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What Causes Discomfort In Left Shoulder, Chest, And Throat?
Question: discomfort in left shoulder, chest, and throat
Brief Answer:
Following advice.
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you for asking!
I read your query and understood your concerns.
Your symptoms may be related to cardiac issues, GERD, pulmonary issue or musculoskeletal problems.
If you were my patient I would recommend to do the following examinations to find out what is causing your symptoms:
- blood work including cardiac enzymes
- chest x ray
- ECG
- Abdominal ultrasound
- cardiac echo
- stress test
If all these examinations will be normal than your symptoms are related to anxiety.
Hope this was of help!
Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu
Following advice.
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you for asking!
I read your query and understood your concerns.
Your symptoms may be related to cardiac issues, GERD, pulmonary issue or musculoskeletal problems.
If you were my patient I would recommend to do the following examinations to find out what is causing your symptoms:
- blood work including cardiac enzymes
- chest x ray
- ECG
- Abdominal ultrasound
- cardiac echo
- stress test
If all these examinations will be normal than your symptoms are related to anxiety.
Hope this was of help!
Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dr. Shehu:
Thank you for you response and diagnosis to symptoms (which I provided in generalized and high-level format so that I did not bias your thinking).
Bottom Line:
Based on WebMD and general Internet search that I did, yesterday, my self-diagnose is that I am experiencing Pleurisy (First spisode was last Tuesday, when I thought that I was having a heart attack). (2nd epsiode was yesterday).
SUSPECTED ROUTE Cause:
I get bronchitis at least once per year, so my episodes might be a related (long-term) ripple effect.
Following are 'details' of last Tuesday's and yesterday's episodes. I have five questions for you but ask that you not limit your response to my questions.
QUESTIONS For you:
1) How likely is it (based on my input) that I experiencing pleurisy? If not, WHAT?
2) Is pleurisy cureable?
3) What triggers an episode, and what can I do to reduce vulnerability & frequency?
4) Is this life-threatening or just damn inconvient?
5) What action (or appointments) should I pursue?
Many Thanks. Details of my two recent episodes follow.
XXXX
Summary of two episodes this week:
BOTTOM LINEI: think that I am experiencing Pleurisy
SYMPTOM: Intense pain: left-center chest, left shoulder,& jaw
CAUSE: Loss of lubricating fluid between x & y layers of lungs
EPISODE profile:
1) About 4-6 hours of discomfort crescendo (pain: 1-3/scale 10.
2) Start taking Ibuprofen (400 mg @ 2 to 3 hours).
3) About 5 hours of intense discomfort (pain: 6-9 / scale 10).
4) Must stay calm and in 'upright' in chair position NOT in bed.
5) THEN about: 4 or 5 hours of gradual discomfort remission
(Can sleep fitfully. But must be in 'sitting' position. Not bed.
6) THEN feel OK.
< Slight ache in left chest when breathe deep.
< Occasional 'stabbing' pain that quickly recedes
7) Episode Log:
a) Tuesday, 9Jun. Started at 2-3 a.m. Ended by 10am
Thought I was having a heart attack.
Went to emergency room (arrived at 6:30 am)
Diagnosis: not heart attack. Muscular/skeletal. See MD
b) Sat, 12Jun.
Aware of growing discomfort in early afternoon (2-3 pm).
Recognized symptoms (same as past Tuesday)
Researched via WebMD and general web search.
Suspect: Pleurisy (likely result of chronic bronchitis)
Pain crescendoed from 4 - midnight
Slept in 'lounge' chair (fitful sleep)
Cumulative Ibuprofen 1600 MG from 4pm-midnight
KEY QUESTIONS:
1) Is this Pleurisy?
2) Is this a long-term reaction to chronic bronchitis?
(I get bronchitis once or twice a year)
3) What triggers an episode? (Tue & Sat are my first episodes)
4) What can I do (or take) to shorten an episodic cycle?
5) What can I do to reduce the frequency of triggering?
6) Is this life-threatening or just a painful experience?
6) What can be done to 'cure' this (or prevent the episodes)?
Thank you for you response and diagnosis to symptoms (which I provided in generalized and high-level format so that I did not bias your thinking).
Bottom Line:
Based on WebMD and general Internet search that I did, yesterday, my self-diagnose is that I am experiencing Pleurisy (First spisode was last Tuesday, when I thought that I was having a heart attack). (2nd epsiode was yesterday).
SUSPECTED ROUTE Cause:
I get bronchitis at least once per year, so my episodes might be a related (long-term) ripple effect.
Following are 'details' of last Tuesday's and yesterday's episodes. I have five questions for you but ask that you not limit your response to my questions.
QUESTIONS For you:
1) How likely is it (based on my input) that I experiencing pleurisy? If not, WHAT?
