I had some "tearing and stabbing" in my left upper chest a few weeks ago after recovering from a cold/flu and couldn't breathe. I saw a doctor at a walk in clinic and she told me she thought I tore a muscle in my chest and to take it easy for a while. I work outdoors. Now, a few weeks later during rest in the evening it has come back very strong and I cannot breathe or exert much effort into anything without feeling severe pain. It is now over 2 days straight and it is not improving. I know I should go back to the doctor.

My chest pain was caused, I'm certain, by excessive alcohol abuse. I had short stabbing pains for most of the following afternoon. Call it the hangover from hell if you like. I went to the hospital and received excellent care. It was decided after two blood tests, 4 EGCs, a chest x ray and 3 blood pressure tests that I did not suffer a heart attack. The pains were most likely nervous system induced but none the less frightening. Less than 48 hours later I have had no pain.

Constant strain from purging when I had bulimia, it was horrible, somedays. It just went through my whole body and I couldn't even get out of bed.

Had sharp chest pain that lasted for 30 min. ECG was normal. Had scope done. Found bleeding ulcers. 3% was anemic. If 4% would have needed a blood transfusion. Had no problems with my stomach. Was eating ice all day long. Very important clue. That was a sign of anemia. Look up PICA. I am taking Nexium and Iron pills. Dr. said it may take a year for my blood to be normal. I'm 73 years old. I have no heart problems in family and pretty healthy otherwise.

i had surgery in february for ductal carcinoma in situ (pre cancerous cells in milk ducts) followed by a course of radiotherapy. the past few days i have been getting a sharp pain in the chest area on the side of the breast which was operated on. the pain feels as though it is inside my chest rather than in the breast, do you have any idea what could be causing it.