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Persistent Chest Pain - Please help

Posted by juliar19 @juliar19, Oct 20, 2022

Hello,

I am a 28 y/o female and I started experiencing chest pains on September 23rd so about a month ago. I went to the ER had had several blood tests including troponin that came back fine. I had an EKG that also looked good. I continued to experience the chest pains and had a stress echo done. The stress echo showed an incomplete RBBB but otherwise normal. At this point, my primary does not think this is heart related. I do have a follow-up in December with a cardiologist. The pain comes and goes and feels like an electric shock type pain right underneath my left breast. I also get some chest pains that feel like a stabbing/cramping feeling in the middle. OTC meds do not help. Starting to consider autoimmune issues or stress/anxiety. I have been extremely anxious due to the chest pains and worrying about my heart. Other possibly relevant info: I had a baby in July, used to be a long distance runner, history of family heart disease. Any idea what this could be?

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Jan 25 7:18pm
In reply to @gerri1947 "I have been told I have bradycardia which is a low heart rate. I also have..." + (show)
@gerri1947

I have been told I have bradycardia which is a low heart rate. I also have all the symptoms including chest pains like electrical pains. I’ve been to emergency room 4 times. But heart is fine. Had a cath done no blockages. But heart rate runs in 30’s while sleeping & in 40’s while awake. Oxygen also drops in 80’s while sleeping. My family doctor said I need a pacemaker but my heart specialist said I don’t qualify for one yet. Because I’ve not started fainting yet. I believe it’s because of insurance. I live in fear every moment of everyday. Afraid my heart will stop especially at night while sleeping. I know I need help but have no idea what to do.

Jump to this post

This is a difficu situation and I understand your fears. Enlist your doctor as an ally, and have him send his recommendations and clinical notes to your cardiologist.
If you are on Medicare there I a clear appeal process if the surgeon recommends a pacemaker and it is denied. In the case of private insurance, it is regulated state-by-state, ask for the recommendation to be made, and if it is denied, contact your state regulating body.

REPLY
rashida | @rashida | Jan 28 1:18pm
In reply to @giffordtheresarev "Hello and thank you for sharing, I am very sympathetic about the pain you are experiencing,..." + (show)
@giffordtheresarev

Hello and thank you for sharing, I am very sympathetic about the pain you are experiencing, especially at such a young age. I have had, and continue to have, the type of pain you have described, with one big difference: much of mine started randomly moving from the left side of my chest, sometimes right in the middle, and now on the right side. I have gone to the ER several times and it is not a cardiovascular problem. This last ER visit I was diagnosed with PLEURODYNIA. If you look it up on Google there is very little information except a description of the pain as well as the common name DEVIL'S CLAWS because the pain can be so excruciating. It usually lasts 3-4, days when it is contagious, but can last up to three weeks and then it just disappears. Essentially, this is a virus that finds a home on the outside of your lungs; it can cause epidemics but there is very little research beyond that. I thought I would reach under by breast and tear it out - know what I mean! Certainly the stresses of life can be causal for pain and need attention. But when I opened Google and saw a picture of a young woman doubled over and clutching her breast I felt an enormous sense of relief that what I have was a medical condition! Now I can be accepting of the pain and give myself a break from self stress blame and being a medical detective! Wishing you a healthy life, Theres Gifford

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@giffordtheresarev here’s another site that gives some information on pleurodynia. I had never heard of it till you posted about it!
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/pleurodynia

REPLY
tchornoboy | @tchornoboy | Jan 29 9:59am

I have been going through a similar experience. My chest pains have been happening for 4 months. I have been through stress test, angiogram, nuclear scan, CT, x rays and numerous blood tests. Everything comes back normal.
I am active, eat healthy and was healthy right before all this started.
I have seen a cardiologist and my GP has been useless.
We have referrals in with a few specialists.

REPLY
amu45sin | @amu45sin | Jan 29 11:02am

Keep seeing your PCP and push to get to the bottom of your symptoms. This is not normal. If PCP is not responsive, or brushes you off, get a different PCP. Best to you!

REPLY
jriemer | @jriemer | Jan 30 11:38am

I walk with a hiking stick for balance with right hand. I get the exact pain and also went to E.R.. jeff

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