Mom Seeking Help About Chest Pain.

I get the tightness feeling and I had the stabbing feeling also. I have allergies and as long as I get my shot it doesn't seem to bother me to much.
I push the stabbing feeling off as gas a lot of the time,try taking an ant-acid when this happens.

S.: Sorry I'm no help, but I wouldn't drop the issue. Maybe try another Dr? BTW, I JUST got this email today and it may be appropriate here:

Women & Heart Attacks (Myocardial Infarction)

Did you know that women rarely
have the same dramatic symptoms that men have when experiencing heart
attack...you know, the sudden stabbing pain in the chest, the cold sweat,
grabbing the chest & dropping to the floor that we see in the movies.

Here is the story of one woman's experience with a heart attack.

'I had a completely unexpected heart attack at about 10:30 pm with NO prior exertion, NO prior emotional trauma that one would suspect might've brought it on. I was sitting all snugly & warm on a cold evening, with my purring cat in my lap, reading an interesting story my friend had sent me, and actually thinking, 'A-A-h, this is the life, all cozy and warm in my soft, cushy Lazy Boy with my
feet propped up.' A moment later, I felt that awful sensation of indigestion, when you've been in a hurry and grabbed a bite of sandwich and washed it down with a dash of water, and that hurried bite seems to feel like
you've swallowed a golf ball going down the esophagus in slow motion and it is most uncomfortable. You realize you shouldn't have gulped it down so fast and needed to chew it more thoroughly and this time drink a glass of water to
hasten its progress down to the stomach. This was my initial sensation---the only trouble was that I hadn't taken a bite of anything since
about 5:00 p.m.

'After that had seemed to subside, the next sensation was like little squeezing motions that seemed to be racing up my SPINE (hind-sight, it was probably my aorta spasming), gaining speed as they continued racing up and under my sternum (breast bone, where one presses rhythmically when administering CPR). This fascinating process continued on into my throat and branched out into both jaws.

'AHA!! NOW I stopped puzzling about what was happening--we all have read and/or heard about pain in
the jaws being one of the signals of an MI happening, haven't we? I said aloud to myself and the cat, 'Dear God, I think I'm having a heart attack!' I
lowered the foot rest, dumping the cat from my lap, started to take a step and fell on the floor instead. I thought to myself 'If this is a heart attack,
I shouldn't be walking into the next room where the phone is or anywhere else.......but, on the other hand, if I don't, nobody will know that I need help, and if I wait any longer I may not be able to get up in a moment.'

'I pulled myself up with the arms of the chair, walked slowly into the next room and dialed the Paramedics...
I told her I thought I was having a heart attack due to the pressure building under the sternum and radiating into my jaws. I didn't feel hysterical or afraid, just stating the facts. She said she was sending the Paramedics over
immediately, asked if the front door was near to me, and if so, to unbolt the door and then lie down on the floor where they could see me when they came in.

'I then laid down on the floor as instructed and lost consciousness, as I don't remember the medics
coming in, their examination, lifting me onto a gurney or getting me into their ambulance, or
hearing the call they made to St. Jude ER on the way, but I did briefly awaken when we arrived and saw that the Cardiologist was already there in his surgical
blues and cap, helping the medics pull my stretcher out of the ambulance. He was bending over me asking questions (probably something like 'Have you taken
any medications?') but I couldn't make my mind interpret what he was saying, or form an answer, and nodded off again, not waking up until the Cardiologist and
partner had already threaded the teeny angiogram balloon up my femoral artery into the aorta and into my heart where they installed 2 side by side stents to
hold open my right coronary artery.

'I know it sounds like all my
thinking and actions at home must have taken at least 20-30 minutes before calling the Paramedics, but actually it took perhaps 4-5 minutes before the
call, and both the fire station and St. Jude are only minutes away from my home, and my Cardiologist was already to go to the O R in his scrubs and get going on
restarting my heart (which had stopped somewhere between my arrival and the procedure) and installing the stents.

'Why have I written all of this to you with so much detail? Because I want all of you who are so important
in my life to know what I learned first hand.'

