chest and shoulder pain

Hi I am 19 years old and suffer from mild asthma I never really have attacks I just breath differently, the reason for this post is because I have been suffering with really mild chest pains for the last 5 to 6 mounts, and my doctor has put it down to my asthma being activated by a chest infection, this has been my diagnosis a few times and have been put on antibiotics, which help but I am still having these pains, and in the last few weeks it has become alto worse and mainly located on the left of my chest and my shoulder along with mild shooting pains in my neck and both arms. This occurs every day but mainly as a discomfort not pain but at night it is alot worse and when I am in bed. It dose not cause any coughing or shortage of breath but sometimes I feel like I can't unconsciously breath and have to force my self to breath out. I have smoked for about 5 years on and off and because of this I am worried it might be something serious, and was wondering if any one else has had these problems and might no what it could be, thank you

These symptoms should be checked by a doctor, preferably a cardiologist or pulmonologist, ASAP. An ER will do. Any ER staff member will tell you, they would rather see 50 cases of gas, indigestion, pulled muscles, chronic bronchitis, or anything else minor related to chest pain than have someone come in with the big one. It could be something as simple as a position related syndrome, or it could be something that really needs to be studied. Get it done. Do not mess around with this.

I'm a smoker too. Been smoking and trying unsuccessfully to quit since I was 17, now 44. I've quit drinking, kicked opiates, and benzos. Nicotine is far harder to quit. But I have cut down. Unless I'm hurting. Then it seems like I can burn through a pack an hour.

But given your history, You need to do that now. Like one of my old doctors said, it's not the nicotine so much, it's all the other stuff in the cigarette smoke that's troublesome. And it becomes a habit as much as an addiction. Don't get me wrong, nicotine itself is a mild poison and causes almost immediate physiological changes when it's used. But the idea of having one with a cup of coffee, or when driving, that's a habit.

But, you are young. You have time to break that cycle. I am old and grizzled, 6'2", with a salt and pepper biker beard, and people are afraid to tell me stuff like that anymore in person.

A word about Chantix. I asked my psychiatrist about trying it, and he said he would rather me keep smoking. Meaning, if you have any kind of mental issues (bipolar, depression, etc), the smoking seccasion drugs do far more harm than good, according to him. My Primary care doc said pretty much the same thing. Same thing with Wellbutrin, which is an off label use of that drug. (At least it used to be)

Hope you find some answers soon.

Hi Oca and welcome,

You should definitely see a doctor to rule out physical problems such as walking pneumonia. It could also be panic attacks.

Living, I took Chantix to stop smoking over a year ago. Unlike a lot of people, I was more mentally well on Chantix than I've ever been in my life. Everyone is different. Oh and I'm still a non smoker :)