1. < Digestive Health

Months of Chest Pain - Please help

Posted by capt209 @capt209, Nov 19, 2017

Hello all,

My name is Brandon and I'm a 34 year old male. I'm excited to get signed up on here and hopeful this may help my anxiety which is through the roof! I have been through ongoing chest pain for the past 4 months. The pain started off as a pinch on the left side of chest. It evolved into a pinch and pressure onto the right side of chest. It would be nearly daily, but didn't really get worse after meals or doing a lot of exercising. The pain then started radiating to my shoulders and sometimes into my arms but rarely. Now, it radiates into my jaw occasionally. I get a wierd fluttering in my chest occasionally when I lay down, but when i sit up and get doing stuff I don't realize it much. Now the chest pain mainly feels like pressure in my chest snd i get occsssional sharp pains on the lower portion of my ribs and sometimes on each side of my sternum. What could this be?

Here's what all I've had done....
CT scan of heart and heart echo - found i have a slightly dialated aerota at the base that they will monitor yearly. I also have a bicuspid aerota valve with moderate regurgitation. Cardiologist does not think my heart is causing the pains. I have no blockages at all and they aren't concerned at all of a heart attack.

I was scoped and found i have a moderate to large hiatal hernia and esophagitas. They also did a manometry test and found I was having esophogas spasms. I am set to have a bravo test this week to see if acid reflux might be the cause. I bet that will show that is the case because I've had acid reflux since my late teens / early 20s.

During my CT scan, they saw a slightly enlarged lymphnode...which i think was on the right side of my chest. They said they would recheck that in 6 months. I had a cold or infection during that test and had some congestion and they say that may of been the reason for that.

I have been on a proton pump inhibitor, zantac and tums as needed but i haven't really noticed much of an improvement on them, if at all.

I have back problems and a neck injury as well. They also think that may be the cause of the chest pain. I had an MRI which did not show any nerve compression but I am constantly battling neck and back pain, sometimes severe.

Any help would be appreciated,

Thanks all,
Brandon

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.

hartline | @hartline | Jan 26, 2021
In reply to @amandajro "Hello @hartline and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I understand you are having chest pain and..." + (show)
@amandajro

Hello @hartline and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I understand you are having chest pain and have been to the Emergency Department as a result 4 times since your hernia surgery. I am sure this must be very concerning and scary for you.

I found the following article that illustrates typical symptoms of heart-related and non-heart related symptoms of chest pain so you can try to narrow down which might resonate more with your experiences these last several months.

-Chest Pain - Symptoms and Causes:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chest-pain/symptoms-causes/syc-20370838
-Why does my chest hurt?
https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/guide/whats-causing-my-chest-pain#1
Can you come back and share your thoughts/reactions?

Jump to this post

So now seeing new stomach dr did a hydascan was good

REPLY
tatyannad | @tatyannad | Mar 28, 2021

I’ve been having chest pain for 7 months and body aches off and on.
It all started with body aches. Then followed diarrhea, loss of appetite and chest pain. I felt sick for a week and a half.
All symptoms subsided but chest pain stayed. By the end of that month, all the symptoms started back. Then went away & were less severe. It lasted for a couple of days.
I would have chest pain everyday, become short of breath and felt sick.
These past two months, I’ve been having the worse body aches ever (every two weeks). The body aches are severe that I feel like I’m suffering from the flu.
I’ve also been having heart palpitations.

I’ve seen a cardiologist, rheumatologist, and pulmonologist.
All tests have been normal.
Except finding a small lung nodule back in October. And I had very low vitamin d levels around that time and currently.

I feel like I won’t get any answers. I know something isn’t right.
But doctors are quick to dismiss it as anxiety Or GI problems.

Do you guys have any recommendations?

Thank you.

REPLY
2 replies
jenatsky | @jenatsky | Mar 28, 2021
In reply to @tatyannad "I’ve been having chest pain for 7 months and body aches off and on. It all..." + (show)
@tatyannad

I’ve been having chest pain for 7 months and body aches off and on.
It all started with body aches. Then followed diarrhea, loss of appetite and chest pain. I felt sick for a week and a half.
All symptoms subsided but chest pain stayed. By the end of that month, all the symptoms started back. Then went away & were less severe. It lasted for a couple of days.
I would have chest pain everyday, become short of breath and felt sick.
These past two months, I’ve been having the worse body aches ever (every two weeks). The body aches are severe that I feel like I’m suffering from the flu.
I’ve also been having heart palpitations.

I’ve seen a cardiologist, rheumatologist, and pulmonologist.
All tests have been normal.
Except finding a small lung nodule back in October. And I had very low vitamin d levels around that time and currently.

I feel like I won’t get any answers. I know something isn’t right.
But doctors are quick to dismiss it as anxiety Or GI problems.

