Pain in middle of chest

[RickG16]

Felt this for a few days, particularly when lying horizontally or bending my upper half.

 

Apparently the likely cause could be heartburn (my diet has been pretty bad + drank a lot of booze in last couple of weeks)... or could it be muscular?

 

How long before I should get more concerned?

[PJ71]

Have a couple of Leo Yai to see how you feel.

[ozimoron]

Take nexium and see if it goes away in an hour or two. If not, see a doctor.

[JonnyF]

Maybe you're feeling a bit stressed out?

 

[VocalNeal]

10 minutes ago, RickG16 said:

or could it be muscular?

Only if you were putting socks or shoes on.???? Or been doing an activity you don't normally do.

[KannikaP]

12 minutes ago, RickG16 said:

particularly when lying horizontally or bending my upper half.

Then stop doing those things. 555

[RickG16]

Just now, KannikaP said:

Then stop doing those things. 555

Don't fancy my chances of falling sleep sitting down or standing up!

[RickG16]

1 minute ago, VocalNeal said:

Only if you were putting socks or shoes on.???? Or been doing an activity you don't normally do.

Yeah I can certainly feel it when doing up my shoelaces

[anchadian]

There's nobody on here that can help.  I would suggest therefore you go and see a doctor if you're concerned.

[RickG16]

I play a lot of squash which can involve doing pretty intense movements and stretching into unnatural positions

[RickG16]

Just now, anchadian said:

There's nobody on here that can help.  I would suggest therefore you go and see a doctor if you're concerned.

Of course. But that's quite a premmature comment a few minutes after I have posted something. In fact, there are plenty of people with a good medical knowledge on here, and I have got some sane advice from posters here over the years.

 

But I agree, nothing can substitute advice from a medical professional. 

[sqwakvfr]

At least have your blood pressure checked.  

[Sheryl]

Can you please describe the pain more clearly:

 

1. Where in the chest do you feel it exactly? You say middle but how high up,? Does it extend to base of the throat? 

 

2. What does the pain feel like? Burning? Cramping? Achy? Pressure etc?

 

3. What if anything seems to releive it?

[VocalNeal]

10 minutes ago, RickG16 said:

I play a lot of squash which can involve doing pretty intense movements and stretching into unnatural positions

I find that putting my socks and shoes on causes more odd stabbing pains than the running which is what the shoes are for.

[JeffersLos]

Is it your period? 

[Celsius]

Excellent. This is where I would come for medical advice also. Good job.

 

That being said it may likely be reflux since you get it while lying down.

 

[RickG16]

8 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

Can you please describe the pain more clearly:

 

1. Where in the chest do you feel it exactly? You say middle but how high up,? Does it extend to base of the throat? 

 

2. What does the pain feel like? Burning? Cramping? Achy? Pressure etc?

 

3. What if anything seems to releive it?

1. No not up to the the throat. About level with the nipples.

 

2. It's more of an aching or burning

 

3. Not tried much yet but am trying some gaviscon now. Will report back

[Sheryl]

With chest pain the main differentials are:

 

1. Cardiac cause (angina, heart attack). This is an emergency but would usually be described as a crushing pain/pressure and more often on the left. Can't exclude this but your description does not raise immediate alarm bells.

 

2. GERD (reflux). Your mention of burning and of it being triggered by lying flat or bending over is suggestive of GERD though there would usually also be some throat discomfort/burning. Reflux is common in older people and people of any age if overweight. Also often linked to caffeine intake. 

 

3. Gastritis. Consistent with location and description of the pain but not so much with  being worse lying down or leaning over. 

 

Gastritis and GERD can coexist

 

4. Muscle spasm or injury - in that location  this would be usually be what is called  costochondritis though that pain is usually described as sharp. Most often there would be a history of injury or strain before the onset. Strain could include things that required upward movements of the arm or twisting of the torso. Rowing, weight lifting, various sports can cause it. So can severe coughing. Any history of these? 

 

5. Least likely would be an issue with the lungs. Can't rule it out but I would start with other possibilities first.

 

If it were me-- and assuming there was no strain or injury that preceded this --  I'd start by seeing if antacids and PPIs (omeprazole etc) give relief. In the case of antacids you'd be looking for temporary improvement whereas PPIs would give longer relief or prevent the pain altogether.  I would also avoid lying or bending over for 2 hours after eating.  If these things work then GERD and/or gastritis is likely cause but to be sure would need endoscopy.  Also should exclude h. Pylori,  common cause of gastrutis. For this would see GI specialist. 

