--David Sharp, D.O, internal medicine physician with Alegent Health Lakeside Internal Medicine.
Find out more about Dr. Sharp
Q: For months I have experienced chest pain with constant feeling of fullnes, spasms in left arm right by my bicep. The chest pain is in the left middle and sometimes I have severe lower and mid back pain. I had an echo stress test and angiogram and the results were negative. I have some acid reflux and underwent an endoscopy. I also have pain under my rib on the left side. Blood work came back fine, including thyroid, and I had a CT scan of my chest and a bronchoscopy which showed a peanut-sized nodule in my lung which after repeating the CT scan appears to be scar tissue. I had an abdomen ultrasound to check out my gallbladder, which was negative. However, I have serious chest pains most of the day and I'm not anxious or stressed.
A: It sounds like a good work up has been undertaken so far. If this is reproducible chest wall pain, or the pain changes with body position, the most likely cause is muscular skeletal pain. Chostocondritis is the inflamation of a soft bony like material that makes up the ribs. Many times the joints along the ribs, or along the muscles can become irritated causing the type of pain you are describing. Simple prescription strength anti-inflamatory medications, warm heat pads, physical therapy, and rest from repetitive injuries are all that is needed to heal. Consult your doctor regarding this possibility.
