What Causes Thumping Feeling In Chest And Tingling Feeling In Left Arm?

Posted on Mon, 5 Jan 2015

Question: I have a kicking, thumping feeling on the left side of my chest. 5 -6 intercostal space mostley. Almost like Morse Code. No SOB, no lighthead, no fainting, non smoke, pulse regular rate 58. Was intermittent for 2 days with sharp stabbing pain, tingle feeling on inside of left arm. Lasted only about 2 -3 seconds. Activity did not make it worse. Now continuous with no stabbing pain. Blood pressure 130/78. Only meds are Nexium. Val Salva does not resolve it and it does not increase or decrease with activity.

I have no history of heart disease and had echo done today ( I am ICU nurse in Burn Center in XXXXXXX and attending did echo for me as a favor. Echo was normal valves good, no fib, flutter etc. Injected me with Marcaine 5, 6 7th intercostal space as well as sternal and pectoral. It was better for couple of hours but now back but without the stabbing pain.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Your symptoms suggests of Neuritic pain. Get Vit. B12 test done.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,

Thanks for your question on HCM.

Since your 2D echo is normal, no need to worry for cardiac cause.

Stabbing pain with tingling sensation are characteristics of neuritic pain.
And neuritic pain can be due to either nerve compression or vitamin b 12 deficiency.
You are symptomatically improved with marcaine injection which again favours neuritic pain.
So better to get done vitamin b 12 level. And if deficiency is there, then start supplements.
You can also start physiotherapy to overcome nerve compression.

Avoid bad postures in sleep.
Avoid heavy weight lifting and strenuous exercise.
Apply warm water pad on affected site.

Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health.
Thanks.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari