What Causes Pain In Middle Of Ribs And Sweating?

Posted on Fri, 4 Jul 2014

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

Fri, 4 Jul 2014 Answered on

Mon, 21 Jul 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : pain in middle of ribs, lasts for hours, or sometimes days queezy stomach sweating. pain can be so bad i can't move

Answered by Dr. Sudhir (-4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please provide more details.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

To get better perspective of your case , please provide more details.

1.Since when do you have symptoms? Are there any other associated symptoms?
2.Any investigations carried out or treatment undertaken for this?
3.What are factors increasing the symptoms?
4.Any other health issues?

In view of limited details provided I think this can be either related to heart or your stomach with possible reflux.I will better position to answer if I get more details.

Regards

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

Follow up: Dr. Sudhir (2 hours later)

The pain attacks started about six months ago, They come on quickly, and leave just as quick. but last for up to three weeks at a time. It starts right between my ribs and hurts all the way to the back between shoilder blades It doesn't matter if I sit down lay down or how I lay, the pain is the same. whether I eat or don't eat, Antacids, etc don't help, The only other symptoms I can think of urinary track infection, and maybe,(with or without pain attacks) constant thirsty, excessive sweating. Seems like when I worry more it feels like it may agravate the pain. I think what is increasing symptoms is its gone on for a while leading to possible other problems.

Answered by Dr. Sudhir (23 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Details make me think of cardiac cause

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Symptoms make me worry about unstable angina.Few things which favour this is pain radiating between shoulder blades, not relieved on antacids, not related to food , repeat attacks and worry enhancing symptoms.

I would suggest a clinical evaluation by cardiologist and investigations like EKG, stress test, 2d Echo and cardiac enzyme levels when there is pain.Though this may be turn out precautionary but I would suggest to go ahead with this.

Urinary tract infection might be coexisting but doesn't seem related to chest pain.

Apart from this other less likely possibility which can present this way is gastroesophgeal reflux, but that is related to food.

Hope this helps.Please ask if there are doubts.Regards.

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