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What Causes Sharp Pain In Between The Breasts?
Question: have had several episodes since today of very sharp pain in between my breasts. Went to the local hospital and heart is fine. Hard to breathe out due to pain. Hydromorphine hydrochloride elixer only bringing a few hours relief at a time.
Brief Answer:
My answer as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
Regarding your concern, I would explain that your symptoms seem to be related to a musculo-skeletal pain.
The fact that your pain is exacerbated by breathing, indicates a musculo-skeletal pain.
I would exclude any cardiac disorders related to these symptoms, as your symptoms are not typical of a cardiac disorder. Besides your cardiac performed tests have resulted normal.
Other possible causes to consider are:
- pleuritis (inflammation of the external layers of the lungs)
- gallbladder stones
- esophageal spasms
- pancreatitis.
Although, the later 3 possibilities are not usually related to breathing.
For this reason, I would recommend consulting with your attending physician and performing some additional tests:
- a chest X ray study
- an abdominal ultrasound
- complete blood count, PCR, sedimentation rate for inflammation
- liver and renal function tests
- amylase and lipase plasma levels.
You should discuss with your doctor on the above issues.
Meanwhile, I recommend trying ibuprofen coupled with omeprazole. I would not recommend long term treatment with hydromorphine as it may cause addiction and tolerance (but you can use it occasionally).
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
My answer as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
Regarding your concern, I would explain that your symptoms seem to be related to a musculo-skeletal pain.
The fact that your pain is exacerbated by breathing, indicates a musculo-skeletal pain.
I would exclude any cardiac disorders related to these symptoms, as your symptoms are not typical of a cardiac disorder. Besides your cardiac performed tests have resulted normal.
Other possible causes to consider are:
- pleuritis (inflammation of the external layers of the lungs)
- gallbladder stones
- esophageal spasms
- pancreatitis.
Although, the later 3 possibilities are not usually related to breathing.
For this reason, I would recommend consulting with your attending physician and performing some additional tests:
- a chest X ray study
- an abdominal ultrasound
- complete blood count, PCR, sedimentation rate for inflammation
- liver and renal function tests
- amylase and lipase plasma levels.
You should discuss with your doctor on the above issues.
Meanwhile, I recommend trying ibuprofen coupled with omeprazole. I would not recommend long term treatment with hydromorphine as it may cause addiction and tolerance (but you can use it occasionally).
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I suffer from chronic pancreatitis due to a genetic problem. Also in july had a large upper gastrointestinal bleed with severe melena and required two blood transfusions. Also suffer from GERD but this pain is very severe. It goes through to my back as with pancreatitis but higher up than usual.
Brief Answer:
My answer as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
Thank you for the additional information!
Considering your past medical history, I would recommend going to the ER and perform the above mentioned tests.
It may be an acutisation of chronic pancreatitis or a gastric ulcer.
A fibrogastroscopy may be needed if suspicions of an ulcer are raised and pancreatitis is ecluded.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Best wishes,
Dr. Iliri
My answer as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
Thank you for the additional information!
Considering your past medical history, I would recommend going to the ER and perform the above mentioned tests.
It may be an acutisation of chronic pancreatitis or a gastric ulcer.
A fibrogastroscopy may be needed if suspicions of an ulcer are raised and pancreatitis is ecluded.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Best wishes,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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