Sharp pain in left upper chest...

[sstrangee]

I am 35 years old. I have had this sharp pain in the left side of my chest for about 3 years or so now. It seems to come and go, but when I do feel it, it is a sharp pain and it's always in the same place, it never moves. It is in the left pectoral, kind of in the middle, upper right side of left pectoral.

About 2 years ago, I went to the emergency room thinking I was having a heart attack because the pain was worse than it ever had been in the past. They did an EKG, blood work, etc. and everything came back normal.

I do NOT feel the pain when I am exercising. It really only seems to be when I am at rest, sitting at computer, sitting at desk, or really just thinking about it. It doesn't get worse when I'm stressed or surprised, it's just a sharp pain that lasts anywhere from 30 mins to a day, stops for awhile (could be mins, hours, or days) and then restarts.

I've been to my doctor about this problem, but he said it's because I have an infection in the lining around my lungs. He said that a heart related issue USUALLY isn't localized and it wouldn't be able to point to a specific spot. However, after taking meds for the "infection" it didn't seem to go away.

I take Red Yeast Rice supplement to keep my cholesterol down, a low dose aspirin daily, and a garlic supplement.

I exercise anywhere from 1 to 3 times a week anywhere from 1 hour to 1:30 hours per session (each session is 30 mins of intense exercise followed by about 30 to 1 hour of medium/low exercise).

In my diet, I eat pretty much anything I want. I'm a pretty heavy tea drinker (drink 1 to 5 glasses of tea a day). I do not drink coffee or soda/coke regularly (might have 1 a week -- no aspartame). I drink about 1 to 2 glasses of water per day.

Sorry for the novel... Oh, yeah, I don't smoke either. Oh, yes... and at my job, I sit at a desk all day so not very active unless I make the effort to go do it. Do not have a history of heart problems in family. Almost all family members have lived to over 70+ years old.

That this will start even if I'm not STRESSED (just relaxing) or have not been sick in the past few days.

Anyone got any idea? Anyone had this problem and given a proper diagnosis? It's a really annoying little pain. Should state that it ranges from sharp pain to burning pain, but always in the same spot. Pain doesn't increase/decrease to the touch or pressure (sneezing, coughing has no effect) or stretching the area.

Thanks.

[BillyWalsh]

I know this thread is from 4 years ago but I have had this EXACT description of pains for about 12 years now. Started when I was 18, went to the doctor and got ran through the entire gamut of tests.... x-ray, EKG, blood work, stress test. All came back normal, although the EKG showed a slightly low heart rate. That got attributed to me being an athlete.

Here I am 12 years later, now 30 years old, and still suffering from the same pains. They have been getting more intense lately. Enough so that last year I wound up going to the doctor again and getting ran through the gamut of tests again. X-ray and EKG came back normal, still showing the slow heart rate but again attributed to my exercise.

For the past month I have had a cold I can't seem to kick and the past week especially I have had a pretty gnarly cough. The pain is WAY more intense when I am coughing now. So much so that I have to clench my chest or get seriously concerned.

I was wondering if you ever found any resolution to you symptoms. My symptoms are in line with what you described TO THE T. First time in all my google searches over the past 12 years I have ever found a case identical to mine.

I hope you have found some answers in your journey, I hope you are still alive and kicking, and I hope your email address  is still active so this email reaches you.

Hope to hear from you soon, and that you have found answers to your pain.

Best,

Billy Walsh

[sstrangee]

Thanks for information.

I am going to go see Cardiologist in the next few days.  That way, at least, we can rule out anything heart related for sure.

[Tuckamore]

Hello Again,

You sound very informed and I'm guessing you have gone the proper routes.  My Mom had chest fullness for over 2 years, they told her it was not her heart. Finally she ended up in ER (again) and they referred her to a cardiologist. They did find she had 5 diseased vessels, never had a heart attack but her pain was cardiac related. Of course she is older than you are.

My other thought is a follow up on the inflammation around your heart. That can be persistent and difficult to treat. Sometimes it takes a longer course of antibiotics or a different family of antibiotics.

If it is not muscle or ligaments or fibrocystic breast disease  or heart I am out of ideas. I'm sorry that is the best I can do. But I do know one thing. When you have pain you are miserable. And pain (for the most part) is your body's way of telling you that things are not right. No one cares about your health as much as you do and no one knows your body better. Do not give up. Search for the answer through persistent physicians visits. If your PCP is not able to uncover the reason you are having pain than I would consult with another physician.

Again take care and keep us posted. Tuck

[sstrangee]

Thanks for the reply and information.

First, it's been several months since I last saw my doctor about this issue.  However, I don't recall what happened after taking the antibiotics.  Just that it didn't work all that well, and I'm still having the issues.

Yes, I understand that visiting the ER doesn't rule out that I wasn't having an immediate heart issue, however, wouldn't I be able to rule out the pain I'm experiencing as a heart attacks since I know it's happened before (by the way, come to think of it I've been to the ER twice over this same issue and both came back as normal) and it's happened pretty consistently the past 3 years?

Finally, for instance, I'm having very very little pain today without taking any pain medication.  But, that doesn't mean that it won't start up later today, tomorrow, next week, or next month and last anywhere from 1 hour to 2 days.

Thanks again.

[Tuckamore]

Hello Sstrangee,

Welcome to MedHelp. I am glad you found us. But I am sorry you are having pain. We all can related to that at the Pain Mgt. Forum.

First what does your physician say about your the infection around you heart? Did he refer to it as Pericarditis? Have you returned to him following the completion of the antibiotics?  The pericardium is a thin double-layered sac which encloses the heart. Fluid is contained within the layers and lubricates the constantly rubbing surfaces.   Pain occurs as a result of the inflamed pericardium rubbing against the heart. The pain may be felt in a select area in the case of Pericarditis or be more wide spread. I know you said you were in ER and the determined it was not your heart. But an ER visit only rules out if you are in immediate danger and experiencing a MI (heart attack.)

I encourage you to see a Cardiologist if you haven't already. You need a good work up and don't let them poo-hoo you. If you knew what was causing your pain you would at least feel more at ease.

And of course this could be totally unrelated to your heart but to be safe you always want to start with the life threatening issues. I know this will sound "crazy" to you but I have fibrocystic breasts, my left is worse than my right. I have pain in the left side of my chest due to that and it does not always feel like breast pain but it is. The severity depends on how much food and drink I consume that contains caffeine. It's a thought.

Best of luck to you. Please keep us posted and take care. Tuck  

[sandee1818]

There was an almost identical post a few weeks ago about this and I remember the question brought about some interesting ideas. I will find it and also do some research and get back to you. I have to go for now but will be back later this evening:)