Severe Pain in the Left Side of My Chest: Seeking Guidance
For several years, I’ve experienced chest discomfort predominantly located centrally. Numerous tests including ECGs, blood tests, and X-rays, along with a CT scan, were conducted, all returning normal results at that time. However, the past six months have brought on intense pain in the left side of my chest, specifically around the pectoral region and under my left arm, radiating downwards. This discomfort has been unrelenting for the last five days, and right now, the pain is again at a debilitating level. Two weeks ago, I returned to the emergency room for the fourth time. Despite undergoing tests such as ECGs and blood work, the results were again normal. The attending physician assured me that my heart is in healthy condition, attributing my symptoms to either anxiety or a muscular issue. While I do struggle with significant anxiety, the pain occurs unpredictably and can persist for weeks, providing no relief regardless of what I do. Pressing down on the area feels similar to applying pressure on a bruise. At times, the intensity of the pain is so overwhelming that it resembles a heart attack. As I write this, I find myself in agony, feeling overwhelmed and unable to cope. My general practitioner consistently points to anxiety as the primary cause. I even requested a referral to a specialist in musculoskeletal issues, but was once again met with the same diagnosis. Currently, I am undergoing therapy and taking medication; remarkably, I often do not feel anxious. I am reaching out for help: I am concerned that something regarding my heart may have been overlooked or if anxiety could indeed be the sole culprit. I am genuinely desperate for assistance and uncertain how much longer I can endure these symptoms. I’m a 28-year-old male seeking any insights or advice on this matter.
Answers (1)
9/9/2025, 10:20:48 PM
OpenHealth AI
I’m truly sorry to hear about the severe pain you’re experiencing—this sounds incredibly distressing and frustrating. It's understandable to feel concerned, especially when the pain is overwhelming and unpredictable.
Main Points:
- Chest pain with normal heart tests suggests it may not be heart-related, but it’s important to explore other causes.
- Your symptoms could be linked to musculoskeletal issues or anxiety, especially since you've received reassurance about your heart's health.
- Focus on symptom management and understanding potential triggers.
Explanation: Given that you have undergone extensive testing with normal results and been reassured about your heart's health, it is possible that the pain may originate from non-cardiac sources such as muscle strain, inflammation (like costochondritis), or even nerve irritation. Anxiety can indeed exacerbate perceived pains, but since you are managing your anxiety and still experiencing significant discomfort, the muscles or skeletal components could be playing a role.
The sensation of pressing down on the area feeling like a bruise may suggest a musculoskeletal problem, where the muscles or ribs are irritated. Your decision to seek a specialist is appropriate, especially for persistent pain, even if past evaluations have pointed in another direction.
Next Steps:
-
Keep a Pain Diary: Track the pain’s location, intensity, activities leading up to it, and any alleviating factors. This can help identify patterns or triggers.
-
Pain Management Techniques:
- Use over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen (if you're not contraindicated for these).
- Consider applying heat or cold to the affected area. Heat may help relax the muscles, while cold can reduce inflammation.
-
Gentle Stretching and Movement: Engage in activities that keep your body moving but are gentle, like walking or yoga. This can help alleviate tension.
-
Pursue Specialist Evaluation: Request an evaluation with a physiotherapist or a musculoskeletal specialist who can assess for possible rib or muscular issues. Bring your pain diary to provide detailed context.
-
Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques: Continue your therapy and consider incorporating practices like mindfulness or gentle meditation, which can help manage anxiety and pain perception.
-
Communicate with Your Healthcare Providers: Continue to express your concerns to your general practitioner and stress the impact on your quality of life. If necessary, seek a second opinion regarding your chest pain and the need for a musculoskeletal assessment.
Your health and well-being are paramount, so keep advocating for yourself until you find relief. If at any point the pain worsens drastically or includes symptoms like shortness of breath or dizziness, seek immediate help. Remember, you are not alone in this, and there are ways to manage your pain and improve your quality of life.
