Upper Right Chest Pain

[M8118]

Looking for perspectives on upper right chest pain that I've had for over two weeks now and which has been steadily increasing.

About two weeks ago, I started having very intense upper right chest pain when I took a deep breath. The pain would 'peak' when I'd would take a good, full deep breath. I've found myself increasingly feeling short of breath because I am trying to avoid the pain -- so it's creating a bit of a vicious cycle.

The pain really is extremely specific to the upper right chest. It also feels like it's inside the rib cage -- not the pec muscle. While it originally only hurt with a deep breath (and that remains the worst trigger) raising my arms above my head hurts now too.

I think I possibly pulled a muscle (although not sure how), but the fact that it's only getting worse has me a bit concerned. I've tried to be careful not to do any additional lifting and have kept cardio workouts low impact. Simple Ibuprofen did nothing to ease the pain. Sleeping is getting very uncomfortable too.

[bantam12]

Why haven't you been to your GP ? no sense in guessing what it might be, my husband had a shoulder ache for a week, thought it was muscle, it was a heart attack.

[M8118 in reply to bantam12]

Well, truth is I’ve seen my GP so many times already this year (obscure liver disease diagnosis), I think we are both exhausted from seeing one another. 😉Logically I know that’s foolish - and yet I’m trying to strike a balance between appropriate follow up and stopping in for every little ache and pain. I’m a mid 30s guy in otherwise very good health (with a litany of recent bloodwork to back that). And the right v left side gives me some comfort.

[Teds456]

I have had a similar case of this a few years ago, although mine was more central/right sided. Very scary indeed and sent me to the ER!

Turns out I had a case of Pleurisy. Not saying this as a diagnosis for you, of course; but just my personal experience.

Hope you feel well soon!

[M8118 in reply to Teds456]

Pleurisy is the only thing other than a torn/strained muscle that seems like a possibility.

[cyberbarn]

It will be worth talking to your GP again about this just for piece of mind. The fact that it changes with breathing is a pointer towards a muscular or joint problem. Yes you have loads of joints in the rib cage and they can get inflamed like any other joint.

[daff]

Get checked for liver,if the pain is under the right breast under the ribs.

[M8118 in reply to daff]

That's one thing I can fortunately rule out, since my liver has been studied to an absurd degree now. This is up high, well out of abdomen range.

[shelbyjones]

Could be anxiiety

[M8118 in reply to shelbyjones]

I actually think that's contributing - the feeling of a need to get a deep breath is definitely a mental response to the discomfort.