Is this an emergency?

[Anonymous]

So I've been having chest pain on and off ever since June. I went to the ER twice because of it, and it's NOT heart related- both EKG's came back normal, and the blood work was also normal, meaning no blood clots or anything.

Anyways, I started having the chest pain today (left side), and then it stopped and the pain went to my upper back on the left side.

I don't know if I should go to the ER or not- they said the chest pain is nothing serious.

[molan]

Stress, anxiety, tension are the most frequent cause. The pain caused by tight and sore muscles in the chest.
Cardiac / vascular disease: Angina pectoris, heart infection, myocardial infarction and aortic aneurysm.
Lung diseases as pulmonary embolism, bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Disease of stomach / intestinal Ulcer, gallstones and stomach acid problems.
Musculoskeletal disorders: Muscle pain, herniated and fracture.
Infections: Various viral infections, pneumonia.

Chest pain can be a response to mental stress. Acute anxiety is often accompanied by chest pain. Stress can cause tension, which causes pain from the muscle.

[Asker]

It can be pretty much anything. That's the thing that worries me.
I have severe anxiety.

[molan]

Then it's not an emergency, but you body is telling you to slow down or else.
You need to address the cause of the anxiety.

[Asker]

I don't know what's causing it- but obviously worrying causes it. I'm always worrying about something.

[molan]

Your worries needs being addressed, you body is telling you it's too much to handle. Continue and it will have negative consequences.

See a psychologist to help you finding the cause, and give you tools to handle your worries is a constructive manner.

[Asker]

Ok I'm in the process of doing that.
I'm only 19 years old!! I should be enjoying life.

[molan]

Glad you are on your way, a young person as yourself should indeed enjoy life.

[Asker]

Yeah :-)

[Longshot]

Chest pain can come and go for may reasons ranging from anxiety, which many people have, to actual physical conditions like costochondritis (www.emedicinehealth.com/.../article_em.htm) You need to talk to a specialist and explain when it happens and under what conditions. You are probably not in immediate danger, but it may take some time to diagnose.

[Asker]

I'm going to make an appointment with a cardiologist on Monday.

[Willow4]

Hi! :)

It sounds to me like referred pain. Which means the cause of the pain may well not be your chest at all, possibly your shoulder or something abdominal related. Are there any areas you've experienced pain, any accidents you've had? You could have pulled something in your chest or upper body which can caused muscle strain (and chest pain) so if it continues go back to your doctor and let them have another look. The comfort is that it's not heart related or anything serious so that's definitely good! :)

I hope it gets better soon, try not to worry :)

[Asker]

No accidents at all, and I might have pulled a muscle, but I'm not sure how I did.
I also have anxiety...

[Willow4]

It can be very easy, just simply moving awkwardly or lifting something heavy can pull muscles that aren't worked very often. My sister did it once and couldn't understand why she was in so much pain. I guess the anxiety would make you worry about it a lot more and cause you to think the worst. It's nothing serious though, I honestly think it's probably muscle related but if it's worrying you, go see your doctor and let them have a good so it can put your mind at rest :)

[Asker]

I'm going to a cardiologist on Monday- I already went to my GP and she said it could be costochondritis or musculoskeletal pain.

[Willow4]

Ah well then at least you might get some answers :) I hope they'll be able to tell you what it is and get you better. Fingers crossed all goes well for you on Monday :)

[Asker]

Ok thank you!! I'll let you know what happened and stuff.

[Willow4]

You're welcome and no worries! Just get yourself better :)

[Asker]

Ok!! :-)

[MaskedSanity]

This us actually a very common thing that occurs with children to young adults. It's called a precordial catch and it us nothing serious at all.
If all your scans bred zero results, there's a high chance there's nothing to be seriously worried about.

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Precordial_catch_syndrome

It's not a serious thing and will go away in its own when you get older. If you go to see a doctor again, mention this condition to them and see if they'll match up your symptoms to it.

[Asker]

It'll go away when I get older? Does this mean it's chronic?

[Asker]

I'm only 19...

