Pain in middle of chest

phix - I 100% agree with gramps - it doesn't matter how young or old you are, if you have unexplained/unexpected chest pain you NEED to get in to see a doctor ASAP.

I have dealt with something similar, it's called "costochondritis" for me it started in the middle of the chest, and hurt like heck when I did anything with my arms that pulled on the chest. Costochondritis, based on my doctors info, is where the tissue connecting your ribs to your sternum becomes inflammed. For me, if I press anything on that area during a flare up it feels as if I'm pushing really hard on an area I have a bruise. The "treatment" for costochondritis is normally anti-inflammitory medication, like aleeve or motrin. For me putting an ice pack on that area for about 10 minutes would numb it enough it didn't hurt so bad.

Seriously though, make an appointment with your doctor, chest pain is not something to play with.

Tammy

Hi.  I just found this forum tonight, and I too suffer with pain in the center of my chest.  It also goes around under my right breast to about the center of my right side.  Kind of in a straight line.

Do you also have this with your pain?  If so, please let me know what you've found out.  I'm in the begginning stage of a diagnosis.  Its frustrating.

Thanks.

Hi,

I realize that all of these posts are old, except for the last one.....so I'll reply to that.

First of all, as previous posters said, SEE A DOCTOR ASAP!!! Because it could be heart-related.

I'm so glad your girlfriend is doing just that!!

But if heart problems are ruled out by the doctor (as happened to me), what then?

My story: I was rushed to a hospital with chest pains in the summer of 2008. They kept me for 3 days, ran all sorts of tests on me (all negative). The cardiologist even told me he wished he had my lipid profile! So after determining my heart/arteries/cholesterol were in great shape, they sent me home! Before being kicked out the door, I asked "But what caused my chest pain?", however, no one seemed to be interested once the heart was ruled out.

As it turns out, my problem was simply an esophageal spasm. Esophageal spasms are frequently triggered by acid reflux. Mine tend to happen about 1/2 hour after I take my prednisone in the morning (prednisone is notorious for causing acid reflux).

Other common possibilities include costochondritis (inflammation of the soft tissues which connect the ribs to the breast bone) or pleurisy (inflammation of membranes lining the chest cavity). Of course, only a doctor can help her figure out what the problem actually is.

Good luck to both of you!! Please keep us posted!

Good luck!
JoAnn

Hi StarFirre...welcome to HW...

This particular thread was started back in 2008 and the last post was back in 2010... (you'll find the dates at the top of the posts)...

So...we want as many people to see your post and welcome you to the boards...A moderator might be able to move your post to start a new thread...

Or you can start one on your own to introduce yourself...tell us about your pain journey...what's going on now, etc...

It's a great group of people here...we aren't Dr.s or medical professionals...we are pain patients like yourself....but everyone has great suggestions and are very empathetic to what it's like to be in chronic pain...

Nice to meet you:)