Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with chest

Something to get off my chest

Sully — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 11:07:23 -0800

If I strap a suitcase to my chest so that it's open, almost like one of those trays that an old-style 'cigarette girl' has, and walk on the street downtown, selling little odds and ends, is it legal? I wouldn't be selling cigarettes, maybe little handmade zines, candy, quirky items that you might find on Etsy. I ask this because in my head, this is kind of a grey area, legally.

I have googled garage sales, and in some places they want you to tell the city that you're going to have one, but in other places they don't care, or the law goes unenforced. But then the other day I passed these tables on the sidewalk downtown and the people there were looking for donations and signatures to shut down puppy mills and cruelty to animals. I asked them how it was they were just on the street outside this major dept. store and they told me that they had to apply to the city for a permit. Which leads me to think that I would need a vendor's permit too.

But then I think about the people who sell stuff on Craigslist, then meet in some parking lot to do the trade. Technically they are selling something too.

I guess what I am asking is, is it okay to sell stuff off your chest on the sidewalk if you are just walking along with the wares displayed on your chest-tray? Has anyone heard of such a thing before?

Is this creepy-looking steamer trunk a priceless antique?

Orb2069 — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 10:58:37 -0800

This trunk is a curb recovery - I was hoping to lightly scrub it to remove some of the surface rust and seal it - To keep that 'Silent Hill' look without having the rust rub off on everything. Will I be destroying a priceless antique? What's the best choice for sealing it while keeping it's creepy look intact? The interior is in better shape - The wood's intact, and apart from needing some new lining material, is fine. The drop-in trays are long gone, but the rails for them are still there. The exterior leather is rotted off - As far as the metal fixtures go, I haven't tried locking or unlocking it, but there's no key. The hinges work freely, however. The metals seem functionally intact, but this is probably never going to be a showroom piece.

Esophageal tightness

1024x768 — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 09:45:02 -0800

Mysterious medical malady: reflux, or something more? I had a nasty stomach virus a few months ago, and since then I've noticed a weird sensation occurring most days of the week. It's a feeling of tightness in what I'm assuming is my esophagus. The feeling can affect anywhere from the throat to the sternum. It usually comes on within a few hours of eating, and can last from minutes to hours. It's not painful, but it can be quite annoying and uncomfortable. I don't notice any breathing difficulty or chest pain when this happens, but sometimes I notice I have a slight discomfort in swallowing when this happens. I do have fairly frequent mild heartburn but it's not bad.

I've seen 2 doctors about this. One thought it might be allergies, but a combination of antihistamines and Singulair didn't do anything for it. Another though it was some form of reflux, but a barium swallow didn't show anything abnormal - no malformations, ulcers or reflux (though I wasn't experiencing the sensation at the time the study was done).

Anyone ever experience anything like this? I was thinking if it is a form of reflux (Like Laryngopharyngeal Reflux) I could try a course of OTC Prilosec, has anyone had any adverse experiences with a PPI?

If it helps, I have had a thorough heart workup and a chest CT for unrelated medical issues that came up completely clean, and I've never had any signs of asthma or anything else that could explain chest tightness. I do suffer from mild seasonal and year round nasal allergies that are well controlled with Flonase and the occasional Claritin.

Just looking for more info, and some possible areas to explore, since the doctor's I've seen don't seem to know what the cause is, and don't seem to think it's worth the effort to track down a cause.

Gassy stomach and chest pains

lwclec072 — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 19:38:25 -0800

Gas/Chest Pains?? I've been having chest/gas pains the last several days, I've tried taking ultra strength tums and gas x and nothing has seemed to help. The pain goes up to my breast bone and I feel a really sharp pain behind my breast bone nothing specific brings this on it just comes about suddenly. I've had a very gassy stomach and I can feel it into my back/shoulder, neck as well. No burps, just a very gassy upset stomach feeling. Has anyone else experienced this, if so what helps to relieve this pressure? I also have been having sweaty palms and all of a sudden get hot when this happens. I have anxiety, so I think that explains that. I'm hoping it's nothing to do w/ my heart, I'm young (25 yo) so for the most part I think that's out of the question, I just want to find something to make this less miserable for me.

What could my mystery chest pain be?

UMDirector — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 14:03:29 -0800

Chest Pain Filter: So I continue to have this weird chest pain at the bottom of my breast bone area, perhaps a little down and to the left of my nipple. What could it possibly be? Additional Info:

I do occasionally do push-ups. I don't have enough data yet to see if there is a corrolation.