[MaskedSanity]

Mine kept occurring all throughout childhood, teenage years and pretty much stopped after I turned 20.

Read the link I sent you, it's rather short, but very explanatory. Not a permanent nor serious condition. Just one of those evolution glitches, lol.

[Asker]

Okay thanks!! I'll read it tonight.

[hswhis]

Blood clots don't show up in blood work, only on ultrasound so it really hasn't been ruled out especially if you are on birth control pills.

The fact that your pain shifts from one area to another could be a mobilization of a clot or it could be anxiety driven.

You really would need to go to your MD and get a full-blown work-up.

[Asker]

I don't take birth control pills- only the shot.

[Asker]

I also have severe anxiety.

[hswhis]

Depo-provera? It's still hormonal contraception.

www.webmd.com/.../birth-control-depo-provera

[Asker]

Yeah

[Asker]

I forgot to mention that they did a chest X-ray- my chest and lungs are clear.

[hswhis]

You are still at high risk for clots. These are the test your MD can order to rule out clots in the lung.
www.mayoclinic.org/.../con-20022849

[Asker]

But if my chest x-ray was clear, then what's there to worry about?

[hswhis]

Chest X-ray

This noninvasive test shows images of your heart and lungs on film. Although X-rays can't diagnose pulmonary embolism and may even appear normal when pulmonary embolism exists, they can rule out conditions that mimic the disease.

[Asker]

So what should I do then? I want to make sure I don't have a blood clot!!

[Asker]

What other test can they do to make sure it's not a blood clot?

[hswhis]

Did you read the links? It's all there.

[Asker]

Yeah I did

[hswhis]

Your X-ray and depo-provera comments show you didn't.

[Asker]

Ummm?

[hswhis]

Also you posted in one minute after I posted the links. You couldn't read them in one minute.

You are trolling.

[Asker]

No I'm not trolling. So what are you even talking about?

I didn't read them at the moment because I was debating whether or not to go to the ER -_-

[hswhis]

But you said you did. Sorry but I don't have time for liars.

[hswhis]

Sorry but it is in writing. I asked if you read the links and you said " I did".

Trolling.

[Asker]

Ok whatever. Like why are you still talking? Damn. Shut up lol you're super annoying.

[Anonymous]

Pain left side and chest pressure are usually two things; Acid reflux, or constipation/gas. Both these can cause your chest to feel tight. Try taking Zantac. If that doesn't help take stool softener and lactolose ( or miralax ).

If the left side pain is right near your ribs it's probably constipation or gas. Yes it can be that bad!

If you find you feel sick after eating acidic foods chances are it's acid reflux. Or if really bad and you're nauseated you could have a hiatus hernia. ( no worries lots of people get them ).

Above all this is a question for your doctor! I am only offering suggestions.

Good luck!

[Asker]

Thanks for answering!!

[Springfairy]

Same thing happens to me. I even been rushed via ambulance because of it, only to find out its stress related.
In fact, I have chest pain today. I find taking baby asprin eases the pain.(I wouldn't take one daily though without your doctor's consent)

[Asker]

I usually take Tyleonol, Ibuprofen, or Naproxen.

[Anonymous]

if your short of breath, and sweating, without exertion or anxiety other than fear of the pain yes but if its not heart related you could have a pulled muscle, or rib issues, did you do any strenuous activities? or sleep wrong, some folks experience pneumonia with symptoms like that too, and hunger pains, but its best to go back to the ER just to be safe

[Asker]

I have shortness of breath because of VCD, but it occurs by itself and not with the chest pain.
I haven't done any strenuous activities, and it's possible that I pulled a muscle but I'm not sure how.

I got a new mattress two months ago, and I always sleep the same- on my stomach. That never changes.

[Opinion Owner]

could be the VCD but other than that your breasts could also cause issues too, (which i forgot to mention) since you sleep on your stomach, i recommend not sleeping that way, sleep on your back or sides, when was the last time you checked your breasts for lumps or had a mammogram done? id mention that to you doctor too, and get it checked

[Asker]

I'm 19, so I get a mammogram at 21, right?

