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What Causes Dull Left-sided Pain In Chest Upon Deep Inhalation And Cough?
Question: I feel a dull pain in my left lung upon deep inhalation and have a cough since about 9/1/14. The CAT scan came back negative (but with a slight hiatal hernia). I'd like to find what's causing this. Here is the overview:
1) Pain on left side of chest
- noticed upon inhalation
- dull
- diffused, but primarily located midway between nipple and clavicle
- sensation of fullness in left lung and not getting a full breath on that side
2) Cough
- dry cough
- not present while sleeping
- seems worse after eating or physical activity
- often associated with clearing of throat
3) Some Congestion
- some mild sinus and chest congestion but may be seasonal colds and/or allergies
4) Fatigue
- experienced mostly upon heavy physical exertion
- NOTE: patient does not engage in regular fitness exercise
5) Shortness of Breath
- recently began experiencing shortness of breath with moderate physical exertion
6) Symptoms NOT experienced
- fever
- loss of appetite
- weight loss
- mood change
- any production of blood in spit
7) Tests Conducted
- basic blood tests - normal
- chest x-ray - negative
- CAT scan - negative
8) Medicine I've Tried
- Prilosec (in case of a stomach issue)
- Singular (in case of allergies)
1) Pain on left side of chest
- noticed upon inhalation
- dull
- diffused, but primarily located midway between nipple and clavicle
- sensation of fullness in left lung and not getting a full breath on that side
2) Cough
- dry cough
- not present while sleeping
- seems worse after eating or physical activity
- often associated with clearing of throat
3) Some Congestion
- some mild sinus and chest congestion but may be seasonal colds and/or allergies
4) Fatigue
- experienced mostly upon heavy physical exertion
- NOTE: patient does not engage in regular fitness exercise
5) Shortness of Breath
- recently began experiencing shortness of breath with moderate physical exertion
6) Symptoms NOT experienced
- fever
- loss of appetite
- weight loss
- mood change
- any production of blood in spit
7) Tests Conducted
- basic blood tests - normal
- chest x-ray - negative
- CAT scan - negative
8) Medicine I've Tried
- Prilosec (in case of a stomach issue)
- Singular (in case of allergies)
Brief Answer:
get done PFT ( Pulmonary Function Test ).
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, thanks for your question on HCM.
Thanks for the detailed history. I have gone through all the reports.
I want to ask you few questions first.
1. Are you smoker?
2. Have you undergone PFT ( Pulmonary Function Test )?
I think bronchitis should be ruled out in your case.
As your symptoms like chronic cough, chest pain, congestion and shortness of breath can be seen in bronchitis.
For diagnosis of bronchitis PFT is must. And it will also tell you about severity of the disease. And treatment is based on severity only.
So I advice you to consult pulmonologist and discuss all these.
Reply me answers of above questions, so that I can guide you properly.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health.
Thanks.
get done PFT ( Pulmonary Function Test ).
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, thanks for your question on HCM.
Thanks for the detailed history. I have gone through all the reports.
I want to ask you few questions first.
1. Are you smoker?
2. Have you undergone PFT ( Pulmonary Function Test )?
I think bronchitis should be ruled out in your case.
As your symptoms like chronic cough, chest pain, congestion and shortness of breath can be seen in bronchitis.
For diagnosis of bronchitis PFT is must. And it will also tell you about severity of the disease. And treatment is based on severity only.
So I advice you to consult pulmonologist and discuss all these.
Reply me answers of above questions, so that I can guide you properly.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Hello and thank you. I'm not actively a smoker and have not had a PFT. I do have an appointment with a Pulminologist next week. I'm not sure about broncitus because I have not had a temperature. Also, the cough has not produced much of any phlem. It's mostly always dry.
It's puzzling that the x-ray and CAT scan didn't show anything. I wonder if they missed something. There must be something causing the dull pain when i inhale. I also feel the dull pain sometimes when I rotate my upper torso and the pain has consistently been in the same spot.
One other thought I had was to get tested for tuberculosis. Perhaps this is a latent form? Any other thoughts on what this might be and suggestions for me to try?
It's puzzling that the x-ray and CAT scan didn't show anything. I wonder if they missed something. There must be something causing the dull pain when i inhale. I also feel the dull pain sometimes when I rotate my upper torso and the pain has consistently been in the same spot.
One other thought I had was to get tested for tuberculosis. Perhaps this is a latent form? Any other thoughts on what this might be and suggestions for me to try?
Brief Answer:
bronchitis will not always have fever.
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, thanks for your follow up question.
Thanks for your information.
Bronchitis can not have frver always. And smoking is notvthe only cause. So non smoker can also develop bronchitis.
I forgot to ask you about your work, work place and exposure to chemicals present or not. As chemicals can also cause bronchitis.
It is functional disease, structural abnormality will appear latr. So Chest x ray and CAT scan can be normal. PFT is functional test, so can be picked up early bronchitis.
So better to consult pulmonologist and get done PFT and discuss all these.
Another possibility is musculoskeletal pain. Since your chest pain is at the same point and felt on movement too. This is the feature of musculoskeletal pain.
You can try simple pain killer and muscle relaxant for this.
About your tuberculosis suspicion, I don't think it is TB. As for TB, there has to be minimal lung infiltration or lymphnode enlargement, but your chest x ray and CAT scan are absolutely normal so tuberculosis is very less likely.
Hope I have solved your query.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health.
Thanks.
bronchitis will not always have fever.
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, thanks for your follow up question.
Thanks for your information.
Bronchitis can not have frver always. And smoking is notvthe only cause. So non smoker can also develop bronchitis.
I forgot to ask you about your work, work place and exposure to chemicals present or not. As chemicals can also cause bronchitis.
It is functional disease, structural abnormality will appear latr. So Chest x ray and CAT scan can be normal. PFT is functional test, so can be picked up early bronchitis.
So better to consult pulmonologist and get done PFT and discuss all these.
Another possibility is musculoskeletal pain. Since your chest pain is at the same point and felt on movement too. This is the feature of musculoskeletal pain.
You can try simple pain killer and muscle relaxant for this.
About your tuberculosis suspicion, I don't think it is TB. As for TB, there has to be minimal lung infiltration or lymphnode enlargement, but your chest x ray and CAT scan are absolutely normal so tuberculosis is very less likely.
Hope I have solved your query.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
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