 

If  you do have a history of injury or strain that might have inflamed chest muscles,  rest and NSAIDs usually do the trick but be very careful re NSAIDs as if the problem is gastrits it will make if much worse. Also there are contraindications to  NSAIDs that should be researched before taking.

 

If the pain becomes severe and if there is any radiation to left arm or shoulder these are signs of posdinle heart attack and shoukd go at once to hospital. 

 

[dingdongrb]

25 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

With chest pain the main differentials are:

 

1. Cardiac cause (angina, heart attack). This is an emergency but would usually be described as a crushing pain/pressure and more often on the left. Can't exclude this but your description does not raise immediate alarm bells.

 

2. GERD (reflux). Your mention of burning and of it being triggered by lying flat or bending over is suggestive of GERD though there would usually also be some throat discomfort/burning. Reflux is common in older people and people of any age if overweight. Also often linked to caffeine intake. 

 

3. Gastritis. Consistent with location and description of the pain but not so much with  being worse lying down or leaning over. 

 

Gastritis and GERD can coexist

 

4. Muscle spasm or injury - in that location  this would be usually be what is called  costochondritis though that pain is usually described as sharp. Most often there would be a history of injury or strain before the onset. Strain could include things that required upward movements of the arm or twisting of the torso. Rowing, weight lifting, various sports can cause it. So can severe coughing. Any history of these? 

 

5. Least likely would be an issue with the lungs. Can't rule it out but I would start with other possibilities first.

 

If it were me-- and assuming there was no strain or injury that preceded this --  I'd start by seeing if antacids and PPIs (omeprazole etc) give relief. In the case of antacids you'd be looking for temporary improvement whereas PPIs would give longer relief or prevent the pain altogether.  I would also avoid lying or bending over for 2 hours after eating.  If these things work then GERD and/or gastritis is likely cause but to be sure would need endoscopy.  Also should exclude h. Pylori,  common cause of gastrutis. For this would see GI specialist. 

 

If  you do have a history of injury or strain that might have inflamed chest muscles,  rest and NSAIDs usually do the trick but be very careful re NSAIDs as if the problem is gastrits it will make if much worse. Also there are contraindications to  NSAIDs that should be researched before taking.

 

If the pain becomes severe and if there is any radiation to left arm or shoulder these are signs of posdinle heart attack and shoukd go at once to hospital. 

 

I have had acid reflux for many years and it occasionally seems to flare up. Needless to say about a year ago when I was getting it more often than normal and started getting pains in my chest I wrote it off as being GERD and tried watching what and when I ate.

 

To shorten my story, I was rushed off to the hospital one afternoon when the pain became unbearable. I was admitted and 2 days later had a stent placed in my right pulmonary artery.

 

I suggest going to the doctor and get checked rather than trying to diagnosis it yourself or seek answers from an Internet forum.

[SatEng]

You should see a doctor as soon as possible as there are many causes for this

 

I used to suffer from reflux, if eating late in the evening, especially dairy, and so when I had a strong pain in my right chest i thought this was the cause, but it did not go away as usual and became worse.

The pain spread under my armpit and then around my back - at which point it was time to get a diagnosis.

Turns out it was shingles (chicken pox) - but I had not developed  a rash yet - a couple of weeks with steroid cream sorted it out.

This may not be the case for you but best to get it checked out.

I put this out there because I did not know at the time that you could now get a vaccine for shingles, but I would advise anyone here over 55 to get the vaccine and save themselves a lot of pain

 

[marin]

Go see a doctor.  I put it off for a long time as well. Two ulcers were found and 4 months of heavy meds to get rid of them. It was not fun. 

[Tropicalevo]

For any pain in the chest please go and see a doctor.

My wife has a slight pain, went to bed and never woke up.

She was only 55 and exercised regularly.

[nigelforbes]

1 minute ago, Tropicalevo said:

For any pain in the chest please go and see a doctor.

My wife has a slight pain, went to bed and never woke up.

She was only 55 and exercised regularly.

