I know you are limited in your response,

I was just wondering how you tell the difference between muscle pain and chest pain that is not so good?

Well, you are correct in that this can only be a limited response without fully examining and talking to you.

Chest pain of myocardial origin (heart) is NOT reproducible. It should not be able to be brought on by pushing a certain area. It should not worsen with deep breathing. It usually does not come on at rest (unless you have advanced coronary artery disease). It is usually precipitated by exercise or exrtion, extreme emotional stress or anxiety, etc...it usually lasts for about 15 minutes and is relieved by rest or a cessation of the activity that precipitated it. It can also have associated symptoms of left/rigth arm pain, jaw pain (often confused with a tooth ache) or breathlessness.

Chest Pain from musculoskeletal causes lasts for "seconds", usually associated with "twinge" of pain. Can usually be reproduced by pressing on the affected area or exericising the area.

These are only guidelines. In reality, if there is any reason for you to suspect that your pain is from your heart..then an ekg and evaluation is the least that is warranted.

Go see your friendly PCP today.

Goodluck

Lem

Thanks <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

You know the ole saying it hurts to bad to go to the doc <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

I don't think its cardiac as I've had it since last night and hurts with breathing. Stupid pain just won't go away and leave me alone.

Thanks again

Also, depending where it hurts you could have something such as pleurisy. It can cause some nice sharp chest pains.

Man I hit that 40 y/o mark a couple years ago and since then.....

Thanks AskMe

I have these wonderful genetic disorders so I'm my own walking medical guide. I have learned a lot about the medical work and medications over the years. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

We always like to make the docs work for their money and present with the strangest things.

I always get to be this fun conversation piece around doctors when I tell them I have Ehlers Danlos Type III. It's like this light comes on in their eyes. A freak of nature. I went to the cardiologist and at first she said you can see me back in about 3 years, until she got to the Ehlers Danlos on my chart and then she said, make that 2 years. I love making doctors happy. And that is only 1 of my strange disorders. I wonder if I can attribute any of those to my problems......nah, just wishful thinking.

I think our doc cringes when the see one of us on their list of patients. We have Marfan's in or family sounds somewhat similar to what you have. They just make us unique and special.

Marfans and Ehlers Danlos are both collagen disorders. I would describe Marfans as slightly more serious than my disorder. I'm fully aware of all the disorders in that area because it took so long to pin point which one I had. And until you know you keep wondering what will happen to you next. Right now I just have the fun of doing tricks for the new interns to show off and make them grimace. Most of the time doctors will say, ok that is enough I don't need to see or hear any more. You can do some neat stuff when you have a collagen defect other people can't do, like hold your little finger completely in your hand. Or bend your fingers backwards towards your arm. Of course the one that grosses them out is when I completely dislocate my shoulders and fold my shoulder backwards.

It why I understood your question about Chest Pain from musculoskeletal causes, I live it daily. My ribs dislocate and pop up on the sternum. Muscle relaxors are the only way I am able to cope.