2) Is pleurisy cureable?
3) What triggers an episode, and what can I do to reduce vulnerability & frequency?
4) Is this life-threatening or just damn inconvient?
5) What action (or appointments) should I pursue?
Many Thanks. Details of my two recent episodes follow.
XXXX
Summary of two episodes this week:
BOTTOM LINEI: think that I am experiencing Pleurisy
SYMPTOM: Intense pain: left-center chest, left shoulder,& jaw
CAUSE: Loss of lubricating fluid between x & y layers of lungs
EPISODE profile:
1) About 4-6 hours of discomfort crescendo (pain: 1-3/scale 10.
2) Start taking Ibuprofen (400 mg @ 2 to 3 hours).
3) About 5 hours of intense discomfort (pain: 6-9 / scale 10).
4) Must stay calm and in 'upright' in chair position NOT in bed.
5) THEN about: 4 or 5 hours of gradual discomfort remission
(Can sleep fitfully. But must be in 'sitting' position. Not bed.
6) THEN feel OK.
< Slight ache in left chest when breathe deep.
< Occasional 'stabbing' pain that quickly recedes
7) Episode Log:
a) Tuesday, 9Jun. Started at 2-3 a.m. Ended by 10am
Thought I was having a heart attack.
Went to emergency room (arrived at 6:30 am)
Diagnosis: not heart attack. Muscular/skeletal. See MD
b) Sat, 12Jun.
Aware of growing discomfort in early afternoon (2-3 pm).
Recognized symptoms (same as past Tuesday)
Researched via WebMD and general web search.
Suspect: Pleurisy (likely result of chronic bronchitis)
Pain crescendoed from 4 - midnight
Slept in 'lounge' chair (fitful sleep)
Cumulative Ibuprofen 1600 MG from 4pm-midnight
KEY QUESTIONS:
1) Is this Pleurisy?
2) Is this a long-term reaction to chronic bronchitis?
(I get bronchitis once or twice a year)
3) What triggers an episode? (Tue & Sat are my first episodes)
4) What can I do (or take) to shorten an episodic cycle?
5) What can I do to reduce the frequency of triggering?
6) Is this life-threatening or just a painful experience?
6) What can be done to 'cure' this (or prevent the episodes)?
Brief Answer:
Following advice.
Detailed Answer:
Hi back,
1,2- As i said earlier your symptoms may be caused by pulmonary issues. Pleurisy is a complication of chronic bronchitis and should be excluded. This is why i recommended to do a chest X ray this will confirm the diagnosis.
3- There are many things that may trigger an episode but the most importants are viral infection, excessive cought, trauma etc.
4,5- If the diagnosis is confirmed you should take anti inflammatory drugs (advil) to reduce the frequency of the episodes, to relieve the pain and to heal the pleurisy.
6- This isn't a life-threatening episodes. It only will cause chest pain.
Hope this was of help!
Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu
Following advice.
Detailed Answer:
Hi back,
1,2- As i said earlier your symptoms may be caused by pulmonary issues. Pleurisy is a complication of chronic bronchitis and should be excluded. This is why i recommended to do a chest X ray this will confirm the diagnosis.
3- There are many things that may trigger an episode but the most importants are viral infection, excessive cought, trauma etc.
4,5- If the diagnosis is confirmed you should take anti inflammatory drugs (advil) to reduce the frequency of the episodes, to relieve the pain and to heal the pleurisy.
6- This isn't a life-threatening episodes. It only will cause chest pain.
Hope this was of help!
Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dr. Shehu:
I understand your response and will take recommended action.
To pursue thoroughly:
1. I will start taking Advil on a daily basis (how many tables and cumulative MG per day do you recommend?)
2. I have appointment with primary physician on Wednesday, and
2. I have identified a candidate Pulimory Specialist - - and will pursue if primary physician concurs.
/Many thanks. This is my first use of WebMD and I am very impressed.
XXXX
/
I understand your response and will take recommended action.
To pursue thoroughly:
1. I will start taking Advil on a daily basis (how many tables and cumulative MG per day do you recommend?)
2. I have appointment with primary physician on Wednesday, and
2. I have identified a candidate Pulimory Specialist - - and will pursue if primary physician concurs.
/Many thanks. This is my first use of WebMD and I am very impressed.
XXXX
/
Brief Answer:
Following advice.
Detailed Answer:
Hi back,
You should do as I suggested to you.
If you are satisfied with my answer and don't have anything to ask, please close this query and rate it to maximum.
Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu
Following advice.
Detailed Answer:
Hi back,
You should do as I suggested to you.
If you are satisfied with my answer and don't have anything to ask, please close this query and rate it to maximum.
Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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