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Suggest Treatment For Persistent Pain In Left Chest
Question: My husband is 50 years hold. He is having some persistent pain/uncomfortable pain in his left chest/pectoral area and it has been going on for 3 to 4 days. He had an ESI last Fri. and ever since Saturday he seems to be having this problem along with a sever case of burping. Any suggestions?
Brief Answer:
Need more info
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the query
Pain on the left side especially in the pectoral area requires evaluation to rule out a heart attack, an EKG has to be done. However to be sure I need following details
1. Does the pain increase on rising the left harm ? Is it tender to touch?
2. Does he smoke?
3. Why did he receive the steroidal injection?
4. Does he have nausea?
5. Does he have trouble breathing on walking or climbing stairs?
Please get back to me, I am awaiting your reply
Regards
Need more info
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the query
Pain on the left side especially in the pectoral area requires evaluation to rule out a heart attack, an EKG has to be done. However to be sure I need following details
1. Does the pain increase on rising the left harm ? Is it tender to touch?
2. Does he smoke?
3. Why did he receive the steroidal injection?
4. Does he have nausea?
5. Does he have trouble breathing on walking or climbing stairs?
Please get back to me, I am awaiting your reply
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Sorry to just now be replying, I could not find where anyone had answered me.
1. He says it's like a sore muscle but not a normal feeling. He's a very active person and just played tennis Sunday.
2. He doesn't smoke
3. He had surgery back in April on his L4 and L5 to remove pressure in the nerve. The injection was a follow up to get that nerve to settle back down after the surgery because it was still inflamed causing pain. This was his 2nd one.
4. He says his stomach is really acidic, lots of burping and indigestion. He slept well last night and felt good when he got up but once he got moving around his stomach started the same stuff already.
5. No
Just making sure someone received my above reply? I am new to this site and not quite sure how this works
Thank you,
XXXX
Follow up to the first question, #1. It doesn't hurt for him to raise his arm up above his head.
1. He says it's like a sore muscle but not a normal feeling. He's a very active person and just played tennis Sunday.
2. He doesn't smoke
3. He had surgery back in April on his L4 and L5 to remove pressure in the nerve. The injection was a follow up to get that nerve to settle back down after the surgery because it was still inflamed causing pain. This was his 2nd one.
4. He says his stomach is really acidic, lots of burping and indigestion. He slept well last night and felt good when he got up but once he got moving around his stomach started the same stuff already.
5. No
Just making sure someone received my above reply? I am new to this site and not quite sure how this works
Thank you,
XXXX
Follow up to the first question, #1. It doesn't hurt for him to raise his arm up above his head.
Brief Answer:
Muscular pain
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for getting back, I am sorry for the short delay in my reply. I am just starting my day and I guess there is time difference between our countries
Thank you for the detailed description. Here is how you should go about it
1. In all likelihood the pain is muscular in nature and it will require treatment with painkillers
2. Tab acetaminophen three times a day for 3 days will help reduce the pain. However aceclofenac twice a day is the ideal drug for him ( will require prescription)
3. Local diclofenac gel will help reduce the pain and it will also relax the muscles
4. Apply cold packs over the tender area 4-5 times a day
Acidic stomach can lead to pain and uncomfortable feeling over the left side as well. Here is how he should go about it
1. Tab Omeprazole once a day for 7 days on an empty stomach. Ideally before breakfast 2. Avoid milk and milk products until you are better
3. Keep your food bland and free from spice
4. Avoid caffeine, smoking and alcohol
5. Do not sleep immediately after dinner, stay up for 2 hours atleast
6. Head should be slightly elevated while sleeping at night, I ask my patients to keep two pillows
7. I would also like you to approach your GP for an EKG to rule out ischemic heart
I hope I was of help, if you have any further queries please get back to me
Regards
Muscular pain
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for getting back, I am sorry for the short delay in my reply. I am just starting my day and I guess there is time difference between our countries
Thank you for the detailed description. Here is how you should go about it
1. In all likelihood the pain is muscular in nature and it will require treatment with painkillers
2. Tab acetaminophen three times a day for 3 days will help reduce the pain. However aceclofenac twice a day is the ideal drug for him ( will require prescription)
3. Local diclofenac gel will help reduce the pain and it will also relax the muscles
4. Apply cold packs over the tender area 4-5 times a day
Acidic stomach can lead to pain and uncomfortable feeling over the left side as well. Here is how he should go about it
1. Tab Omeprazole once a day for 7 days on an empty stomach. Ideally before breakfast 2. Avoid milk and milk products until you are better
3. Keep your food bland and free from spice
4. Avoid caffeine, smoking and alcohol
5. Do not sleep immediately after dinner, stay up for 2 hours atleast
6. Head should be slightly elevated while sleeping at night, I ask my patients to keep two pillows
7. I would also like you to approach your GP for an EKG to rule out ischemic heart
I hope I was of help, if you have any further queries please get back to me
Regards
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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