Sharp scratchy pain in left chest when I wake up

[SunnyS76]

I've been waking up with strong pain under my left breast bone, it's very painful and feels like sharp scratching inside my chest, like a tiny hedge hock is passing through my heart is someone pulls a bandaid. It only lasts a couple of seconds but it's so so painful and scary. Has anyone had similar? I feel like I can't take a deep breath when it happens (or it might be the panic).... Previously, GP had advised that short lived chest pain is harmless, should only worry if it lasts longer, but I'm really worried. It's bank holiday so I can't really do anything till Tuesday😕. Thank for your wise advise in advance.

Do you get it when you exert yourself , or just on waking ?

And how old are you ? Are you male or female ?

Hi, just when I lie/turn to my left side. Sometimes I've been awake for a while but still in bed.

45years old female

OK, so I was thinking a Costochondritis type thing, but you’d feel that when moving about.
You could be peri menopausal - do you have any other symptoms of peri menopause ?
The fact that it’s only on waking, and the ‘not being able to take a deep breath’ sound like anxiety to me. Would you say you’re an anxious person at all ?
Anxiety can be a peri menopause symptom too.

I've had similar and it was to do with GERD.

@Noshowwithoutpunch

I've had similar and it was to do with GERD.

Oh really? Did it feel scary, was it scratchy scraping acute pain as well? I was also thinking(hoping) if it could be from the top of my stomach rather then chest, although it's quite high left under my left breast. X

Very scary, thought it was definitely a problem with my heart and couldn't understand why ( if it wasn't heart related) it was on the left side. I was reassured at A&E that Gerd issues often do present on the left and have people thinking it's an impending heart attack.
My pains would come and go and I'd have days where I felt nothing then the next day I'd get these sharp gnawing pains every few minutes for hours on end.
Always worse lying down.

Describing it as a hedgehog moving is perfect

Previously, GP had advised that short lived chest pain is harmless

Did your GP previously advise you on which types of chest pain are concerning because you'd been having panic attacks / anxiety before?

Also for reference, your heart and lungs are not the only organs under your ribcage. There are lots of anatomy diagrams available clearly showing this if you want to see for yourself. The squishy part of your abdomen that we sometimes refer to as our "stomach" is mostly filled with your intestines - your actual stomach organ is higher up.

There is also referred pain because everything is connected. Fascia is the connective tissue surrounding all our organs and muscles and it is as sensitive as your skin to pain.

Anxiety makes it feel like you can't take a deep breath because when you are anxious you stop fully expanding your lungs and only take shallow breaths.

@legoriakelne

Previously, GP had advised that short lived chest pain is harmless

Did your GP previously advise you on which types of chest pain are concerning because you'd been having panic attacks / anxiety before?

No, I didn't have panic attacks before- it was a duodenum ulcer it turned out after many tests and gastroscopy as well as treatment for HBP. But that was on the right side of my chest many years ago. The pains were different then. But also sharp and short lived.

@Noshowwithoutpunch

Very scary, thought it was definitely a problem with my heart and couldn't understand why ( if it wasn't heart related) it was on the left side. I was reassured at A&E that Gerd issues often do present on the left and have people thinking it's an impending heart attack. My pains would come and go and I'd have days where I felt nothing then the next day I'd get these sharp gnawing pains every few minutes for hours on end. Always worse lying down.

Thanks for the thorough explanation. I really appreciate it. I think I'll mention it to GP just in case. I've had an ulcer before (on my duodenum on the other side, result of long term undiagnosed helicobacterpylory infection), but it was a different type of pain. But might be good to check in case my HBP infection is back and causing indigestion and digestive issues and hence the pain, as you suggested. (I have a primary immunodeficiency and I catch bugs easily). I hope it's nothing (as scary as it feels when it happens ). Thanks again. I hope you are well now? X

@legoriakelne

Also for reference, your heart and lungs are not the only organs under your ribcage. There are lots of anatomy diagrams available clearly showing this if you want to see for yourself. The squishy part of your abdomen that we sometimes refer to as our "stomach" is mostly filled with your intestines - your actual stomach organ is higher up.

There is also referred pain because everything is connected. Fascia is the connective tissue surrounding all our organs and muscles and it is as sensitive as your skin to pain.

Anxiety makes it feel like you can't take a deep breath because when you are anxious you stop fully expanding your lungs and only take shallow breaths.

Thank you. I wish it was... you never know. I'll let you know, thanks fo much for the advice.

Interesting that you've had an ulcer before, that was something that crossed my mind as causing pain up in your chest. Much like "heartburn" being nothing heart-related despite location.

It may be more about the fact you've been lying down than about waking up if it's digestive system.

It is normal to panic in response to pain, which might be making it worse. If you can slow down your breathing (breathe in for 7, hold for 4, out for 11) and take gradually deeper breaths that make your tummy expand too, then it will help you to be able to describe which parts are the physical issue and which parts are from it making you panic, iyswim. Then it will be easier to investigate.

I hope you get sorted soon.

I'm much better now thanks OP.
I still get these episodes but can go 2/3 months where all fine then have a horrendous 48hours of these pains coming and going.
I used to take Omeprazole and had also tried Lansoperazole to try and stop these episodes however they made me dizzy and unwell so I stopped them and now rely on Gaviscon Advance when it happens ( although this barely takes the edge off).
I have had camera for ulcer and the hbp test which came back clear so it's basically been put down to acid leaking back up my oesophagus.
Best wishes OP. Keep us updated.