I'm 23 and for the past 2 years or so, I've been to about every doctor in the book due to a consistent chest pain problem. I would present with the same kinds of symptoms listed here.. Chest pain in the middle/left side of my chest that would move to my left arm, causing tingling feelings and pain. I would have back and neck pain, and because we all have access to the wonderful (or anxiety-inducing) internet, I was convinced time and time again that I was DYING. I took several trips to the ER, saw numerous different doctors of different specialties: Cardiologist, gastroenterologist, internist, infectious disease specialist, acupuncturist (which surprisingly really helped!), and finally a physical therapist. I want to tell all you ladies reading this- no matter how silly you might feel, you should get a full work-up done! I heard time and time again that I had Costochondritis, and I just was convinced it had to be something more. In my case, I have realized its a muscular issue. My muscles are spasming in my chest (pectoralis major and minor) and they bother the nerves that are connected to my arm. Physical therapy really did help me.
I have to admit, although I am armed with all this knowledge that my heart has been thoroughly checked from numerous ER visits and a top cardiologist in NYC, I still to this day get anxiety when this pain happens. I'm constantly thinking, "Well what if this time its NOT muscular, and its something more serious and I ignore it and it ends up being too late!"... I'm currently going through this right now, but typing all of this out is reassuring to me- I am a HEALTHY, active 23 year old woman with little to no family history of heart problems. I hope my situation helps bring others some peace of mind, or some kind of guidance of things that you should get checked out. I had a wonderful primary doctor in New York who was not going to give up on figuring out what was wrong with me! And I have to say that its one of the most important things, finding a doctor who believes you and supports you in your recovery!
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Hi!
I'm 23 and for the past 2 years or so, I've been to about every doctor in the book due to a consistent chest pain problem. I would present with the same kinds of symptoms listed here.. Chest pain in the middle/left side of my chest that would move to my left arm, causing tingling feelings and pain. I would have back and neck pain, and because we all have access to the wonderful (or anxiety-inducing) internet, I was convinced time and time again that I was DYING. I took several trips to the ER, saw numerous different doctors of different specialties: Cardiologist, gastroenterologist, internist, infectious disease specialist, acupuncturist (which surprisingly really helped!), and finally a physical therapist. I want to tell all you ladies reading this- no matter how silly you might feel, you should get a full work-up done! I heard time and time again that I had Costochondritis, and I just was convinced it had to be something more. In my case, I have realized its a muscular issue. My muscles are spasming in my chest (pectoralis major and minor) and they bother the nerves that are connected to my arm. Physical therapy really did help me.
I have to admit, although I am armed with all this knowledge that my heart has been thoroughly checked from numerous ER visits and a top cardiologist in NYC, I still to this day get anxiety when this pain happens. I'm constantly thinking, "Well what if this time its NOT muscular, and its something more serious and I ignore it and it ends up being too late!"... I'm currently going through this right now, but typing all of this out is reassuring to me- I am a HEALTHY, active 23 year old woman with little to no family history of heart problems. I hope my situation helps bring others some peace of mind, or some kind of guidance of things that you should get checked out. I had a wonderful primary doctor in New York who was not going to give up on figuring out what was wrong with me! And I have to say that its one of the most important things, finding a doctor who believes you and supports you in your recovery!
ALL THE BEST TO YOU :-*
August 5, 2015 - 1:05pmThis Comment
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