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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Pain On Left Side Of Chest And Back Pain Despite Quitting Smoking?

I quit smoking 4 months ago. Everytime I smoked, I felt pain in my left hand. During the same time , I was also diagnosed with Diabetes (Feb 15). It took me another few months to completely quit smoking (May 15). My HbA1c was 10.7 in Feb 15. Through oral medication, exercise and diet control, it came to 6.7 in Jul 15. I get burning sensation in the centre of my chest and sometimes that spreads to left side. My hands and shoulder are almost always in slight pain. I even get back pain. I m not too clear what it is and what kind of doctor should I go to. Can you please suggest.
Mon, 19 Oct 2015
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello,
Thank you for asking at HCM.
I carefully read your question and understand your concern.
You have already done a great job quitting smoking as it is a major risk factor in many diseases. You are also taking treatment for diabetes and trying to live a healthy lifestyle and this is great also.
Due to diabetes and having smoked before if you are having chest pain that spreads to the arm and back, than a pain due to heart ischemia should be ruled out first. If I was your provider I would order an ECG and a heart ultrasound. Very likely it would come the need for stress test and angiograme of the vessels of the heart. You need to see a cardiologist and he has to examine you and decide the tests you need. If heart problems are ruled out than we can consider muscular pain and other minor causes.
Hope this helps and answers to your question.
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What Causes Pain On Left Side Of Chest And Back Pain Despite Quitting Smoking?

Hello, Thank you for asking at HCM. I carefully read your question and understand your concern. You have already done a great job quitting smoking as it is a major risk factor in many diseases. You are also taking treatment for diabetes and trying to live a healthy lifestyle and this is great also. Due to diabetes and having smoked before if you are having chest pain that spreads to the arm and back, than a pain due to heart ischemia should be ruled out first. If I was your provider I would order an ECG and a heart ultrasound. Very likely it would come the need for stress test and angiograme of the vessels of the heart. You need to see a cardiologist and he has to examine you and decide the tests you need. If heart problems are ruled out than we can consider muscular pain and other minor causes. Hope this helps and answers to your question.