Sudden pain under breast

[SunnyD2]

I get frequent headaches, lots of belching, have COPD Had gotten semi sharp pain under left breast for 3 days. Felt like in breast but hurt more on inhaling. Then got pressure in center chest. Cardio dr did nuclear stress test with results of possible blockage. Today I got identical pain but under right breast. Could the pain, headaches AND belching be because of heart? If I refuse to do cardic cath, then what happens? If there is blockage I do NOT want surgery. I am in my early seventies.Guess I live or die, huh?

[ireneo]

Ah, duh, dopey me. I forgot about the COPD. That would make surgery very risky for you. But I don't believe they have to knock you out in the cath lab for a stent. Years ago when they did the balloon angioplasty on my Dad they just gave him a mild sedative to keep him comfortable. My ablations have no stents involved. They run the catheters up into the heart to map out the electrical activity, trigger my arrhythmias, then they use radio frequency (that term is funny to me) to burn little spots in my heart to correct the arrhythmias. I was not under anesthesia but they did give me meds to relax me and even send me into a light sleep for my comfort. Versed is great stuff, causes a kind of amnesia so you don't remember the procedure. But I had no need of a respirator.

[SunnyD2]

Gall Bladder removed 10 years ago. No change in diet. I am not overweight and don't smoke or drink. Got appt w/pulmonary in 2 weeks. Guess that will help narrow down. Thanks for replying.

[SunnyD2]

It's not the cath that I am nervous about. I have been told by pulmonary dr not to ever have surgery unless emergency (like breaking a hip) because they would put me on a respirator and he doubted if I could ever come off one as my lungs are so weak. When they did your stent did they knock you out? Do you have to take cumidin (sp)? I have a DNR just in case.

[ireneo]

You would refuse a cardiac cath? Even for them to pop in a stent if there's a narrowing? It's none of my business why you would refuse but I wonder. . . . I've had 3 catheter ablations and that's done in the cath lab. They made 2 little incisions, one in each groin area and then slipped 4 catheters up into my heart. The first time I was scared spitless. After that I realized how easy it was and was willling to go in for the other 2 times. If you need a stent and it would give you some relief, maybe consider it. A bypass surgery? That's way more intrusive. Anyway, I hope you get some answers at your next appt. Take care.

[ireneo]

Live or die, huh? Yep, that's true for all of us I suppose. The pain could be so many things. With COPD it could be lung related or the pleural cavity rubbing. I had pleurisy a few years ago - not fun. Burping? I think of gall bladder issues. Or it could just be gas bubbles moving around in there. That can hurt quite a bit. Any changes to your diet lately? I just don't know.