Experiencing Discomfort? Exploring Possible Causes
I’m a 27-year-old who has been grappling with persistent discomfort on the left side of my chest, shoulder, neck, and arm since January. This pain has been virtually unrelenting since it began, with rare instances affecting my right side. Alongside this, I've also experienced intermittent pain in my hip and upper leg on the right, though less frequently. Additionally, my wrists and fingers—particularly on the left—occasionally suffer from sharp, pinching sensations. At times, I feel as though my fingers are nearing numbness, although they haven't fully reached that state yet. For most of my life, I've been sedentary, spending countless hours at a computer starting at the age of nine. My current occupation is desk-based, and I typically return home to engage in more desk work. At 5'7” and weighing approximately 230 pounds, I have a familial history of hypertension, which I personally experienced following an emergency room visit. The onset of these symptoms coincided with a notably stressful period at work. While I initially attributed my discomfort to this stress, which has since diminished due to improved communication with my supervisor, the physical issues have unfortunately persisted, amplifying my anxiety. After enduring the pain for roughly 72 hours, I decided to visit the emergency room due to a near panic attack induced by the fear of a potential heart problem. Medical professionals conducted various tests including blood and urine screens, an EKG (a quick one to rule out a heart attack), and an X-ray of my heart. Fortunately, all results appeared normal, with the doctor mentioning that I have a larger than average heart, but nothing alarming was detected. The doctor attributed my condition to a combination of anxiety and hypertension, prescribing lisinopril for the blood pressure and cyclobenzaprine and tramadol for the discomfort. I found that cyclobenzaprine provided more relief than tramadol. Unfortunately, the lisinopril did not alleviate my symptoms, and without health insurance, I could not afford the follow-up appointments necessary for refills. Furthermore, since the medication requires a low potassium intake and I consume a lot of potassium-rich foods, this increased my concern. Leaving the hospital, I accepted the explanation of my symptoms being linked to anxiety given the extensive stress I had been under. However, after six months of enduring this discomfort—especially with recent exacerbation—it’s hard for me to solely attribute my symptoms to anxiety. The pain often triggers anxiety, creating a cycle that’s difficult to break. While I have never identified as someone with chronic anxiety, the prolonged nature of this pain has undeniably affected my mental state. Delving deeper into my health history, I consider myself to be on the borderline of alcoholism. Between the ages of 21 and 26, my alcohol intake reached around 50 drinks a week. I’ve significantly cut back, but I still consume around 20-30 drinks weekly, which I know is excessive and detrimental to my health. A few years back, my triglycerides levels were alarmingly high during a check-up for stomach problems. My doctor advised a low-fat, low-carb diet and a cessation of alcohol. I have made strides toward a more nutritious diet, although I still struggle with consistency. Over the past year, I have nearly halved my alcohol consumption. Interestingly, I often don’t feel sore in the mornings, but as the day progresses, the discomfort tends to return. I'm uncertain if resting alleviates it; when the pain escalates, I usually take some medication and lie down, which offers partial relief, though not complete alleviation. I'm reaching out for insights as I have exhausted countless searches online, only to find a plethora of conflicting information. I feel overwhelmed and unsure of where to begin. Thank you for any guidance you can provide!
Answers (1)

7/9/2025, 8:31:03 AM
OpenHealth AI
Your ongoing discomfort and the symptoms you're experiencing are concerning, and it's understandable that this situation is overwhelming. Multiple factors are likely contributing to your pain, including stress, potential muscle strain from a sedentary lifestyle, anxiety, and perhaps residual effects from your alcohol use.
Key Points to Consider:
- Muscle and Skeletal Pain: Given your desk-based job and sedentary lifestyle, muscle strain or tension, particularly in the shoulders, neck, and arms, could be significant contributors to your discomfort.
- Anxiety and Stress: It's important to note that anxiety can manifest physically, causing muscle tension and discomfort, which may become cyclical with pain exacerbating anxiety and vice versa.
- Lifestyle Factors: Your alcohol intake, high stress, and dietary habits can affect both physical pain and mental well-being.
