worsening chest pain

[amyebaker38]

My son is 12 years old and is having chest pain. I am a RN and at first assumed it to be costochondritis. We started Ibuprofen and such. It has now continued for approximately 5 weeks and is worsening. He also feels weak in his legs and dizzy. This has all continued to worsen over the last 1 1/2weeks. He had a normal CBC, TSH, CK and BMP. His chest x-ray looked good. He also had an echo and EKG done, that were normal. He just had a chest CT dones and we are awaiting the results. I know, typically, there is a minor reason for the chest pains. But, he is missing school, as he is too "weak" to walk from class to class. THe pain wakes him up all night. And he moans in his sleep. No pain meds have touched the pain for him. I just don`t know what to think anymore??? Thanks, worried mom  

[meniere135]

I know there are many things this could be.  But I was just reading about a guy who woudl be up all night with chest pain, driving his wife nuts (and of course all the tests didn't show anything).  He had weakness in all of his extremeties, and eventually he had numbness in his hands and feet.  Turns out he had pernicious anemia (since you are a nurse I need not explain).  It's the last thing doctors looked for and thought it was.
I try to mention anything I've heard in hopes that it could possibly help find an answer.
The guy was a trash collector and was too weak to go from the truck to get the trash.
With vitamin b12 being given he's back to normal now.  I hope it's that simple for your son.  As far as the celiac disease, you don't have to have intestinal issues apparently.
But if autoimmune problems run in the family, I would push that with doctors if nothing
is found after a while.  Autoimmune is not as common in males, but I know my husband's family has many males with autoimmune problems.  Sorry if I'm all over the place, but I'm panicking for you.  I'm a mom of 3 kids with problems, and boy!  it gets stressful.  Hang in there!

[amyebaker38]

Thanks for responding. BMP is basic metabolic profile. CMP is more definitive...a complete metabolic profile. Funny, some of the things you mentioned. I was recently (3 1/2 mos) diagnosed with Celiac disease. That was one of the next things I thought of having checked, if the CT is normal. They only found out what was wrong with me through endoscopy. He has no intestinal issues though?? I am at a loss as to what could be wrong. I am wondering now about a pinched nerve maybe.

I appreciate your help. It is terrible to see one of my babies hurting so much!

[meniere135]

What is BMP?  Or did you mean CMP (calcium, magnesium, phosphorus)?  Did they check his CMP?  I see there are no results yet from the CT scan.  Nutritional deficiencies are always something to consider at his age.  Growth spurts can leave boys running pretty low on important vitamins, minerals, etc.  Any intestinal issues - I know celiac disease can cause malabsorption and leave you weak and possibly dizzy.  
There really are so many things this could be.  Do you have autoimmune tendencies in the family?  Lyme's disease?  

I hope someone is able to help you.  Nobody likes to see kids suffer.  

Good luck!