Pain in chest

[MatiaS]

I've had chest pain for a few hours now, and I'm wondering what's up. Maybe someone can put my mind at ease (or not).

I first noticed some pain while swallowing maybe 6 hours ago now. Feels similar to when I've had angina, although not quite as painful. After a while it also started hurting when I breathe. I would say I tolerate pain relatively good, so on my pain scale I would say it fluctuates around the 5 mark (out of 10). When I lie down I notice it less but it's still there. It hasn't really gotten worse since the first hour.

First I thought it was because I yesterday and today morning took some diatomaceous earth and thought maybe I took too much (wasn't much more than a big teaspoon), as the internet seems to suggest that could be a side effect of inhaling too much of it.

I then strolled on to the 'first hit on duckduckgo' and read a bunch of different alternatives of what it could be, of course not helping with keeping my mind at ease.

My diet is not optimal at the moment, and carbs and coffee are part of it. I would consider myself in good shape though. I rarely get sick and when I do it's over in a few days. Something that could be related is that for the last 5 nights or so I've had extreme trouble sleeping, lying for hours on end awake, only falling asleep late in the wee hours. My energy levels throughout the day seem okay though, a bit tired maybe, but I'm still doing physical labor most days.

I'm 30. Weigh about 65 kg.

The chest is not tender to touch, but if I take a big breaths I feel pressure there. Also when I push my chin to my chest I have pain in the throat area.

I live 30 km from the nearest city and hospital and I really really really don't want to go. If it's not life threatening I'm not going anywhere. Currently I don't have a car so I would have to borrow a car from the neighbors and I don't want to start a fuss about not wanting a covid test as I'm sure still is standard procedure. I know calling 112 for an ambulance would be an option but I don't want to make a huge thing out of this if it's nothing.

Can someone offer some insight into what could be going on with me. If it's some kind of infection, what can I find at home or in the garden to take?

EDIT: If I touch my throat it is a bit sensitive. When I do quicker movements the pain comes in semi-sharp hits in the chest. I have the sensation I want to burp but the burp doesn't "load" properly so I can't burp.

 

[aragorn]

I hope others with more expertice will answer you soon, but from what I've read diatomaceous earth does contain some possibly sharp particles. So, just my guess, that could be the reason for your pain. I'm really, really, not a medical expert but from what I can recall reading e.g. heart problems usually feel more like a constant pressure, like a tight band around your chest or similar. If it's an viral/bacterial infection, you could try to take vitamin C if you have some. In any case, don't take more of that diatomaceous earth! Maybe drink lots of water, also.

Hang in there!

 

[zak]

Above all, if it is not necessary to call the emergency services at the moment, it would be better to warn your neighbours in case of urgent need.
And I imagine that your diatomaceous earth is not calcined, because otherwise it becomes toxic.

Maybe drink lots of water, also.

As a desiccant, you should indeed hydrate well, and even better with lukewarm water, even herbal teas.

 

[iamthatis]

I think you should drop your somewhat strange stubborn resistance to see a doctor and go get yourself checked out as soon as possible. For all we know, this could be a serious condition developing. In many cases, relying on internet searches and the forum is no substitute for medical attention.

 

[iamthatis]

It may also be a good idea to consider an elimination diet - no nuts, eggs, dairy, and reduced carbs. Would that be possible for you, do you think? I did this recently as I was in the process of rebuilding myself from a puddle of goo. I think it helped tremendously.

Also, may I ask what supplements you're taking?

Take care!

 

[Leelee]

I'm only sharing my experience here because there are many similarities with you MatiaS, but of course I am not making any medical suggestions and you probably should be checked out if it is not letting up. The first time I had the pains and most of the other symptoms you have, I went to the ER (I was still in my 20's and that was a VERY long time ago). It felt like a heart attack or what I would think a heart attack would feel like. Turned out I had a hiatus hernia and was also experiencing esophageal spasms. (I've had the feeling as well that you "can't get the burp up" when my esophagus is in spasm). I have it at times where it is just annoying, and then other times to the point where it is excruciating, or it won't release and I can't even swallow water (it comes back up). One of those times I went to the hospital and they gave me IV valium and it released almost immediately after many hours of being "stuck". Since then I've learned I can do a sublingual relaxant to release the spasm when I can't swallow. I have had this for years. Sometimes it goes away for a long time. Then it can come back with a vengeance. I'm sure there are underlying reasons, (maybe weak vagus nerve?) this happens, but I can control it with food, (when I behave myself) and not bending and lifting heavy things. Anyway, I hope that's all it is, painful as it can become. Perhaps the diatomaceous earth aggravated something. My oldest daughter who is also in her 30's suffers from this, unfortunately, as well. Hope you are feeling better soon.

 

[MatiaS]

So I called an acquaintance who is working as a nurse and her husband is a retired physician but they are very much into natural alternatives. They happened to be passing by our village when I called so I walked down to the village and got an impromptu consultation. They both told me to not worry, as if it would've been something of the horrors I read online (heart attack, myocarditis etc.), I wouldn't have been able to walk down the 1.5 km dirt road to the village without problems. He said most likely it's a throat infection such as angina, and the pain in my chest is from the inflamed muscles and joints. He echoed the advice I already got here; hydrate and drink tea.

If and when I'm in a situation I think warrants medical attention I will resort to going to a hospital. I do believe though that with proper knowledge, a hospital visit is rarely the only option. I don't claim to have this proper knowledge, not by a long shot, but I still want to work in a direction where I can stay on my land and treat whatever medical emergencies might arise by myself.

I'm not regularly taking any supplements. I'm also going through a transitional period at the moment and diet regrettably has taken a backseat to more pressing matters e.g building a house.

Thanks a lot for the answers I got. I will report back if my condition worsens.

 

[Paweł]

I've had chest pain for a few hours now, and I'm wondering what's up. Maybe someone can put my mind at ease (or not)

Hello MatiaS. I don't know how to help you, just wanted to say that me and two of my friends have also experienced strange pain in the chest without an apparent reason in a last two days...