chronic chest pain, help!

[dust138]

i am 23 and for years i have been dealing with pain in my left pectoral muscle. i am confused because the doctors i have seen have told me it is muscle skeletal or nerve damage. i have tried everything and was wondering if someone could give me some ideas on what to do, or some ways to manage the pain.... the pain is in my left pectoral. it seems to be isolated to the pec. it hurts all the time. somedays are better than others. most of the time it feels like someone is trying to pinch there way through my chest and at the same time rip it off!...kinda like a shard, dull, ache. sometimes a slight burning sensation. i have a hard time lifting weights over a few pounds because it seems to trigger my chest.  to much movement of my left arm causes my chest to hurt as well. sometimes it is hard to sleep at night, and as soon as my eyes open in the morning i can no longer sleep. i have found ways to help the pain like...heating pads..pain medication...light stretching... if anyone has any ideas on something i could do or try please tell me i am open to anything.

[cp62]

Dear Dust, I have had a history of severe chest pain for 2 years, I am a female. Your symptoms are extremely familiar. I had the whole cardiac workup done which was negative then proceeded to physical therapy. I was diagnosed by 2 docs as the problem being myofascial pain syndrome. It is where you developed tight bands of muscle tissue, kinda like knots but very painful. To touch them is like putting a knife into you. The therapist i saw was brilliant. He was in Wilmington Delaware and was specially trained in trigger point release (muscle band release). He has taught others throughout the US on this technique and I am sure you can find one as effective. It was quite painful initially when he had to put pressure on these spots, I had several dozen in my chest, and it took 5 months at 3 times per week to have them all released and stretched. you may have a cluster in your pec as well. If this is indeed your diagnosis you must be patient if this is the path. I also learned exercises to stretch the area. Now when I get chest pain (it is 9 years later), I know what stretches to do and even how to knead the knots out myself. I think the main thing for myself and for many is to get a label put on the problem and to know that you will not perish from it. Pain meds did not help my pain but MOIST HEAT, stretching and kneading out the knots did. Good luck.

[cp62]

Dear Dust, I have had a history of severe chest pain for 2 years, I am a female. Your symptoms are extremely familiar. I had the whole cardiac workup done which was negative then proceeded to physical therapy. I was diagnosed by 2 docs as the problem being myofascial pain syndrome. It is where you developed tight bands of muscle tissue, kinda like knots but very painful. To touch them is like putting a knife into you. The therapist i saw was brilliant. He was in Wilmington Delaware and was specially trained in trigger point release (muscle band release). He has taught others throughout the US on this technique and I am sure you can find one as effective. It was quite painful initially when he had to put pressure on these spots, I had several dozen in my chest, and it took 5 months at 3 times per week to have them all released and stretched. you may have a cluster in your pec as well. If this is indeed your diagnosis you must be patient if this is the path. I also learned exercises to stretch the area. Now when I get chest pain (it is 9 years later), I know what stretches to do and even how to knead the knots out myself. I think the main thing for myself and for many is to get a label put on the problem and to know that you will not perish from it. Pain meds did not help my pain but MOIST HEAT, stretching and kneading out the knots did. Good luck.

[sandee1818]

Dust18 please forgive me for not answering your post! I am very sorry and hope you will accept my apology. I am not to familiar with this type of pain, other than heat/ice and meds I am not sure what would help but I will find out some things for you if you will give me a little time. I will get back to you tomorrow and hope I will have some answers for you the. Again please forgive me for the slow reply. We all here at med help want to help any way we can s don't give up on us I am on top of it!
Please hang in there and know my thoughts are with you.