[Opinion Owner]

if your doctor decides to order it up for you, after an examination yes, age doesn't matter

[Asker]

Ok then

[ajay143]

I think it's a gastric problem. Not having food in time. Just contact ur family doctor for it and take medicines it will cure as soon as early. Don't think deeply about it more. Immediately contact to ur family doctor.

[Asker]

I'll call her on Monday.

[ajay143]

ok sure

[Asker]

Since today is Saturday...

[ajay143]

If possible u call to her. or till that time take more water with lemon and small pinch of salt in it with sugar. U can have some re-leaf. Take a glass of water and take three T-Spoons of lemon juice in it with three T-spoons of sugar and small pinch of salt.

[JustinCaseUDontKnow]

It could be severe anxiety ask yourself if anything
made you upset within the last day or today have
you been feeling sad, depress

[Asker]

Yeah I have severe anxiety.

[JustinCaseUDontKnow]

Try breathing in deep in your stomach with counting to 6
than when it comes out breath out slowly counting to 6
this reduces stress. Also, try making a fist tightening it
up hold it than let it go , do the same with your other
fist always breath in and out this does reduce anxiety

[Asker]

I tried, and it helped at first, but now, I get dizzy, no matter how slow it is :-(

[JustinCaseUDontKnow]

The more you think about the pain the worst it will get
cause your most likely having panic attack

[Asker]

Watching TV and listening to music helps me calm down.

[JustinCaseUDontKnow]

I hope you feel better

[Asker]

Thanks!!

[JustinCaseUDontKnow]

Your welcome :) But seriously try deep breathing
and tightening your fist exercises will reduce anxiety

[Asker]

Ok I will. Thanks again!!

[JustinCaseUDontKnow]

Ok your welcome!

[Execu]

Have heard back or left arm pain is are more indicators than chest pain of a heart attack for some reason, if everything is fine no idea..

[Anonymous]

I'd recommend a chiropractor to go along with what willow4 said.

[Asker]

That's also in my plan.

[Opinion Owner]

I'm not big into wholistic stuff, but I had issues with constant headaches (among other random pains and things) and started going to a chiropractor. They explained how everything connects and how just having one vertebrae off just ever so slightly can cause your body to go haywire. Makes sense, and worth a shot!

[Asker]

Yeah because I also get migraines and aches and pains in other parts of my body (neck, arms, and shoulders).

[Opinion Owner]

Yeah I did, too! I used to get migraines every so often and headaches all of the time. I also had some leg pain and had VERY painful and heavy periods. It took a few solid months of going to the chiropractor (bonus if you have good insurance!) but after awhile the migraines and headaches and pain totally stopped and my period was bearable. It's been a good 6 or 7 years since I've stepped foot in a chiropractor's office and I still don't get migraines.

[Asker]

Well I don't get periods.
So how did the chiropractor take away the cramps and heavy periods?

[Opinion Owner]

They adjusted my hips and lower back. Apparently they were off a mm or so or something.

[Asker]

Ohh, so that stopped the heavy bleeding and stuff? Didn't know that could work!!

[Opinion Owner]

Yeah me neither! Pretty cool.

[Asker]

Haha yeah it is.
I'm glad that I don't get periods :-)

[Opinion Owner]

Yeah I'm jealous lol. I've thought about trying those bc's that only let you get 4 a year, but periods are a good way to make sure I'm not pregnant lol

[Asker]

The shot, right? That's the one I take!!
I use birth control for periods only, not for sex.

[Opinion Owner]

Yeah! It works well for you? I take oral bc daily and it works great but is still a bit inconvenient on occasion.

[Asker]

Yeah it works perfectly!! Maybe you could switch if it's inconvenient.

[Opinion Owner]

Yeah I've been thinking about it. We'll see! I came to give you advice and got some for my own lol how bout that.

[Asker]

Yeah how about it? LOL when you give somebody advice, they can give you some too :-)

[Opinion Owner]

yeah, exactly :)

[Asker]

yep :-)

[Anonymous]

Do you have stomach pain along with it?

[Asker]

Nope!