Next Steps:
-
Introduce Regular Movement:
- Aim to incorporate brief movement or stretching every hour during your workday. Simple neck, shoulder, and wrist stretches can alleviate tension. Consider using a standing desk or taking short walking breaks.
- Engage in regular physical activity—aim for 30 minutes most days a week. This could include walking, swimming, or any activity that gets your heart rate up.
-
Manage Stress and Anxiety:
- Practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, mindfulness, or yoga. These can help reduce both anxiety and muscle tension over time.
- Consider journaling or talking to someone you trust about your feelings. Enhanced communication about your stressors might help alleviate some tension.
-
Moderate Alcohol Consumption:
- Gradually decrease your alcohol intake further, keeping in mind the health risks associated with high consumption. Consider setting achievable goals—like reducing the number of drinks per week slowly.
- Stay well-hydrated and prioritize nutritious foods—fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can help improve both physical symptoms and mental health over time.
-
Reassess Your Diet and Nutritional Needs:
- Given the advice on low-potassium intake with lisinopril, focus on balanced meals, potentially limiting high-potassium foods temporarily while discussing dietary adjustments with a health professional when possible.
- Consult reliable resources online, such as the CDC or the Mayo Clinic, about maintaining a heart-healthy diet.
-
Monitor Symptoms:
- Keep a diary of your symptoms, noting when they occur, their intensity, and any factors that seem to improve or worsen them. This can help identify patterns and triggers in your daily routine.
- If your symptoms do not improve or worsen significantly, finding a way to consult with a healthcare provider again for a thorough evaluation would be essential.
By taking these steps, you can create a structured approach to address your discomfort while also improving your overall well-being. Remember, progress can take time, and it’s okay to seek support from friends, family, or community resources to help you through this. You don't have to face this alone.
Related Questions
Persistent Low-Grade Fevers in My 10-Year-Old
My ten-year-old daughter has been experiencing intermittent low-grade fevers ranging from 99°F to 102°F over the last five days. Although she was prescribed amoxicillin for suspected strep throat, she showed no signs of fever yesterday. Unfortunately, this morning, she woke up with a temperature of 101.5°F. Aside from feeling tired and having a sore throat—where her tonsils appear swollen and red, yet she reports no pain in her lymph nodes—she hasn’t displayed any other concerning symptoms. She began taking the amoxicillin approximately 35 hours ago. What strikes me as particularly unusual is the pattern of her fever disappearing completely only to return shortly afterward. At what stage should we consider seeking further medical advice? This is the longest she has ever had a fever, but I’m aware that some infections might require two to three days of antibiotic treatment before improvement is seen.
Understanding Frequent Infections: My Personal Struggle
Age 26, weighing approximately 63 kg, I’m currently battling my third episode of erysipelas this year and my faith in my immune system is waning. My troubles began at the age of 19 when I became infected with MRSA after scratching an ant bite on my leg. The wound was surgically cleaned, and I underwent a three-month course of antibiotics. Unfortunately, the infection began to re-emerge after my bandage inadvertently came off one night, leading to extensive yellow lesions across both inner thighs and my genital area, all caused by MRSA. After completing the antibiotic regimen, I was finally in the clear. Fast forward to February of this year; while surfing in Indonesia, I had a mishap where a wave pushed me onto a reef. Subsequently, I ended up with several scrapes on my left leg and a concerning red patch on my calf. At that moment, I chose not to seek medical attention as I felt fine otherwise. However, five weeks ago, I suddenly felt sicker than I ever had. I experienced a high fever, body aches, a severe headache, and my eyes felt as if they were about to burst from my head. Despite the warm temperature of 20 degrees, I bundled myself in multiple blankets as though preparing for an arctic night of -15 degrees. I was extremely thirsty but lacked the strength to drink. The next day, I was relieved to find most of those feelings had dissipated, leaving me merely exhausted. However, a hand-sized hot area appeared on my calf—the same spot as before. I visited the doctor, who prescribed me Amoxicillin. The following day, I woke up with pain and discovered another inflamed red area on my thigh. Pain intensified the next day, and I struggled to walk before spending a week in the hospital on cefazolin. Just a week back, I experienced fever again, accompanied by nausea. The very next day, the same area became inflamed once more. This time, I was prescribed Clindamycin, which appears to be effective. The doctors suggested that a fungus on my foot might be the source of my infections, although I’m skeptical. I’ve always had dry skin on my feet, which I tend to pick at, so I can see how a fungus might invade through open skin, but I believe my skin-picking habit is at the core of my problems. I was given antifungal creams to apply over the past three weeks, but they worsened my condition by promoting further picking. I have since switched to regular moisturizing creams and am now using a healing ointment for the cuts; I’ve noticed significant improvement in just a few days. Nevertheless, my doctor is perplexed by the frequency of my infections without conducting any further tests. I, too, am puzzled and left wondering what the underlying cause of these recurring infections in my right leg could be.
