I have been suffering from chest pains on my left side for about 6/7 years now and can't seem to get a proper diagnosis for it.
I have been going to doctors and specialist for years and everyone is baffled it’s so frustrating to have a really bad pain and know one knows what’s going on.

I find it so hard to describe to doctors I get so many different sorts of pains in different areas of my chest and back.
It 1st started when I got a really bad chest infection that lasted about 6 months constantly cough up nasty stuff.
My left hand side has just felt so wrong since this chest infection; I get really bad stabbing pains in between my ribs, about 3rd/4th up, it almost feels like a really painful stitch.
I get pains down the centre of my rib cage its feels like I have been hit with a big bat and when I push down it kinda relieves some pressure.
I feel like the whole of my left side is really tight.
The worst pain I get is a very deep dull pain in the middle of my chest from front to back its feels like some muscles have tighten up around my heart/lungs. It constantly feels like I need to stretch this muscle I can’t get too.
Sometimes when my pains are bad my I get a lot of heart flutters and my heart just beats really hard once….its so painful just for a few seconds then goes away.

I could sit hear all day telling you what I have tried and what hasn't worked...I seem to get knowwhere, I've had every test you can think of on my chest apart from a cat scan (I can’t seem to get the docs to give me one).

I have a constant dull pain and presure feeling that drives me round the bend!

I was going on the theory that I had some sort of chronic pleurisy coz that would kind a make sense but my chest sounds fine…the problem and most of the pain seems to be coming from my heart.??

Can anyone help me? or is anyone experiancing the same thing?
I’d love to hear from someone that knows what I’m on about.

I had simialr feelings, and like you had many tests. Have you been fitted with a 24 hour heart tape? I did 3 times and each time it came back clear, which is a good thing, they have now diagnosed me with a word i can say let alone tpye, but it is imflamation of the ribs, they have described the pain similar to heart problems, but unfortunately nothing they canm so. It is recommended to try to keep good posture, and do light upper body exercise.
Hope you get it sorted soon.

I get these exact symptoms; you couldn't have explained them better. I am a young 23 year old, healthy women and I have been experiencing these chest pains for the past three years but have been occurring my constant these last three months. I have gone through a stress test, hooked up to a EKG many times and have been in the ER were they have run and bunch of tests looking at my heart and my lungs and they have come up with no good reason. One doctor said it was anxiety but it is hard for me to believe that anxiety could cause pain like this for me. I get so frustrated because having these pains a re scary and really interfere with my life. I just want an explanation, I don't want pain killer to cover the pain but I want to know what it is and how to fix it. Let me know if you come up with anything.

Good luck to us both!

I am in the same boat , unexplained chest pains..had an angiogram and while it showed some narrowed vessels it was nothing that would give me pain. Had a few x-rays , cat-scans etc..no answer..could be my statin medicines though I can't stop taking them and I have tried most of them. I hate living with this chest pain , it makes me sad and does affect my life a great deal. It does feel like a muscle/ribcage ache at times but other times it definitely feels like my heart muscles are inflammed...sucks to be me but I guess every day above ground is a good day.

Lutheran,

how often do you get your chest pain? Are there any triggers? I have been having some chest pain as well. As you, I suspect my medication to be its cause. The pharmacist talked me into trying a generic brand of my calcium channel blocker. I started having problems on the first day of taking this drug. Its' better now, almost a week and a half later. The pain is scary because it's hard to predict just how bad it's going to get. What about yours? Do you normally have angina? I really am sorry to hear about your chest pain. How are your lipids - are you keeping the inflammation in check?

I get these exact symptoms; you couldn't have explained them better. I am a young 23 year old, healthy women and I have been experiencing these chest pains for the past three years but have been occurring my constant these last three months. I have gone through a stress test, hooked up to a EKG many times and have been in the ER were they have run and bunch of tests looking at my heart and my lungs and they have come up with no good reason. One doctor said it was anxiety but it is hard for me to believe that anxiety could cause pain like this for me. I get so frustrated because having these pains a re scary and really interfere with my life. I just want an explanation, I don't want pain killer to cover the pain but I want to know what it is and how to fix it. Let me know if you come up with anything.

Good luck to us both!

