What can cause a sharp pain either in my chest or right below it?

@emilystewart30 I suppose trying to change a long entrenched behavior is akin to getting off a drug we want to keep taking. For one thing, the “drug” taper. (Poor sleep hygiene takes along time to get over. And I’m impatient for results Now!)

I have been diagnosed with sarcoidosis, a very strong allergic reaction to mold, a probable fungal infection within my lungs (most probably a reaction to living in the presence of mold for 6 months without knowing we had mold in our home) and mild sleep apnea. I too have had random chest pains, have a loop recorder (for my heart) and have had brachycardia (in one instance after exercise), and tachycardia on a few occasions. I am scheduled for a lung biopsy this Friday, 1/23/26 and water will be inserted into my lungs during the procedure to obtain a better view of the fungal infection at the bottom of my lungs.

Is the insertion of water in the lungs a "normal" procedure? Does it pose any additional risk to me during the procedure?

@emilystewart30 if you still have your gallbladder, that is something to consider. When I had my gallbladder issues, I did have several episodes of chest pain that radiated to my back. Have had fewer episodes after I had my gallbladder out, but still have costochondritis (diagnosed at one ER visit some years ago).
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22167-costochondritis

@hopeseeker22 you and @emilystewart30 have just described me! lol.

Hi, @jimrandolf25 and welcome! I am glad you are here and connecting to others with similar chest pain. It sounds like you have gone through quite the journey to understand how a reaction to mold may be impacting you.

I am not a medical professional and needed to research a bit to learn about the biopsy you describe scheduled for Friday. It sounds like a Bronchoscopy and also a Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL) done at the same time. The BAL It is also called bronchoalveolar washing. During the procedure, a saline solution is put through the bronchoscope to wash your airways and capture a fluid sample. The cells or bacteria in the fluid sample may be tested, helping pin down a diagnosis.

I went to the home page, searched for Bronchoalveolar Lavage and found Connect Discussions and Comments: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/

Also, here is a link where I found information above about the procedure: https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/bronchoscopy-and-bronchoalveolar-lavage-bal/

How are you feeling, physically and also about having this procedure done? Do you have concerns?

@rashida Hi Rashida! Are you so sure❓Emily WAY out-classes me!
And you’re a Gem! 💎
Everyone over at “Just want to talk” is saying so. Congratulation! Gotta get back to “Mental Health” to defend myself. 💊

@jlharsh

@jjharsh

J. J. , thank you for your response. Your care and concern is a blessing.

You asked how I am doing (coping; feeling, etc.) As a Christian, my trust is in my Lord and Savior's hands. The surgeon is world-class, and his Team must be very good. The Surgeon is the Director of Interventional Procedures For Baylor Scott & White's Center for Advanced Lung and Cardiac Disease in Dallas.

I need prayer support if you are willing to provide it. The weather refuses to be "cooperative" as ice is forecast for 1/23/26. There are many individuals who are much worse than I am medically, emotionally, physically, and spiritually.

Finally, I believe you have incredible empathy for many which is simply outstanding. We need more people like you on this side of Heaven!

Thank you, @jimrandolf25. Your response warms my heart. I am glad you are pursuing the lung procedure and have a high level of confidence in your surgical team.

You mention prayer support is a current need. I absolutely will pray for you through this time of preparation, travel in bad weather, your procedure, finding answers and recovery.

You may want to consider asking for a chaplain, either beforehand or when you arrive for your procedure on 1/23/26. Do you have someone walking with you through this process, going with you? What does recovery look like?

It could be trapped gas that builds up. An easy test is to get rid of any and all garlic and onions and products with inulin in your diet which for some people causes trapped gas. Also dairy products that have lactose in them you might be lactose intolerant and even gluten products. It does not sound like anything serious but if you think it might be you should go to a doctor. People here can’t diagnose you. I had trapped gas pains for years and years, and I didn’t know I was lactose intolerant. Not only that but casein intolerant so I stick with sheep and goat products. The bloat from an irritable bowel syndrome or the trapped gas buildup would cause me the kind of pain you described. You can try the FODMAP elimination diet, (google Monash University and FODMAP ) and that will for sure. Tell you if it’s an intolerance to something you’re eating. When we eat things, our body can’t digest properly it can cause a great deal of fatIgue as well. Start with looking at your diet and if you eliminate the stomach aches and pain you’ll know. I went to the hospital emergency room by ambulance twice and they couldn’t find anything. It turned out it was the garlic and onions and dairy.

@jlharsh adding to your prayer chain…spiritual values can be an important part of healing… wishing you the best 🙏 .