I'm so sorry for your loss, she was still quite young.

[KhunLA]

Need get BP checked, at least rule out immediate cardiac/heart attack issue if normal range 120s/60s range.

 

At least go to clinic fast & cheap, or gov't hospital, and probably parking a hassle, but can walk in and their machines are usually their in waiting area.

 

Stick arm in take BP, if high, have a seat, wait 20 mins and do it again.  Any other cardiac/heart attack symptoms ?

[RickG16]

15 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Need get BP checked, at least rule out immediate cardiac/heart attack issue if normal range 120s/60s range.

 

At least go to clinic fast & cheap, or gov't hospital, and probably parking a hassle, but can walk in and their machines are usually their in waiting area.

 

Stick arm in take BP, if high, have a seat, wait 20 mins and do it again.  Any other cardiac/heart attack symptoms ?

No, no other symptoms.

 

Just a pain in my upper back / neck at about the same level

[RickG16]

17 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Need get BP checked, at least rule out immediate cardiac/heart attack issue if normal range 120s/60s range.

 

At least go to clinic fast & cheap, or gov't hospital, and probably parking a hassle, but can walk in and their machines are usually their in waiting area.

 

Stick arm in take BP, if high, have a seat, wait 20 mins and do it again.  Any other cardiac/heart attack symptoms ?

No other symptoms. Just a pain in my upper back / neck at about the same level

[RickG16]

22 minutes ago, marin said:

Go see a doctor.  I put it off for a long time as well. Two ulcers were found and 4 months of heavy meds to get rid of them. It was not fun. 

No pain in my stomach. Just chest. And only been few days

[RickG16]

1 hour ago, Sheryl said:

With chest pain the main differentials are:

 

1. Cardiac cause (angina, heart attack). This is an emergency but would usually be described as a crushing pain/pressure and more often on the left. Can't exclude this but your description does not raise immediate alarm bells.

 

2. GERD (reflux). Your mention of burning and of it being triggered by lying flat or bending over is suggestive of GERD though there would usually also be some throat discomfort/burning. Reflux is common in older people and people of any age if overweight. Also often linked to caffeine intake. 

 

3. Gastritis. Consistent with location and description of the pain but not so much with  being worse lying down or leaning over. 

 

Gastritis and GERD can coexist

 

4. Muscle spasm or injury - in that location  this would be usually be what is called  costochondritis though that pain is usually described as sharp. Most often there would be a history of injury or strain before the onset. Strain could include things that required upward movements of the arm or twisting of the torso. Rowing, weight lifting, various sports can cause it. So can severe coughing. Any history of these? 

 

5. Least likely would be an issue with the lungs. Can't rule it out but I would start with other possibilities first.

 

If it were me-- and assuming there was no strain or injury that preceded this --  I'd start by seeing if antacids and PPIs (omeprazole etc) give relief. In the case of antacids you'd be looking for temporary improvement whereas PPIs would give longer relief or prevent the pain altogether.  I would also avoid lying or bending over for 2 hours after eating.  If these things work then GERD and/or gastritis is likely cause but to be sure would need endoscopy.  Also should exclude h. Pylori,  common cause of gastrutis. For this would see GI specialist. 

 

If  you do have a history of injury or strain that might have inflamed chest muscles,  rest and NSAIDs usually do the trick but be very careful re NSAIDs as if the problem is gastrits it will make if much worse. Also there are contraindications to  NSAIDs that should be researched before taking.

 

If the pain becomes severe and if there is any radiation to left arm or shoulder these are signs of posdinle heart attack and shoukd go at once to hospital. 

 

Thanks....

 

No history of chest muscle injury but I do play squash and tweak things quite often

 

No other symptoms. Just a pain in my upper back / neck at about the same level

[CanadaSam]

Please do yourself a favour and get to the nearest medical facility, according to your financial capability.   Please stop trying to self-diagnose, or get others to do so for you, on an internet forum.

[Northstar1]

2 hours ago, anchadian said:

There's nobody on here that can help.  I would suggest therefore you go and see a doctor if you're concerned.

Many doctors lawyers green berets, SAS members, etc on this forum.

why pay for a doctor with all the professional advice here?????????‍♂️
and it’s all free!

I mean it’s nothing serious, only his health!