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Sharp pain in lungs, possibly heart pain?

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Posted 12/21/2008 8:38 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, I'm new here and I'm hoping to gain some knowledge about my symptoms. For the past month, I have been feeling some strong and sharp chest pains near where the heart is located and this has frightened me. When I first noticed it, I immediately went to the doctor and got checked out. I had an EKG done and it came back normal. I have normal blood pressure, I'm in shape (actually a little on the skinny side - 5'5" and 120 lbs, and I'm 24 years of age), and I have no family history of any cardiovascular problems. Last week, I had a physical done and a chest x-ray. Doctor said I have mild case of COPD/asthma. I don't smoke either, so i don't know how I could have COPD; he just noticed my bronchial tubes blocked with spaces of air. I was relieved to hear this and he pushed the issue that my heart is perfect, though I'm a hypochondriac. He put me on an albuterol inhaler, so he must not think it's serious, but while I'm at work, they bother me almost the whole time. I get very nervous and sometimes feel like it could be a heart attack, even though the doctor has twice told me I'm fine. He ruled out pleurisy or pericarditis, and I can't seem to figure it out. Am I just being a hypochondriac, or might I have something more serious? I did have bronchitis a year ago, and where I live the air quality is not good, but I've been living here for years. The pains go away temporarily, but when they return, I get scared, and I don't want to make multiple trips to the ER, especially if what I have is not serious. I've already made a few trips to the doctor and urgent care. Please, any insight will be helpful, and I thank you in advance for the help!

Oh, and I need to add that the pain hasn't radiated anywhere else, although sometimes when I have the sharp pains, I feel my left shoulder and arm feel like they are losing strength and getting a little tired. This could be possibly related to the asthma though. Throughout the days, I get a little out of breath easier, and I feel a little sore around my lymph nodes in my neck area, though they aren't swollen. Thank you in advance!
Posted 12/22/2008 1:24 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Campione22,  The first thing I would do if I were you would be to get a 2nd opinion from another cardiologist.  I have very bad asthma and I have never had heart pains or weakness in my left arm.  I don't believe that is related to asthma but you need to get that checked out.  Some drs. dismiss problems because you are young.  I would also go to a pulmonologist for tests and an opinion on your asthma.  I have had asthma all my life and it has gotten progressively worse as I get older.  I have had all the lung function tests, which are very easy, and I had many tests by a cardiologist to rule out any connection with my heart.  All heart tests were fine.  But the pulmonologist told me my asthma was out of control.  I was using my albuterol every day, 4 X a day, 2 puffs each time.  Albuterol is fine for a rescue inhaler but it is not good to use every day. If you have asthma and breathing problems every day then you need a long term inhaler.  I take symbicort and it has changed my life.  I now breathe very freely and hardly ever use my albuterol. I live in a big city where the air quality is not so good.  But I have done many things to eliminate possible allergens.  I have all hypo-allergenic bedding and dust mite covers on pillows and mattress. I also have an air purifier which pulls away any irritating particles out of the air.  But if you do get an air purifier do not get an ozone one.  You have to regulate this type exactly or the ozone can make you sick. My best suggestions to you would be get a second opinion from another cardiologist and go to a pulmonologist as this is the best way to handle a problem and not have it get worse.  Some drs. just don't take the time to check out a patient very thoroughly. And if you are living in a home make sure the furnace filters are changed every month.  I wish you good luck and hope you will post again so we know how you are doing.  I will be glad to answer any of your posts. Oh, and do stay away from people who smoke - second hand smoke is not good for people with asthma or anyone for that matter. Take care.

Aurora

 

Posted 12/22/2008 11:08 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Campione22,

You may be having symptoms of anxiety due to asthma related stress. This is one of my problems for over 20 years now. If you think you are feeling anxious and want to learn how to cope from these feelings, hop over to the Anxiety and Panic Disorder Forum :)

It's been a huge help for me!
Posted 12/25/2008 10:06 PM (GMT 0)
Hi and thanks for the responses!  I do feel that my main problem is anxiety, but I will be going to a cardiologist this coming week to rule anything out.  I've been having these problems for about 5 weeks now; one day they weren't there, and the next here they were out of nowhere, so I doubt it might be asthma in the first place.  On my chest x-ray, the doctor found spaces of air trapped in my broncial tubes and he said that's what's causing the shortness of breath because air is having trouble getting out of me and thus I have less room for air coming in.  My doctor did an ekg on me during my physical and it came back fine, blood pressure is 102/64, pulse never gets higher than 70 unless I'm exercising.  He listened to my heart and lungs for about 4-5 minutes, and no sounds of wheezing or abnormalities.  I may have written it wrong before.....it's not really pain radiating down to my arms and fingers; it's just a tingling sensation, not numbness, but I got a little scared about this.  Could this also signify an anxiety/panic attack?  When it happens, I check my pulse and it's normal, not to mention the tightness in my chest is only on the left side, and not in the center. 
Posted 12/28/2008 2:27 AM (GMT 0)
These are symptoms of a panic attack, but you really want to consult with your Pdoc about this. I also agree w/ Aurora about 2nd opinion or third if needed :) Good luck to you!
Posted 1/6/2009 6:20 PM (GMT 0)
I have an appointment with another doctor later this week. But now, starting this past Sunday, I feel pain in both lungs (or area of the lungs). It makes me feel tired a lot faster. Also, my left arm feels like it can go numb/weak any minute for the past 2 full days. Can lung problems cause this? I'm starting to get worried I have a circulation problem as well, because both my hands and feet feel like they aren't getting adequate circulation. What else can I do in the meantime? Would lung problems cause what I am feeling?
Posted 1/7/2009 9:49 AM (GMT 0)

I also get sharp sudden pain in my left lung area and it can be worse if I am inhaling - happens about 5 times a year since I was a kid.  Feels like I am being stabbed by a knife.

  I was told it is a pinched nerve and common. Probably genetic.

Posted 10/26/2014 11:48 PM (GMT 0)
Hey man, i think i have exactly same isue like you do. I feel pain i my left lung or maybe it's heart i have no idea. It hurts when i breathe or try to move my body. :( I don't smoke either, this pain just appeared randomly, am 22 years old. Your post seems to be quite old so maybe you found out what might this be?

Post Edited (oxoDus) : 10/26/2014 5:51:16 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/27/2014 4:32 AM (GMT 0)
Another thought. My son was having sharp chest pains a few years back. He was quite thin at the time. Doctor suggested that he should make sure he gets his 8 glasses of water a day. The pains stopped with water intake.
Posted 10/27/2014 5:40 PM (GMT 0)
This could be it. Now that i think about i lost about 8 kilograms in past 2-3 months and not drinking water so often. I'll try this "water therapy" and will post if that helped. Thanks for the reply.
Btw how long did it take approximately for him to feel better?

Post Edited (oxoDus) : 10/27/2014 12:20:44 PM (GMT-6)

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