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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Could Cause Left Sided Chest Pain?

I am a 64 yr. old female diabetic. For 3 wks I have had severe pain on the left side of my chest just under the left breast. Pain radiates around to left lower back. I have been to 2 docs at least 4 times. CT scan, (normal) labs, upper lower GI(normal) back X-ray. (gallbladder gone) doc thinks it is muscular or skeletal??? Last night I noticed a significant bulge under the breast on my chest...excactly where the pain is. Can't sit, stand or lay down or sleep for any long periods of time. Waiting for my doc's office to open this am? Take Aleve lots of it..doesn't help much and ice packs on painful area. numbs pain a little..what is being missed?
Mon, 19 Dec 2016
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Based on your symptoms and lab results it does sound musculoskeletal. Costocondritis (irritation and inflammation of the chest musculature), and or muscle spasms can be extremely uncomfortable and cause similar symptoms to what you are describing. Interestingly with spasms you may also have periods of what is called "Flacidity" the opposite of spasms it is when the muscle relaxes after a contraction. The bulge you are describing may be that skin and tissue relaxing and thus seeming to bulge. The good news is these are usually temporary issues. If it is muscular, seek anti-inflammatory medications such as Ibuprofen, Motrin and or Naproxen, and I suggest you do some stretches of the upper extremities when you can. If this pain persists there are more chronic and or long term medications that can be used to treat your symptoms, such as stronger anti-inflammatory medications, muscle relaxants, nerve-modulators such as Gabapentin and potentially even narcotics. You have a lot of options, but based upon this short term consultation, there are not many factors which lead me to believe your concerns necessary emergent (life threatening) but they are certainly concerning and uncomfortable. I suggest you seek a thorough workup from a potentially new physician who has a different perspective, and who can hear your entire case. Nonetheless please if you can, try my methods and see if this adds some relief. If your symptoms worsen, and or new symptoms are to develop, seek immediate medical attention. I wish you the absolute best and warm regards this holiday season; and think you are going to find yourself improving soon.
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What Could Cause Left Sided Chest Pain?

Based on your symptoms and lab results it does sound musculoskeletal. Costocondritis (irritation and inflammation of the chest musculature), and or muscle spasms can be extremely uncomfortable and cause similar symptoms to what you are describing. Interestingly with spasms you may also have periods of what is called Flacidity the opposite of spasms it is when the muscle relaxes after a contraction. The bulge you are describing may be that skin and tissue relaxing and thus seeming to bulge. The good news is these are usually temporary issues. If it is muscular, seek anti-inflammatory medications such as Ibuprofen, Motrin and or Naproxen, and I suggest you do some stretches of the upper extremities when you can. If this pain persists there are more chronic and or long term medications that can be used to treat your symptoms, such as stronger anti-inflammatory medications, muscle relaxants, nerve-modulators such as Gabapentin and potentially even narcotics. You have a lot of options, but based upon this short term consultation, there are not many factors which lead me to believe your concerns necessary emergent (life threatening) but they are certainly concerning and uncomfortable. I suggest you seek a thorough workup from a potentially new physician who has a different perspective, and who can hear your entire case. Nonetheless please if you can, try my methods and see if this adds some relief. If your symptoms worsen, and or new symptoms are to develop, seek immediate medical attention. I wish you the absolute best and warm regards this holiday season; and think you are going to find yourself improving soon.