Left rib cage pain-please help me

[megan175]

I am 18 years old and a woman who has been experiencing a series of pains for over 7 months now.  They differ in severity, but are usually fairly bad.  They begn at my upper left rib cage and wrap around to the left portion of my back.  It is very difficult and usually hurts to breathe as if there is something sharp lodged in my lungs.  My heartbeat will increase and I get exhausted from fighting to breathe.  It hurts worse when I stand during these pains, but sitting doesn't help very much either.  They can last from ten minutes to hours.  I can have them just sitting down or especially when doing some form of physical activity such as running.  

I have had an ultrasound, chest xrays, EKG, blood lab test, biopsy, nuclear stress test, and echocardiogram test.  Everything has turned out normal.  I am still suffering from pains and I have been having them in bouts of a few days.  Now that it is getting colder, I find myself in more pain than usual.  Nothing seems to help and my doctor has told me she has no idea what is wrong with me.  

If anyone has or has had these symptoms or could help me, please let me know.  I don't know where to go from here.  By the way, the pains always start on the left side and on the front and then wrap around to my back.  

[Lindy55]

I had blockages in my heart which caused me to have chest pain, breathing problems, pain across back(by both shoulder blades especially)dizziness, sweating and perspiring.  Pain was present at rest and worse with activity.  Also weakness and over all feeling of unwellness.  Has your dad been checked for heart problems.  When you have high blood pressure, this indicates problems with the heart as I had high blood pressure prior to my heart attack.  As your grandfather died of a heart attack in his 50's, that is a sign there is heart disease that runs in the family.  That is very young to die of a heart attack and usally indicates a problems with the heart or veins and arteries in the family.  

[megan175]

The only type of that kind of history would me the fact that my father has high blood pressure and my grandfather died of a heartattack in his 50s or so.  Other than that, there isn't any history I am aware of.  Would a blockage in my chest also cause the pain I experience on my back?

[Lindy55]

Have you any history of heart disease or vascular disease in the family?  If so, perhaps a vascular surgeon should check to see if there is a blockage somewhere in your chest.  I am currently experiencing chest tightening, chest pain and breathing difficulties but they have ruled out my heart.  Now a vascular surgeon will be checking for blockages in other parts of my body.  Just a suggestion.  Maybe you need to see another doctor if your doctor does not know how to diagnose you.

[megan175]

Also, it has been brought to my attention about costochondritis.  I do not have costochondritis.  My symptoms match, but I was diagnosed with it and put on medicine that ended up with me in the hospital.  Any other suggestions are welcome!