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What Causes Sudden Shooting Pain In Left Armpit?
Question: I am a 26 year old male, fairly healthy 5'6" 140 Lbs and out of nowhere I took a deep breath and got a shooting pain in my left under arm, about 2-3 inches below my armpit. It hurts with every deep breath, I laid back to relax and slowed my breathing down which is helping the pain for sure. This has been going on for about 20 minutes now and I can't shake the pain. the pain is localized to this one single spot but also a tiny pain in my upper left pectoral. The feel like a stabbing or needle like pain, again localized to these spots only. The pains circumference is about the size of a nickel
Brief Answer:
Likely musculoskeletal
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for asking
I read your question and i understand your concern. Sudden pain out of the blue in armpit and chest with worsening on deep breath and managed with a posture change or shallow breath is likely a musculoskeletal origin. However , ay forearm pain with chest involvement should be evaluated and assessed. You are young and should not be a problem regarding heart or lungs. But there is no harm in getting an ekg done and a chest x ray to rule out any sinister pathology underneath. Once ruled out, all you would need is some rest, massage, some NSAIDs like aleve or ibuprofen and some muscle relaxants like skelaxin etc.
Talk to your doctor and let them help you in this regard. I hope it helps. Take good care of yourself and don't forget to close the discussion please.
Regards
Khan
Likely musculoskeletal
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for asking
I read your question and i understand your concern. Sudden pain out of the blue in armpit and chest with worsening on deep breath and managed with a posture change or shallow breath is likely a musculoskeletal origin. However , ay forearm pain with chest involvement should be evaluated and assessed. You are young and should not be a problem regarding heart or lungs. But there is no harm in getting an ekg done and a chest x ray to rule out any sinister pathology underneath. Once ruled out, all you would need is some rest, massage, some NSAIDs like aleve or ibuprofen and some muscle relaxants like skelaxin etc.
Talk to your doctor and let them help you in this regard. I hope it helps. Take good care of yourself and don't forget to close the discussion please.
Regards
Khan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hey XXXXXXX thank you so much. I truly appreciate your assistance. One additional bit of information, the pain has now become largely in my upper left pectoral but is now consistent and dull. It is really in between where my pectoral and should meet then about 2" into my upper left pec. Occasionally a pain in my left tricep will happen as well. I feel quite tired as well. Do you think anything different with this additional information? I do have an appointment with my PCP today as well so I will get some additional information from him whilst delivering our conversation to him as well.
Again, THANK YOU, for your help thus far. deeply appreciative.
Best regards.
XXXXXXX
Again, THANK YOU, for your help thus far. deeply appreciative.
Best regards.
XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Still musculoskeletal
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back to me Mr XXXXXXX
Mentioning of pectoral girdle does not change the likely outcome of the fact which is musculoskeletal as every dull and persistent pain is. Rest of the work up is just for the peace of mind. So get to your doctor and let them sort it out for you.
I hope it helps.
Take care
Khan
Still musculoskeletal
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back to me Mr XXXXXXX
Mentioning of pectoral girdle does not change the likely outcome of the fact which is musculoskeletal as every dull and persistent pain is. Rest of the work up is just for the peace of mind. So get to your doctor and let them sort it out for you.
I hope it helps.
Take care
Khan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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