Unknown chest pain: sharp, stabbing, and throbbing.
Help!
Hello! My names Mikayla I am 22 years old and have been having chest pain (sharp,stabbing/throbbing?hard to explain) since this March 2020. I have seen doctors and they have done a ct scan of my lungs finding a nodule on my lung and they sent me to mayo Rochester but they said my pain has nothing to do with my lungs. Then recently I had an endoscopy done and all my results came back normal. I am just now see a cardiologist but they are saying it’s highly unlikely that its my heart causing problems. My chest hurts everyday all the time just in different levels of pain from day to day and nothing triggers it either. Some days it’s a 8/10 and others 3/10 pain level. Im just so tired of dealing with this everyday and not having an answer as to why I’m in so much pain ): or feeling like I could die at any minute. Today I actually for the first time had chest pain and it hurt to breathe (sharp pain under my rib when deep breathing) also my left arm hurt for awhile but I’m not sure if that was from something else. 8 months is just a long time to deal with this and not having a good plan ):
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I went to the er 2 weeks ago because I was in so much pain and they didn’t do anything only gave me Ativan which I took but it didn’t stop my chest pain only made me fall asleep. I hate going to the er because I just don’t like having to deal with the medical costs that come with it for my mom I just feel guilty and since they haven’t found anything yet she’s to the point where she doesn’t know what to do and basically says there’s nothing else we can do so I doubt she would let me go to the er again and she’s annoyed that I complain everyday about my pain.
I don’t have a high stress job I only ask covid questions before people come in to see an eye doctor and before that I was unemployed so even when I was just at home I was having pain. It doesn’t ever go away I would say it’s always there sometimes I can deal with it better because it doesn’t hurt as much.
I am a female and I do vape and occasionally smoke weed. But with my lung scan and X-ray coming back fine the doctors don’t think that’s what’s causing my pain. Now I know vaping isn’t well and I am trying to quit. I also want to say ibuprofen doesn’t help
Yes that has been brought up but this is a constant pain and I’ve had anxiety for years. I also tried Ativan and that didn’t help
@mikquack
One more thought. When you went to see the cardiologist, did they any run any other test other than an EKG? I would recommend asking for an Echocardiogram. An Echo will show the doctor more of the heart functioning than just an EKG. Just a suggestion. Jake's suggestion about visiting Mayo Clinic or Cleveland Clinic (or another major heart center) are good suggestions. If you live near a well-known heart center (often part of a university medical school) you will get very thorough care.
@mikquack You should get an appointment with a good cardiologist As Teresa said a Echocardiogram or stress test will let the Dr know if there is a problem I know at your age this is scary but better save then sorry so please don't put this off
Vaping and smoking can cause chest pain for people who have asthma or other lung conditions. The inhaling of the Vape or smoke can trigger a tightening of the bronchial tubes, which in turn can cause pain. Chest pain can radiate or refer into other parts of the body and can mimic a cardiac condition, such as a heart attack. You may also be reacting to allergens, either at home or elsewhere. A board certified pulmonologist or allergist might be the way to go. With journaling, you can hopefully identify what environments or scenarios are the triggers. I agree with the good advice that the best places to find good doctors are respected medical centers such as the Mayo Clinic or a teaching hospital. Think of your medical issue as a journey to a destination known as the answer to the question.
@mikquack It is good you are stopping vaping. Below are a few articles that may be of interest to you. I encourage you to do further research. Vaping is new and the many chemicals people are ingesting while vaping are not something the medical community has seen before. Very young people (18 or 19) are developing serious unknown lung issues from vaping a short period of time.
- Outbreak of Lung Injury Associated with the Use of E-Cigarette, or Vaping, Products
https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/severe-lung-disease.html
-The Vaping Illness Outbreak: What We Know So Far https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/09/18/760635457/the-vaping-illness-outbreak-what-we-know-so-far
-COVID-19: the connection to smoking and vaping, and resources for quitting https://truthinitiative.org/research-resources/quitting-smoking-vaping/covid-19-connection-smoking-and-vaping-and-resources-for-quitting?
It's important that you continue to seek care for your symptoms. Medical expenses add up quickly. I'm wondering if you have considered contacting county human services to see if you could receive help with medical expenses and/or if they could provide you with state insurance? You could also contact the hospital billing and ask if there is any assistance.
I'm sorry your medical issues are causing you and your family extra stress. It is important that you feel supported at this time. May I ask who your main support is?
UPDATE: so these past couple days I’ve been extremely miserable- waking up and feeling like shit right away. Work is hardly manageable I want to go home almost everyday ): also these last two days it’s been kinda hard to breath? To take deep breaths at times ? And then sometimes it will hurt to do so also at times I will feel faint. My Apple Watch says my heart rate is at anywhere between 54-60 I think that’s fine? But when walking it can spike to like 123/143 idk what’s good or bad but I’ve been told my heart rate is fine . This is a new thing with my chest pain that hasn’t happened before so it just adds To my pain. Tomorrow I have a heart ultrasound so maybe I will get answers I’m hoping they don’t find anything bad but then again I want answers to why I’m having so much pain everyday
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Sue
@mikquack Mikayla, how did the appointment go today? Were you able to get any further answers to your concerns?
Ginger
No they only did the ultrasound and said the doctor would review them and then call me with results in no more than 5 business days. Kinda frustrating but I guess that’s how it works