Related Questions
Hematology Results Interpretation Request
Greetings, I'm a 77-year-old female who leads an active lifestyle despite dealing with ongoing chronic back pain attributed to conditions such as scoliosis, degenerative disc disease, and arthritis. During my recent annual examination, my hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were notably low; I am usually on the lower end of the spectrum, but this time my hemoglobin registered at just 10.6. The medical team suspects a potential bleed related to my use of NSAIDs. Fortunately, occult blood tests returned normal results. Both a colonoscopy and endoscopy were performed and deemed normal as well. I have discontinued all NSAID usage, yet I find that acetaminophen provides inadequate relief, and I am now reliant on a daily dose of hydrocodone 5/325. Although I have been taking iron supplements somewhat regularly, my fatigue persists. Here are my lab results from this week. I would appreciate any insights you could provide regarding interpretation: # IRON DEFICIENCY PANEL ### % SATURATION |Test Conducted|Result|Reference Range|Status| |:-|:-|:-|:-| |Feb 5, 2026 3:46:00 AM|6.4 %|20-55 %|final| ### FERRITIN |Test Conducted|Result|Reference Range|Status| |:-|:-|:-|:-| |Feb 5, 2026 3:46:00 AM|14.7 ng/ml|13-150 ng/ml|final| ### IRON |Test Conducted|Result|Reference Range|Status| |:-|:-|:-|:-| |Feb 5, 2026 3:46:00 AM|28.20 ug/dL|37-160 ug/dL|final| ### TIBC |Test Conducted|Result|Reference Range|Status| |:-|:-|:-|:-| |Feb 5, 2026 3:46:00 AM|440 ug/dL|245-400 ug/dL|final| ### TRANSFERRIN |Test Conducted|Result|Reference Range|Status| |:-|:-|:-|:-| |Feb 5, 2026 3:46:00 AM|314.42 mg/dL|192-382 mg/dL|final| ### UIBC |Test Conducted|Result|Reference Range|Status| |:-|:-|:-|:-| |Feb 5, 2026 3:46:00 AM|412||final|
Intense Pain in the Lower Back
I am a 31-year-old female who does not smoke or drink. Yesterday morning, I woke up feeling perfectly normal. However, as the day progressed, I began to notice a growing discomfort in my lower back, though it wasn’t alarming at that point. My boyfriend and I decided to visit a vintage market, where I was wearing heeled boots. I casually mentioned to him that my back was a bit sore, but I didn't think it was serious. After our market trip, we enjoyed lunch seated at a high table. Soon after our meal, I expressed that the pain had intensified significantly. Upon returning home and removing my boots, the pain escalated to a level that was quite severe. I spent the entire afternoon and evening lying in bed, only getting up a few times since around 2 PM until now, which is 1:03 AM. During this time, I’ve been applying heat to my back and have used Tiger Balm along with some essential oils that my mom provided for pain relief. I’ve also been alternating between Advil and Tylenol for pain management. While walking is quite uncomfortable, I haven’t experienced any tingling or numbness. However, I did have a few muscle spasms that caused tightness in my lower back accompanied by sharp pain. Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Am I Experiencing Silent Heart Attacks?
