Diagnosis of Muscular Pain

apples
apples Online Community Member Posts: 500 Empowering
Hi all,

For the past 4-5 years I have pain in my chest, if i stretch, tie my shoe laces, or twist i get like a cramp feeling in my chest and i have to stretch my body to relieve the pain which takes a few minutes, i also get woken while im a sleep 

The GP sent me for an xray and it came back clear so the GP said its muscular pain, i was given exercises to do although these trigger the pain, so dont do them 

I would like some sort of diagnosis, physio for the pain but my GP didnt seem interested

Comments

  • luvpink
    luvpink Online Community Member Posts: 1,980 Championing
    apples said:
    Hi all,

    For the past 4-5 years I have pain in my chest, if i stretch, tie my shoe laces, or twist i get like a cramp feeling in my chest and i have to stretch my body to relieve the pain which takes a few minutes, i also get woken while im a sleep 

    The GP sent me for an xray and it came back clear so the GP said its muscular pain, i was given exercises to do although these trigger the pain, so dont do them 

    I would like some sort of diagnosis, physio for the pain but my GP didnt seem interested
    Sometimes we need to do the recommended ecersise even though it can be painful because not doing them can make the situation much worse in the long term.
    You could request to speak to a different GP and ask for a referral to a specialist who may be able to diagnose you.
  • Rosie_Scope
    Rosie_Scope Posts: 5,518 Scope Online Community Coordinator
    Hi @apples, sorry to hear you're suffering! As luvpink says, it could be worth asking for a second opinion if that's an option for you, or perhaps going back and specifically asking for some physio.

    Otherwise, are there any ways you think you could make the exercises less painful? Perhaps you might be able to start really gently and work your way up.
  • apples
    apples Online Community Member Posts: 500 Empowering
    Thanks @luvpink and @Rosie_Scope

    i have a gp appointment tomorrow so will be asking for a referral to physio 
  • Rosie_Scope
    Rosie_Scope Posts: 5,518 Scope Online Community Coordinator
    Sounds good @apples, I hope they're helpful. Be sure to let us know how it goes!
  • apples
    apples Online Community Member Posts: 500 Empowering
    So I went to the gp and asked for a referral as I’d like a diagnosis

    he told me it’s easier to diagnose some than others for instance a lump is easier to diagnose than my chest pain

    hes referred me to the hospital for a heart check even though I know it’s not my heart but he wouldn’t listen

    so at the end said if your heart comes back as fine it’s muscular pain ! 
  • Rosie_Scope
    Rosie_Scope Posts: 5,518 Scope Online Community Coordinator
    That's frustrating @apples, but it's probably good to rule out your heart anyway. Did they give you any other ideas of things to try if the exercises are too painful?
  • apples
    apples Online Community Member Posts: 500 Empowering
    Hi @Rosie_Scope i was told to take paracetemol daily which i said i dont want to live on paracetemol, he then said i can do some stretching exercises
  • apples
    apples Online Community Member Posts: 500 Empowering
    Received a call with an appointment this morning, but had to send an email to cancel this evening as it was at a hospital out of my area and I was panicking how I was going to get there

    i know it’s not my heart anyway 
  • AutumnBreeze
    AutumnBreeze Online Community Member Posts: 10 Connected
    Reading this thread I do wonder if you are suffering from Fibromyalgia. 

    I went through over 2 years of GP appointments and various tests before they decided that the weird pains across various parts of my body (some similar to what you describe) and temporary near paralysis (that I was convinced was the beginning of MS) can only be put down to Fibromyalgia.  After researching it, it makes perfect sense.  The pain rarely stays in the same place, sometimes it's throbbing (think twisted ankle), other times shooting (like being electrocuted) and at times it's tingling, like icy water dripping on you.  I find things like bending and lifting difficult (even on a good day) and my legs often feel like I've got lead weights strapped to them.  On a good day an outsider would never know anything is wrong with me at all, on a bad day, I resemble an old woman with severe arthritis (I'm between 35-40 and look young for my age).  I am still mobile atm, but I do find I can tire quite quickly (and it's definitely affected by woman's monthly hormones in my case).

    In your case I would go to the appointment and get your heart checked, to be safe.  They have to rule a number of things out before they can give a diagnosis.  Hope this helps reassure you a little bit.
  • apples
    apples Online Community Member Posts: 500 Empowering
    Hi @AutumnBreeze and thanks for your teply

    i I am going to read into Fibromyalgia

    i would go to the heart appointment but due to my MH I am unable to get there, I was having panic attacks yesterday after the appointment was booked
  • AutumnBreeze
    AutumnBreeze Online Community Member Posts: 10 Connected
    apples said:
    Hi @AutumnBreeze and thanks for your teply

    i I am going to read into Fibromyalgia

    i would go to the heart appointment but due to my MH I am unable to get there, I was having panic attacks yesterday after the appointment was booked
    Panic attacks are difficult to deal with aren't they, and the more pressure someone tries to pile on the worse you feel.  I'm struggling with my MH issues and panic attacks myself at the moment (for different reasons), so I understand what it's like. *hugs*.  Hope you can get this sorted and get some help soon.
  • apples
    apples Online Community Member Posts: 500 Empowering
    Thanks @AutumnBreeze panic attacks are certainly challenging 

    I hate feeling like this struggling to leave the house, be around people

    sorry to read your struggling yourself with MH and panic attacks……’hugs for you’ hope you feel better soon
  • Rosie_Scope
    Rosie_Scope Posts: 5,518 Scope Online Community Coordinator
    edited May 2024
    Sorry to hear you're having panic attacks and couldn't make your appointment @apples, hope things are feeling easier soon and you find some relief for your pain :)