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Hi, For No Apparent Reason I Started Having Pain That
Question: Hi, for no apparent reason I started having pain that seemed to be inside or behind my left breast or between my back and breast. I thought I slept wrong, had gas or worse. It has changed over the week, now it seem localized inward from my left shoulder blade and causes pain when I lift my left arm, bend over or make other movements like turning.
Brief Answer:
costochondritis vs muscle strain
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
The initial location you described is not uncommon for costochondritis which is inflammation of the cartilage of the rib cage. It usually is worse with taking a deep breath, coughing, or moving one's arm.
But the location by the left shoulder blade makes me think there may have been a muscular strain. Problems with the pancreas can radiate pain to the left back, but then it wouldn't be reproducible by moving the muscles of the area.
For either costochondritis or muscle strain, treatment involves resting that side, as well as NSAIDs such as Ibuprofen (if you tolerate these). Ibuprofen at a dose of 400mg three times a day after food can be used for up to 5 days, providing you have no history of peptic ulcer disease or medications that interact with it.
If this doesn't start to help, then it is time to see your doctor so that an examination can be done.
I hope this information helps.
Please let me know if I can provide further information or clarification.
costochondritis vs muscle strain
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
The initial location you described is not uncommon for costochondritis which is inflammation of the cartilage of the rib cage. It usually is worse with taking a deep breath, coughing, or moving one's arm.
But the location by the left shoulder blade makes me think there may have been a muscular strain. Problems with the pancreas can radiate pain to the left back, but then it wouldn't be reproducible by moving the muscles of the area.
For either costochondritis or muscle strain, treatment involves resting that side, as well as NSAIDs such as Ibuprofen (if you tolerate these). Ibuprofen at a dose of 400mg three times a day after food can be used for up to 5 days, providing you have no history of peptic ulcer disease or medications that interact with it.
If this doesn't start to help, then it is time to see your doctor so that an examination can be done.
I hope this information helps.
Please let me know if I can provide further information or clarification.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Brief Answer:
Your welcome
Detailed Answer:
Your welcome and I hope you are feeling better soon.
Make sure to take the ibuprofen with or after food so that it doesn't cause stomach irritation.
Best wishes,
Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh, MD
Your welcome
Detailed Answer:
Your welcome and I hope you are feeling better soon.
Make sure to take the ibuprofen with or after food so that it doesn't cause stomach irritation.
Best wishes,
Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh, MD
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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