To give you some background, I'm a 19-year-old female, standing at 5 feet 3 inches and weighing 260 pounds. My weight gain can be largely attributed to a series of psychiatric medications I was prescribed, although I have lost twenty pounds and am continuing to shed more. Over the past year, I have encountered a range of symptoms that have left me perplexed and frustrated. These include severe chest pain, issues with acid reflux, shortness of breath, frequent dizziness, chronic fatigue, and persistent pain localized predominantly on the left side of my body, such as in my arms and legs. Additionally, I have experienced random itchy rashes, swelling in my fingers, toes, hands, and feet, as well as sensations of numbness and tingling, often confined to one side. Notably, I've also struggled with significant brain fog and memory lapses, alongside minor twitches in my eyes, lips, fingers, and limbs, as well as neck, jaw, and back discomfort. My primary healthcare provider attributes all of these symptoms to deficiencies in vitamin B12 and vitamin D, claiming that my dizziness is merely a result of an ear infection—though I lack any other symptoms apart from the dizziness. I am currently on Lamotrigine (300mg, taken twice daily) for focal seizures, which she believes is solely responsible for my dizziness as well. I’ve attempted to communicate that my experiences feel much more dire and that my pain and cognitive difficulties cannot be sufficiently explained by simple vitamin deficiencies. Unfortunately, she insists that, being young, many of my concerns likely stem from these deficiencies or hormonal changes linked to my menstrual cycle. Just a few hours ago, I developed a troublesome itchy rash on my right arm and leg, followed by intense chest pain and difficulty breathing—sometimes feeling as if I need to yawn to take a decent breath. I also experienced indigestion, excessive belching, and sensations of heaviness and tingling in my left arm and shoulder. Now, I’m feeling discomfort radiating from the back of my neck, across my left shoulder, extending into my fingers, and down my left leg, accompanied by the same heavy tingling sensations. While the pain isn't unbearable, it's certainly concerning and distracting. I recently visited the ICU for cold and flu-like symptoms, but tests ruled out covid and the flu. I also don't have a fever, though I still have a slight runny nose. I take Esomeprazole to manage my acid reflux, but its effectiveness has been limited. I do not have diabetes or pre-diabetes, although I am aware that I am overweight. Heart disease runs in my family, and I have a tendency towards health anxiety. Throughout last year, I sought medical attention multiple times for similar symptoms, yet X-rays and blood tests yielded no clear diagnosis. Since my last hospital visit for chest pains, my symptoms have noticeably intensified. For context, both my mother and sister have been diagnosed with Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease (UCTD), but I have not received a formal diagnosis myself. I have high blood pressure that is not currently medicated. Due to the persistent fatigue and pain, my activity level is rather low. I apologize if this message seems disorganized or if I come across as overly anxious. I’m genuinely at a loss regarding the reasons behind my symptoms and how to alleviate them, which is incredibly frustrating, especially when it feels like medical professionals often downplay my concerns. Thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts!
Concerns About Shoulder Recovery: Eight Weeks After Surgery for Hypermobility Issues
I’m a 34-year-old female diagnosed with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS). I underwent surgery on December 11 for a rotator cuff and labrum repair, along with tightening my shoulder joint to better accommodate my hypermobility. Recently, I was asked to leave physical therapy early on Monday due to experiencing noticeable clicking sounds and unexpected pain in my shoulder. Throughout the week, I have been dealing with intermittent discomfort, prompting me to follow up with my surgeon this past Friday. After examining my shoulder and taking an X-ray, he expressed optimism that targeted muscle strengthening could help stabilize the area. However, today has been particularly challenging, as I’ve been in a near-constant state of pain. Simple tasks, such as lifting a cup of coffee, have become difficult, and any movement of my arm exacerbates the pain. It feels as if my shoulder isn’t seated properly, and I can’t seem to reposition it. I plan to reach out to my surgeon’s office in the morning for further guidance, but in the meantime, I would appreciate any insights from others who may have experienced similar issues. I’m feeling quite disheartened and generally prefer to avoid the emergency room when possible. Thank you for your understanding and support.
Severe Discomfort in Left Side Affects Sleep and Appetite
I’m an 18-year-old female experiencing extreme discomfort. As mentioned in the title, this pain began around five hours ago and has reached such a level that I can hardly eat or get any rest. The source appears to be my left armpit, from which the sensation travels down my arm and across the left side of my chest. I desperately need help to alleviate this issue, primarily because I’m deprived of sleep. Since I drank alcohol earlier, I can't take any painkillers like Advil. I also attempted to reach out to the non-emergency medical line in my area, but unfortunately, my phone service wouldn't connect my call. I didn’t want to add to my stress by dealing with customer support while feeling this way. I would appreciate any suggestions to relieve this pain. I've tried various methods like stretching and changing my position, but nothing seems to provide relief. The pain doesn't feel muscle-related, nor is it superficial; rather, it's a persistent internal ache that I find hard to articulate, yet it's quite dull. Any guidance would be immensely valued as I navigate this discomfort.