For the past 2 yrs I have suffered with unbearable left sided chest pain, its not on my skin it feels like its in and around my left breast. I have had every test imaginable, ct scans, bone scan, mammogram, breast ultrasound, heart tests, nothing has come back abnormal, all my blood work is fine I even had intercostal nerve blocks that only numbed be for a day and it was back full force, I am suffering everyday of every minute of my life with this awful burning intense pain that never ever lets up. My Dr's are thinking post herpetic neuralgia because around the same time it started with a slight burning I had about six blisters in the center of my chest right where my bra is and I remember them being itchy but never gave it much thought after that but this intense pain thats been just getting worse and worse over the yrs is just killing me and my life is not the same anymore and I dont know what to do. Has anyone ever had this and was it from shingles?? I've been on gabapentin, nortriptyline, cymbalta, Lyrica nothing has helped me... Please please I need some insight on this..and its not heartburn... Thanks... shine
Constant Chronic Burning Pain in Left Side of Chest?
- Posted:
- 28 Apr 2012 by sunshine1109
- Topics:
- pain, persisting pain, shingles, chronic, skin, burning
Responses (1)
kaismama28 Apr 2012
I'm so sorry to hear you're suffering so much. Just some thoughts. Have you tried an anti inflammatory like advil or aleve? Have they ruled out costal chondritis? Post herpetic pain can be awful in some people. So that is a possibility. Has any doc talked about using lidoderm patches? My BF used them after shingles and they helped him with the pain. Have you thought about seeing a pain management doctor?
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Thanks for ur response, yes I have tried everything I dont think there is one thing I haven't tried. I have had the patches, tried anti inflammatory meds, I have been to one of the best pain management Drs in Gainesville, Fla. I have no insurance and have had to pay out of pocket for everything and I just cant do much more. Ive gone through intercostal nerve blocks, I dont know what to do anymore. I just don't know how someone can be in constant pain it never lets up and for them not to be able to come up with a diagnosis. I just cant imagine pain from shingles lasting 2 yrs especially when Im not even sure I had shingles... well I go back to the Dr. in a week and see what he has to say cause I am so miserable. If u can think of anything else I am open to suggestions, thanks for taking the time to respond I am so desperate for a answer..
I understand about the insurance. I'm in the same boat. Unfortunately the therapies for pain like PT and shots are out for us because of the cost. I know it can be miserable to not have a diagnosis why you hurt, and the docs look at you like not again. I am 64 have had fibro most of my life, and didn't get a diagnosis until 12 yrs ago.
Yeah I have gone through the "its all in ur head" and well you just have to live with it.. I have found a very caring Dr. who is working with me and trying to help figure this out, He to is thinking P.H.N. from shingles but I dont know its so confusing, I was always so afraid of cancer etc. but with all the tests done they have ruled that out but when your in this much pain one can help but think it has to be something seriously wrong, I just have to put my trust in my dr and have faith he will find out for sure and try and ease me of at least a lil of this pain, it is so bad and I never get a break from it... If something becomes of this I will let you know and I hope you are free or your pain from fibro I know thats really bad... God Bless... shine
Best of luck with this. I hope this doc is the answer for you.
@sunshine. Thank you sharing your daily pain experience. I am going thru exact pain you have described. I am experiencing constant left chest pain since 2006. I also have gone thru exams you have mentioned and doctors have not found the exact cause or diagnoses. My pain is escalating. I stopped seeing my doctors for this condition for the past year knowing that they will say thing same again and again "there is nothing wrong with you" I am very active in sports. I run and play soccer almost daily. Basically, I am able to do everything I choose to but the pain never stop. I feel pain the moment I wake up. The only time I don't feel pain is when I am sleeping. Last week I decided to contact my doctor and requested to see a specialist in Cardiology department. I am hopeful that there will be a solution.
@ju2012..I to am so sorry u are going through this as it is ruining my life, I have suffered with this for so long and I to feel it the minute I wake up till I finally pass out at night, I am so sick of Dr's all they have done is give me pill after pill (aniti seizure and anti depressant etc.) and tell me now this will take 4 to 6 wks to work as Im sitting there crying with the pain... I have gone through all the heart tests myself and nothing has been found, I have no idea what to do. Please let me know if they figure out what it is and best of luck to you..shine..