1. Be aware that something very
different is happening in your body not the usual men's symptoms, but inexplicable things happening (until my sternum and jaws got into the act.
It is said that many more women than men die of their first (and last) because they didn't know they were having one, and commonly mistake it as indigestion,
take some Maalox or other anti-heartburn preparation, and go to bed, hoping they'll feel better in the morning when they wake up....which doesn't
happen. My female friends, your symptoms might not be exactly like mine, so I advise you to call the Paramedics if ANYTHING is unpleasantly happening
that you've not felt before. It is better to have a 'false alarm' visitation than to risk your life guessing what it might be!

2. Note that I said 'Call the
Paramedics.' Ladies, TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE! Do NOT try to drive yourself to the ER--you're a hazard to others on the road, and so is your panicked
husband who will be speeding and looking anxiously at what's happening with you instead of the road. Do NOT call your doctor--he doesn't k now where you
live and if it's at night you won't reach him anyway, and if it's daytime, his assistants (or answering service) will tell you to call the Paramedics. He
doesn't carry the equipment in his car that you need to be saved! The Paramedics do, principally OXYGEN that you need ASAP. Your Dr. will be
notified later.

3. Don't assume it couldn't be a heart attack because you have a normal cholesterol
count. Research has discovered that a cholesterol elevated reading is rarely the cause of an MI (unless it's unbelievably high, and/or accompanied by
high blood pressure.) MI's are usually caused by long-term stress and INFLAMMATION IN THE BODY, which dumps all
sorts of deadly hormones into your system to sludge things up in there. Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep. Let's be careful and be aware. The more we know, the better chance we could survive...

A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this mail sends it to 10 people, you can be sure that we'll save at
least one life.

S. ~
First let me tell you that I'm a nurse. I work L&D now, but my first nursing job was on a cardiac step-down unit. You've already had some good suggestions. There are some questions, though, too. 1 - any family history of cardiac problems? 2 - are you overweight? 3 - have they ever checked your risk factors? cholesterol, etc. The gallbladder could be the problem - heartburn, right-sided upper abdominal pain, nausea & vomitting - especially after spicey or greasy foods. They can check your liver enzymes, ultrasound & xray your liver (will show stones if they are there), Hida scan (nuclear med scan that will show the function of the gallbladder). Women usually have different symptoms with heart problems, but pain - dull or sharp, pressure, shortness of breath, jaw or arm pain or numbness are typical symptoms. Anxiety attacks can have similar symptoms (even if you think you are usually laid-back, you can have anxiety attacks). I would also wonder about your thyroid. Sometimes after childbirth your thyroid can do funny things. If your are hyperthyroid you could have a faster heart rate.
I realize that I have given you alot of information, but it's hard to tell which it is. I would make an appointment with your family doctor and make sure he/she takes the time to sit with you and go over everything. Make a list of your symptoms and of your questions. Sometimes once you ask for a work-up you'll get one. They may want to do a 24 hour halter monitor (kind of like a 24 hour EKG), labs , tests, etc. If your doctor is unwilling to spend the time with you, I would change doctors. Don't let them just prescribe some anti-anxiety med, or just blow you off (alot of doctors are quick to prescribe anti-anxiety meds when they may not be needed).
Feel free to email me if you would like - ____@____.com luck!
D.

If you have no objections...and the regular medical folk cannot help you ... do what I did. ( I had a heart problem , although a different one)
Go see Dr. Tent ...
He works in a group called Diversified Health Services
39595 West Ten MIle rd.
NOvi, Mi. 48375
###-###-####

First visit is around 60 bucks but after that visits are 30,
this is without insurance.
He works with natural suppliments.
It may seem strange at first , but this man saved my life.
So I have nothing but good to say about these people.
The regular medical community could not help me, after all the money I spent in the Emergency room and tests.
Whatever works, works!
Good luck.

