Upper Back, Shoulder, Chest Pain -Left Side? Seriously paranoid...!

[shuk]

Hey Guys,

I was wondering if anyone can shed some light.. Have become an anxious mess lately. For the past few months, I find myself having really worrying thoughts for no reason. I find that looking back over the few months, i had times where i felt like i needed to take deeper breaths - Sometimes when falling asleep or when I was asleep for a short while.

I then back in October had a trapezius injury on my right side which radiated into right arm. had a neck brace as it seemed to stem from that. Felt nerve related at that point. I rehabilitated through stretching and resistance band work. I notice that my bed was to blame.

about 1.5 weeks ago, my left trapezius and around shoulder blade started aching, similar situation. And 6 days ago, I got caught in the rain after the gym. By the evening, by chest started playing up - I felt like i needed to take those deep breaths every now and again - kind of like I needed to catch more air. My shoulder blade was still hurting with pain coming up to shoulder all on the left side. I also had a dry cough which was aggravating the shoulder blade every time I coughed. The pain started radiating to my deltoid on left side and into the chest around the pectoralis minor and around that chest area.

I started to become paranoid as google tells you that these are all signs of a heart attack. I noticed that My need for air was becoming more frequent as I was aware much more of it. When Im occupied, I dont think about it.

....The pain was then radiating down my left arm into my hand which felt numb and tingly. Bit like when the right side was hurting. The pain wasnt bad as such but just there.

Fast forward to today and basically, my chest area feels sore (I suffer from slight asthma) i am not wheezy, just this dry with a bit of mucus at times cough. And that need for air comes and goes (usually when im thinking about it) My left pec area still has a dull ache which is radiating into arm now and again with slight twinges around left shoulder blade.

Some nights feel really bad - Like last night, While lying on back or to the side, that feeling for air felt much more demanding. Almost like i was having bursts of hyperventilation. But my resting heartrate which i was mesuring was around 66-72 so nothing crazy.

Im feeling like its a mix of anxiety and muscular and a cold which have all inconveniently clashed...

I am waiting for a blood test for stuff like anaemia which i had done a few days.

Can anyone shed any light? Im a paranoid mess!

[earthwitch]

If you have been to the doctor and got checked out for heart problems, then you have done the right thing. If all the blood tests come back normal and the doctor couldn't find anything, and it is still bothering you, then maybe you could ask to be referred for some help with dealing with your anxiety. You said things are worse when you are anxious, so dealing with that through something like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT - a type of psychotherapy) might be a lot more benefit that pursuing any further medical testing at the moment. If you think some of this at least stemmed from that trapezius injury, then maybe ask for some physiotherapy to deal with the muscle tightness that might be causing some of your chest muscle tightness (or book yourself in for a massage session or two)

[shuk in reply to earthwitch]

Hi Earthwitch,

I never mentioned the cHest pain as I was already told to go for blood tests to check for anaemia.

I cannot remmeber if I mentioned that I have slight asthma so I am taking my inhalers. It's not really a pain as such. The chest just feels sore like I have a cold. It feels more like anxiety. But I am.monitoring it. I am going to make an appt to have an asthma review and mention the anxiety.

And I think the physio is needed..

When I am not thinking about it I feel ok.

Thank you for getting back

[Lou_inpain]

Google 'Lorimer MOsely' and watch his videos on YouTube. He offers a reason for pain and you can be reassured that pain does not always equal damage. Your anxiety for sure is contributing to your pain as I know when I get stressed or have had a bad day at work or a petty argument with my other half my pain levels go through the roof. Your resting pulse is great so probably not heart related however I had a nasty flu at the beginning of December and ended up having to get an antibiotic for chest infection and I have never had a chest infection before. Lots of nasty bugs this time of year so don't rule that out either.

Keep us all informed.

Lou xx

[shuk in reply to Lou_inpain]

Hi Lou,

Thanks for that link I am definitley going to check.

I am trying to be logical but once anxiety kicks in that's when the problems start.