Hi Shelby,

Its such a releif to know i'm not the only one suffing with these pains,
I question my own sanity sometimes I tell ya.
I have been getting iot really bad over the last month, when its real bad it gives me a kick to push that bit harder to try and get to the bottom of theses pains.
You sound like you have just what I've got.
What brought yours pains on and when did they start, could I ask if you drink much or have every taken any drugs?
My pass Is like any other young man...I'm now very health 27 year old .....apart from these stupidly bad pains.
My doc has to try to fob me off with saying its anxiety or stress, I know my body and something is not right!
Just the other day I had it so bad I really throught I was having a heart attack, I think anyone else with these pains would have panicked, but coz I have had them for so long i'm just so used to them.
I just can't understand why knowone can find the answer. :( least i know im not alone thO!
Have you every had any scans on your chest at all?
Dose anything bring it on at all, when I have a bit of a hangover its seems to be much worst for me, nothing else really makes it worst?
I'd like to hear from you again!
Andrew

I am in the same boat , unexplained chest pains..had an angiogram and while it showed some narrowed vessels it was nothing that would give me pain. Had a few x-rays , cat-scans etc..no answer..could be my statin medicines though I can't stop taking them and I have tried most of them. I hate living with this chest pain , it makes me sad and does affect my life a great deal. It does feel like a muscle/ribcage ache at times but other times it definitely feels like my heart muscles are inflammed...sucks to be me but I guess every day above ground is a good day.

Mate I really know how you feel, i just feel like a time bomb sometimes what started your pains?
Do you drin much and have you ever taken drugs>?

Your symptoms sound like pericarditis.

You might see if the symptoms get better when you are taking antibiotics for the flu. It could be permanent damage that you are suffering from. Anyway. Do some research on it and take A, E, mushrooms, and look into a naturapath for additional help. There is a nutrient that you get from mushrooms that the heart needs for good health. But the nutrient has to be in the soils where the mushrooms are grown. Garlic is another source I believe. Good luck I will be praying for you.

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Mate I really know how you feel, i just feel like a time bomb sometimes what started your pains?
Do you drin much and have you ever taken drugs>?

Unfortunately yes I did do cocaine for some years , worked with a band for a long time and was pretty stupid. I am not sure what started my pain but it comes and go's but for the past 2 months almost it is every day all around the center of my chest and sometimes to the left side of my ribcage. Like I said before sometimes it feels like my muscles other times it feels like its 100 percent no doubt about it heart pain. Really stinks..

Lutheran,

how often do you get your chest pain? Are there any triggers? I have been having some chest pain as well. As you, I suspect my medication to be its cause. The pharmacist talked me into trying a generic brand of my calcium channel blocker. I started having problems on the first day of taking this drug. Its' better now, almost a week and a half later. The pain is scary because it's hard to predict just how bad it's going to get. What about yours? Do you normally have angina? I really am sorry to hear about your chest pain. How are your lipids - are you keeping the inflammation in check?

My cholesterol levels are around 150 or so , but my good cholesterol is only around 34 or so...dunno what my inflammation levels are as I havent had a recent c reactive protein test. I am glad your pain is better , I am hoping it is my meds and not something else but like I said with narrowed veins I can't really stop taking the statins unless I want to get another angiogram in the next year or so or maybe worse...i am too much of a sissy to get a bypass..i don't think I would make it through that.

Lutheran,

My cholesterol levels are around 150 or so , but my good cholesterol is only around 34 or so...dunno what my inflammation levels are as I havent had a recent c reactive protein test.

Not long ago my cholesterol was finally perfect after months of hard work. It's all messed up now thanks to my medications. My CRP is not bad at the moment, the ESR could use improvement. I guess some things are beyond our control.:( I am on several medications that affect the cholesterol levels (besides affecting other lab values). I can't stop taking the meds so sometimes wonder what's the use of eating right and exercising. Losing weight has proven impossible in spite of a very reasonable diet. This can be attributed to taking several medications causing weight gain. I will keep trying. I guess every little bit helps.

I feel tightness in the left chest, tugging and pulling which all remind me of the withdrawal symptoms I experienced in the past after a reduction in my dose of a calcium channel blocker. They are not as frequent now so I assume I must be getting used to the generic medication.

I wish you luck and hope your pain will stop on its own.
flowergirl

Your symptoms sound like pericarditis.

You might see if the symptoms get better when you are taking antibiotics for the flu. It could be permanent damage that you are suffering from. Anyway. Do some research on it and take A, E, mushrooms, and look into a naturapath for additional help. There is a nutrient that you get from mushrooms that the heart needs for good health. But the nutrient has to be in the soils where the mushrooms are grown. Garlic is another source I believe. Good luck I will be praying for you.

I don't think its any kind of infection as I have tried loads if antibiotics, i have tried alomst everything, i'm very intertested in natural remedies, I will look into a naturapath as this is something i'm already intertested in!I do eat lots of garlic too, keeps the *******s away! thanks for your help!