S., I worked for a chiropractor and I have had similar pains as you are describing. After an adjustment it would completely stop. Make sure if you go to a chiropractor that he or she does full spine. There are some that just do the neck which is called a "grostic chiropractor". There may be a vertebrae in your upper back (thoracic area) about the same level as your bra. I know that is where I sometimes get that problem.
I feel that this may be your problem because it comes and goes. You may have lifted your 5 year old or some grocerys and set the vertebrae out of line. Chiros call it a subluxation. Your MD will not be looking for this in the x rays.
Please try and God Bless.

When you have had the Pain and gone to the Hospital, did they ever do any checks to see if you have gaulbladder problems.

Sometimes they can react with pain in the chest like a stabbing pain and can be the cause.

Many times chest pain is thought to be heart not always the case.

Pat J

Hi S.,

When I was 24 I had chest pains as well. For me, it felt like my heart was a balloon and someone was sqeezing it at the bottom, making the top part feel like it wanted to explode. I also had really strong heartbeats that would thump really hard and then settle down arhythmically. I had tests done and they found nothing. I was fresh out of grad school and in a stressful job. It turned out that all the pains were related to stress. I got a new job and I have never had the pains back. I am 33 now. I don't know how stressful your life is, but that may be a factor.

The other time I had severe chest pains, I actually had pleurisy. The pain of that is almost unbearable.

I don't have a direct answer to your question, however........ usually when I see the 'regular' medical establishment baffled at a medical problem, it is a good idea to seek alternative help. A Naturopathic Doctor is a good choice because they actually talk to you and ask you questions to find out the deeper cause of things. They do not prescribe meds to mask symptoms, but usually choose remedies to alleviate deeper problems. Shelby Twp. Naturopath, Hallie Armstrong ND - Phone: ###-###-####. She is located in the prestigious Cayle Clinic on Dequindre.

Good Luck,
J.

HI,
I would suggest going to a chiropractor. You could have a twisted rib. I had the same symptoms you are describing and my chiropractor was able to completely alleviate the pain. It coudln't hurt to try...

I have the same pain-- and gone to the doctor several times about it and have ALSO been told that given my age, blood pressure, and other variables, it is not my heart but rather that my chest was bruised as well.

Hi-
I had similar issues, the stabbing pain, chest pain and all... i went to my doctor and she ordered a heart ultrasound. the results showed that i have MVP (mitral valve prolapse) all the symptoms came from that... the good news is that it is not seroius and you do not need to take meds for it. See if your doc can order you a ultrasound.
Hope this helps...
BTW i am also 26 so its not like im old or anything and thats why my heart was hurting

Have them do a ct scan on your chest. An x-ray isn't going to show you everything. Do you drink caffeine? Cause depending on your stress level maybe that could be some of the pain you are having. Hope you feel bettter soon. But make sure and get a ct scan done. It worked for my husband.

I would always make sure that it is not a heart defect, but to me it sounds like a panic/anxiety attack. I would bring that up to your doctor if all the tests keep coming back okay that is probably what it is .

This might sound totally off the wall and bizarre....because it certainly did to me when I asked my doctor about the chest pains I was having. (I was in for something unrelated).

The asked if I wear an underwire bra....I said "what??!!!". I told him the pain was not on the surface, it was deep in my chest like I was being stabbed, especially when I took a deep breath. I would breathe shallow just to avoid the pain.

He said, stop wearing an underwire bra and the pain will go away. I though he was insane.

I quit wearing the bra, pain was gone within 1 day.

So ya never know...It may or may not be a solution but I thought this was VERY interesting to learn none the less!! Good luck!
P.

Hi S. ~
I am 29 and about 8 years ago, maybe longer, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. There are pressure points on different parts of your body that hurt BAD when it flares up. I know that there are two pressure points in your chest. When mine flares up my shoulder blades hurt. If you look up fibromyalgia on Web MD they show a diagram of the different pressure points. In the past I too have went to the hospital with chest pain. And no one could figure it out. I hope this info. helps.

