Pain on left side of chest when I inhale...

[uncertainInVA]

When I inhale, I have a sharp pain on the right side of my chest. The pain dissapears once I have stopped inhaling (no pain whilst holding breath), and doesn't reappear upon exhaling. Maybe my ribs are bruised on my right side? I don't know. Want to know if it warrents a doctor's visit or if normal. Thank you anyone that answers!

[Unregistered]

I have this same problem (but on my left side). I was told that I have 'sticky lung'; I can't remember the official (real) diagnosis but my doctor basically just told me that I naturally have a more mucus-rich makeup of my lungs. Basically, the two walls of the lungs are touching one another. He told me to breath deeply 4 or 5 times in a row to separate them. It works and has lessened over the years.

[Unregistered]

i have the same pain on the left side of my chest, it feels like it's under my ribs. i get it only occasionally and sometimes it's after i've eaten food, but other times, it's when i'm just sitting at work or riding in the car or talking to someone. it comes out of the blue. when i get it, i just try to breath lightly, because the pain is stronger when i inhale deeply. after a while it just goes away.

[Unregistered]

I get it too. It's a really sharp pain - and if I tried 4 to 5 deep breaths as one poster suggested, the pain would be excruciating (can't imagine that's doing a good thing). I don't really feel it when I don't breathe deeply, except if I bend over in a certain way or something - anything that forces a lung expansion it seems. My dad and brother gets it too.

[Unregistered]

I too am experiencing this same issue...My pain occurs when I tilt my head back like I am stretching my chest. I also experience little sharp needle like sensations at times. This really has me puzzeled. Is this a serious thing?

[Unregistered]

I too have the same pain you are describing.... please read this article. it answered all my questions and put a lot of ease in my mind.

http://www.failedsuccess.com/index.p...me_chest_pain/

[Unregistered]

I have a bruised rib on the left side but it hurts when I exhale or laugh or cough, what does it mean?

[Pain in the Ribbs not azz]

Count me in too, only mine starts from my left arm pit to under my left rib and then to my back side. It’s like it’s all the way through me. I do smoke and for 6 months or better I always wheezed. I figured my lung was filling up with fluid so I got a brain storm and decided to breath in deep about 10 times or better. That’s when my latest pain under my left rib started and seems too worsened after I eat. Today I felt my pain travel from my left arm pit down to my left hoof (foot). I have to add, I do sit in my office chair typing around 10 hours a day so im assuming that doesn’t help matters either. In collusion, Im totally baffled. I realize smoking doesn’t help any situation. I took a small walk today and felt decent but when I got home, had a smoke then felt like **** again. My pain returned instantly. Im guessing its lung related. I also read it could be how you sit, im always hunched over and my belt digs into my gut. I think I better see my doctor before im doomed or at the very least Peace of Mind.

[[Joe]]

Precordial Catch Syndrome, i have it. Im eighteen, apparently its common?

[alltruthforever]

Read this:

Precordial Catch Syndrome
The precordial catch syndrome is a very
common, benign cause of chest pain in older
children and young adults. In spite of its very
consistent characteristics, it often leads to
unnecessary and expensive testing, specialist
referrals, and anxiety.
Characteristics
· Sudden onset – no warning
· Usually occurs at rest
· Localized
· Sharp, stabbing, or needle-like pain
· Often made worse by deep breathing
· Lasts 30 seconds to 3 minutes
· Goes away suddenly and completely
· No other symptoms
· No physical changes
It may start as young as six years old, but more
commonly happens in the late teens to early
twenties. It usually occurs at rest, often in a
partly slouched position, such as while
watching television, sitting on an old couch. It
may happen during light activity, such as
walking. It has no relationship to meals and
never occurs during sleep. Attacks can be as
often as weekly or as rare as once only.
The pain is well-localized, its area being no
bigger than 1 or 2 fingertips. Most commonly it
is located in the front or sides of the chest.
Precordial means “in front of the heart.” It
does not radiate, or shoot to another area. It
begins suddenly without provocation. Changing
position may make it worse or better -- taking a
deep breath usually hurts more, but can
sometimes “fix” the problem. Most people just
breathe shallowly for the few seconds or
minutes until it disappears spontaneously. It
may last as long as 30 minutes, but this is rare.
Other than appearing to be in pain, the
affected person doesn’t have symptoms such as
paleness, flushing (red face), or wheezing, but
he/she may get light-headed from prolonged
shallow breathing. The pulse rate and rhythm
are normal.
What Causes It?
First of all, it isn’t imaginary; it is a real,
hurting pain. And what doesn’t cause it is heart
or lung disease, although occasionally it occurs
in patients with congenital heart abnormalities.
The pain probably comes from nerves in the inner
lining of the chest cavity called the pleura which
becomes pinched or irritated. In some, it may
originate in the chest wall – ribs or cartilage. But
it most certainly does not come from the heart,
the lining over the heart (pericardium), or the
lungs.
How do I Know It’s Not
Something Serious?
Your health care practitioner should take a
careful history of your symptoms and be alert to
the possibility of other problems. Viral and other
infections, congenital heart valve deformities,
inflamed esophagus or stomach may cause similar
symptoms, but will be associated with other
findings, such as fever, cough, relationship to
certain foods or activity, etc.
The practitioner should physically check your
chest by observing, feeling for tenderness, and
listening to your heart and lungs.
Are tests needed?
Further testing is only needed if the practitioner
thinks there may be something else going on. For
example, if a heart murmur or other abnormal
sound is heard, an echocardiogram (ultrasound
images), and/or chest X-ray may be ordered.
What Can I Do About It?
Relax, knowing that the pain is completely
harmless and needs no specific treatment. Most
people with precordial catch syndrome outgrow it
by their early to mid twenties. Attacks of pain
usually diminish with age. Some have found that
taking a deep breath makes it go away, but may
do so at the cost of a sharper brief stab. Most
prefer to breathe shallowly until it goes away.
Improving your sitting posture and taking an
occasional deep breath is likely to help prevent
it.
See your practitioner if the pain changes or new
symptoms develop.
Thanks to: Miller and Texidor, 1955 JAMA 159
Sparrow and Bird (yes!), 1978 NZMJ 88
C. H. Gumbiner, 2003 SMJ 96