“I have pain in the center of my chest under my breast?”
I have pain (tightness) in the center of my chest under my breast. It started happening after my Pfizer shot, but now it seems to be an everyday deal. It usually happens when I am stressed. I am taking the Clonazepam that my doctor prescribed for me for panic attacks, and it seems to help. But I am starting to need to take it every day.
Female | 59 years old
Complaint duration: 6 months
Medications: Meloxicam and Clonazepam and Gabapentin for sleep/pain
Conditions: Arthritis and Occasional Panic attacks
2 Answers
The fact that the pain is present everyday,without any other symptoms,most likely means that this is all a result of anxiety. The vaccine should not cause this problem.
The first thing to check is whether it is angina. This is quite simple: if it is reliably brought on by walking uphill and settles in a few minutes when you rest, then it probably is angina and you should see a cardiologist urgently.
If not, the most likely causes are
1) acid reflux — you can check this simply as well: if it settles rapidly when you take an antacid, 2-3 tablets of “Settlers” or similar, then it probably is and you can treat it with regular esomeprazole from your chemist for two weeks; if that works but it comes back when you stop, you should speak to your doctor about it.
2) nerve root pain, caused by nerves being pinched at your mid-thoracic spine (like sciatica but higher up). It is caused by sitting with a stooped posture, especially while using a computer or relaxing in a comfy sofa. The solution is to sit up very straight and keep moving every few minutes. Regular mobility back exercises (eg disco dancing) also helps.
All other causes are rare but should be looked into if neither of these fits.
If not, the most likely causes are
1) acid reflux — you can check this simply as well: if it settles rapidly when you take an antacid, 2-3 tablets of “Settlers” or similar, then it probably is and you can treat it with regular esomeprazole from your chemist for two weeks; if that works but it comes back when you stop, you should speak to your doctor about it.
2) nerve root pain, caused by nerves being pinched at your mid-thoracic spine (like sciatica but higher up). It is caused by sitting with a stooped posture, especially while using a computer or relaxing in a comfy sofa. The solution is to sit up very straight and keep moving every few minutes. Regular mobility back exercises (eg disco dancing) also helps.
All other causes are rare but should be looked into if neither of these fits.
