How do you know you have chest pain?

[AthenaZG]

I have read that one of the side effects that would require a doctor visit and stopping phen is chest pain. But how do you know if you have chest pain, or if it's just muscle pain because you've increased your activity?

Since I started the phen I've been exercising more. And last week when I started strength training I noticed my left breast was achy. Not "pain" necessarily, more kind of sore/achy. It lasted a few days then I didn't really notice it. I didn't work out Sunday or Monday and I didn't notice any chest discomfort. Yesterday I did 5.10 miles on the treadmill, noticed nothing. Today I did another 3.50 and I noticed tonight I have that achey feeling again.

It's a superficial discomfort, like I can touch it. It's not a deep feeling. And there's no sharp stabbing pain, no dizziness, no numbness. I have checked my blood pressure and my pulse rate and both are good (pulse was a little high at 90bpm, but that could be because of the treadmill a few hours earlier. Normal is anywhere between 60-100).

I'm wondering if the discomfort can be from jogging and swinging my arms. Anyone jog and feel muscle soreness in their upper body?

Thanks for your help

[Dawndownunder.]

If you have a pain in your chest that does not go away if you breathe deeply, or shallowly or if the pain radiates to your shoulder or arm, then it MAY be a problem. For women, heart attack (which is what we really are talking about to one degree or another) is often accompanied by a general feeling of unease, or even dread and anxiety and the pain may be more in your back than in your chest. You could also have nausea and be clammy/sweaty to the touch.

BUT, if you think you may be having a pain associated with your heart go see your doctor. It is better to be wrong and feel a little embarressed than to feel too embarressed to see your doctor in case you are wrong to end up dead.

Another thing, take some aspirin. If it is muscular it will help, and if it is your heart it is important to take aspirin.

[judi71]

I get pains in the same area from time to time. At first I thought I was having a heart attack. My husband just laughed at me and told me that it was the wrong side of my chest. I did talk to my dr and she said it was all okay. It will happen when my heart rate gets high. So stop what I'm doing and rest for a minute or two and it should go away.

[Chasta]

Most of all the pain will come at any time, not just while doing activity. If it were chest pain, you would know. This would sharp, acute, ongoing pains.

[ERdrwife]

I am impressed with you Dawndownunder! You need to come work with me.

Chest wall pain is probably what I would suggest you are experiencing, just because you are stating it feels superficial. If you were experiencing other symptoms, such as shortness of breath or radiation of the pain to arm or back (there are many more) I would be a little more concerned that you were experiencing a form of angina.

Depending on your family history, age, and physical condition would direct me to tell you whether it is emergent or not. My advice to you, if you "feel"it is emergent, go to the ER. Otherwise I would make an appt to see your primary care doctor check you out. With an EKG and blood work it can easily be told if you are having or have had some relevant ischemia to your heart!

Also, let your doc know if you take the advice of Dawndownunder about the ASA (aspirin). This med helps prevent platelet aggregation, in otherwords, keeps blood from clotting together in places that may be causing the pain due to ischemia to the heart. If you do take this med, remember your clotting ability is slowed tremendously.

All this rambling really means, if you have any doubt, go to the ER. It is always better to be safe than sorry. Chest pain is one thing I never tell a patient to wait around at home to see if it goes away. We only have a small window after the damage is done to try less invasive alternatives to save a life!

Jeannie

[AthenaZG]

Thank you all (and the person who sent me a private message. Sorry I haven't replied, I still haven't figured out this board completely yet).

I should also add that I haven't had shortness of breath (other than when pushing myself with exercise) and when I touch it, it does feel worse. That being said, I think maybe I should check it out just to ease my mind a bit.

I'll just have to confess that I've been taking phen without my doctor knowing >:-P

You've all been so informative! Thank you so much.