Struggling with a Long-Lasting Ear Infection
Hello everyone, I'm reaching out in hopes of finding some guidance. Come this September, I will be facing my sixth year of battling an ear infection. It all began during my college years after attempting to use AirPods, which proved too large for my petite ears, leading to irritating scratches inside my ear canal. Since that incident, the infection has lingered, fluctuating in severity but never truly fading away. I experience significant drainage, at times accompanied by blood, alongside persistent itching and discomfort. My physician explained that the issue lies on the outer skin near the eardrum, comparing it to having chapped lips, and noted that inserting tubes would not be beneficial. I've been informed several times that this condition resembles a yeast infection within my ear. The situation has become really unpleasant; my ears feel constantly moist, and I often find myself itching them during my sleep, producing sounds that disturb my husband. We’ve tried various treatments including powders and drops, and the doctors seem perplexed as to why ciprodex was ineffective. We’ve also explored specialized medications from compound pharmacies, but to no avail. Oil-based treatments have offered no relief either. The odor is quite off-putting, and recently, both ears have been experiencing increased itching and pain. I have an appointment scheduled for tomorrow, but I long for a day without an ear infection for the first time since becoming an adult. I take precautions to ensure my ears remain dry; I even use a blow dryer after showers and avoid using Q-tips. I’m a 24-year-old female, generally in good health, with a normal height and weight. I have moved around quite a bit, having lived in four different areas—a college town, my hometown, a northern city, and a southern city—throughout this ordeal. I do not have any known allergies, except for antiallergics.
Concerns Regarding Post-Surgery Abdominal Mesh
My husband, 35 years old, underwent surgery for an abdominal hernia located just above his navel around two and a half years ago. His recovery was smooth, and up until recently, he had not experienced any complications. About a month ago, he commenced a 5k running training program. However, this morning, after a few brief sprints, he felt an acute, stabbing discomfort in the vicinity of the surgical mesh, particularly noticeable with each impact of his left foot touching the ground. Otherwise, he reports no pain during regular activities such as walking, bending, or stretching. Should we be worried about this issue and seek immediate attention, or can we afford to wait a few days to see if it subsides on its own?
Could This Be Fifth Disease?
I have a 3.5-year-old son who weighs 40 pounds; I am unsure of his height. Thankfully, he's not on any medications and doesn't have any known health issues. A few days ago, I noticed he had a red area on one side of his face that resembled a sunburn, primarily on his cheeks. Since we frequently spend time at the beach, I assumed I might have missed applying sunscreen to certain areas of his face. Fortunately, that redness faded after a couple of days. However, yesterday, I observed a rash forming on the backs of his arms. Initially, I thought this might be due to the long-sleeved swim shirt he wore for an extended period during our two consecutive beach days, where he spent roughly four hours playing in the water each day. I figured this might have aggravated his eczema because of the damp fabric. We stayed indoors all day yesterday, and I applied his eczema cream to his arms. This morning, I took another look, and the rash still seemed to be present. One of my friends suggested it could be fifth disease, while another believed it was likely just a heat rash. If it were a heat rash, wouldn't staying home all day have helped improve it instead of making it worse? I’ll share a picture in the comments for better clarification on the rash.