Pain above left breast, left armpit and shoulder

[Aruba417]

Hi. Since April I have had pain above my left breast. It's not constantly there, but it comes and goes. Sometimes it feels like a burning pain, other times it feels like a cramp. I've also felt it in my armpit at times and it will also creep up over my shoulder. Although I VERY RARELY feel it on the right side, it DOES happen once in awhile. But for the most part it's been my left side. I've had all the heart tests, including stress echo, I've had an MRI of my brain and neck, I've had a breast exam. I've even seen a chiropractor. Every test they've done comes back normal. And nothing seems to help. I've tried aspri - doesn't work. I try massaging my breast and shoulders and that seems to help a tiny bit. Usually the pain is very dull...but one night I woke up in excruciating pain for about 10 seconds, then it went back to being dull. I'm 24, and I am being treated for Anxiety/Panic Disorder. My Psychiatrist does not think it's related. Does ANYONE have ANY ideas about what could be going on with me?!?!?!

[perenialworrywart]

I am outside the clinic waiting for my turn n reading this.. I am now convinced that this is more stress n anxiety than anythin else..i hav had anxiety issues too.. Now wonderin if i should talk to d doc at all.. I must say im relieved!

[Berrynicetomeetyou]

Please whatever you do!! DO NOT get a mammogram!! For every 1 woman it helps, 10 actually get cancer from them!!
http://www.naturalnews.com/010886.html

[sez15]

I have just turned 30 and have had the same pain in my left arm, chest, breast and hands for the past 15 months.  It started with numbness and tingling in my left hand, which then spread up my arm and into my chest.  I also went to the ER numerous times thinking it was heart related and every single test came back clear.  After more than a year and thousands of dollars worth of tests from x-rays and EKGs to CTs, mammograms and MRIs, including a full lab of blood and urine tests, my doctors told me I have Fibromyalgia - a diagnosis which basically translates into "we have no idea".  I've had two kinds of cancer so I'm a bit neurotic about there being something wrong with me and am quick to go to doctors.

My Family Doctor, however, recently saw me after nearly two years of being overseas and told me that since all of my tests in the past 15 months had come back clear, he thinks it is Teitze Syndrome, which is stress-induced.  He said there is no known cause for the syndrome but the symptoms commonly appear on the left and affect the whole body on that side.  He also said that the symptoms are aggravated by stress - something that I have since been forced to agree with.  I've since been monitoring my stress and pain correlation and realise that I have a combination of poor posture, insufficient exercise, dehydration and chronic stress.  I also spend most of my day hunched over a computer, which does not help.  The chronic level of stress has become normal that I was no longer considering it stress but rather my 'relaxed' state - something that I now have to consciously work on.  

If you've had MRIs, CTs, blood work, x-rays, EKGs, etc. and the results have all come back normal, I would suggest believing the doctors who say that it is anxiety and stress related.  My Family Doctor prescribed anti-depressants for me for anxiety and suggested that I see a counselor for a few sessions to try to work through the hidden stress and anxiety that is constantly in my muscles.  Drink lots of water, try to relax and don't worry too much about it.  

[Skittle3l]

I am 29 and have had the same things. Ive gone as far as going to the ER and they tell me that its GERD, I have had all kinds of blood test, ekgs' and I was even checked for a blood clot in my lungs. Noting ever comes up. Sometimes the pain is squeezing and some times its burning and at other times is feels like pressure. My left arm also gets numb and hurts sometimes too. It scares me to death but with all the test everything comes back ok. So I hope faith that all the drs are right and try to live my life. I have 3 kids all under 10 and it scares me to think that I have these pains in my chest. Also sometimes I feel like I cant swallow but I totally think I give myself panic when the pain starts. I hope you feel better!

[Lorna776]

I have the same pain over or inside my breast ,it feels like a burning feeling but also confuses me bcuz I'm not sure if its my breast or my heart!! I also suffer from anxiety..But I hate when Dr' s know you get anxiety that seems to always be the cause of what I'm feeling..I was trying to see if breast cancer hurts...I'm a mess...I always panic I hate feeling like this..I'm also trying to figure if the pain comes when I get upset..

[Sandyc3838]

Have you found out anything else since then?  I have been experiencing pretty much the same thing for the last 4 weeks and somedays I have very little pain and other days it is terrible.  The worst of it is in my shoulder blade on the left side but I have chest pains in the center mostly and also my left arm.  My doctor put me on muscle relaxers in the beginning, then prednisone for 5 days.  I've been off all of it for almost 2 weeks now and nothing has changed.  In fact, as I type, the pain in my chest is pretty significant.  I'm a 57 year old female and YES, I have some pretty significant stress right now with my daughter.  She has hurt me so many times in the past and recently has pretty much tore my heart out of my chest.  The emotional pain is worse than the physical pain, but I'm just about to the point of wishing it was a major heart attack so that it will take me.  I just see no reason to deal with this physical pain when I have no reason to endure it anymore.  Please tell me what you found out and whether there is anything that can be done to fix the physical side of my problems.  Thanks!