Why does chest hurt when laying on left side?

Mezzaluna · Post by **Mezzaluna** » Sat Aug 04, 2007 1:18 pm

Babette, I have had both symptoms you mentioned. I got a ganglion cyst on my wrist which eventually was surgically removed. I had had severe pain by the end, but it ended immediately.

I have had pain/discomfort while sleeping on my left side, but it was due to pericarditis. I also had pain which seemed to be under my breastbone. It was treated with prednisone and eventually resolved.

I agree with those who've said to see a doctor if that continues. I'd rather be told it's nothing than to miss something!

Just for the record, from experience I can attest that a Chumash (Five Books of Moses/Jewish Bible) works well, too, for smacking ganglion cysts.

Treesap · Post by **Treesap** » Sat Aug 04, 2007 1:44 pm

Babette wrote:How come ex-Catholics get recovery support groups, but ex-Baptists don't?

I'm part of an ex-cult recovery group. It was way worse than the Baptists as far as condemnation. But the leaders of the group were found to be having an orgy of an time.

I was involved for 20 years and had no idea what was going on behind the scenes even when I was working on Staff at their Headquarters for 5 years. This group was cultish because of their controversial doctrine in spite of saying they were Christian.

Babette · Post by **Babette** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 3:49 pm

Mezzaluna wrote:Babette, I have had both symptoms you mentioned. I got a ganglion cyst on my wrist which eventually was surgically removed. I had had severe pain by the end, but it ended immediately.

I have had pain/discomfort while sleeping on my left side, but it was due to pericarditis. I also had pain which seemed to be under my breastbone. It was treated with prednisone and eventually resolved.

I agree with those who've said to see a doctor if that continues. I'd rather be told it's nothing than to miss something!

Just for the record, from experience I can attest that a Chumash (Five Books of Moses/Jewish Bible) works well, too, for smacking ganglion cysts.

All good info, thanks!!! Of course, I neither want ANY book wacked on my foot, nor to find out I have pericarditis.

I think the foot thing may be receding. I suspect a strain/sprain sorta thing at this point. Foot hurts when turned a certain way.

As for chest pain, I'm still hoping it's GERD. Haven't had it happen in awhile, I just thought of it the other day when I asked.

Cheers,
B.

sharon1965 · Post by **sharon1965** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 5:23 pm

I think the foot thing may be receding. I suspect a strain/sprain sorta thing at this point. Foot hurts when turned a certain way.

oh yeah! i remember once my mom turned over on her ankle stepping off the curb and instantly this big bulge appeared on her foot...it was nasty and kind of scary, but went down on it's own...hopefully that's all it is babette, and no "bible thumping" will be necessary...then again, i never find that necessary! lol

take care, hope it's gone soon

sharon

RosemaryB · Post by **RosemaryB** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 6:00 pm

I agree with others: See a doctor. In addition to that, start taking your GERD medicine. If you don't take it regularly, there's damage being done to your esophagus.

Babette · Post by **Babette** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 6:14 pm

Okay, I gotta tell you about WHY I don't take the GERD medicine.

The doctor DID NOT DIAGNOSE ME WITH GERD. My doc belongs to a hospital system that does alot of things BY COMPUTER. In order for me to get a sleep study, I had to claim I had GERD. Which I didn't think I did. She kept pressuring me to say yes to a series of GERD symptoms, and only a few of them were yes, and only very occasionally. She finally admitted to me it was required that I have GERD by the computer program that decided whether I could get a sleep study. So, I claimed I had GERD and said yes to all the questions, so I could get a sleep study.

And another "automatic" function of that computer program is that I was given a 30 day (no refills) supply of a medication that I believe is available OTC. Can't remember what it is, but I know another forum member told me it was OTC.

I've taken it once or twice, when I thought I felt a little bit like I was having heartburn.

So, that's why I don't take the stuff. It really doesn't appear to be NECESSARY every day. I do need to go see a specialist and find out if GERD really is the issue with my left side sleeping problem, and the occasional chest pain in the left side. Now, what kind of specialist is THAT?

And again - the pain is NO WHERE NEAR DAILY. Maybe I have this a couple times in a year. And... I've had it since I was about 3rd grade. At least, that's the first time I mentioned it to someone, a teacher, who told me not to be a hypochondriac.

Cheers,
B.

roster · Post by **roster** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 6:20 pm

In my opinion, you need to see a gastroenterologist and have an upper endoscopy. I did not think I had GERD but several here kept pushing me to get it checked. The doc found damage and diagnosed me with asymptomatic (silent) GERD. The treatment (Prevacid, elevate head of bed) gave me immediate relief from insomnia and anxiety in the middle of the night.

I have also made some fairly easy lifestyle changes and may eventually run a trial without Prevacid.

Babette · Post by **Babette** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 6:41 pm

THANK YOU! I needed to know what that specialist was. I will put it on the list. Need to see the ENT first, then the Pulmonologist, oh, and the Neurologist again, and the Primary, THEN the gastroenterologist. Well, something like that.

Cheers,
B.