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Suggest Treatment For Left Sided Chest Pain

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Posted on Thu, 2 Jul 2015
Question: have this pain in my chest, left side behind breast . saw my doctor about a month ago for it. ekg, was fine. blood work was fine. had a cardio workup not that long ago, like in December. hurts when I lay down mostly. doctor said she thinks it's a pulled muscle. could this be plural effusion or anything dangerous? or lung related. not really short of breathe just when I go up a flight of steps, but I'M deconditioned. hurts worse when laying on back. better when sitting.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Nerve or muscle pain.

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Thank you for the query.

From your description, it seems to be muscle or nerve related superficial pain. It does not seem to be caused by lung issue or pleural issue.
For lungs problem and pleural problem, cough is a very characteristic symptom, not pain.

If your pain is sharp, well localized and gets more intense when breathing and less intense when the chest is not moving, rib nerve pain it is. It may appear due to some muscle inflammation, rib nerve irritation.

Spine disc problem due to compression on the nerves can also give chest pain. For this type of pain it is characteristic to get more intense when lifting heavy objects.

I suggest you to make a simple test. Try to take a hot bath and take some Ibuprophen. If this will help, nerve or muscle pain it is.
You should also consult orthopedist with this issue.

Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (42 minutes later)
Thank you!! :)
doctor
Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
You are welcome.

Detailed Answer:
You are welcome.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Grzegorz Stanko

General Surgeon

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 5795 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Left Sided Chest Pain

Brief Answer: Nerve or muscle pain. Detailed Answer: Hello! Thank you for the query. From your description, it seems to be muscle or nerve related superficial pain. It does not seem to be caused by lung issue or pleural issue. For lungs problem and pleural problem, cough is a very characteristic symptom, not pain. If your pain is sharp, well localized and gets more intense when breathing and less intense when the chest is not moving, rib nerve pain it is. It may appear due to some muscle inflammation, rib nerve irritation. Spine disc problem due to compression on the nerves can also give chest pain. For this type of pain it is characteristic to get more intense when lifting heavy objects. I suggest you to make a simple test. Try to take a hot bath and take some Ibuprophen. If this will help, nerve or muscle pain it is. You should also consult orthopedist with this issue. Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions. Regards.