You know S., women are more likely than men to have heart problems. I would seek the advice of your family doctor but you may want to check and get a second opinion.- simply because yes most women's symptoms are different but not all and blocked or possibly blocked arteries is NOTHING to play around with, especially when you are a single Mom!
Take care of yourself

Hi S.,
I also have had some of your problems, but know what my problem is. I don't think you have the samething I do. But when I was in school and would do softball and that stuff I would find myself having sharp pains, but didn't think much of it. I learned how to deal with it and learned what I could and couldn't do. Later on I found out I was born with a heart mummer. It was a sage 1 so my childhood doctor wasn't worried about it and checked it all the time. I had an ultrasound done on my heart the first time I was pregnant just to double check and everything was fine. Years later after I had twins the stress of carring them and my already heart mummer, caused me to have a valvue that doen't close all the way when it pumps blood to my body. I would go see a heart doctor if I were you, they are the only ones that are going to know what tests to run on you and how to get to the bottom of it and the answer you want and need.
Good Luck.

Trust your instinict that something is not right and keep seeking answers. I complained for years of chest pains - since I was a teen and I'm now 38. By my mid 20's I was convinced that it was in my mind and nothing to worry about.

Well at 36 we found out I had a birth defect in my heart and had surgery to correct it. This could have reduced my lifespan had we not found it. The story is long and scary as to how we made that discovery.

Yes, tests are expensive but when it comes to staying healthy, it is a good investment!

It sounds like your gall bladder. I had the same problem (so did my mom). See if the problem starts soon after having a meal. If it is, then go to your doctor and ask for an ultrasound to check it.

Gall stones can be dissolved with medication if caught in time. Otherwise surgery is the other course.

There are 2 types; Traditional which leaves a huge scar across your upper abdomen or the lathroscopic which leaves 2 small scars.

If you go for the lathroscopic, ask the surgeon how many he/she has done. The more they've done, the more experience, the less likely for complications.

I'll pray that you get an answer soon. Don't be shy about being a squeeky wheel.

two things come to mind with me. I have chest issues as well. I have anxiety and will get chest pains, but I also have other symptoms along with that. Have you discussed anxiety with your dr? And something else happened to me with chest pains many years ago...I went to emergency a couple times...nothing was found to be wrong, but my dr took me off my birth control because it was a sign of blood clots or something else (and I don't remember what it was). Either way...it wasn't anything serious, but it felt serious.

Sounds like you should see a cardiologist (heart doctor). It could be anxiety as well. Could be a heart issue. Look on www.webmd.com. You can look up specific issues on there. God bless you as you figure this out...I will pray for you.
B.

S.,

After reading all the response I have an idea no one else has mentioned. This exact same thing happened to myself and two of my closest girlfriends. We would have stabbing, knock you down, awful chest pain. We would go to the emergency - nothing. For myself, finally after three years of doctor visits, changed doctors, emergency room visits, medication, etc. I was finally diagnosed as having gall bladder disease and needed to have my gall bladder removed. When they went in to remove my gall bladder it was so full of gall stones it was close to rupturing. Since that surgery I have NEVER had that pain again. The exact same thing was true for both of my friends. The pain could never be traced to a heart problem and didn't show up on any of the diagnostic tests, until an ultrasound was ordered and it showed the stones. The incredible pain was a gall bladder attack where a gall stone was getting stuck in the duct leading into the gall bladder. These attacks would happen after a particularly heavy meal or a very fatty meal. I wonder if you could trace those attacks to times when you had eaten rich or fatty food, especially the Nov. attack which would have been around Thanksgiving. I am no doctor, but as soon as I read your message it sounded just like what happened to me. I felt misdiagnosed for years. I would recommend discussing this possibility with your physician and request and ultrasound if possible. I hope you are able to find something out. In the meantime try taking a heavy duty acid reducer daily. This helped me while I waited for surgery.

I have had stabbing pain in my chest as well. When it accures, I feel like every breath I take is like a knife stabbing me. I had an X-ray done, and the told me that I have fluid around my lungs (Pleurisy). Which causes it to feel like sand paper scrapping your lungs with every breath. An Anti-inflammatory like Mortrin helped with this.
Here is the definition from Wikipedia:

Pleurisy, also known as pleuritis, is an inflammation of the pleura, the lining of the pleural cavity surrounding the lungs, which can cause painful respiration (also called pleuritic chest pain) and other symptoms. Pleurisy can be generated by a variety of infectious and non-infectious causes. The effects of pleurisy can often be felt long after the condition has gone away.