Do you guys have any recommendations?

Thank you.

Jump to this post

Have you been tested and retested for Covid virus? From what I’ve heard on Doctor Radio your symptoms sound a lot like long hauler symptoms? FAlse positives are not uncommon, which is why I noted re-testing.

REPLY
Amanda Burnett | @amandaa | Mar 28, 2021
In reply to @tatyannad "I’ve been having chest pain for 7 months and body aches off and on. It all..." + (show)
@tatyannad

I’ve been having chest pain for 7 months and body aches off and on.
It all started with body aches. Then followed diarrhea, loss of appetite and chest pain. I felt sick for a week and a half.
All symptoms subsided but chest pain stayed. By the end of that month, all the symptoms started back. Then went away & were less severe. It lasted for a couple of days.
I would have chest pain everyday, become short of breath and felt sick.
These past two months, I’ve been having the worse body aches ever (every two weeks). The body aches are severe that I feel like I’m suffering from the flu.
I’ve also been having heart palpitations.

I’ve seen a cardiologist, rheumatologist, and pulmonologist.
All tests have been normal.
Except finding a small lung nodule back in October. And I had very low vitamin d levels around that time and currently.

I feel like I won’t get any answers. I know something isn’t right.
But doctors are quick to dismiss it as anxiety Or GI problems.

Do you guys have any recommendations?

Thank you.

Jump to this post

Hi @tatyannad and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You definitely picked a good spot for sharing your medical journey. You'll notice that I moved your inquiry to a long running conversation about ongoing chest pain. This benefits you because it brings you into the discussion with multiple members who have or are experiencing the same thing.

Can you share what tests you have had already?

REPLY
funk24 | @funk24 | Mar 29, 2021

Hello, well where do I start. July 18 2020 had chest discomfort centrally located, some sharp pains along pectoral muscle, And in the center deep discomfort like dull Pressure, 4 out of 10, some stabbing periodically in the back directly behind chest. Went through all the western doctors that you would think, cardiovascular, Gi, pulmonary,neurological, saw 2 DO’s for manipulation, acupuncture, bloodwork, did IV ozone and vit C therapy, lymphatic drainage massage, MFR massage, Numerous scans,(calcium score, stress test,echo, endoscopy, thorasic MRI of the spine, breathing test for lung damage, bone scan, MRI of chest, ultrasound of chest, liver, gallbladder, kidney) all can only tell me what I don’t have. Hesitant on CT chest because of high radiation hit.dont have any problems or limitations food wise,( for GI issues) I can’t create the problem, movement or eating, the endo doc says only mild gastritis, and grade A non erosive Esophagitis , but didn’t offer any treatment. I can’t get a proper diagnosis from anyone. Could it be viral? No answers. I have recently started down a Ayurveda cleanse journey, 4 months total. Hoping for results from a 5000 year process. Love some feedback, thanks

REPLY
2 replies
lioness | @lioness | Mar 29, 2021
In reply to @funk24 "Hello, well where do I start. July 18 2020 had chest discomfort centrally located, some sharp..." + (show)
@funk24

Hello, well where do I start. July 18 2020 had chest discomfort centrally located, some sharp pains along pectoral muscle, And in the center deep discomfort like dull Pressure, 4 out of 10, some stabbing periodically in the back directly behind chest. Went through all the western doctors that you would think, cardiovascular, Gi, pulmonary,neurological, saw 2 DO’s for manipulation, acupuncture, bloodwork, did IV ozone and vit C therapy, lymphatic drainage massage, MFR massage, Numerous scans,(calcium score, stress test,echo, endoscopy, thorasic MRI of the spine, breathing test for lung damage, bone scan, MRI of chest, ultrasound of chest, liver, gallbladder, kidney) all can only tell me what I don’t have. Hesitant on CT chest because of high radiation hit.dont have any problems or limitations food wise,( for GI issues) I can’t create the problem, movement or eating, the endo doc says only mild gastritis, and grade A non erosive Esophagitis , but didn’t offer any treatment. I can’t get a proper diagnosis from anyone. Could it be viral? No answers. I have recently started down a Ayurveda cleanse journey, 4 months total. Hoping for results from a 5000 year process. Love some feedback, thanks

Jump to this post

@funk24 I'm sorry to hear of your pain Welcome to connect we aren't Dr s but help if we can About 4months ago I had sharp pain on the right side of my esophagus and in gallbladder area But the acheness wasn't a gallbladder attack instead when I talked with my Dr telling her of my G.I problems in the past and GERD she put me on prescription Nexium told me to avoid fried foods,acidic foods and spices ,hot red peppers I took it about a month and was feeling better after are teleconference she added Perscription fomididine I'm still on both one at night and one before bkft It still bothers me but much better no sharp pain just aches a little Does this sound familiar to your symptoms ? I don't have any suggestions for you maybe others will I Wish you well

