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

Pepcid and omeprazole both reduce the production of stomach acid, omeprazole much more so than Pepcid, which is an older generation drug. They both come in two week packages, with warnings not to take beyond those two weeks without seeing a doctor. If you try them and see relief, then that would point toward reflux as causing, or at least contributing, to your problems. If they don't do anything, then you probably need to look elsewhere (unless you have laryngopharyngeal reflux, also known as silent reflux. But the symptoms for that usually are hoarseness, shortness of breath, postnasal drip, ears/balance being off. You could ask about hiatal hernia. Sliding hernias may not show up on an x-ray if they have slid into place at the time of the test. When they slide into the chest cavity it causes chest pain. Someone else brought up gas as a possibility. You could try the low FODMAP diet for two weeks and see if that improves anything.

The liver is under the chest. I would think a PCP would start with a full blood panel and full metabolic panel to see if that gives clues. Common cardiac tests are EKG, echocardiogram, stress test.

There are probably half a dozen likely possibilities to run down. If you feel stressed try breathing exercises or meditation and see if that makes a difference. Do you use white noise while sleeping? I leave the TV on for the noise background but wear an eye mask to avoid the light. If you don't do anything like that give it a try, you can get white noise on free apps. Again it might help you get more info while awaiting an appointment with doctor. The other thing is to post in the heart section of Mayo Connects.

Thanks for sending the article. I don’t have all the symptoms of gallstones or a gallstone attack, but I’m not saying I don’t have it. I haven’t been nauseous or vomiting, but maybe it’s possible to have it and not be nauseous.
If it’s alright to ask, what were your symptoms like?
I feel like I have a sharp pain either in my chest or right below it that kind of comes and goes, but I feel off most of the time. Sometimes the pain radiates to my back, and I’m worried to go into a deep sleep because I’m not sure if something would happen. I assume I’m sleeping during the night and don’t really wake up through the night, so I’m not sure if it’s in my head.

@emilystewart30 Yes, gallstone symptoms can go on for several months - even years. Your symptoms sound a lot like mine before I was diagnosed with gallstones. Here’s some information on it:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/7313-gallstones
End of the month seems a long time to wait for a family physician’s appointment. Sounds like you live in Canada! Perhaps you could give the receptionist a call and ask her to put you on the wait list for any cancellations before the end of the month.

If you had a chest X-ray it would only show if anything is wrong with your lungs or ribs but it will not show anything else wrong. Gallstones would be seen on an abdominal ultrasound.

The best person to answer all your questions about the pain would be your family doctor, but do call the receptionist and ask if you can be put on a wait list for any cancellations. End of the month is a long time to wait when you are feeling this way.

Another option might be to go to the ER the next time you are in pain.

My symptoms were as described in the article, but I also have costochondritis, which is something you might have - but only your doctor could know for sure.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22167-costochondritis

I forgot to add I live in the US

Emily...don't you think it's time to quit guessing and go see a doctor?

I understand your reluctance, but you admit you're losing sleep over this. You're obviously very concerned about it.

People like me mean well, but there are so many unknown factors, and we're amateurs anyway. I dare say as you hear about more potential issues, you'll worry more, not less.

A doctor can ask you the questions that will lead to a proper diagnosis.

Please see a professional as soon as you can.

Could gas cause chest pain too, or pain/fullness below my chest? It’d be kind of relieving if it is gas and not something worse

Definitivamente podrían ser gases. Yo tengo reflujo y hernia hiatal cuando tengo crisis me dan fuertes dolores al pecho, mi médico me dice incluso que se siente como un ataque al corazón los tengo hace más de 20 años, aún ahora sabiendo que es eso me causa ansiedad y estres cuando estoy pasando por estás etapas. Tuve que descartar varias cosas antes siempre con ayuda de tu médico, así que en tu caso recomiendo que seas sincero y descarten todo así te sentirás mejor. 🤗

Thank you for responding. Would X-rays show anything? I had X-rays done today and was kind of hoping if something’s wrong it would show up on them. I won’t know the results for a couple weeks. I have a doctors appointment towards the end of this month as well