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Injury to chest/back area. Doctors give run around.

Schwing

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So about 3 months ago I started getting left side chest pains really bad. Especially after running hard and doing physical activity. Twice it was so bad I went to the ER, including once by ambulance because my BP was up. They did the basics and let me go home.

My primary then referred me to a cardiologist to play it safe. Had an echocardiogram, stress test, and even a CT Angiogram of the heart done which that showed perfect scores, very healthy heart so the heart is ruled out.

However over time I noticed my pectoral area of my chest wall gets tender at times and even has activation points. When I do lifting at my part time job and a lot of walking and physical activity and motions it gets worse. Some days the pain then extends to the left shoulder blade and sometimes I get dullness that goes into my arm and palm of the hand. Some days it doesn't bother me much and some days it's more in the back the pain refers to. Sometimes it feels like a nerve pain in my chest and that drives me crazy because it's scary sometimes.

The third time, July I went to the ER I went to the better hospital for the pain. MRI lab was closed cause that's in the main hospital side so they couldn't do MRI but they did a CT scan of my chest. No signs of tumors or clots. ER doctor said it's likely muscle skeletal, nerve and muscle damage and said to see an orthopedic surgeon. I did that. They looked at my freaken neck and wasted money on an just the neck MRI which came back clean and she said they don't do the chest. the PA reffered me to physical therapy for my pec area. 4 weeks with my copay would be $780!!! Would be cheaper for me to get a chest MRI.

Anyway, this new primary I go to now who uses my insurance refuses to do MRI on my chest. She agrees it's something in the chest or back injured. She ordered a back MRI but refused to do a chest one because I had a CT. Problem is a CT scan does NOT show muscle and nerve damage. So I'm switching back to my old primary. He's not in group and you actually see him. He can at least refer me to the proper specialist.

I do see a pain management doctor in October. But the way the lady sounded on the phone he will want an MRI to see where it's actually coming from.

So guys, what does this sound like? I'm thinking too that I injured something in my chest and it is torn and never healed and is at times pressing on a nerve. I do wonder maybe a bulging disk in my throatic spine could be pressing on something.

It hurts when I run too hard too even. So since July I've been doing 60 to 70 minutes a day on the stationary bike in the garage when it's 90 degrees which has kept the weight off and kept me in shape since it's easier on my body.
 

BackInTheGame78

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Potentially rib cartilage or some type of intercostal strain?

I was on crutches for several weeks and ended up giving myself this type of injury and the pain from breathing was unbearable...almost wanted to just stop breathing so it wouldn't hurt anymore...

Sucks they cannot figure out what it is but my advice would be to stop doing any type of activities that make it worse and give it some time off so it can heal. Don't want to turn this into a lifelong thing
 

Schwing

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Potentially rib cartilage or some type of intercostal strain?

I was on crutches for several weeks and ended up giving myself this type of injury and the pain from breathing was unbearable...almost wanted to just stop breathing so it wouldn't hurt anymore...

Sucks they cannot figure out what it is but my advice would be to stop doing any type of activities that make it worse and give it some time off so it can heal. Don't want to turn this into a lifelong thing
Makes sense with the crutch because it's digging into your armpit.

I do a lot of running. When I was using the treadmill for years when I would turn my speed up high and use the handles on it it's like almost stretching my torso from my arms type feeling, possibly putting strain on it. I'm wonder if that is what it was. I'd get discomfort whenever I used the treadmill in that area. I wonder if over the years that just kept putting more and more strain on the injury until it finally tore.

Like I said I'm just using the exercise bike in the garage for cardio. It's a cheap one with not a lot of resistance. I'm going to buy one of those more expensive ones that are like 1500 that are better and use that in the house in the winter. Doesn't get that cold in the winter in my area of FL but I like to workout in the warm. Also, better on my knees than a treadmill.
 

Bible_Belt

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You have inflammation somewhere, which is causing the pain. Anti inflammatories might help, whether chemical or natural. For anyone in pain who the doctors can't help, I always try to encourage considering cannabinoids. A cbg/cbd topical could help, and will not affect a drug test, if that is a concern. CBD oil taken orally also helps a lot of people and is at least worth trying.
 

Schwing

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You have inflammation somewhere, which is causing the pain. Anti inflammatories might help, whether chemical or natural. For anyone in pain who the doctors can't help, I always try to encourage considering cannabinoids. A cbg/cbd topical could help, and will not affect a drug test, if that is a concern. CBD oil taken orally also helps a lot of people and is at least worth trying.
It's feeling a bit better but as the day wears on it gets inflamed still when moving around, lifting stuff, etc, you know a typical day. Switching back to my original primary doctor and seeing him tomorrow. He doesn't take my insurance anymore so 100 bucks out of pocket but the other place I went to was a huge, big box practice and you only see the NP and she's not much help. She referred me to a pain management doctor but I couldn't get in until October. An MRI needs to be done on my chest and back to see what's going on. She wouldn't agree to a chest MRI because I already had a chest CT scan done at the hospital back in July. CT scan just shows tumors, blot clots, etc. It doesn't show torn muscle or nerve damage. So the pain doctor would want to know where to inject the cortizone obviously. He's at a big orthopedic practice so he could probably get the MRI done there.

Also bit concerned about being pre diabetic! My glucose was a bit above normal. I'm skinny but drink soda and eat like crap.

Tried 8 minutes of running on the treadmill tonight, 1 mile. At times got the speed to 9mph. Despite doing a lot of stationary bike riding, man I'm out of shape despite not gaining much weight. I felt discomfort a bit but not much more than on the bike. I think I will have to ease myself back.

I'm just so aggravated here. If this would have been treated properly back in July and indeed it was a muscle tear and pinched nerve, ruptured disk I could have possibly had it repaired by now and on the road to recovery. Instead will probably be a few more months!

Here in FL it will cool down soon and the bike i have in the garage is cheap. If I bring it inside I won't work up much of a sweat. I'll go ahead and order that commercial grade bike. The treadmill is too much impact when running fast.

I will say when I quit drinking soda for two weeks back in early august I lost about 4lbs.
 
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