Chronic Chest Pain: Tips, Tricks, Similar Experiences?

Posted by chronicpain02 @chronicpain02, Dec 1 5:19pm

Hello!
I am a 22 y/o female who has been dealing with persistent daily chronic chest pain for the past nine months. I have visited the ER countless times and all cardiac workup is normal. I turned to a cardiologist who completed an echocardiogram. Here the cardiologist diagnosed me with pericarditis. I then started colchicine twice daily. I found that my chest pain got better for about a month after starting the medicine. Unfortunately, it came back "swinging" about a month later. I contacted another cardiologist and was ordered a cardiac MRI. They found nothing abnormal in this test and concluded it was muscular. The second cardiologist disagreed with my first diagnosis of pericarditis. Since then I have seen a gastrologist (to rule out any gastro disorder that could be affecting it). I have stopped the colchicine and am now taking ibuprofen 800 mg for "Flares" (which does not help because it is awful every day) and heat and ice as needed. I have relied too heavily on heat and ice and have often left both on longer than I should have. I am trying to move away from these unless needed. I am desperate at this point. Looking for any thoughts, suggestions, or tips. Has anyone dealt with this? I am still unsure of what exactly I am dealing with. My original cardiologist wants me to start an injection for chronic pericarditis. I am unsure about this, however, as both cardiologists have seemingly decided I don't have it?!? Thanks for taking the time to read this and thank you for your help.

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covidstinks2023 | @covidstinks2023 | Dec 3 8:39pm

chronicpain02, Bless you. This is just a suggestion.

I started having chest pain a few months ago. My acid reflux had flared up and so my Protonix was increased. I still had pain in my chest that radiated. My breastbone was extremely sore.

I remembered having had this in my 20's. It's called Costochondritis or Tietze Syndrome if you have swelling with it. It hurts like the dickens! Usually anti-inflammatories are given for this like Advil, Motrin or Naproxen (I cannot take these) or a steroid taper. My cardiologist ruled out pericarditis and said I did in fact have either Costochronditis or Tetze Syndrome as my pain was muscular. My mom had this. I took tylenol and put heat on my chest which helped. It has finally eased after about 3 months.

This can be brought on by exercise like swimming or doing anything different that puts stress on the breastbone. Please look these up and discuss with your doctor. This can be missed. I too thought it was my heart from having had COVID twice....COVID can cause pericarditis. I'm not saying yours isn't pericarditis, but, please mention this to your Cardiologist as well. Movement made mine worse.

Praying for you to get relief. I empathize. Blessings & Prayers.....

jenatsky | @jenatsky | 6 days ago

It sure sounds like costochronditis that we saw in the ER when I was a ER nurse many years ago. They used to use Ethylchloride a local anesthetic sprayed on the painful area and it worked wonders. If you do take NSAIDS OTC meds for this please watch your gut and take the medication after a meal, not just a tidbit of food. They pose the risk of great damage to your gut.