What causes persistent pain in chest with difficulty in breathing?
Patient: i have this problem when 1 morning i woke up with this pain in my left chest and i also have difficulty in breathing, coughing, burping, i can only have 1 sleeping position since this pain bothered me, in fact there are times that i can no longer sleep due to too much pain that no position could be done to endure the pain. I think the pain affects my upper left abdomen, left shoulder and chest. This pain is already 6 days today. I already consulted a cardiologist and he advised me to have ECG and xray and i did, he also prescribe me pain reliever and a medicine for blood circulation... i followed him and already took the medicine, after hours of subsiding the pain, it will return again some times more intense. I am already suffering a lot and i no longer can wait Monday to have the ECG and xray result be released. I am really suffering, pls help me explain this, i am worrying a lot. what should i do re this... Doctor: Thanks for your question on HCM. Since your cardiac work up is normal, I think you are having GERD ( Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease ) mostly. It is due to laxity of gastroesophageal sphincter. Because of this the acid of the stomach tends to come up in the esophagus and cause the symptoms. Try to follow these steps for better symptomatic relief. 1. Avoid hot and spicy food. 2. Avoid large meals, instead take frequent small meals. 3. Avoid stress and anxiety. 4. Start proton pump inhibitor. 5. Go for walk after meals. 6. Keep 2 - 3 pillows under head in the bed. 7. Avoid smoking and alcohol if you have this habit. 8. Loose weight if you are obese. If not improving after these then get done ECG again.