This pain has me getting depressed - PLEASE HELP

[* <3 I Love My HERO <3 *]

Hi all,

I'm a new memnber and have joined to seek advice / help and offer any that would be useful to others. I have an issue that I have struggled with for years now. I am 27 years old, 5'11 195 lbs.

For 2 years now I have had this odd chest discomfort. It radiates from the entire left chest to my shoulder and left arm, and left neck area. It sometimes moves to my right side clavicle area as well. Some days is is unbearable and some days it is moderate. Needless to say say it is always there. It feels better, almost as if it dissapears when i remove my shirts, (outer shirt and t-shirt). My heart rate seems normal, my blood pressure is normal. I have had multiple EKG's and have had and echocardiogram which came back normal. The weird part is that is feels better when I am shirtless or hold my shirt off the skin (tug it forward). I have been to the doctors on numerous occasions all claiming it to be musco-skeletal in nature -but I do not know and am worried. DR's diagnosis range from Chostrochondritis to seek mental help. My chest is always cracking along with my left side rib cage when I lean back - cracks bad. I am always stretching it and am fearful that I have overstreched and may have caused nerve damage (if possible)? I have terrible posture and sit in a cubicle all day. I have hiatel hernia and bad acid reflux (use Prilosec). I also feel an odd, tight sensation on the left side of my face. I feel like the discomfort worsens under stressfull situations. My father died young of a heart attack - 40 years old. Unfortunatley, this really is impacting my quality of life and keeps me on edge, always expecting the worst. I drink and smoke socially (10 cigarettes a week, 8-10 beers a week). Also, it does not hurt when I excercise, actually it feels better; however the next day, the day after excercising, the pain/discomfort will be worse.

To sum up my symptoms -
left (and rarley right as well) chest discomfort
Pain that radiates from chest to left neck, shoulder, and upper, mid back
Sometimes tightness in left side of face
Ribs and chest crack when stretching
Relieved when I lay on my back
Relieved when shirtless
Relieved when active, but worse the next day (day after excercise)

Please offer any help you can, I am at my wits end with this - Thanks.

[Famouschild93]

Does anyone have an idea?

[Clarence St-Rose]

I have no ideas...... how far have you taken this? Have you tried to talk to any specialist aside from your RA or GP?

[doakpersoncat]

Ive been to my primary a few times (3) and had an EKG 3 times - all normal.
I had one echo - normal. I got referred to a psychiatrist - never went as I know it is a physical issue, not mental. I then got a referral to a neurologist as I noticed my 4th and fifth fingers go numb quite often - I believe this is a result of resting on my left elbow constantly. I welcome feedback from anyone.

Thanks again

[Muzik]

Could the fact that you rest on your left elbow have a bearing on your left side soreness? Is it actual pain you're feeling or is it soreness? That would explain the relief when your shirt is removed. Sometimes a deep muscle strain can cause nerves in our skin to be very sensitive to any kind of pressure, especially if you're someone who is very aware and sensitive about their body. You sit all day with poor posture probably leaning slightly to the left. Those muscles are being strained and you don't even realize it. I also suspect anxiety is playing a role in alot of your symptoms. The mind is a very powerful thing and can conjure up all sort of things, real and imagined. If you are concerned about heart problems, try to cut out the smoking and cut down the beer a bit. The most important thing is that you try to relax and quit worrying. Stress is worse for your heart than anything else. I wish you well