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Mentor
Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Mar 30, 2021
In reply to @funk24 "Hello, well where do I start. July 18 2020 had chest discomfort centrally located, some sharp..." + (show)
@funk24

Hello, well where do I start. July 18 2020 had chest discomfort centrally located, some sharp pains along pectoral muscle, And in the center deep discomfort like dull Pressure, 4 out of 10, some stabbing periodically in the back directly behind chest. Went through all the western doctors that you would think, cardiovascular, Gi, pulmonary,neurological, saw 2 DO’s for manipulation, acupuncture, bloodwork, did IV ozone and vit C therapy, lymphatic drainage massage, MFR massage, Numerous scans,(calcium score, stress test,echo, endoscopy, thorasic MRI of the spine, breathing test for lung damage, bone scan, MRI of chest, ultrasound of chest, liver, gallbladder, kidney) all can only tell me what I don’t have. Hesitant on CT chest because of high radiation hit.dont have any problems or limitations food wise,( for GI issues) I can’t create the problem, movement or eating, the endo doc says only mild gastritis, and grade A non erosive Esophagitis , but didn’t offer any treatment. I can’t get a proper diagnosis from anyone. Could it be viral? No answers. I have recently started down a Ayurveda cleanse journey, 4 months total. Hoping for results from a 5000 year process. Love some feedback, thanks

Jump to this post

@funk24 Did your neurologist consider thoracic outlet syndrome? It does cause pain near the collar bone in the chest and under pec minor because those are compression points. It is most often missed because many doctors don't understand it, so you need to be seen at a medical center that lists TOS as a condition they treat. I have TOS and myofascial release helps it a lot. I see you have tried MFR, but it is something that takes awhile to see results as you work through different layers of overly tight tissue. The shoulder blades get pulled forward around the sides of the chest, and if you look at a side view in the mirror, do you see the shoulder blades "wing" out? That would be a sign that the chest is too tight in front. It may take a few years of MFR work if you have TOS. I have also had chest pain that started at my neck and went to my sternum because of muscle spasms. I had checked this out at the emergency room, and there was no heart issues. I have been able to use my hands to massage out the spasms, and do some self treating with MFR stretching. Also make sure the MFR specialist you see is trained in the John Barnes methods. There is a provider search for that on his website at myofascialrelease.com. Sometimes there is inflammation that shows up on an MRI to the brachial plexus if you have TOS.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/thoracic-outlet-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20353988
https://mskneurology.com/how-truly-treat-thoracic-outlet-syndrome/

REPLY
funk24 | @funk24 | Mar 31, 2021

Thank you so much for your incite, I will look into TOS, I'm having a MFR massage soon, she is trained by John Barnes.

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brookeg19 | @brookeg19 | Jun 26, 2021

Hello,

I’m struggling because I’ve had on and off sharp shooting left chest pain in a specific area for the past 3 months. I’ve gone to the ER 7 times for CT scan with contrast, 4 X-rays blood work with slightly elevated DDimer . I’ve had ultrasound in my legs as I get muscle spasm , cramping, and tightness in just the left. I was having left upper arm pain on the outside . My doctor says it doesn’t seem to be cardio related but won’t refer me out to a specialist. I have done a stress test . I’m at a lost. I’m currently seeing a chiropractor as someone close to me suggested. Sometimes it helps but then a day or two later it comes back. It has been on and off sometimes I think it’s clearing up as I won’t have an episode for a week and then it comes back.

REPLY
3 replies
Amanda Burnett | @amandaa | Jun 27, 2021
In reply to @brookeg19 "Hello, I’m struggling because I’ve had on and off sharp shooting left chest pain in a..." + (show)
@brookeg19

Hello,

I’m struggling because I’ve had on and off sharp shooting left chest pain in a specific area for the past 3 months. I’ve gone to the ER 7 times for CT scan with contrast, 4 X-rays blood work with slightly elevated DDimer . I’ve had ultrasound in my legs as I get muscle spasm , cramping, and tightness in just the left. I was having left upper arm pain on the outside . My doctor says it doesn’t seem to be cardio related but won’t refer me out to a specialist. I have done a stress test . I’m at a lost. I’m currently seeing a chiropractor as someone close to me suggested. Sometimes it helps but then a day or two later it comes back. It has been on and off sometimes I think it’s clearing up as I won’t have an episode for a week and then it comes back.

Jump to this post

Hi @brookeg19 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Chest pain can be concerning, especially if you aren't getting any answers. You will notice that I moved your post to a discussion that has many member who are talking about chest pain like @jenniferhunter, @funk24, @snapdragon20, @lvon, and @tatyannad.

Brooke, have they check for anxiety attacks, GI issues or other major organs on that side of your body?

REPLY
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