Approximately 6 years ago, I started experiencing pains on the left side of my chest. Since then it has come and gone irregularly. This pain causes shortness of breath in that I cannot breathe deeply. Coughing, sneezing, and often yawning and laughing increase the pain. It's as if there is a needle and once my lungs fill up to a certain point, they are poked with the needle. Most of the time, it lasts for only a few mintues, but today it has lasted all morning and afternoon (it is now 2:00 p.m.).

Any help would be greatly appreciated.