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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Help, I’m in a lot of pain

17 replies

Nowayhosey · 22/09/2023 23:13

Hi, really hoping someone can help here!

I’m 25 now but since I was a young teen I’ve had episodes of chest pain that comes and goes. Episodes used to last anything from a few seconds to a few minutes, and I probably get episodes once a month. But as the years have gone on the length of duration of each episode has got bigger. I went to the GP as a teen who said it was pre cordial catch syndrome and harmless so I’ve sort of ignored it. Nothing helps it so I just have to wait for it to pass and pray it’s a short episode

it’s always the same kind of pain- like an extremely sharp ice pick through my left chest. It’s not too bad when I don’t breath but when I take a normal breath in it’s agonising

but I’m having a horrible flare up tonight and nothing is helping. The last episode last month lasted for 30 minutes (suddenly started whilst I was on my horse) but this episode has lasted 2 hours so far and isn’t getting better. I can’t lie down to sleep because it makes the pain so much worse. Leaning forward helps but only in certain positions- eg leaning forward to the right helps whereas leaning forward to the left makes it worse. I can take shallow breaths and it’s fine but every so often I need to take a proper breath but it’s agony, it honestly feels like I’m being stabbed through my left breast with an ice pick. But every few minutes I need to take a breath because shallow breathing only works for so long

does anyone else have pre cordial catch and have any advice? I’m utterly miserable and just want to sleep but it hurts so much to lie down. I know precordial catch isnt actually anything serious or a problem but it’s so uncomfortable x

OP posts:

HappiDaze · 22/09/2023 23:30

Go to your GP and get referred for further tests

HappiDaze · 22/09/2023 23:31

Take some aspirin and see if that helps

It sounds like angina but doesn't mean it is that. It could be various things

ohfourfoxache · 22/09/2023 23:31

I think it would be a good idea to have more tests and a second opinion…

HappiDaze · 22/09/2023 23:32

Obviously with any chest pains you will be seen immediately if you go to A&E

If you're worried go there now and they will do an ECG as soon as you get there

HappiDaze · 22/09/2023 23:32

In which case DO NOT take any medication before you go

HappiDaze · 22/09/2023 23:33

If you go which I suggest you do then take a list of all your medications

Watermelonsugarhigh2 · 22/09/2023 23:33

I've got precordial catch and have done for years, one of my parents does too although I don't know if it's hereditary. Sorry no tips, I just breathe through the pain and hope it passes quickly.

HappiDaze · 22/09/2023 23:35

Actually

Yes go to A&E or call 999 if it's awkward to get there

HappiDaze · 22/09/2023 23:37

You could have more than one thing causing this so don't presume it's what your GP told you years ago

FannyFifer · 22/09/2023 23:38

I think regardless of what you have been diagnosed with previously, chest pain lasting for that amount of time needs checked out asap.

HappiDaze · 22/09/2023 23:40

Also because you want proper tests done I would not mention the pre cordial catch when you get there

Just let them investigate so they're not stuck on the one idea which could prevent them from investigating further and perhaps preventing them from finding a different cause

Pollyputhekettleon · 22/09/2023 23:51

Try sitting upright, and gradually forcing yourself to take a deeper breath through the pain.

You may be holding your breath too much, doing too shallow breaths in the early stage of an attack, while could be prolonging it. You could try working on your posture, on not holding tension in your chest, or on your breathing, to prevent future attacks. That might help, it won't hurt anyway.

I presume you have no other symptoms. If you don't, then it's almost certainly precordial catch.

KnowledgeableMomma · 23/09/2023 01:47

Typically (and I know every case is not the same), you are instructed to breathe deeply as soon as the pain starts to lessen the symptoms. I am reading of some people using this technique in the middle of an episode to 'pop' out of it. Your symptoms do sound like classic precordial catch though this is more common in adolescents. Did you have chest trauma when you were young? As it's been awhile, after this episode is over, I'd make sure nothing heart-wise (like a mitral valve) has changed since your last workup.

coxesorangepippin · 23/09/2023 02:06

Does it only happen on a horse?

HeatherMoores · 23/09/2023 02:18

HappiDaze · 22/09/2023 23:32

In which case DO NOT take any medication before you go

Unless someone is having a suspected heart attack in which case they are advised to chew 300mg aspirin as an emergency measure.

(Not saying this applies to OP, just for general info).

NeunundneunzigHorseBallonz · 23/09/2023 03:28

Sounds like it could also be symptoms of reflux or many other gastric issues. Even gallbladder disease. I agree. Go to GP and ask for referral. Let them know you can’t sleep with the pain and it is affecting your quality of life.

Cranberriesandtea · 23/09/2023 16:29

Ok this is my experience but it is identical to yours. It's wild and my diagnosis was a shock!

I have endometriosis in my thoracic area and it's attached to my lungs. Every month on the last few days of my period I get stabbing, breath catching chest pain. For about an hour at a time sporadically through the day. It's 10/10 painful with each stab but goes away like a lightning strike if that makes sense.

Each month. The doctor has told me my endometriosis is on a nerve that sends pain signals through my left hand chest.

Just consider it!

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