Expert: Stacey Lloyd - 8/5/2006

Question
=o( Hello, first off thanks for taking the time. I'm a male in my twenties and am very physically active. I've had this pain on/off since I was a child-as early as 7ish. The symptoms are getting random pains in left side of chest. Lasts few seconds to minute/vary in pain. Only on the left side, to the left of the xiphoid process. Seems to have to do with lungs since breathing effects the pain, major-moderate movement also increases pain. Very minor movements feel mild pain. I have gone to a doctor and he said its probably the lining (visceral/parietal pleuras, or diaphragm) of my lung to the rest of the body thats is being pulled. He said not to worry. How can I not worry about a very painful feeling made worse when trying to breath, suppose this happens in a situation where I need to move fast/breath hard. Something is not right and no one seems to give me a complete straight answer. I value knowing what may affect my life no matter how "benign" it may be to doctors. Thanks again Stacey =oI


Answer
Pierre,

Please see another doctor. It's always best to get a second opinion, especially when the first one hasn't done anything to help your pain and/or medical condition.

Take care,

Stacey Lloyd
Lung Diseases Guide
About.com
http://lungdiseases.about.com