Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Left Sided Chest Pain Along With Nausea?
Question: I am 65 and having chest pain of 9 on 1-10 Scale tonight, it started in dec. with sudden onset after the flu. the dr. thought I had pericarditis. blood test showed no inflammation, heart XXXXXXX was normal, enzymes normal, ct/chest normal. I had a lUGI endoscopy thinking it was reflux and that was neg. EKG in Dec. showed some st segment depression but nothing else . a more recent EKG last week was unchanged, had a holter monitor for 24 hrs. don't know what it showed. thyroid test within normal. now back to the chest pain-heaviness is continuous, but severe pain (sharp left sided no radiation some nausea) continues.I get SOB with the pain and my voice changes like I am having a reaction to something-no trouble swallowing . Dr said it was a heart spasm and put me on Isordil 30 mg and I have taken it for 4 days it only gives me a HA and doesn't help.. I also am on Diltiazem 120 mg a day, premadone 75 mg BID for essential tremors in hands and head, Hydroxyine 25 mg, Tizanidine 2mg @ HS ,Lovothyrox 137 mg daily. If I go to ER they would probably do the same things I have had done before. I ask you what possibly could be the problem, I an stumped and so deems the Dr and I continue with this constant pain! I have a mild atrial "leak", my HR apically is normal. BP tonight 134/82 and 64 pulse. I have been resting in bed with these readings. I am not the type to be a hypochondriac and I continue to work as a secretary daily even with this pain. The pain is "wearing me out". Any suggestions?
Brief Answer:
a lot of possibilities
Detailed Answer:
can only give general answers without directly examining you and....
Heart does not seem likely to be the cause, for the reasons you've outlined, but a stress test with nuclear imaging can often be done in this context.
Lung conditions often cause pain AND typically the pain changes in the rhythm of the breathing. (deep breathing triggers it).
Reflux is often the cause and if it is from the movement up into the esophagus and / or abnormal movement OF the esophagus (spasm) then the studies that just look at the stomach and esophagus usually don't find very much. On the other hand, drinking irritating stuff (ice water, spicey, carbonated, hot) often triggers the pain. Less often the isordil will relieve the pain. Antacid liquid if it changes the pain strongly implies an esophageal source.
The muscles and joints in the chest often become irritated. Often the deep breathing or position or movement will trigger the pain and this will be quite a clue
Those are most of the causes and most of the parts of the chest. Rarely a tumor may invade a rib and cause pain, or some other structure that is not normally present might be there and get painful. These are not common.
a lot of possibilities
Detailed Answer:
can only give general answers without directly examining you and....
Heart does not seem likely to be the cause, for the reasons you've outlined, but a stress test with nuclear imaging can often be done in this context.
Lung conditions often cause pain AND typically the pain changes in the rhythm of the breathing. (deep breathing triggers it).
Reflux is often the cause and if it is from the movement up into the esophagus and / or abnormal movement OF the esophagus (spasm) then the studies that just look at the stomach and esophagus usually don't find very much. On the other hand, drinking irritating stuff (ice water, spicey, carbonated, hot) often triggers the pain. Less often the isordil will relieve the pain. Antacid liquid if it changes the pain strongly implies an esophageal source.
The muscles and joints in the chest often become irritated. Often the deep breathing or position or movement will trigger the pain and this will be quite a clue
Those are most of the causes and most of the parts of the chest. Rarely a tumor may invade a rib and cause pain, or some other structure that is not normally present might be there and get painful. These are not common.
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
