Any ideas?

[jd_1984]

I have been experiencing moderate pain across my back and upper chest. It is like a burning ache / pain which is never too painfull, but bad enough to make me aware/concerned. It comes and goes, sometimes lasting 10mins or up to a couple of hours. There has only been 2 or 3 days in the last month when I havent had the pains. I have been to docs twice and they cant find anything wrong with me, but have suggetsed a lingering virus which should clear in time. So Ibruprofen and rest has been prescribed.
No productive cough or any other symptoms which would suggest infection. It seems to get worse as the day progresses and occassionally I am more aware of the pain when I eat a large meal?? I thought it could be connected to indegetion/trapped wind that I get from time to time, but it doesnt seem to fit with that. I have had blood and stool tests, all satisfactory. Blood count and blood pressurre normal and my heart is fine. I am slightly astmatic and during the onset of these pains I find that I am using my inhaler more often (i think its because i panic a little bit).
I am used to muscle wear and tear from weight lifting and it doesnt feel like that, it feels more "internal".

So, any ideas? I am assured by docs that it wont be anything serious, yet I am getting anxious as it has been a fairly long period now without much improvement??

[carrot99]

Could it be your posture? Are you sitting properly at your computer if it is on a desk? I have been having burning pains in my right shoulder and am seeing an osteopath. My shoulder pains are probably due to hunching over a keyboard for years and holding the phone at work between my chin and shoulder when I am talking and typing at the same time. So have a look at the way you sit, stand etc.

[jd_1984]

That might be an idea carrot99.
I think i it has given me a touch of hypochondria, I am assuming something far worse than what it probably is!
Will look in to posture etc as a possibbility, thanks....

[FoxLee2]

The burning type pain could be due to acid reflux and also the fact that you seem more aware of it after a large meal. Has this been mentioned or investigated?

[jd_1984]

It was mentioned but not investiagated.
These pains are in my very upper chest and shoulder blades? I do get indegestion and heartburn but these pains dont occur at the same time, but it is more of a burny ache than a sharp pain, similar to heartburn, but in my shoulders/chest?

[daffy654]

It could be inflammation of the intercostal muscles, Ibuprofen should ease it.

[rowanwitch]

How often are you doing the weights? might not be getting enough rebuild/ repair time between sessions or your technicque might have slipped a bit putting a different set of stresses on the muscles.

I would tend to think it sounds like a combination of poor posture causing tension and strain in the smaller muscles in your upper body and acid reflux.

[jd_1984]

Rowan, i actually haven't been excercising for a while now. Due to being quite busy with one thing and another. I think some light excercise will help to be honest, I need to get back into a good routine. Perhaps this is a posture issue, I work behind a desk and even as I type now, i notice that I am slouching!
Daffy, if it is inflammation, how long do you think this would last?
It has been niggling me for a couple of weeks now

[Sqad]

The diagnosis that immediately springs to mind, to exclude,is angina.
Ask the Dr if that can be excluded.....stress ECG should be helpful.

[jd_1984]

Oh god now I am worried!!
I am only 27, pretty fit and healthy in all respects.
Been told to go back in 2 weeks if no improvement, my GP wasnt overly concerned

[Sqad]

Ah! 27 years old..........then my suggestion is unlikely..........but needs excluding.

[rowanwitch]

Thats cos Sqad is a doctor and thinks of these things... 27 is not that rare though I saw a few cases when nursing.... 21 I think was the youngest and he was admitted with his second MI

[Squitty]

have you considered Gallstones?

Its exactly the symptoms I have right now and I know mine is gallstones.

you are not too young as my sister had her gall bladder removed when she was younger than you are now.

[jd_1984]

I make myself a lot worse by worrying!
When I am pre-occupied I dont notice the pain as much, as soon as I dwell on it, it seemingly gets worse!!
Yes I agree, one must exclude serious conditions, I just never expected that to be a possibility!

[Eve]

I thought of gallstones too. I was faffing about for ages just thinking I had bad reflux and my shoulderblades burning was caused by sitting typing all days combined with arthritis, a recurring ulcer etc...

It took a few nasty attacks of horrendous pain before I myself suggested to my GP it might be gallstones and she sent me for an ultrasound and they were confirmed. Ended up in hospital a few days after when my gallbladder went all infected and inflamed and currently waiting for an operation to get it removed.

I'm only 33 and a former colleague of mine was only about 21 when hers started playing up and she had her gallbladder removed.

[bundleone]

I sounds a bit like a central chest pain that I get occasionally, I do have medication for acid reflux. try drinking a drop of cold milk when you get the pain and you could take gaviscon as well.

[kippyboo]

I agree with bundleone it cant hurt to try Gaviscon. I get the same thing if I eat fatty or spicy food , also I find certain painkillers and lying down tend to make it worse .