Chest wall pain

[Heartmum56]

I am 6 months post NSTEMI and one stent. Generally functioning and walking lots but have near constant chest discomfort, not sure I would call it pain as such. It is nothing to do with exertion. In fact it tends to go away if I walk or run. Also goes away after a bath or if very relaxed. I am feeling it may be muscular. I think I may have held myself tense over all this time when I have been quite anxious. Have been looking at various muscle relief stuff but feels a bit dodgy to put these things on your chest. Anyone else have a similar experience?

[Fourwhitesheps]

Hi I had 3 stents in March and have been suffering with chest discomfort.and right arm pain.I have been told my heart is fine and this is muscular. It definitely doesn’t feel like the unstable angina I suffered with after my heart attack last September. To be honest it’s miserable and they are not concerned only aloud to take paracetamol and use Ibuprofen gel witch my gp prescribed also use a hot water bottle.

[Heartmum56 in reply to Fourwhitesheps]

That's really helpful. Thank you. So we're not allowed to take ibuprofen internally due to taking aspirin, but it's ok to put gel on your chest? I am not finding paracetamol makes much difference. Is yours improving at all?

[Fourwhitesheps in reply to Heartmum56]

I was told definitely not allowed ibuprofen but it was ok in gel but please ask your own go first. Some days are better than others but have been told it’s still early days and just because it wasn’t a bypass the recovery can be just as long as your body’s getting I used to foreign bodies. I hope yours gets easier soon.🤞

[fishonabike in reply to Fourwhitesheps]

unsatble angina should be investigated - it is now known that a possible cause of unstable anigina is Coronary Microvascular Disorder (CMVD), there are specific tests for this and treatmenst are improving - Milkfairy is very knowledgable on the subject - check out the International Heart Spasm Alliance website

[Fourwhitesheps in reply to fishonabike]

The unstable angina was after my heart attack and there was a gap of 6 months till I had the stents fitted. I don’t have it anymore but thank you for the info

[Hatchjd]

I had an NSTEMI and 2 stents June 2019. (65y/o F)I had chest discomfort ( aching type pain) and fleeting nerve-type pains in my arms sometimes to my jaw intermittently for 12 -18 months, gradually getting less. If I slept on my left side (both stents are on the left) my chest would ache the next day. I did have a repeat stress test and it was normal, as was my EKG. I was put on meds for acid reflux to see if that would help but it made no difference. Like you it would go away when I exercised although a bit achy when I started out.

I gradually increased my walking distance and pace and added a strength/weight class 3 x week. I have no issues at all now. The strength class makes my legs stronger so walking is much easier.

[Fourwhitesheps in reply to Hatchjd]

Thank you for this I generally thought the doctors didn’t believe me about the aching arm pains. I am now finally not so breathless 13 months on from my heart attack. I only had the stents 6 months ago so hopefully as you say time heals in the long run 😀

[Hidden]

Hi there sorry to hear about you, its 3 years for me 2 stents in 2020. I experience similar unexplained chest pains & discomforts. Had repeated CT scans, ETTs but nothing all test clear but still have persistent chest pain & discomfort. Its more during day less to non in morning & night.

After finding no reason, Doctors advised me SSRI which I don't like I am not taking any medications till I am convinced on reasons. Well only reason which I think is esophagus referred pain in chest due to aspirin for which doctors have no cure except PPIs.

I have learned to live with this pain. My philosophy is to endure & try not thinking about it.

I wish you recovery & resolution of your pain.

Good luck!

[Fourwhitesheps in reply to Hidden]

I was offered antidepressants as they say it helps with nerve pain tried them for 3 months did absoloutely nothing for my aches and pains.

[Hidden in reply to Fourwhitesheps]

Hi please get Vit B12 checked up I recently found it is deficient in me in blood work. B12 has direct relation with nerve pain & general aches. Thanks

[Fourwhitesheps in reply to Hidden]

Thank you hope your doing ok.

[MumaLines]

Do you take Lansoprazole?

[Heartmum56 in reply to MumaLines]

Yes. Do you that shd help or is it the cause? My latest theory is that the pain may be an inflamed oesophagus.

[bee_bear]

I get angina at the moment but I'm also getting what I think might be muscle strain across my chest, like a tight pressure sensation too. Can be quite intense at times.

It might sound daft but a hot water bottle on my chest really helps. I reckon it might be because I'm tensing my shoulders due to the angina and that's causing my crunched up chest muscles to feel uncomfortable.