nothing more serious. Regards.