I am 56 years old and for the most part in excellent physical health. I bicycle over 50 miles per week with ease. I usually carry a backpack for groceries, etc.
Last fall after rotator cuff injury to my right shoulder I began shifting my backpack only to the left shoulder. I then began developing pains in the upper left chest very similar to your brother's scenario.
I went to the hospital for xrays, ultrasound and MRI. The doctors found everything to be normal. I do not have high blood pressure. The conclusion was that my backpack was the culprit. However I was concerned especially because I was a light smoker for over 20 years and partied a lot for as long.
After switching to a smaller, lighter backpack the pains dissipated. A few days ago I carried a very heavy load in the backpack and now the pain has returned. I worry that I might have a thoracic aneurysm--but wouldn't the tests have found that?
This pain actually feels more like a pinch or something stuck inside my upper left chest cavity just underneath my left breast--it comes and goes, especially when I am seated at rest. It doesn't seem to bother me when physically exerting myself peddling hard uphill on the bike. Oddly it does seem to be more noticeable when I am startled or very worried as if it is exacerbated by stress. Just a pulled chest muscle? I have no trouble breathing. No coughing. No trouble swallowing. Everything else seems normal but this pinched knot-stuck-in my-chest feeling.
I guess I should just wait a few days to see what happens before going through all these tests again or should I have an angiogram or any other tests that I've not already described having?
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I am 56 years old and for the most part in excellent physical health. I bicycle over 50 miles per week with ease. I usually carry a backpack for groceries, etc.
August 15, 2014 - 7:34amLast fall after rotator cuff injury to my right shoulder I began shifting my backpack only to the left shoulder. I then began developing pains in the upper left chest very similar to your brother's scenario.
I went to the hospital for xrays, ultrasound and MRI. The doctors found everything to be normal. I do not have high blood pressure. The conclusion was that my backpack was the culprit. However I was concerned especially because I was a light smoker for over 20 years and partied a lot for as long.
After switching to a smaller, lighter backpack the pains dissipated. A few days ago I carried a very heavy load in the backpack and now the pain has returned. I worry that I might have a thoracic aneurysm--but wouldn't the tests have found that?
This pain actually feels more like a pinch or something stuck inside my upper left chest cavity just underneath my left breast--it comes and goes, especially when I am seated at rest. It doesn't seem to bother me when physically exerting myself peddling hard uphill on the bike. Oddly it does seem to be more noticeable when I am startled or very worried as if it is exacerbated by stress. Just a pulled chest muscle? I have no trouble breathing. No coughing. No trouble swallowing. Everything else seems normal but this pinched knot-stuck-in my-chest feeling.
I guess I should just wait a few days to see what happens before going through all these tests again or should I have an angiogram or any other tests that I've not already described having?
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