Cough
Chills
Shortness of breath
Weight loss
Poor appetite
Sharp chest pain with breathing. Pain can limit the movement on the side of the chest.
Rapid shallow breaths
Inability to take a deep breath
Itching in sites on the back (near the site of the lungs, but no visible rashes)
Dizziness

I hope this is helpful. Check with your doctor.

I have had chest pains it was blood pressure. However a few years ago my friend who was like 28 maybe 29 at the time kept complaining went to the er many times. Well as it turned out she stayed persistant and found out she had blood clots in her lungs. the physician told her it was a darn good thing she kept pushing people to check into it. Just a thought. I think you have focused more on your heart when maybe they need to look at your lungs. Good Luck Keep us posted.

I had a gall bladder attack and before that a lot of pain as you describe. When I had my attack I told them I felt like I was having a heart attack, and they said that was really common, and women mistake it for that all the time. After I had my gall bladder taken out, no pain! Easy fix! Good Luck!

Have your doctor send you to a gastrologist. I was having similar problems, and set up a physical becuase my father died of heart disease I naturally assumed it was my heart. Well before I could even get in for the physicall I expirenced this awlful pain in my chest like someone was sitting on me. I want to urgent care, and they sent me to the ER my stomach was not digesting. Ofcourse ER's being more of a fix the current problem and get them out of here type of facility that did nothing for me. My doctor thought I had an ulcer and that the chest pain was heart burn from Acid Reflux. Well he was right on the chest pain, but it turned out I have a Hiatal Hernia. If you google the signs you will see many are similar to what you are expiriencing. You should check it out, in the mean time cut back on Caffiene, and acidic foods like citrus and tomato products. Chew gum after meals, if you start to notice a difference you will know it is Acid Reflux. I was in shock over it, they said I have had it for about 10 years. Symtoms are stronger in some but weaker in women. Hope this helps.

S.,

Hi. There are SO many things that could be going on here. You need to get a physical with your regular physician and talk to him/her about this. I would INSIST on a referral to a cardiologist just to rule out any heart related issues. As already mentioned, the symptoms women experience with heart issues are much much much different then what a man experiences. This is important because the majority of research historically done on 'heart problem symptoms' were done on MEN! It wasn't until maybe 15 or 20 years ago they started doing studies on WOMEN and found out ... oh ... women aren't like men... they may have different symptoms.

This is true with just about every illness, disease, condition, whatever. All the research was historically done on MEN!

My mother worked on the surgical heart floor as a nurse for several years. There are just so many things that could be going on, I would not take this lightly. It could be stress related. Being single mom IS stressful. But even that should not be taken lightly. Chronic stress over time can lead to many many other things.

Stress raises your blood pressure and makes your heart work harder. So, chronic stress can eventually lead to heart problems.

My advice to you is get a THOROUGH physical and get a referral to a cardiologist first, and then if nothing shows up there... then go back to your doctor and start investigating further. Don't let them tell you it's all in your head.

Sounds similar to what I experienced a few years back. Come to find out it was panic attacks. I had a lot going on but didn't think I was stressed out. Seems my body knew better. I learned some coping techniques and can stop it before it starts.

Everyone's symptoms are always a little different from others.

Do you have a history of asthma? Stress can also cause chest pains. Did they do an EKG on your heart? It will show if you have had, what they call silent heart attacks. These all have play a factor in my life. P. W.

S.,

Have your gall bladder check. I had those pains for several years and I waited so long that I had to have major surgery to have mine removed. Also to relieve the pain before you get into the DR. try stilling in the shower with the hot water hitting your chest that would work sometimes. Good luck and god speed.

C.

reading the other responses-

I know that with my gall bladder it as much lower- just under where my ribs stop- and yes it was a sharp stabbing pain. Fatty foods set that off.

