Occasional Pain in Chest When Breathing

[Kampfer]

Hello, I am an 17 year old male, 5'4", 125 lbs
Every once in a while (1-3 times a month) I'll have a sharp pain in the left side of my chest that happens when I take a deep breath. It usually happens when I'm at rest and goes away after a few minutes. Recently the pain started and didn't subside until the next day. Laying on my back or side made the pain worse.

It was never enough to stop me from getting enough air, but I'm not sure if it's a serious problem.

I appreciate any information you can give me.

[steffy1245]

I Looked up what you said about Precordial Catch Syndrome and that exactly what I Have. I'm just so angry there's no cure or treatment. Thank you for saying that. Now I know I'm not crazy.

[Clos13]

Im a 16 year old guy, about 5''6 and 120pounds, Ive also been having this problem, i don't remember when it started but i believe it was about 2 years ago. I used to play a lot of sports a while ago and have stopped. I had gone to the hospital and the took X-rays, and what ever else they do in there and they told me that they didn't find anything, so i went to see a cardiologist which performed a scan with a monitor (kind of like they do with pregnant woman, to see my heat and he told me because i was skinny and stuff, that its harder for fluids to get around the body and that i was dehydrated and i should stop drinking to much caffeine (coke, coffee,) and that i should started drinking more water, he also said that This pain* happens to young people a lot because they are growing. But about a week ago when school started, right where my heart is the pain came back, its been going on since monday and its now sunday. I went to the doctors on monday because i needed a physical because i was going to join the swimming team this year and they told me the forms would be ready in a week. I am currently waiting to see if they find something in my urine thats unnormal. but other then that I think Im going to see if i could go see my cardiologist again tomorrow or the next day to see if he finds anything, because i didn't mention anything about the pain on monday on my physical and today (sunday) and saturday also the pain has intensified, to were i can bearly breath. I was reading some of the responses and i think that the  Precordial Catch Syndrome is really close to what is happening, but i mean its been going on for about a week now.... I really want to find an answer and I just hope this goes away forever. My cousins heart also hurt but he is younger then me about two years and my dad told me his heart or whatever is hurting used to hurt at times when he was younger but it just went away, so I'm guessing this is a trait that i have inherited.  

[robb363]

same thing happens to me im 17 its like a sharp pain that last maybe 5 seconds so severe i feel like im having a heart attack is been going on for 5 years+ maybe once a month

[kaylalynne]

I am a 22 yr old female and i also experience this pain occasionally. i asked my doctor about it a few years ago and he asked if i used to be a very active person, but recently stopped. the answer was yes because i did dance in high school then stopped after graduating. he told me that it is likely a muscle spasm of the heart (or something similar) and as long as the pain doesn't persist, it is harmless.

[djjay7777]

I am 18 and I have the same thing I am experiencing it right now while even writting my comment, I do not know what causes it but now I know that I am not the only one having this problem.I have been experiensing this ever since I did a long intense jogging 2 years ago. The first time it happened I was in the shower and for reasons I did not know it happened all of a sudden,that stabbing in the lungs and well it passed after a few hours and ever since I do feel the pain while sleeping on my back and taking a deep breath and this happens to me frequently and this is the first time I get it will sitting I wish someone would tell us what it is.I hope its nothing serious.

[natylek]

Hello,

I just wanted to say that although I don't have a firm answer on what may be the exact cause...one thing that I got out of my doc is this.  I've had bronchitis/pneumonia on and off since i was like 4 or 5 and the water that collects in my lungs sometimes blocks a passage or what not and when taking a breath in there's a contraction....which equals stabbing pain in the chest.  Or at least thats how I understood him.  For me there were times when the pain was so bad I couldn't breathe...but it goes away.  I'm gonna go get checked again for liquid in my lungs b/c the pain is coming again.  Hope that helped a bit.  Nats

[MyChestHurts]

I have similar symptoms every couple of months. I'm having an episode right now actually. I was always worried that it was a heart or lung issue, but I THINK it may be Precordial Catch Syndrome. I'm no doctor, but the symptoms seem to match up perfectly for me, so maybe give it a Google. The only thing that doesn't match up perfectly is that the pain is suppose to pass after a minute or two, for me it can last 30min+

[sunnyd384]

im quite younger than you., female.  and i get this once or twice a month, also. ihavent really told anyone because i assume its regular. but now i might want to ask a doctor at my next check up. im so sorry i, nor anyone else (in these answers below or above my answer) have answered your question on how to fix this or what it is. it seems like its really a mistery.
BUt im doing my own research:
im trying to find things in common with people that have this.
i play a sport which has allot of running and jumping and tumbling,.
it also has me working out allot., and i go 9 hours a week.its pretty intense (which is why idont think this could be really a heart problem, i should have a strong and healthy heart muscle)
  im sort of stressed, but only from homework, and its not too often. im trying to see if anyone would post theyre background, and maybe i can find out something in common that we have that would trigger this chest pain.  

[Smarglin]

My son and I both experience the symptoms mentioned above.  I've been to the doctor and I have taken him to the doctor several times and no one has an answer for it.  My son has been experiencing it since he was about 4 years old, now he is 9 and the pain seems to be more frequent (about 3-5 times a week).  I know the pain is real because like I said I've experienced the same thing on and off from the time I was about 15 years old.  I'm thinking it might be some form of pleurisy but I can't find a doctor that is willing to take the time to REALLY investigate the problem.

Tums use to help my son when the pain came on but now it seems like the Tums has lost it's effect.  I don't know what to do now but hope that I'll find some helpful information here on the internet.

[Jackieny]

Ive had the same problem since i was 16 where i would get it almost every hour. it gotin the way of work and school and i thought i was always having a heart attack. however im very convinced its stress related because i rarely get it anymore (now im 19) and back then i was extremely paranoid about my health and heart which i think is what made the problem start

[tosheiba]

i'm a 32 yr old female and i have a similar problem. i get a sharp pain almost directly over my heart and i have 2 just b still and take shallow breaths. if i move suddenly or take a deep breath it intensifies. if i lay still and take small breaths it subsides. it can last from 3 min up to 3 hrs sometimes. people always told me it was gas and that i worried 2 much but it comes in the same exact spot everytime and this has been happening 2 me 4 several years now. it happened while i was at work(i work in a hospitla) a few months ago and they rushed me 2 the er. i had a cat scan 2 rule out a pulmonary embolism and an ekg both of which were normal. i would really like 2 know wut it is.

[MrResolution3000]

I was so scared I was the only one, this is EXACTLY what has been happening to me for more or less 5 years, it usually lasted around 5-10 minutes I am good with eating habits regularly exercise but don't know what it is!!