Chronic Chest Pains

[jdh2003]

I was wondering if anyone has every had chronic chest pain?  I have had pain in my chest/breast area on and off for 5 years (mostly on) .  It feels like a burning, shooting, pressure pain.  Sometimes is sharp and it feels like I am going to die.  Other times I can feel the pain by pushing on it.

The doctors have said that it is chest wall inflammation.  I do have a fast heart rate that I take medicine for.  But chest wall inflammation for 5 years!!!!!!!!!

I have been on may different things for this: steroids, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medicines, i have had the normal heart type tests, the doctors have even thrown anti-depressants at me.  I am just scared, confused, and upset that I have had to deal with this for so long.

Has anyone ever dealt with this? And is there something the doctors are missing?  Please help!

[mammaoftwins]

Sounds like my condition, costochondritis. It varies in the level of pain, but with motrin I rarely have had the pain that knocks me to the floor. My cardiologists thought it was related to my tachycardia, but thankfully I saw a pain specialist and he figured it out. If you need more info on this condition, just type it in any search engine, and there is plenty of info on the internet.  Hope this helps.


Mammaoftwins

[sandee1818]

I am sure the doctors could be missing something, have you had a second opinion? Also I would recommend seeing a Gastrointerologist too. Chest pain can be scary and serious and I am sorry you have had to deal with this for 5 long years.
I have heard of many people having chronic chest pain and to be honest the reasons for such pain are too numerous to list but I do believe you should keep looking for the answer. Try seeing a different doctor for a new outlook on things, maybe your doc is missing something the nw doctor will pick up on. At any rate having this kind of pain for five years is way too long and dealing with this kind of pain on a daily basis is hard on you and your body and mentally as well as physically draining. Have you tried to get into a pain management clinic? Sometimes there are no definitive answers for pain and we just have to treat the symptoms.
Keep us updated and we are here for you as we too deal with pain day in day out and know how it affects you.

(please disreguard any spelling or mistakes, working from mobile phone)

[Mollyrae]

hello jdh and welcome to Med Help:

I am sorry to hear of you discomfort. Your chest pains do sound like inflammation. Another possibility is that it may be related to Gastrointestinal problems. Have you ever seen a Gastrointerologist ? If not, then it might be time to make a visit to them. I would consult you Physician about the possibilitys of seeing one.
As with any chest pain, it is always a great idea to keep on top of the situation. I know you have been in contact with you Doctor about the Pain but keep pushing them for an answer. If you don't like the first answer you get, get a second opinion from a different Doc. Take care and good luck in the future, my thoughts are with you.

Mollyrae