Unknown chest pain: sharp, stabbing, and throbbing.

@mikquack
Hello there,
Years back a friend of mine had similar symptoms to yours all her tests were also normal. She was ultimately diagnosed with Costochondritis.
Have you had a Holter monitor test done?
Take care,
Jake

Thanks for the reply! I know this happens to a lot of people and it’s unfortunate because it’s very hard to diagnose sometimes and may be miss diagnosed. I have never had a Holter Monitor Test done , they have done very little about my heart yet in these 8 months because they believe I am too young and healthy all they have done and this was just a couple weeks ago was an ekg

Hello @mikquack,

I'm glad that you posted your concerns here on Mayo Connect. Let me welcome you to our online patient support community. We are glad that you are here.

I admire that you are taking charge of your health and looking for answers to the chest pain. There are numerous reasons for chest pain as you have probably guessed by now. The fact that doctors have not yet found a reason does not mean that a reason does not exist.

I'm wondering if you have ever kept a pain journal? By this, I mean writing down the times/days when you have the pain (and also the level of pain from 1 to 10). Then also write down what you were doing when the pain started, i.e., had you just finished eating, or were you hungry, exercising, watching TV, etc.? Keeping journals of symptoms can be very helpful, especially when visiting a doctor. It can help the doctor to understand your symptoms better.

I'm also wondering, if when you went to Mayo Clinic, did they suggest any other reasons for your chest pain?

I look forward to hearing from you again, @mikquack.

It is possible that you have a form of asthma or other breathing issue. Are you a smoker, exposed to cigarette smoke, or other type of fumes? A breathing test could be done. It could also be an allergic reaction. A skin scratch test could be helpful. Pain is the body’s way of telling you that something is going on. You need to continue to be an advocate for your own body and your own health. Teresa’s journal suggestion is a great idea. Keep asking the doctors the right questions, and eventually you will get the right answer.

@mikquack
Hi again,
Yes, like @lagrange5 I also think Teresa’s idea of a journal is an excellent one. My problem is epilepsy/seizures, journals are very common and extremely helpful much of the time.
Since the number of other conditions can cause symptoms that mimic cardiac problems have you
experimented eating a low fat low acid diet?
Doctors are often quick to blame stress or anxiety and depression as causes for various illnesses I know they do that a lot with epilepsy which usually turns out ot to be the case so I was curious if you had a high stress job or if you suffered any of those issues? Do you think you could’ve strained or pulled any muscles.
One major problem I’ve noticed in the medical community is the fact that doctors often jump to wrong conclusions for example, my father would be walking down the street and get sick. He went to the doctors many times specialists you name it. Of course this was 65 years ago so all the imaging technology and other technology wasn’t available however that didn’t mean he wasn’t sick. As it turned out the doctor told him I don’t know but I think you have a brain tumor and I think it’s right here. That doctor operated and my dad had a brain tumor causing his symptoms. My nieces daughter went undiagnosed for 5 to 6 years went from extremely active to a wheelchair. Doctors told my dad he had a heart attack I told them he did not and although I had to take those doctors to court I prove that he did not he did not in fact have a heart attack.etc. Doctors make mistakes all the time it’s very common place. Sometimes they don’t wanna be bothered there’s all sorts of reasons it’s sad but it’s true. Have you had an ultrasound done of your heart how or a noninvasive MRI/CT these are sometimes used in place of angiography. Ask your doctor why you’re symptomatic and demand a diagnosis. If he can’t give you one demand a referral if your insurance requires one. Sometimes insurance companies will become involved, give them a call, maybe they can help. When it comes to checking out a problem I am off an unrelenting. Doctors have refused to see me because I am so demanding on occasion which I look at is a good thing because it shows how incompetent they are in the first place. My doctor knows she better give me an answer that will appease me you’re all be there all night long standing in front of the door and not letting her out. I supposed the point of all this long winded jabber is just to be demanding something is obviously wrong you’re not symptomatic for no reason demand a reason go to the emergency room every day go to different emergency rooms every day
Don’t be afraid to do whatever it takes to get a diagnosis whether it’s a major medical problem or minor one, you deserve an answer, GET IT!!!
Hang in there,
Jake

Ps I also wanted to ask if you were male or female symptoms can be different is the reason for this question. Don’t be offended but I don’t know you so I’m going to ask a couple other questions do you smoke drink or do drugs?

I guess you are up.
You hold your doctor hostage???
For your Survey NO, I don’t smoke no drugs, it I do drink bottled water.
And yes, doctors make mistakes all the time.

@mikquack
You made the statement you think your doctors believe you’re too young to have a heart a attack or other heart disease, nonsense. Unlikely yes but that doesn’t mean you’re not entitled to the best medical care possible. Granted children and infants don’t have them very often but they do in fact have them so just because you’re young doesn’t mean you can’t have a heart attack or other heart issues. Maybe your doctors forget that some babies require heart surgery prior to birth.
Jake

@mikquack
Would it be possible for you to go to the Mayo Clinic for an evaluation or the Clevelend Clinic. I would think if anyone could rule out heart issues it would be Mayo or the Cleveland clinic.
Jake

@mikquack Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You will notice that I changed the title of your discussion. I did this to make it easier for members like you to connect.

It sounds like you have had chest pain since March. You are seeking appropriate medical care but the cause of your symptoms has not been determined.

May I ask if any provider mentioned anxiety as a cause of your pain? Anxiety, panic disorders, etc. can cause intense physical symptoms and pain. No, I'm not saying it is in your head. If it were anxiety, your pain would be no less valid. I'm just wondering if you and your providers have explored this as a possibility?

That is a good idea! I will buy a journal to start recording my pain. Thanks for the response