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What Causes Chest Pain While Taking Deep Breaths?

Posted on Fri, 3 Feb 2017

Question: I am having chest discomfort and pressure increased with deep breath in, seems worse at night, but not affected by excercise..I am only 37 also feels a bit like my throat is sore down by my clavicle(when pushed on) ...I have 6 young children so a dr appt is hard to make

Answered by Dr. Klarida Papaqako (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please answer some questions related to your problem

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thank you for using HCM to post your health query.
I read carefully your question.

Can you please explain some things so I can understand more what its happening?

-- Do you have these symptoms all the day of they come and go? How much do they last?
-- When have these started?
-- Except chest discomfort and pressure do you feel anything else? Numbness in your hands or any other part of the body? Does hear rate change?
-- Do you have cough? Chest pain? Fever?
-- Have you tried any medication? What makes it better or worse?

I would be happy to help. The answers of these questions will help me understand if these symptoms are due to anxiety or if it is an actual lung problem that you have.

Looking forward to your follow up question.

Regards,
Dr. Papaqako

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Klarida Papaqako (1 hour later)

The symptoms come and go...There is no real pain or numbness..I was a vet tech before I began my family and my heart rate is fine... my son(last baby of 6) is 10 months and still up every 2 hrs or so at night..I felt that this was an anxiety issue as I have been overwhelmed and stressed. I had panic attacks when I was a twenty something and they were different than this--not that it couldn't be. I can still go about farm chores and exercise with out issue so I have a hard time believing it is heart or even lung related...it usually goes when I am active and somewhat preoccupied with something else...I guess I just didn't know that stress and anxiety could present this big of an issue health wise.....Just a bit scary

Answered by Dr. Klarida Papaqako (23 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Possible anxiety disorder

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thank you for the follow up question.

Many things in what you are describing suggest that this its an anxiety problem. What happens its that the body accumulates the stress and it is manifested with these symptoms which in general are like a tightness in the chest that radiates to the neck. If this shortness of breath its not justified with other organic problems than the diagnoses becomes more clear.

Try to take care about yourself dear. I understand that your family its priority, but giving yourself a bit of time once in a while would help a lot. Running and exercising, meeting with friends and talking with someone about things that burden you, doing at least one thing you like to do during your day.

IF these symptoms become frequent as to limit your daily activity, I would recommend that you see a local doctor who can maybe prescribe something to help you with these symptoms.
The advises above would help as much as the medicine would so consider them first, especially running really helps.

Let me know if I have answered your question and if you need more clarifications.
Otherwise please kindly close and rate the answer.

Regards,
Dr. Papaqako

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Klarida Papaqako (7 days later)

Thank you Dr. I went to an urgent care office and was put on anti=inflammatory with a suspected costochondrotitis....inflammation of mt chest cavity...they have helped some, but I now have radiating pain when I bend over/sit or lay down..only for a few moments and it goes up into my neck on the left side...I am just wondering if this also sounds like anxiety....It is not as bad in my chest with meds although it isn't absolved certainly

Answered by Dr. Klarida Papaqako (13 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, sounds a lot like anxiety too.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,

Yes, as I mentioned above, it sounds a lot like anxiety.

Also, costocondritis it a problem that its affected by stress, so sometimes it is not enough to treat it with only analgesic-antinflammatory drugs but a medication which is used for anti-anxiety is used too. Talk to your doctor about it and he can give his opinion about this too.

Regards,
Dr.Papaqako

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy

Follow up: Dr. Klarida Papaqako (6 hours later)

Thank you so much..what a blessing this site is---and you!!

Answered by Dr. Klarida Papaqako (4 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Happy to be of help

Detailed Answer:
Thank you dear,

Happy to be of help.

Feel free to turn back to me if you have any question or concern.

Take care,
Dr.Papaqako

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T