The weight of the 2000 ton animal on your chest sounds like a panic attack. I was having these for over a year before we figured out what it was. Is it something that comes out of no where (mine do) or is it stress related? Try Calms Forte- I take just one when I get these pains and it goes away quickly. You can also try Bach's Rescue Remedy

First off, let's be thankful you haven't been having heart attacks! When this happened to me, I had been trying to help care for my bedridden uncle, propping him up while my aunt changed his clothing. I must have bruised/strained the muscle that runs across the chest, so it was termed "non-cardiac chest pain". You must have done somethin strenuous at work or with your son to cause these episodes. Think about what you did in the hours prior to one of your episode. Like any muscle strain, it takes time to heal, and care to avoid doing what caused it in the first place!

hi i'm not sure what it is but did they check out your heart and also for acid reflux or one of those types of things? (i'm sure they did just ruling this out) and also did they say what could bruise your chest? when i'm stumped i find that mystery diagnosis or one of those shows, sometimes they have the weirdest things on there so you never know. i know this may not help but if you ask enough people someone will have the answer. i know its scary bc i had a flip flopping heart- it is my mitral valve prolapse but it was due to lack of sleep and not taking care of my body.
take care!

I was going through my e-mail and noticed your problem. Several years ago I had chest pain and pressure and was sent to emergency because they thought I was having a heart attack. Like you, I had a stress test and it came out it wasn't my heart. However, I had a chest x-ray which showed an abnormality. My lymph nodes were enlarged. To make a long story short, it ended up being a thing called sarcoidosis. I would have a chest x-ray done, if you haven't already. It could be sarcoid. I did a lot of research on it and they don't know what causes it, and most of the time it goes away just as mysteriously as it comes. I hope this has helped you somewhat. Let us know when you find out.

S.,

have you followed up with your primary care doctor or just gone to the ER? If your PCP can not help you, or give you clear answers have you asked to be sent to a cardiologist? What is your heartrate at the time of the chest pain? Any family history of cardiac problems with tachycardia,or palpitations? Any vascular problems? When you were given a pill to take, what was it and did it help at all (how long did you take it). You said that you had a stress test done, but have you done anything else?

These are just some questions off the top of my head that I would ask one of my patients to help them try to get the source of the problem. Hopefully it will help a little!

Hi S.
My husband had been getting a stabbing pain in chis chest for a few years. It would come and go, he'd wind up in emergency with them telling him they couldn't find anything. This past christmas eve it was so bad, we knew nothing would happen at the hospital. So we went to the chiropractor, his 3rd rib was dislocated. He'd been having inflammation pain. He'd found some info on line I don't remember what it called. We started looking into diet changes, food allergies can cause inflammation. We found he's sensitive to wheat. And then I found this info today.... http://www.watercure.com/wondersofwater.html
Even if your not into the info on water, it couldn't hurt to drink more.
My family also use arnica montana gel for pain and bruising (health food store) it's great stuff. I gave the arnica tablets to my Dad after he had surgery on both feet. His Doc said he'd never had a patient with so little swelling.
Good luck! A. H

It sounds to me that you may have some ribs that are rotated and causing so much pain. I used to get that, too - and it was so painful that it was terrifying. We finally figured it out while my husband was in Chiropractic College - it was amazing the difference was immediate when I got my ribs adjusted. I'm sure most Chiropractors know how to adjust this, but I do know that the office my husband works at use a few different techniques that are very effective. It's McLeod Eastpointe Chiropractic on Kelly at 8.5 mile. It's definitely worth getting checked out. . .

How bizarre, REALLY!! I am also 26 years old and have the same issues! Doctor's can't find anything, and stress tests come back normal. HOW???? I don't know. It is so frustrating though. There is obviously something going on or we wouldn't be having this problem!! Best of luck to you, and let me know what you find out.

A. T.

The bad part about it is you are a woman and young. I work at a local hospital (cardiac nurse)and women are over looked a lot. I don't know were you live but beaumont in royal oak has a women heart center. You could call there the docs are great.

