OpenHealth Q&A

Seeking Answers: Ongoing Discomfort and Unexplained Symptoms

I am a 22-year-old woman residing in the United States, weighing 180 pounds. My health battle began at 12, when I was diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2015. Since then, I have struggled with persistent symptoms, particularly joint pain and fatigue. Medications such as metformin, Wegovy, and Zepbound have been my only relief, with my current dosage of Zepbound being 15mg. In June 2025, I began experiencing pain on the left side of my body, around my rib cage beneath my left breast. I consulted a physician who initially suspected a heart issue, leading to an array of tests that ultimately showed my heart was functioning normally. I received muscle relaxants, which did not alleviate my discomfort. The pain persisted as a deep, dull ache, often intensifying after work to the point where it made breathing difficult. An x-ray ruled out any fractures or misalignments in my ribs. Fast forward to January of this year, I returned to the doctor after discovering a lump beneath my left rib cage. During the examination, the physician identified another lump on my ribs in the same area. These masses are hard and painful to touch. I also found a tender spot under my breast on the same side, with a peculiar firmness resembling that of bone, yet accompanied by pain. Without a thorough examination, the doctor suggested they were lipomas and advised waiting for six months before seeking a surgical consultation. Recently, I have been dealing with nipple pain on my left side. I have lumpy breasts, and a particular lump has begun causing consistent discomfort, primarily near my collarbone and left armpit. It feels as if someone is pressing a fist into my side, and my nipple is particularly sensitive, making it uncomfortable to wear a bra. The pain intensifies at night when lying down, radiating into my armpit with a stabbing sensation. Additionally, my collarbone in that area appears swollen. The breast, collarbone, and chest feel itchy, while there’s a constant deep ache extending from the collarbone down to the nipple. I've also observed that my breast feels hot to the touch at times. A tightness around the top of my sternum, similar to that feeling just before crying, adds to my discomfort—along with an occasional ache in my upper back. It has become painful to breathe deeply on that side, and I found it uncomfortable to hold my breath during medical scans. Today, I visited my OBGYN, who examined the lump and acknowledged my pain but believed it felt like nothing more than fibrous tissue. Nevertheless, she ordered an ultrasound. She didn't assess the lumps on my ribs, as they fell outside her area of expertise. The ultrasound was conducted afterward, and the radiologist indicated that there was merely dense tissue typical for my age. Thus, the ultrasound results were clear, leading the doctor to request a CT scan. Ultrasound Results Summary: - Indication: Pain and dense tissue in the upper outer quadrant of the left breast. - Findings: No abnormalities detected within the breast tissue, with no masses, shadowing, or distortion observed. - Impression: No ultrasound evidence of abnormalities in the upper outer left breast. Further evaluation should depend on clinical circumstances. CT Scan Results Summary: - Indication: Left chest wall pain. - Findings: Lungs appear normal, with mild subpleural linear atelectasis noted but no pleural effusions. No acute abnormalities were found in the mediastinum or musculoskeletal areas. - Impression: No acute findings to clarify my symptoms, with no rib fractures or chest wall abnormalities identified. Mild subpleural atelectasis was the only significant note. What could be the cause of my ongoing pain? Are there additional tests I should insist on?

Answers (1)

2/14/2026, 4:20:49 PM

OpenHealth AI

I'm sorry to hear about the significant discomfort and ongoing symptoms you’ve been experiencing; that sounds very challenging and understandably concerning. You’ve described a complex situation involving multiple areas of pain and various lump formations, alongside medical evaluations that have not yet provided conclusive answers.

Main Points

Your persistent symptoms could be related to several factors stemming from your previous Lyme disease, musculoskeletal issues, or even localized tissue changes due to inflammation or other conditions. While it’s good news that serious conditions like heart issues and acute abnormalities have been ruled out, further evaluation of the ongoing pain and lumps is necessary.

Explanation

1. Chronic Pain Factors: Chronic pain can arise from various sources, including prior infections (like Lyme disease), inflammatory conditions, or musculoskeletal issues. Given your history, it’s possible that your body is reacting in ways that cause these persistent symptoms.
2. Feedback from Professionals: It seems that your recent medical consultations have led to imaging that returned without acute abnormalities; however, this does not always provide a complete picture.
3. Sensations in the Breasts: The lumpy and painful areas in your breasts alongside symptoms like nipple pain may suggest benign breast conditions, but discomfort should always be monitored closely, especially when accompanied by other localized pains.

Next Steps

1. Monitor Symptoms: Keep a detailed diary of your symptoms, including pain levels, locations, associated activities, and any other changes. This can provide valuable insights for your healthcare provider.

2. Request Follow-up Imaging: Given your ongoing pain and the lumps, don’t hesitate to request follow-up imaging, possibly including a mammogram or MRI of the breast and surrounding areas if the discomfort continues. Sometimes, additional imaging techniques can offer more insights than an ultrasound or CT scan.

3. Consider Rheumatological Evaluation: Since you have a history of Lyme disease and are experiencing ongoing symptoms like joint pain, consulting a rheumatologist may also be beneficial. They can assess for conditions such as fibromyalgia or arthritis, both of which can manifest as chronic pain.

4. Musculoskeletal Evaluation: Since you are experiencing pain radiating from your rib cage and discomfort in multiple areas, an assessment by a physical therapist or a specialist in musculoskeletal disorders might be worth pursuing. They may provide diagnosis and treatment options, including physical therapy exercises to help improve your condition.

5. Pain Management Strategies: Continue to explore pain management options: over-the-counter pain relievers (like ibuprofen) might help with inflammation (if appropriate for you), and gentle stretching and relaxation techniques could ease muscle tension.

6. Stay Informed and Assertive: Continue advocating for your health; if you feel your concerns are not being addressed, don’t hesitate to seek second opinions or further evaluations, especially when new symptoms arise.

Your health matters, and dealing with persistent pain can be frustrating. Remember to focus on self-care, including adequate rest, hydration, and stress management to support your overall well-being. Keep track of your symptoms and don’t hesitate to follow up with your healthcare team.