I shall keep you updated for sure

[johnsmith]

See a chiropractor. A doctor would not know about muscle cramp pulling structures onto nerve roots and causing referred pain. The chiropractor will also be able to give you a second opinion concerning things to worry about.

Neck braces can cause muscle problems in the neck. These muscle problems then in turn can cause complications in the arm structures.

keep the doctor informed of what ever you do and find.

Hope this has been helpful.

[shuk in reply to johnsmith]

This is something I am definitley going to do as im 99% sure the injury is originating from my neck....

[sianr in reply to johnsmith]

I have to disagree doctors are aware of muscles structures nerve roots and their affect on the body . Chiropractors have knowledge however it depends what your problem is , many have missed the basics where a Dr's knowledge is far superior. ALL of the body's structures work together!!!

[johnsmith in reply to sianr]

You have made an interesting point that does need closer examination. A doctors knowledge is different. It is based on a lot of book learning and practical experience on looking at dead bodies and diagnosing patients.

A chiropractor has hands knowledge of certain conditions. In the areas that chiropractors work this hands on knowledge is far superior than a doctors. I know from personnel experience that a doctor would not know or understand the effects of micro-cramps. It is very difficult for a doctor to understand the issues of engineering systems in regard to how the body works. Many doctors do not understand stress breakdown points or the concept of system engineering overload where everything falls apart. A doctor needs to know whether a patient is having a heart problem. I would not consider a chiropractor to be able to look at this question. A doctor would not know that certain types of symptoms which indicate angina can be removed by removing the microcramp that is applying pressure on nerves in the vicinity of the forth rib. A doctor would not know how to relieve certain types of pain in the bone caused by micro cramps. While a chiropractor can stop the symptoms of the angina caused by a microcramp and remove the pain in the bone.

I speak from personal experience. It is not a case of one sort of knowledge is superior to another. The knowledge is different and is advantageous in different situations.

I could not name the muscle structures, nerves roots etc. I know that I have a better understanding of how they work in reality from living practical experience than some neurologists who can quote diagnosis, but are incapable of helping me or others manage our conditions.

When it comes down to a chronic condition the management of the condition becomes important. Management skills and the development of such for the patient does not fall into a doctors remit.

Please feel free to take apart what I have just said.

[sianr in reply to johnsmith]

Why would I take it apart you have your own opinion as I have mine !!

[johnsmith in reply to sianr]

Sorry did not mean to be off putting.

[shuk]

Hi Dan,

I never actually mentioend the chest pain as it was a routine blood test but it's something I'm monitorring. Seems more like my asthma at the moment and an injury to accompany. ... The anxiety is not helping...

[sianr in reply to shuk]

Maybe best to say to doc about chest pain let them make an assessment on your symptoms 😉

[Peggy76]

I have heart problems along with all my other problems & sound very similar to yours if you use a glycerrlyl. Trinit & it goes away it is your heart ...if it dosent then it's not main thing stay calm ( easy to say I know) take a diazepam and rest for a while doing deep breathing exercises ( PS don't take any chances what works for me may not work for anyone else )

Warm regards

Peggy

[sianr in reply to Peggy76]

Hi Peggy76 maybe not the best idea to advise on medications to take if the chap has asthma and a cold. If GTN and diazepam are taken without prescription and a proper assessment by medical personnel this can make someone really unwell and may not help .

Many chest complaints sound similar and I'm sure your only trying to help and your right what works for you may not work for others. 😉

[Peggy76]

100 %'agree I was only stating what I do but,I'm on so much medications for all my ailments ...I'm finding that oxynorm &" tramadol supposed to be helping with the pain osteoporosis ..to find I can't take tramodam now because of my cronic kidney disease & waiting for dialises can't have transplant because as I've said before I can only go on my expierence had 2 heart attacks in the 90 s I know age is no excuse 78 next month .& am so not wanting to offend anyone, I won't make any comments ( shame) because everyone has been so kind & helpful to me

Peggy😀