I've been masturbating about once a week for the past eight years, but in the last four months, I've been experiencing this itching all over my body, especially on my face, chest, stomach, and thighs every time I do. It started out lasting just a day, but now it can persist for a week or more. What could be causing this, and what kind of medication or treatment might help?

Dr Ranjith Darla

General Practitioner

• MBBS
• 3+ Yrs

Consult Now

Despite normal TMT, ECG, blood tests, and chest X-ray, you're experiencing persistent pain in your left arm and chest. Consider the following potential causes:

Musculoskeletal Issues

1. Costochondritis: Inflammation of the cartilage connecting ribs to the breastbone, causing chest pain.
2. Muscle strain: Overuse or injury to muscles in your chest, shoulder, or arm.

Gastrointestinal Issues

1. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): Stomach acid flowing back into the esophagus, causing chest pain.
2. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): Conditions like Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis can cause chest pain.

Cardiovascular Issues

1. Microvascular angina: Reduced blood flow to the heart muscle, causing chest pain.
2. Pericarditis: Inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart, causing chest pain.

Other Possible Causes

1. Anxiety or stress: Tension and stress can cause muscle tightness, leading to chest and arm pain.
2. Hypothyroidism: An underactive thyroid gland can cause muscle pain and weakness.
3. Vitamin deficiencies: Deficiencies in vitamins like B12 or D can cause muscle pain and weakness.

Next Steps

1. Consult a cardiologist: Rule out any underlying cardiovascular issues.
2. Gastrointestinal evaluation: Investigate potential gastrointestinal causes with a gastroenterologist.
3. Musculoskeletal evaluation: Consult an orthopedic specialist or a physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) doctor to assess musculoskeletal issues.
4. Stress management: Engage in stress-reducing activities like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises.

Answered 04/07/2025