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Hi, About 2 Weeks Ago I Awoke With This Severe
Question: Hi, about 2 weeks ago I awoke with this severe sharp pain on my upper left side of my chest area(about 3 inches above my nipple area) like someone was sticking a needle in me the pain also went down underneath my left arm pit area(inside my ribcage) and it also moved to the front left just under my ribcage, it was sorest when ever I would breath in or if I went to take a deap breath I could feel it. Now over the last 2weeks the pain has been getting less and less but last night I ended up sleeping funny and woke up to the same pain only nearly worse it was around my neck, shoulder and was very bad. After a bit of stretching and sore start to the day the pain has somewat subsided but is still there when I breath in but now it feels like it's back left lower rib cage feels like as if something is catching or rubbing of something inside when I take a deep breath in?? Can you help me and give me some insight to what this may be? I'm 30. Fairly unfit. Heavy drinker. I'm starting to think that it may be my spleen or pancreas but I have no problem eating or anything like that. Could it be my heart, lung? Or a muscle tear. What would likley cause the pain I am describing? Thanks in advance. XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Very likely it is a muscular strain, more explanation below
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to 'Ask a Doctor' service.
There are two main causes we consider with chest pain worse on breathing.
One cause can be a muscular strain. In this case, even certain movements of the arms or shoulder might make the pain worse or might make the area more sensitive.
Another possible cause would be pleuritis (inflammation of the layers that cover the lungs). This causes pain with breathing as well and might cause noises due to friction. Pleuritis is generally due to infection and most of the times patients feel unwell, may have a fever and have shortness of breath.
If you have only these chest pains while breathing but no fever, you do feel, as usual, no shortness of breath then very likely the pain you are having is due to muscular strain.
In this case, taking Ibuprofen 400mg every 8 hours after food and paracetamol 500 mg every 6hours alternatively can be tried.
They have to be used regularly for a few days before you know if they are working because Ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory drug and helps by reducing inflammation locally as well and regular use is needed. You may try some warm compresses locally (be watchful not too warm though).
If you notice no improvement of symptoms in the next 3-4 days or you notice any worsening or any of the symptoms I mention above (fever, shortness of breath, fatigue, cough, etc), you may need to see your doctor, have a check of your lungs and maybe a chest X-ray.
I do not think the pain you are experiencing is related to the pancreas or spleen so would not worry about these.
I hope this answers to your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
General & Family Physician
Very likely it is a muscular strain, more explanation below
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to 'Ask a Doctor' service.
There are two main causes we consider with chest pain worse on breathing.
One cause can be a muscular strain. In this case, even certain movements of the arms or shoulder might make the pain worse or might make the area more sensitive.
Another possible cause would be pleuritis (inflammation of the layers that cover the lungs). This causes pain with breathing as well and might cause noises due to friction. Pleuritis is generally due to infection and most of the times patients feel unwell, may have a fever and have shortness of breath.
If you have only these chest pains while breathing but no fever, you do feel, as usual, no shortness of breath then very likely the pain you are having is due to muscular strain.
In this case, taking Ibuprofen 400mg every 8 hours after food and paracetamol 500 mg every 6hours alternatively can be tried.
They have to be used regularly for a few days before you know if they are working because Ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory drug and helps by reducing inflammation locally as well and regular use is needed. You may try some warm compresses locally (be watchful not too warm though).
If you notice no improvement of symptoms in the next 3-4 days or you notice any worsening or any of the symptoms I mention above (fever, shortness of breath, fatigue, cough, etc), you may need to see your doctor, have a check of your lungs and maybe a chest X-ray.
I do not think the pain you are experiencing is related to the pancreas or spleen so would not worry about these.
I hope this answers to your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
General & Family Physician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Hi, I have been taking what you suggested but to no effect. The pain is under my lower front left rib cage like a stabing feeling and goes around to my side and back.(only there when I take a deep breath in) When I woke up this morning my neck and shoulder was very sore and It is now also sore when I take a deep breath in in my shoulder area. The pain is chronic if I sneeze like somebody has stuck a pin in me under my front left ribcage area. Feels like something is rubbing of something in this lung area when I take a deep breath in. It feels like the pain moves around when I am lying down. I do not have a fever, I do not have a cough no phlem or anything. And when I'm just sitting there and breathing normally there is no pain, it is only there when I take a big deep breath in. I don't feel like I'm short of breath but on occasion I do hold back in taking a full deep breath incase of that sharp stabbing feeling but I can take a full deep breath just feels bubbly or that something is rubbing off something . Can I ask if it is pleuritis and I have no symptoms of cough, fever or anything like that what would cause it?? One thing that did happen me over the last 2 months is when I was drinking (spirits) the drink kinda went down the rong way like into my lungs and I coughed and choked a bit happened 3 or 4 times could this bit of fluid be causing this??(i don't know how this happened it just did) I have had the pain over 3weeks now and I'm starting to think the worst because I have no fever, cough or anything. Can you please shed more light on this for me? Thanks in advance. XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
An x-ray is recommended to rule out lung problems
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for the reply,
I am sorry you do not feel much improved. As mentioned in the previous massage, you will need to consider having an x-ray to rule out pleuritis. It does cause sharp pain with breathing and not all patients get cough and fever. A chest x-ray is an easily accessible test and will give peace of mind.
The pain can still be muscular, muscular pain might last 6 weeks but it is safer to rule out pleuritis first.
Meanwhile you may increase the dose of ibuprofen to 800 mg every 8 hours and take 1 paracetamol 500 mg with it, just for symptom relieve, you will still need to have the chest x-ray.
I hope this answers your query, let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
An x-ray is recommended to rule out lung problems
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for the reply,
I am sorry you do not feel much improved. As mentioned in the previous massage, you will need to consider having an x-ray to rule out pleuritis. It does cause sharp pain with breathing and not all patients get cough and fever. A chest x-ray is an easily accessible test and will give peace of mind.
The pain can still be muscular, muscular pain might last 6 weeks but it is safer to rule out pleuritis first.
Meanwhile you may increase the dose of ibuprofen to 800 mg every 8 hours and take 1 paracetamol 500 mg with it, just for symptom relieve, you will still need to have the chest x-ray.
I hope this answers your query, let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Answered by
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