Pain in the left side of chest

Hi @kromp,

Welcome to Connect. I can understand how worried you must be, and we're so glad you've joined us here. Here’s a discussion that you may wish to view, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/when-is-an-angiogram-called-for/ where you can meet @jchp @Sensation Mentor @cynaburst who share their insights about chest pain.

I’d also encourage you to view this other incredibly informative conversation:
– PRINZMETAL ANGINA/VARIANT ANGINA https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/prinzmetal-anginavariant-angina/
@lisab62 @huge @rsmith011 @cherfenn @iagrrl Mentor @kariulrich and others write about their experiences, and I’m certain they will join in with their thoughts.

I'd like to tag @scotr124m, who posted similar concerns very recently, and also encourage you to read this Mayo Clinic Q and A:
– Chest pain despite normal stress test information https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-chest-pain-despite-normal-stress-test/

@kromp, have you had any stress tests done to rule out other conditions?

I have done a 24 hour heart rate monitor holter, but i'm not sure if that counts, the doctor said everything is fine especially since at night my heart rate is ideal @kanaazpereira

It's 12 am where i live and im scared to go to sleep,maybe my health anxiety and obesity is causing all this.

@kromp Hi, K. I have a couple thoughts about your pain. The Spleen is located just below your description of the pain location. Spleen inflammation pain can be felt anywhere from the top of your shoulder down to the bottom of the rib cage, and most especially just to the left of the nipple. Also, the area you speak of has a number of lymph glands. I would suggest these might be investigated by your doctor. You describe an area where my spleen makes itself known. I would suggest doing a SERUM FreeLite(c) chain assay and a 24-hour proteinuria assay to look for signs of misfolded protein. Amyloidosis of various mutations is well known for causing pain just inside the bottom of the rib cage. The search should also include a good look at the left kidney. In my case, I also get pain in that area when I do not feel the urge to pee and forget about it for too long, and the urine apparently backs up from the bladder into the kidneys. Prostate disorders can cause this, and fibril invasion of the kidney, spleen, lung and other stuff in the area.

Any chest pain area can cause anxiety. I have Prinzmetal Angina and there is many times I have been afraid to fall asleep. If possible get a wrist blood pressure and heart monitor and a notebook to journal. Write down date, time and what you are doing resting, sleeping, activity then you're blood pressure and heart rate, describe the pain exactly where it is and what it feels like. Is it sharp, sting, a tightness or squeezing feeling. Give it to your cardiologist ❣️

@kromp Welcome to Mayo Connect, my name is Kari, I am one of the mentors here. It is a pleasure to meet you. I hope you do not mind me asking you a few questions, and if you don't feel uncomfortable answering I understand, I just want to make sure you get appropriate advice. You also can always private message me. My first thought is your age, may I ask if you have let your parents know that your symptoms have continued despite having a normal ekg and blood work? Have you addressed your anxiety with your parents and doctors? Anxiety is a diagnosis that should be made after everything else is ruled out regarding your symptoms? Have you ever been diagnosed with anxiety? Can you tell us more about your symptoms? When do your symptoms happen? What does a typical day look like for you? I am so happy you are on here, please know that we are here for you. Again welcome!

Hey Kari,pleasure to meet you aswell. I have addressed my anxiety after the first ekg and ultrasound appointment at the cardiologist. After that they took me to a different one for another appointment aswell as an xray of my chest and blood and biochemistry tests.Everything came up fine. I havent told the doctors about my anxiety and i was never diagnosed with it. The pain comes suddenly and i can't really tell what triggers it,but i can say it comes more often and severe while im laying down.The days pass on normally and the pain doesnt interfere with my everyday activites @kariulrich

I've searched a bit on the internet and found out that it might be acute pericarditis, and that it can be missed by ekg,xrays and blood tests? Thoughts on this?

@kromp See my post above first... I want to make sure you are ok, especially if this is interfering with your sleep. Let's get you through tonight, then take care of the rest of this tomorrow. One thing at a time. You need to let someone know this is causing you fear and problems sleeping OK? (See post above) Have you had a stress echocardiogram? I believe that would be the next step for you to rule out anything cardiac in nature, in addition an event monitor would be helpful, this is where you wear a heart monitor and press a button when symptoms happen. Do you feel any shortness of breath during the pain? Does it radiate down your arm or into your jaw? Now anxiety can cause all these symptoms also, that is why it is important to address all these areas. Please tell the doctors and your parents that the pain is more severe when you lay down. Sometimes we can feel our heart beat when we lay down because our bodies are now quite and we notice things more. Do you know how to take your pulse? Your heart rate can change with positions, also the quality of the beats... you can feel this taking your pulse. This is a good link on how to do that: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/expert-answers/heart-rate/faq-20057979. Another suggestion is related to anxiety... you do need to let someone know that this is a possibility... but in the meantime it is helpful to be mindful, meaning knowing how to take a deep breathe from your abdomen to relax. Another thing to think about is letting your school nurse know what you are going through, get the nurse to check your blood pressure and pulse a few times at school. Keep track of that. That information will be helpful for your doctors. I know there is a lot of medical jargon we use on this site, so if something does not make sense, please ask questions. I have both chest pain and anxiety... I have had anxiety since I was your your age. What helped me with my anxiety calming myself down through biofeedback techniques. So whenever I touch a door handle, no matter where I am, it reminds me to take a deep breathe and slowly exhale which in turn calms me down. Your symptoms are real and that is scary to think about, especially at your age. What kind of things do you like to do? Do you read, play video games?? Do you by chance play clash of clans? he he ...I do! That is what helps me relax... don't laugh too hard! What are your favorite pastimes? How is school going for you? Do you like it? What are some of your favorite subjects? I know... twenty questions... I am a mom... I can't help myself lol! I have two boys, one is 22 the other is 18.

@kromp I just seen this post.... Let's get you through tonight and deal with the rest later. I am hoping you have finally fallen asleep, and you get this message in the morning! Either way, let me know. Take a few deep breaths for me... these symptoms are interfering with your sleep, as a parent I would want to know about this. Please consider talking to your mom or dad... are you able to do that? Do you feel comfortable doing that? Keep me posted my friend, I will check back in a bit.