Unfortunately yes I did do cocaine for some years , worked with a band for a long time and was pretty stupid. I am not sure what started my pain but it comes and go's but for the past 2 months almost it is every day all around the center of my chest and sometimes to the left side of my ribcage. Like I said before sometimes it feels like my muscles other times it feels like its 100 percent no doubt about it heart pain. Really stinks..

I too was a bit stupid when i was younger and smoked alot of canibus, think thats what started my chest infection that started all my pain, but these things happen and these things change, i'm now very healthly but still can't get my pain to go away or even find the cause.....i'm sure the pain is also coming from my heart but there is know why to find our for sure.Guurr

Flowergirl2day how do you know when you need a calcium channel blocker?

Wasley are you sure you don't have costochondritis? which is an inflammation of something around the ribs. Heart pain usually comes on from strenuous exercise. Unless you've been diagnosed with heart failure it's not generally something you get every day...is it? What does your GP say?

Lutheran - have you been told you need a bypass?

Wasley are you sure you don't have costochondritis? which is an inflammation of something around the ribs. Heart pain usually comes on from strenuous exercise. Unless you've been diagnosed with heart failure it's not generally something you get every day...is it? What does your GP say?


Hi Trixibel,

thanks for your infomation, I have recently been diagnosed with Costochondritis, but i'm not sure this is the right diagnosis.
Althrough some of my pains to feel like sort joints of the ribcage some most certanly feel like heart pains/spasms/cramps.

Just this weekend I experianced a very intence pain i've not yet experianced.
I have been on holiday snowboarding when I was traveling home at the end of my holiday....as I was travling down the mountains,
I had a pain all down my left arm and about an hour after, I felt a very intence crushing pain on my left side of my chest, I then starting to get the most intence pain I have ever experianced arround my heart area....I was in so much pain...every heart beat was painful for about 3 hours....I wanted to go to hospital but I was in a airport waiting for my flight...which I would have missed..........I have had this type of pain before but only for a few secounds....i really felt I was having a heart attack!
I feel really lost and don't know what to do next? :(

Flowergirl2day how do you know when you need a calcium channel blocker?

Wasley are you sure you don't have costochondritis? which is an inflammation of something around the ribs. Heart pain usually comes on from strenuous exercise. Unless you've been diagnosed with heart failure it's not generally something you get every day...is it? What does your GP say?

Lutheran - have you been told you need a bypass?

No all 3 arterys are only 30 percent or less narrowed. They won't even do a stent till they are 70 percent narrowed let alone a bypass. I guess its good I know about it so i can keep on top of my diet and take the meds but my mind worrys over the knowledge unfortunately. I feel like a time bomb is in my chest. I know that sounds stupid but its how i feel.

It doesn't sound stupid. It's very anxiety-provoking knowing that something is happening - that you're susceptible. But the doctors aren't going to leave you as is if there is any risk. Do you take aspirin therapy? I do. I don't know how blocked my arteries are. I'm too scared to go and find out which is even worse. Do you have a bad family history? I have a bad family history. I have been worrying about my heart since I was 19. It's very sad and a waste of time and life and it frustrates me, but every little symptom I get - even feeling a bit sick or dizzy - I immediately think is related to my heart. Someone on this board once said - 'people who are worried about their heart think any pain above the knee is heart related' - it's so true of me. An absolute nightmare.

Trixibel- You just wrote my life story!!!!

Trixibel- You just wrote my life story!!!!

Mine as well , its really ruined my life to the point I am thinking on getting a therapist to help me with it. I am too young to sit around waiting for a heart attack. And yes I do aspirin therapy and also take zetia/crestor and am on 1 metropolol a day , 50mg.

How old are you if you don't mind me asking? Is metroprolol a beta blocker and Zetia a statin or a calcium channel blocker? How do you know if you need a calcium channel blocker do you just get a blood test done? I am only 39 and to the point where I'm scared to exercise and when I exercise I start thinking I'm getting pains in my arms. I'm terrified of having a bypass especially when you hear some of the stories on here. sorry to be so full of doom and gloom.

I am 36. I use to be on metropolol till after i had my daughter 3 years ago. I quit taking it after i had her cause it just made me to exhausted to take care of a newborn baby. I was on it due to palpatations. I only really get them right before my period. I like you am afraid to exercise. When i do exercise i get sore and have pain then it triggers the anxiety of it being my heart. This has been going on non stop for about 2 years. There is not one day that i dont think im having a heart attack. The only medication i take is ativan. Im to paranoid about medication to take the choleterol medicine they want me to take. Metropolol is a beta blocker. Zetia is a cholesterol medication. I get so depressed over worrying about this, i want my life back!!!!!