You need to request from your doctor an echocardiogram..it might help diagnose what you are having. It probably wouldnt be a bad idea to get a cardiology consult as well. It could be side effects from heart burn or mitral valve prolapse. Do not ignore these chest pains. Demand from your doctors.

Hi S., my name is Dr. Rick Semlow. I am a chiroprator. Stabbing chest pains are not uncommon. You did the right thing by having the hospital rule out something life threatening like a heart attack. I have helped many people with this type of condition. Common symptoms might be the feeling of having a knife stuck in you. When you cough, laugh, sneeze, and/or breath deeply... it feels like they are twisting that knife. I have been there myself and it isnt a good place to be.

OK.. now what was the cause of MY pain (and possibly yours). It was that my midback and ribs were out of place. The rib cage is connected to the spine. It is connected but not fused. When we take our normal breaths, our diaphram contracts and draws oxygen into our body. When we need more oxygen our rib cage expands so that the lungs may fill up with more air. This is where the pain could feel as if someone is twisting the knife.

My primary problem was that the mid back was out. It effected the way the ribs sat on the spine.

Again, having been through this myself, I understand what you might be feeling.

If I can be of any further help to you, you can give my office a call. ###-###-####

My husband had something like that a while back. I know this sounds crazy but it was linked to acid and indigestion. You can start by watching your diet. You may want to see a new doctor and get a second opinion. I have found this is the best route to go. Don't give up.

i feel your pain. i had a seriously painful stabbing pain under my right breast. i could barely get up from laying down or move certain ways. does the pain feel like it is your heart or could it be muscular? if it feels that it might be muscular, go to a good chiropractor. i know, sounds strange, but it works. i no longer have the stabbing pain after only 2 visits. i was skeptical it was going to work after the second visit, because it was still there and actually felt worse... in a different way... after the visit, but a week later, i feel great! good luck!

Make Noise - If you haven't seen a cardiologist, (other than the stress test, yet, do so NOW - the pain is telling you something - Different kinds of pain tell the dr. what part of the heart is having the problem and at what time. ARe you having neck or back pain? Can also be easily related. On the other hand - it could all be related to yuor gut - ulcer type of thing. Demand to see an enterologist. Get your esophogus and stomoch ehecked. Also your gall bladder. Chest pain is so subjective, especially in women - demand to be heard and find a s0lution. YOu are way to young to be sick!!!!!!! Did they give you Nitro to take for the chest pain? (Little pills you let dissolve under your tongue?) If it helps it's probably your yeart. If it doesn't help it's probably not your heart. --DEmand to be seen by specialistis and make sure you tell them it's critical - not to put you on a waiting list - never forget that our health "care" system is for "care" and YOU are the customer - Don't let them treat you condescendingly. If they do, go somewhere else!!

My sis-in-law had the same symptoms as you, it was her gallbladder causing her all the pain. After seeing a surgeon who did the proper test to diagnose that indeed was the problem. She had laporscopic surgery to remove the gallbladder and is well now. Just an idea, good luck and best wishes.

HI My name is C. and I think you may have some more toxin in you body. Since you will start to clean your body with natural product I think you may recover from this. Read about this product OPC3, Resveratrol and Aloe vera on this web site: www.marketamerica.com/moraru/. Or you can call me at 1-###-###-####. I heard at Barbara Walters at abc about Resveratrol good for harth problem. Are powerfull antioxidanti can clean your body then your body have the power to heal himself. Read about it. C.

I believe what you are suffering from may be costochondritis Google it and you will find a plethora of information that should allay your fears. Good luck!

J. Smith

I had the same problem for many years with the doctors feeling it was chest wall pain, gas, cardiac etc. I finally asked them to do some studies on my gallbladder, more than just the blood tests...gallbladder scan. As it turned out it was my gallbladder...it it out, and I have no chest pain or problems. The surgeon told me it should have been taken out years ago. Be your own advocate, don't waiat for the doctors to suggest things. I am a nurse ane I finally became my own advocate. I. S.

