Chest Pain - Heartburn?!
Question: Chest Pain - Heartburn.?
For about a week (give or take a few days) I've been having chest pain ranging from a dull ache to a sharp pain. The pain never really occurs in the same place - sometimes it's on the right below my collar bone, or underneath my right breast, and other times it's right in the middle of my chest where my heart is. The pain either lasts in short bursts for a few minutes or throughout the afternoon/evening striking randomly.
I went to the doctor's yesterday and explained to him my symptoms including that whenever it happens on my right side (an inch or two below my collar bone) it feels as if someone or something is pushing down on my chest making it hard for me to breath. He ordered an EKG which turned out normal, poked my chest, did a few finger taps/pushes on my abdomen, and all the man could come up with was heartburn. He said he see's no reason for a cardiac follow up so he just put me on a months prescription (plus 5 extra refills to last me until April!!) of Zantac.
I know the difference between heartburn and plain old chest pain. THIS certainly ISN'T heartburn at all. It's as if he didn't even listen to a word I was saying during the appointment. It never happens after I've eaten food or had something to drink that's as simple as water. Am I wrong in thinking otherwise.?
What could it be.?Health Question & Answer
I went to the doctor's yesterday and explained to him my symptoms including that whenever it happens on my right side (an inch or two below my collar bone) it feels as if someone or something is pushing down on my chest making it hard for me to breath. He ordered an EKG which turned out normal, poked my chest, did a few finger taps/pushes on my abdomen, and all the man could come up with was heartburn. He said he see's no reason for a cardiac follow up so he just put me on a months prescription (plus 5 extra refills to last me until April!!) of Zantac.
I know the difference between heartburn and plain old chest pain. THIS certainly ISN'T heartburn at all. It's as if he didn't even listen to a word I was saying during the appointment. It never happens after I've eaten food or had something to drink that's as simple as water. Am I wrong in thinking otherwise.?
What could it be.?Health Question & Answer
Answers:
Hon, since your doctor has ruled out anything cardiac related. You might want to consider that your chest pain is a result of costocondritis, a condition which is relatively harmless but causes a lot of pain in women (mostly) Here is a link so you can better understand what might be going on...just know it isn't all in your head and may not be heartburn. Mention this to your doctor as you can take anti-inflammatories to allieviate your pain. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/costoch...
Hope this helps and that you get relief soon!Health Question & Answer
Hope this helps and that you get relief soon!Health Question & Answer
My wife and mother have both at times been diagnosed with costocondritis which affects the connective tissue between the breast bone and chest muscles. Can be painful and misdiagnosed as heart problems or heart burn. It goes away in time but there is no real treatment other than taking pain killers. Health Question & Answer
Honestly, it sounds like heartburn to me, but you know your own body. Try going to a teaching hospital for a 2nd opinion.Health Question & Answer
If you're not happy with what your Doctor told you, then go and see another Doctor.Health Question & Answer