chest soreness when breathing deep

[recipejnky]

I am a petite 41 yr. old female.  I recently mowed the grass for someone.  It is something I haven't done in a long time.
That is the only thing I can thing that marks the beginning of my chest soreness that has any significance.  Within a day or so I started having mild soreness in my chest with deep breaths.  It has been going on for two weeks.  It has not ever been severe, but has fluctuated from almost not there to mild, and again only when taking a deep breath.  No other symptoms.  Could I have strained my chest muscles?  If so, how long do I give to heal.  I wonder if lifting my four year old may slow the healing, if in fact that is the problem.   Thank you

[recipejnky]

Hi there.  I did indeed have a chest x-ray, as well as an ekg and blood work at the er on Monday.  Everything came back just fine.  My pcp said part of the ekg was a little off at the time of my  office visit.  He didn't elaborate, nor did he seem concerned.  I do know they had trouble with the machine on the first attempt, so who knows.  But the one at the hospital was great.  

The doc at the er diagnosed me with either muscle strain, as you mentioned and I also suspected, or pleurisy, which she explained is rather hard to prove sometimes.  I held onto the steroid and anti-inflamatory  scripts she prescribed just in case.  But......thankfuly, my symptoms have improved ( barely noticable) on their own, even in just the last few days.  

At first I felt a little over cautious going to the er.  But you know what?  Better safe than sorry, and better to have peace of mind than worrying myself with what if.  

I'll follow up with my pcp in a few weeks.  Thanks so much for your posts.

recipejnky

[Philip D Parks, MD, MPH, MOccH, FACOEM]

Hi,

Did you have your chest x-ray?

One possibility is that you may have strained the intercostal muscles (muscles between ribs) or you may have what is called costochondritis. Usually those self-limited conditions result from episodes of coughing.

What do you mean by a part of our ECG being "a little off"?

How are your symptoms now?

~•~ Dr. Parks

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice. The information presented in this posting is for patients’ education only. As always, I encourage you to see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

[recipejnky]

Thank you for your response.  I have no history of asthma, wheezing or seasonal allergies.  My soreness is directly in the center of my chest, as if it were behind my breastbone.  I do not have any other health problems.  After three weeks of this I went to my pcp.  He did not seem at all concerned with my lungs, but gave me an ekg right then and there.  Thought that to be odd.  However, the ekg looked ok but for one part that looked a little off.  He just told me advil 2x a day and see me in three weeks.

My father and Aunt both died of lung cancer.  I seriously believe I may have strained something.  But I'm not very comfortable going around with unexplained soreness when I breathe.  I am going to the er in the morning and having a chest x-ray.  

Thanks again

[Philip D Parks, MD, MPH, MOccH, FACOEM]

Hello,

A couple of questions before I write a response to your posting:
1. Do you have a history of asthma, wheezing, or seasonal allergies (hay fever)?
2. Where on your chest did you have soreness? Right side, left side, middle, back?
3. Do you have other health problems or problems with you lungs?

~•~ Dr. Parks

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice. The information presented in this posting is for patients’ education only. As always, I encourage you to see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.