Musculoskeletal chest pain

[Lem1308]

Hello, I am new to the group so thank you for reading this…

Jan 2024 covid finally got me, very black line on test, completely wiped me out, 3 weeks off work and then back on a phased return, left me with heart rate of over 150bpm on a regular basis and severe chest pain which has led me to going to hospital twice for ecgs, blood test and chest X-rays as I seriously thought I was having an heart attack, only outcome was sinus tachycardia, recently went to doctors as chest pain is still bad and he had diagnosed Musculoskeletal, does anyone know much about this as there doesn’t appear to be much information online,

[lovewinston]

I have had chest pain for many years as I have COPD but my doctor told me it was not my heart but musculoskeletal but my doctor is not so sure now as I have Heart failure I believe that musculoskeletal refers to pain in the muscles surrounding your lungs so what I have been told

[Judithdalston]

I have had 4 years now of long Covid (LC)of which the most obvious symptoms I have presented to Gp are high BP and HR , and breathlessness ( alongside fatigue and loss of smell). Notable was the high HR (ie sinus tachycardia of 130+) from doing the slightest household task, particularly standing cooking at a stove. I’ve had the chest X-rays, ecgs, echocardiogram, breathing tests, even sleep apnoea test with no obvious problems, and until recently remained on 5 BP drugs. Last April added 5x week swimming to my DIY treatment, as well as intermittent fasting. This year insisted on referral out of my Trust to tilt table test specialist, who has diagnosed postural hypotension rather than PoTS as my BP plummets ( to eg 60/40) on standing for 8 minutes, and she thinks this drives the high HR and breathlessness. I have difficulty standing, and thus walking, for more than a few minutes. She removed my bisoprolol. No one in my surgery or Trust had the sophisticated machines to see what was happening with my BP/HR, so perhaps it’s worth you seeking a referral. The muscular skeletal diagnosis relates to the pain not being in the heart…it is something I get anyway as I have fibromyalgia for 10+ years, and can get anything from intercostal muscles to sternum area+ hurting….as I poke it I can feel it on the surface, and have daily cocodomol/ amitriptyline for chronic pain. I do get occasional LC pain in/around my diaphragm level further into my body, but everyone is different. I suggest you keep a diary of when/ what sets off your HR, and anything improve it ( I for eg have learnt to sit down to brush my teeth/ hair…it’s cooking that is really difficult despite my husband helping). The other day I happened to have my oximeter to hand as was going to go a tiny walk, and found HR was at 150 putting my coat on…a dysautonomic condition. You might find looking at PoTS Uk and Standing up to PoTS, a US charity, websites might be useful.

[Happyrosie]

musculoskeletal just means “of muscles and bones”. Our physio department at the hospital is called the musculoskeletal unit.

Have a read of the website of the charity Versus Arthritis for information

[Drawforaliving]

I had Covid which led to me getting pericarditis. Some deeply unpleasant months followed. A few months in I was turned away by gp and walk ins to eventually find I had pericarditis once I got to see a cardiologist (I had to insist mind). Myocarditis and pericarditis do feel like standard heart attack symptoms apparently. I'd still be suffering with no treatment now if I hadn't persisted so I thought it worth a mention.

[Hephzibar]

About 18months ago I ended up in A&E with atypical chest pain - strange ache over upper chest and left shoulder and upper arm. Got a full cardiac check up and followed up with a holter monitor, but everything was clear cardiac wise except that it appears I have tachycardia!!

Six weeks later and still having this weird intermittent chest pain I went to my GP who poked around my sternum (which was tender) and subsequently diagnosed costocondritis.

It resolved over time, but still get the eternal and chest tenderness at times, together with chronic pain and tension in my back, which I am beginning to think may all be connected in some way!!

[Shabana1974]

Hi I keep getting random aches and pains which I know is either related to my heart or my liver. But when the GPS try and fob you off this is a word they throw out there. Have you had an Echocadiogram. The reason I ask is my blood tests, ecg, blood pressure 24 and 72 hour holter tests are all a variation of normal. But on the Echocadiogram actually revealed Severe Heart Failure thank fully on medication now so slowly recovering.

Best wishes

Shabana

[Alicant in reply to Shabana1974]

Do you still get the random aches and pains Shabana…? I have HF and random aches and pains ..no triggers! Has your medication eased pains? What do you take? Excuse my nosiness …

[Shabana1974 in reply to Alicant]

Yes I still get them. I have osteoarthritis so when the throw the M term it makes me laugh then they say OK vitamin D I laugh again I know the aches and pains of osteoarthritis/ vitamin D deficiency and its not that. Secondly my blood tests prove me Vitamin D is in normal range. I take Calcichew D3 Forte twice a day (vitamin D supplements)as I know it either my heart or Liver there just not listening.

Medication list

Bisoprolol 3.75mg

Entresto 97mg/103mg

Dapagliflozin 10mg

Aspirin 75mg

Atorvastatin 40mg

Spironolactone 25mg.

I am currently 49

Best wishes

Shabana

[Alicant in reply to Shabana1974]

Thanks for getting back Shabana …it’s all some great big mystery puzzle isn’t it. Truth is no one probably knows..so we tick along I wish you well in your journey.so take care many thanks Richard…I ask lots of questions on here and sometimes get depressed but hopefully our joy in living today helps..smile many friends are with you both known and unknown

[Shabana1974 in reply to Alicant]

It's always good to ask questions. Somedays like yesterday for example I had enough of feeling unwell all the time. But before the negative thoughts got hold I just popped on here and read so comments. Just knowing your not alone. Is all you need sometimes x

[Qualipop]

The only musculo skeletal chest pain I've experienced is costochondritis, inflammation of the ligaments around the sternum. I could never tell if it was chest or heart until a cardiologist told me to press on my chest. If it hurt when I touched it, it was muscular.