Hi Trixibell, :)

Flowergirl2day how do you know when you need a calcium channel blocker?

Believe me, I know. A few months ago I was going through a rough time with the side effects of my medications, especially the CCB. So I decided to do something about it - I stopped taking it cold turkey. Needless to say, it didn't work. My heart protested by causing chest pain, severe at times, on and off while the resting heart rate increased considerably and my blood pressure got sky high. I felt so sick for several days I was sure I'd suffer an MI and die. As it happens, it is a very real possibility in these circumstances so I would not recommend doing this to anyone. My doctor put me back on the full dose of the CCB and all was well for a while.
With the next bout of edema I got so big I looked 9 months pregnant. The doctor I saw for this halved my CCB dose with the understanding I'd stop it completely within a week. I was started on a beta blocker at the same time, which I'd had to discontinue previously because of my asthma issues. Guess what? On the 1/2 dose of CCB my chest pain and tachycardia came back, scaring the heck out of me. I refused to discontinue the CCB or even remain on 1/2 of the dose, taking my chances with the edema issues.

While trying to get used to the generic Felodipine, I experienced chest pain frequently over a couple of weeks, especially a couple of hours BEFORE it was time to take my twice daily meds. I am so used to this drug it seems I can't do without it anymore. The generic just didn't cut it. I am on Norvasc as of today. I was on it for a period of time last year as well. Everything is going to be OK again. :)

flowergirl

I totally hear you man. I'm in the same boat as you. I also did cocaine for a few years myself and I would give anything to take it back. I have had these pains for the last month and they are driving me crazy. I have been to the ER 7 times over the last four weeks and they always send me home. They said it's anxiety but I don't think anxiety could cause this. It's really driving me crazy and I don't know what to do anymore. I fell your pain bro, keep your head up.

I did coke for a few years too, now in the past month I have been to the ER 7 times. All I do is worry now. I hate my life right now because of this, I'm afraid to do anyhing in fear I may have something wrong with my heart. I went to the doctor and they said all my test were "normal". I DONT FEEL NORMAL! I felt like saying. I just hope I didn't mess up my heart by being stupid when i was younger. Good luck to you guys.

I did coke for a few years too, now in the past month I have been to the ER 7 times. All I do is worry now. I hate my life right now because of this, I'm afraid to do anyhing in fear I may have something wrong with my heart. I went to the doctor and they said all my test were "normal". I DONT FEEL NORMAL! I felt like saying. I just hope I didn't mess up my heart by being stupid when i was younger. Good luck to you guys.

Yer the pains started when i used to smoke loads of canibus and had a really bad chest infection, I have alway through my pains where scared tissie/damaged chest wall but the pains I have been getting recently feel like i'm having a heart attack.This all started why before i started taking the white stuff but i'm sure it hasn't helped at all.
Hopefully i will meet someone on this thread that has the same symptom as me and has got the the bottom of things.....I just wanta know what it is, think its gone pass being able to get it fixed now!
anyway good luck to you man!

Cocaine is a curse fella's. I wish I was never cursed with it. I did it to help meet women and then met a few who loved it more then I did. This went on for 10 years or so and I just stopped not too long ago. I too wish I could take it all back , but I can't and neither can you Boston. I assume Heath Ledger would wish to take back that perscription drug combo he took the other night as well if he could only go back. The cemetary is full of people who wish they could go back in time. I know that I won't ever contribute more to my own demise , thats for sure. You always think your invincible until you find out your just human.

BTW to whoever asked above , I am 43 years old and Zetia is a cholesterol medicine but I don't believe its a statin.

Cocaine is a curse fella's. I wish I was never cursed with it. I did it to help meet women and then met a few who loved it more then I did. This went on for 10 years or so and I just stopped not too long ago. I too wish I could take it all back , but I can't and neither can you Boston. I assume Heath Ledger would wish to take back that perscription drug combo he took the other night as well if he could only go back. The cemetary is full of people who wish they could go back in time. I know that I won't ever contribute more to my own demise , thats for sure. You always think your invincible until you find out your just human.

BTW to whoever asked above , I am 43 years old and Zetia is a cholesterol medicine but I don't believe its a statin.

Yer I know what you mean mate, can i ask, do your chest pains get worst the day after you have been drinking alcohol? this seems to be the only thing to me that almost every time make my pians worst.Just a few pints and the next day i'm in real pain......I know the quick answer is not to drink but I shouldn't feel like this there is defently something very not right and I feel by the time I found out what it is, it could be a bit too late!