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come and diagnose me before I start googling...

7 replies

elportodelgato · 19/04/2010 10:02

Any clues at all about this?

I have a kind of dull ache in my chest - it feels as though it's kind of at the very bottom of my left lung - really only a very slight ache but it's definitely there just at the bottom of my ribcage.

I am a social smoker, have been for a long while (15 years?) though I am trying very hard to give up and did give up when I was pg witb my LO (who is now 2)

I don't have a cough, don't feel wheezy, can run for the bus etc without feeling terrible, in fact I try to go running a few times a week and it doesn't seem to be irritated by the exercise. I can take deep breaths without any trouble.

I went to the docs last week - bp is normal, she listened to my chest and couldn't hear anything. I had a pulled muscle in my shoulder so she gave me anti-inflammatories for that but nothing else.

Should I go back and demand an x-ray? or is this something which will go away now I am quitting smoking? it's definitely worse the morning after I have been smoking. Any advice gratefully received!

OP posts:
elportodelgato · 19/04/2010 10:48

anyone?

OP posts:
blissa · 19/04/2010 11:22

Has it got any worse since last week?

Does it hurt when you breathe in?

I would go back to the gp if you are worried or if the ache has got worse. It could be lots of things- DO NOT GOOGLE!

elportodelgato · 19/04/2010 12:05

no it's about the same as last week - though it's always worse the morning after I have been smoking
it doesn't make any difference if I am breathing in or out, I am just kind of aware of it.
I've made a docs appt for the morning, I hope he'll put my mind at rest

OP posts:
darkandstormy · 19/04/2010 15:28

maybe referred pain from somewhere else.Sounds like it may be muscular tbh,but I am no doctor.

elportodelgato · 19/04/2010 15:51

thanks darkandstormy, I am so worried I've not eaten today...

I've kind of been ignoring it because I carry my large heavy toddler on my left side and sa a consequence I have had a very tight muscle in my shoulder so I assumed they were linked. But the fact that it feels worse when I've been smoking can't be good can it?

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jybay · 19/04/2010 21:21

If you can run with no problem, it's most unlikely to be anything serious and is probably muscular due to the toddler-lugging. Your GP will probably just want to listen to your chest then arrange to see you again if the pain doesn't go.

If examination is normal, I wouldn't do an xray at this stage - every xray is exposure to radiation so they shouldn't be done without good reason.

Good luck quitting smoking.

Jybay (GP)

elportodelgato · 20/04/2010 13:46

Thanks Jybay, I went to the doc this morning and he says it's probably an inflammation and nothing more but he's sending me for some spirometry tests on Fri to be sure. He certainly put my mind at ease, I am feeling MUCH less anxious and have even managed to eat today!

Now to go to the 'quit smoking' thread...

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