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Suggest Treatment For Pain In Arms, Chest And Back
Question: I am a 54 year old male who has had a heart attack when I was 47. I have 3 stents.
I am currently experiencing arms, chest, back and shoulder pain. Somewhat of an aching pain as though I worked out but haven’t. Sort of what I might describe as severe muscle fatigue. It started last night and was worse when I would lie down. The severity of the pain tends to move from one section to the other. For example the pain will be in my upper arm and then lessen after five to ten minutes and then it would generate on the inner part of my arm just above my elbow. Same for the chest pain, lower part, subside and regenerate in the upper section of my chest just below the shoulder and the same for my back. Upper shoulder and neck, then lower center at the end of the shoulder blade. The pain is on both right and left side.
Any thoughts of what this might be?
I am currently experiencing arms, chest, back and shoulder pain. Somewhat of an aching pain as though I worked out but haven’t. Sort of what I might describe as severe muscle fatigue. It started last night and was worse when I would lie down. The severity of the pain tends to move from one section to the other. For example the pain will be in my upper arm and then lessen after five to ten minutes and then it would generate on the inner part of my arm just above my elbow. Same for the chest pain, lower part, subside and regenerate in the upper section of my chest just below the shoulder and the same for my back. Upper shoulder and neck, then lower center at the end of the shoulder blade. The pain is on both right and left side.
Any thoughts of what this might be?
Brief Answer:
Need a few more details to guide you better
Detailed Answer:
Hello
My name is Dr Muhammad Ali Rauf & I will look into your problem.
I have gone through your query and would try to help you in the best possible way. Your symptoms are going both in favor as well as against heart pathology but as you had past history of heart attack so to look after heart should be first priority. I would be in a better position to guide you further if you answer following questions:
1. Are you still feeling pain?
2. Does pain occur after doing some work like walking, lifting anything, etc
3. Any feeling of nausea, vomiting or sweating?
4. Are you diabetic or hypertensive?
5. Are you on any kind of medication?
6. Is there any association of pain with breathing?
7. Does pain improve if you sit and lean forward?
8. Any other symptom that you would like to share?
I will be looking forward for the answers to conclude the discussion in the best interest of yours.
Thank You
Need a few more details to guide you better
Detailed Answer:
Hello
My name is Dr Muhammad Ali Rauf & I will look into your problem.
I have gone through your query and would try to help you in the best possible way. Your symptoms are going both in favor as well as against heart pathology but as you had past history of heart attack so to look after heart should be first priority. I would be in a better position to guide you further if you answer following questions:
1. Are you still feeling pain?
2. Does pain occur after doing some work like walking, lifting anything, etc
3. Any feeling of nausea, vomiting or sweating?
4. Are you diabetic or hypertensive?
5. Are you on any kind of medication?
6. Is there any association of pain with breathing?
7. Does pain improve if you sit and lean forward?
8. Any other symptom that you would like to share?
I will be looking forward for the answers to conclude the discussion in the best interest of yours.
Thank You
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
1. Are you still feeling pain?
Yes. It has not subside since last night
2. Does pain occur after doing some work like walking, lifting anything, etc
No, I was watching TV when it started.
3. Any feeling of nausea, vomiting or sweating?
No.
4. Are you diabetic or hypertensive?
Not Diabetic but have mild hypertension. BP and hour ago was 146/104
5. Are you on any kind of medication?
OTC Bayer, 1-325 mg every night and OTC Zantac, 1-150mg every night (I have reflux esophagitis)
6. Is there any association of pain with breathing?
No not really.
7. Does pain improve if you sit and lean forward?
When I sit and/or lean forward it helps
8. Any other symptom that you would like to share?
None that I aware of.
Also, please let me know if the is an OTC medication I can take to help with the pain.
Thank you for take the time to reply back.
Yes. It has not subside since last night
2. Does pain occur after doing some work like walking, lifting anything, etc
No, I was watching TV when it started.
3. Any feeling of nausea, vomiting or sweating?
No.
4. Are you diabetic or hypertensive?
Not Diabetic but have mild hypertension. BP and hour ago was 146/104
5. Are you on any kind of medication?
OTC Bayer, 1-325 mg every night and OTC Zantac, 1-150mg every night (I have reflux esophagitis)
6. Is there any association of pain with breathing?
No not really.
7. Does pain improve if you sit and lean forward?
When I sit and/or lean forward it helps
8. Any other symptom that you would like to share?
None that I aware of.
Also, please let me know if the is an OTC medication I can take to help with the pain.
Thank you for take the time to reply back.
Brief Answer:
Could be muscular spasm but get baseline ECG once
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thank you for getting back with the answers.
I have gone through them.
There are two possibilities in your case; first, heart problem and second, muscular pain. Reflux esophagitis can exaggerate the problem as well. So sitting and leaning forward helps in reducing the pain intensity. As you have previous history of heart attack as well so I would suggest you to visit hospital and get a baseline ECG done to rule out any heart condition. If it’s ruled out then most probably you are having muscular spasm.
If I were your treating doctor then I would have advised following things:
> Ibuprofen twice a day for 3 days. It is available OTC.
> take hot water in a rubber bottle and place it at the site of pain. It will give soothing effect.
> Avoid strenuous physical activity & lifting heavy object.
> Take oil and ask some family member to massage. It will also help in relieving the spasm.
If condition does not improve in 2-3 days after taking the above mentioned steps then you need to visit hospital for further workup.
Hope i have answered your query. If you have any further question then I would be happy to assist you, if not then don't forget to close the discussion & rate it.
Wishing you good health!
Could be muscular spasm but get baseline ECG once
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thank you for getting back with the answers.
I have gone through them.
There are two possibilities in your case; first, heart problem and second, muscular pain. Reflux esophagitis can exaggerate the problem as well. So sitting and leaning forward helps in reducing the pain intensity. As you have previous history of heart attack as well so I would suggest you to visit hospital and get a baseline ECG done to rule out any heart condition. If it’s ruled out then most probably you are having muscular spasm.
If I were your treating doctor then I would have advised following things:
> Ibuprofen twice a day for 3 days. It is available OTC.
> take hot water in a rubber bottle and place it at the site of pain. It will give soothing effect.
> Avoid strenuous physical activity & lifting heavy object.
> Take oil and ask some family member to massage. It will also help in relieving the spasm.
If condition does not improve in 2-3 days after taking the above mentioned steps then you need to visit hospital for further workup.
Hope i have answered your query. If you have any further question then I would be happy to assist you, if not then don't forget to close the discussion & rate it.
Wishing you good health!
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
Answered by
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