Has happened to me also and it turned out to be gallstones so I had surgery to remove the gallbladder also.I hear that happening alot lately. My doctor told me at first it was acid reflex. But I ended up in the ER. Had surgery soon after. I would advise also to check into having your gallbladder checked.Good Luck!

Hi S., my name is A..
I have been haveing symptms close to what you are haveing. I have not had the brusing though.I had my gall bladder out two years ago and the pain was totally differant from the chest pain. I didn't have stones it just quit working right at about 5 percent. I had been going to the same Dr. for 6 years and was getting nowhere.I felt she though I was making it up.I have been haveing the chest pains for about the last six yrs.With an episode that felt like I was having a stroke, numb right face & neck ,right arm limp,dizzy.She (my old Dr.) said I didn't, but could not explain what happened.I had ekg etc..I was not getting anywhere and was frustrated. I swithched to my girlfriends Dr.and she is being relentless on trying to figure out what it is. Heart problems run on both sides of my family as well as cancer. I have had a sleep study done to see if I had apnea(I don't) but I had two cardiac episodes while at rest.I go for cat scan and MRI Friday. I have had stress test,non stress test( they inject a chemical like adrenaline to get your heart rate up).Not fun at all!I have had cat scans also. She Is not sure ,but is sending me to a specialist that she sees next week. I felt my other Dr. didn't hear or listen to the problems I was haveing. I would try and switch for a second opion. My new Dr. thinks there is a possability of a hole in my heart. I go for cat scan and MRI Friday. I'm still trying to figure what is going on. I hope you stay with it.

A little about me:
I am 42yrs, I have three girls. 14-11-6. Very appy with my husband! He's been awesome through this whole ordeal. I work from home. I am in great shape for my age. I dont smoke or do drugs. Have a drink once in awhile.

Hi there,

I am no expert but three things come to mind:

Pleurisy (I may have the spelling wrong)which is an irritation of the linign around the organs in your chest - feels like you can't breathe and it hurts, and the other is an infection in the cartilege of your sternum (yes, it happened to me when I was about 13).

S.,
I feel for you. It's darn frustrating when the people who you trust to give you answers don't. Or can't.

I can't identify what you're going through or have, but I would highly recommend you consult with a cardiac specialist instead of just general practitioners. If that's what you've so far done.

It could be as simple as needing a chiropractic adjustment, really. Maybe you should start there, because, if I use my chiro as an example, he will take an x-ray of new patients. Why? because on a sign in his office, "...To see is to know, to not see is to guess, and we won't guess with your health". It's non=invasive to see a chiro, there are no meds or surgery involved, so even if it's NOT the solution, you'd be no worse off, right?
Good luck; I sure hope you get your answers, and that everything comes out fine. Remember we're all here for you!

S.,

I've had similar experiences twice now. The first time I had pulled my pectoral muscles and it took several months for the pain to go away and heal. The second time three of my ribs were out. I kept getting chest pain- I went to the doctor for exhaustive tests, and finally found a DO who was able to put my ribs back in so that they stayed in and the pain in my chest stopped. It was really scary- I kept thinking I was having heart issues as well. (I kept going to the chiropractor and it was fine for 24 hours and then the ribs would go out again.)

J.

Wow, you have definitely received quite a number of responses. I am not a doctor or a nurse, but wanted to shed some insight on what I went through that could perhaps be the same thing. I was diagnosed with chostochondroitis. For me it was more or less a pulled muscle right under my breast plate. I was especially looking to see in your response whether or not you had any children and the age of them. The reason for this is my problems stemmed from the lifting of my daughter. I didn't realize it, but when carrying her, it exerted the muscle by my breast bone. Now that I am aware of it, I understand it and often the problem recurs to this day if I carry my daughter too excessively (she is now 7, very tall, but petite - under 50 pounds).

Just food for thought. I hope it helps. My symptoms scared me too because I thought I could be having a heart attack. It is hard to believe such a relatively minor pull can cause so much discomfort. The worry was not knowing what it was from, of course -- just as you are expresing. I originally thought stress, but it had nothing to do with it.

Good luck! Let me know how it turns out for you!