What can cause chest discomfort with blood in the sputum?

Question

Hi doctor,

I am a 25-year-old male. For the last month, I have had bad back pain from lying on a new mattress. To help, I have been taking Aleve almost every day. As of yesterday, the pain was still bad. Last week, I was experiencing upper abdominal pain that radiated to the chest. I went to a clinic yesterday because I started to see blood in my spit.

They gave me a muscle relaxer for back pain and Prednisone for inflammation. Still, I am worried that the Prednisone will make upper abdominal pain worse, especially if the pain is because of having too much Aleve. So now I am starting Methocarbamol for upper abdominal pain.

Apart from this, I have had dark stools in the morning in the past. Currently, I am taking BuSpar. I have also had an X-ray of the chest and an EKG.

Please help.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern. I would request you to kindly share the reports of your chest X-ray and EKG (electrocardiogram). Also, I would want to know if you have any breathing difficulties or a cough? Blood in cough or sputum is not a good sign.

Also, I do not see a reason for the use of steroids. Do you have problems with acid reflux or constipation? Kindly follow up with these details and your reports.

I am also advising some tests:

CBC (complete blood count) with ESR(erythrocyte sedimentation rate).
X-ray of the middle and lower back (anteroposterior and lateral view).
USG (ultrasonography) of the whole abdomen.

I suggest you follow this treatment plan:

Locally apply pain relief gel like Diclofenac on the back before sleeping.
Avoid lifting any heavy weights or doing any bending exercises.
Use a water-based heat bag or pad and apply locally over the back (two to three times a day).
Sleep without a pillow.
Consider changing your mattress.
I suggest tablet Tranexamic acid 500 mg (eight hourly in a day for one day).

Kindly get these done.

I hope that this answers your query.

Kindly follow up if you have more doubts.

Thank you.