I do have occasional, most likely stress related, heart palpatations and am on beta blockers for them, yet they still occasionally pop up.

I am 6', 34 years old and probably about 40 pounds overweight, if you believe the gov't. (I am 228)

I have asthma and under so-so treatment for it.

The pain is not continuous, in that its constant. When it does happen however it lasts for hours hurting for a few seconds then going away for maybe 30 seconds to a minute then returning.

Feels like someone is poking me with a needle or like a pinched nerve might feel.

I have been to the cardiologist. They did an ultra sound (echocardiogram), stress test and a halter monitor (the thing you wear for a week). That's how I ended up on the beta blockers.

There does not seem to be much relation between this and running on the treadmill. I have run up to 25 minutes lately with no pain.

I do have high cholestrol, but only very slight elevated blood pressure (124/80)ish.

I do have an upcoming yearly update with the cardiologist...I am hoping for some advice before I go see him.

So what could this current pain be?

Occasional deep coughing problem after chest infection

lndl — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 02:43:07 -0800

Why am I occasionally getting coughing/breathing problems still when swimming after a 2 week course of antibiotics for a chest infection 2 months ago? ( I am very fit). Ok, it's a bit complitcated. I'm a 46yo male. I've had mild asthma for about 15 years. (Rarely affects me, I avoid triggers and am very fit).

Usually the only problem is if I get an infection (flu) that might subsequently reach my chest. This happens maybe once every 2 years, as it did 6 weeks ago. I always immediately go to my GP, get an antibiotic and fine.

However after the last time, the first course of Antibiotics didn't clear the infection, so I did a 2nd course (6 days each). I don't ever recall taking 2 courses before. (I always take natural yoghurt after antibiotics to replenish intestinal flora and alleviate tiredness also).

Anyway, problems still arise. Here's how: I'm a long distance swimmer. I train between 1 & half to 2 hours a day, 6 days a week normally, with occasional longer swims (in the pool at this time of year).
A couple of times after this course for a few weeks, when doing some explosive sprints, I started to cough, getting a feeling of mucus/matter deep in my lungs. Intensive intervals didn't product the same coughing effect.
Last week I was doing a 10km, 3 and a half hour straight swim, constant speed, for distance training. I started to get a "tickle" in my throat at about 2 hours and was constantly coughing for the next hour and a half. I finished my swim but it was tough, all that coughing under water, affecting my oxygen levels. I was apparently very pale after the swim.
About 7 hours later, I had a very difficult coughing fit for about 10 minutes, feeling like I was trying to "clear" mucus from my chest. It left me with sore lungs for the next 2 days. (The training day after a long swim is easy and the day after that is my rest day).
Tomorrow I'm due a 12km 4 hour swim. I'm nervous the same thing will happen again although I've been fine all week.
I would go back to my GP but I've been unemployed for almost a year now and can't afford it at moment without a more concrete reason.
Any thoughts appreciated.

Have a heart?

Hands of Manos — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 11:18:43 -0800

How can I manage these chest pains? (Doctors say my heart is healthy) I have chest pains all the time. My arm tingles as well. Over the course of a few years I've been in the ER as I thought I was having a heart attack only to be told "your heart is healthy, it must be stress." I've been to cardiologists and they say "you're heart is fine."

So I guess it's stress and I've got a few stresses affecting me. My wife and I are splitting up, I'm freelance and have to constantly scramble for work in this economic meltdown, I'm naturally an anxious person and my bank account is quickly dwindling.

I'm on anti depressant medicine and I'm doing marriage counseling and I don't ever really *feel* stressed out but my heart says otherwise. I'll be fine and then all of the sudden I feel like there is a very large suitcase on my chest and pains running up and down my arm.

My counselor says I need to see a psych and get some meds for it but I honestly can't afford a psych and more meds (I'm on a HSA and my deductable is 5k...something I don't have).

So what are some ways I can manage my heart pains? Some people have suggested meditation but I have the attention span of a squirrel and have trouble doing that (although I'm open to continue to try). Is there anything else?

As for my habits. I don't really exercise (I go for walks from time to time), I drink probably a little heavier than I should, I *love* my job although it barely gives me any income and while it's a helluva problem, my wife and I get along pretty well for two people splitting up.

So does the hive have any suggestions? I'm open to books, natural remedies, self talk and any other forms of help.

Chest freezer usage and buying tips please!

Joh — Mon, 12 May 2008 14:57:32 -0800

Contemplating a chest freezer purchase. Questions about power usage, backup power, defrosting it, and choosing the right model. I am considering buying a small chest freezer, around 5 cu ft size. I have very limited space in my house and frankly I don't need anything much bigger than that anyway. It will have to live in the garage, as there really isn't space in the house itself. So, here's some questions for you chest freezer owners.

1. I live in the San Fernando Valley, and my garage is not insulated, so the garage interior temperature reaches 90-100F during the day in summer. Is this going to make the freezer use insane amounts of electricity, or is it within normal operating range?

2. I can't find any figures in order to calculate the power draw of a small chest freezer, but in the event of a power outage, is it worth having the freezer plugged into a UPS? How long would it last? If its 5 minutes then obviously no point, but if it was a few hours...

3. Defrosting it. I won't be buying a frost-free version for food quality reasons, and I am OK with the idea that I will have to defrost it myself every so often. How often do you defrost yours? How do you go about it? Do you try and eat everything in the freezer leading up to defrost day, or do you pack the contents into coolers during defrosting? How long does it take to defrost? Any defrosting tips?

4. I am not having much luck finding a buying guide online, that lets me select the features I am looking for - 5 cu ft or around that size, NOT frost free, temperature alarm preferred, drain at the bottom for defrosting. Not sure if there are any other features I should be looking for, suggestions? Shopping tips? Personal recommendations?

Thanks!

Why am I getting these heart rushes

Barrows — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 19:10:59 -0800

Every once in a while but at least once a day I get this weird feeling that I just figured out how to describe. Imagine you really have a crush on someone and they unexpectedly enter the room and maybe smile at you - the feeling I get when that happens is similar to this unprovoked random feeling that I'm asking about. Basically, out of nowhere, for like one second, I seem to stop breathing, have a tightness in the back of my throat and experience what feels like a wave of low pressure in the center of my chest. It's a little like what you might call an adrenaline rush or a panic wave but I'm not stressed.... and there's no sudden change in external stimuli. It kinda makes me take a deep mouth breath and then back to normal.

My info: male cuacasian 44yo 200lbs 6ft generally healthy taking prozac wellbutrin and ritalin . yes those last two are stimulating but this is a new feeling and I have pretty good experience with ritalin going back a few years and feel certain that this hasn't happened before for me.

I have a GP and a Psych and will meet with them when I return from travels but what do you MeFites who are not my doctors think?

Why do my lungs ache after I carry my backpack?

Black Spring — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 03:14:11 -0800

ChestPainFilter: I am breathless and my lungs ache after I carry my backpack, even for short intervals. (24 year old male, approx. 5'10" and 60Kg.)

I've been travelling with a backpack for six months. In mid-April I developed chest pain while travelling through the snowy eastern part of Turkey. Initially I put it down to the cold; venturing outdoors certainly made the feeling worse. My lungs felt heavy and constricted, and lifting my backpack (weighing less than ten kilos) caused considerable pain across the inside of my chest. That evening I developed an intense stabbing pain in my upper left abdomen every time I took a breath. I've experienced this sensation before, perhaps once every six or eight months, but it usually clears up within five minutes if I sit absolutely still and take shallow breaths. However, after trying to relax for three or four hours the pain was still just as intense. I became worried and found a doctor. He listened to my pulse and chest (no cough, no discharge) and said he thought I had either pleurisy, caused by a virus, or else a myalgic muscular strain. He instructed me to keep as warm as possible and prescribed both muscle-relaxant gel and some anti-inflammatories. Neither seemed to have a noticeable effect but, after finding an extremely warm room, the pain eased off and I was able to sleep, though the feeling of breathlessness and the 'heaviness' in my chest and arms persisted for several more days.

I've been trying to carry my backpack as little as possible since then, and also to lighten the load. It's now less than 5 kilos, but even after carrying it for five or ten minutes I'll usually feel a tightness in my chest for a day or so afterwards. I'm in Vietnam at the moment and the temperature is above 30 degrees, but two days ago the breathlessness and heaviness in my chest returned.

At the moment my lungs feel 'heavy' and breathing causes more effort than it should, though the pain isn't much worse during inhalation. I feel breathless when walking, and I am most comfortable when lying flat on my back. Additionally, my left arm feels 'full up,' as though someone is squeezing all the blood downwards towards my hand. This is most noticeable when walking.
I've woken up several times in the past couple of days with a racing and heart and very strong pins and needles sensation in my hand and arm, as if they were completely empty of blood. When I raise my left hand I have an unusual hot/cold feeling as though it's being suddenly drained of blood.

Other stuff that may be incidental: When I was 18 I was diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat and the arrythmia has been much worse than usual in the past two days, waking me up several times each night, though this is probably more to do with the bad indigestion and lots of trapped wind that I've experienced over the same period.

Has anyone experienced similar symptoms after carrying a backpack? I have no idea whether these symtoms are pleuritic, muscular, circulatory, caused by a hernia, etc.
Does pleuritic inflammation of the lungs sound like a good explanation, and can it be repeatedly triggered by carrying a light, properly-strapped backpack for even a couple of minutes at a time?

I intend to visit a doctor as soon as I arrive at the nearest city (Da Nang) but in the meantime I'd very much appreciate any feedback about what might be causing these symptoms.

Are my chest pain and shortness of breath cause by stress?

jimdanger — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 03:24:33 -0800

Could a recurring pain in my chest and recent shortness of breath be caused by stress, or something more serious? I'm 24 years old, stand 75 inches and weigh in at 228lbs. My BMI is about 20% I lead a semi-physical lifestyle and eat pretty well. I'm able to run a mile and a half in about 12 minutes and regularly play racquetball and such.

About 9 months ago I started noticing a slight sharp pain in my chest, around the area of the heart. I didn't think much of it because it was very random and might happen once every two weeks. I didn't really notice a pattern, so I just figured I had some kind of cramp or something. Within the past two months it's been getting more frequent, and seems to happen more commonly after physical exercise. It's always in the same spot and while dull, the pain might increase a little when I take an initial breath. It usually lasts for a few minutes after that as the slightly sharp pain.

On top of that I've been having shortness of breath for the past month. It's as if I'm not able to inhale fully and get a deep satisfying breath. Instead, I'm only able to take shallow breaths until I'm forced to yawn and get the air I'm not able to get on my own. Strangely, it's not as bad when I'm running a mile or so, as it is when I'm just walking up some stairs or to my apartment. I'll find myself trying to take in a deep breath, but not being able to fully expand my lungs. I start to kind of panic, so I'll do these exaggerated breaths, like I'm trying to take weight off my diaphragm, but again I have to wait for the yawn. It's even gotten to the point where I pretty much have to have my mouth open all the time to breath.

I went to the doctor who had me do some chest x-rays, but said he saw nothing. My vitals were good, and the blood test checking my cholesterol and stuff was good. He gave me an inhaler for the shortness of breath, which is doing absolutely nothing. He basically said it was due to my high level of stress at work and gave me some contacts for stress management classes.

What the hell is wrong with me? Am I doomed or just doing it to myself?

What is this physical feeling of (non-sexual) longing?

Bud Dickman — Thu, 04 May 2006 13:10:26 -0800

As far back as I can remember, I have gotten a feeling in my chest when I am experiencing a feeling of longing - someone leaving that I'll miss, departing a place I love, or knowing that something is coming to an end. It's like a flutter, or a lightness...I can't really describe it well. The funny thing is, I also used to get it at decidedly unimportant times, like when a store is closing and they announce that everyone should make their way to the checkout. What is this all about? I've had stomach "butterflies" and I've heard the expression about hearts fluttering, but I've not heard of anyone else who associates it with a kind of melancholy longing. Does this feeling in one's chest has a name and a physiological explanation? Flutteringly...

Should I wax my chest?

Anonymous — Fri, 27 Jan 2006 20:21:59 -0800

Should I wax my chest? My girlfriend wants me to remove my chest hair as she thinks its attractive.... what should I do? Should I go along with this or keep my hairy chest. If I do decide to comply how far down should I wax? I need some advice other than her (obviously biased) opinion!

It helps to stick out my boobs.

Brittanie — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 01:21:35 -0800

Seriously, what the hell is up with my chest popping? When I sit on our (incredibly floppy) couch a certain way, every 10 minutes or so I feel a tightness in my chest as if it needs to be popped. This usually happens when I'm knitting, and so I'm sure part of it has to do with either the way I hold my hands or the way I move them.

Over a few minutes (or maybe seconds — I haven't done a very scientific survey) I start to feel a tightness right in the middle of my chest, say right between my breasts. This is easily alleviated by rolling my sholders backwards or arching my back and sticking my boobs out, basically extending my (I assume compressed) chest and fixing things temporarily. Until 10 minutes later when I have to do it all again.

I'd go see a doctor but I live in rural Korea and they'll most likely tell me to take some herb and get over it. Plus, it's not so much painful as it is annoying and I'd like some ideas on how to avoid it altogether.

BTW, I am already working on trying to have better posture but our couch really sucks and provides very little back support. Also, FWIW, I do not crack my knuckles or anyting else like that very often.