Suggest Treatment For Burning Pain In The Chest When Diagnosed With Pleurisy

Posted on Thu, 9 Jun 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 9 Jun 2016 Answered on

Thu, 7 Jul 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I have been having tightness and dull burning pain in left side of chest but now has moved into middle of chest. My left arm is heavy and my fingers and outside of palm are slightly tingly. I keep getting cold, then hot. I may have a temp now. I feel weak and have a pressured cough. I have heartburn from my naval to my throat. I had nausea earlier but that has subsided. The pain in my chest goes through to my upper back/lower neck. 8 years ago I thought I was having a heart attack but the Dr. couldn't find anything wrong. He diagnosed me with Pleurisy. I have never had all of these symptoms at once before. About 2 days ago, I felt as though I may be coming down with something, but all of the above symptoms hit me all at once around 1:15 today. The tightness in chest is constant but the pain seems to subside then come back. The heartburn is awful. I took tums but they didn't help. I am 42, under extreme stress and yes I do smoke.The nausea is back bad!now I am coughing every couple minutes

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (39 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Welcome on HCM!

I carefully passed through your medical history and would explain that it doesn't seem to be related to any cardiac issues.

As there are several clinical symptoms (migrating burning pain through the chest, pressured cough, tingling fingers and palm, nausea and awful heartburn) it is necessary for a comprehensive differential diagnosis to rule in/out certain medical conditions:

- GERD (gastro-esophageal reflux); a fibrogastroscopy would be necessary,
- backbone disc degeneration leading to chest & arm pain and tingling; imagine studies like CT/MRI may be necessary,
- costochondritis; a careful physical exam and some lab tests (complete blood count, PCR, ESR, etc) would be necessary to confirm the inflammation,
- pleural inflammation (pleurisy); careful chest auscultation coupled with chest X ray study could help to differentiate.

You should also know that some of your complaints may be exacerbated by Adderall use (nausea, anxiety, fever, fatigue, weakness, muscle and body pain, etc.).

You have to be careful with that drug if it is necessary to continue. Talk with your doctor about it.

You need to discuss with your attending doctor (GP or internist on the above mentioned issues.

Hope to have been helpful to you!

In case of any further uncertainties, feel free to ask me again.

Kind regards,

Dr. Iliri

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (14 minutes later)

I was diagnosed with ADHD in 2008 at the age of 34 and prescribed Adderall. I have been on it ever since. My doctor never said anything about having to be careful. I don't abuse it, but can it still harm me?

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (20 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Opinion as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello again,

Adderall when used for prolonged periods (chronic use) may exert several adverse effects (also anxiety, over-stimulation, weight loss, emotional lability, abdominal pain, diarrhea, rhabdomyolysis, dizziness, loss of appetite, insomnia, etc).

You need to discuss with your prescribing doctor on the possibility of the above mentioned adverse effects occurrence.

Kind regards,

Dr. Iliri

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (35 minutes later)

Will do. Thank you!

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (25 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You are welcome !

Detailed Answer:
Feel free to ask me again whenever you need!

Greetings! Dr. Iliri

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar