The good news is that (other than the pain) it is completely harmless.
The way it always felt to me is like someone wrapped a small wire around something tender in my chest, and if I tried to breathe or straighten my posture, they would yank on it. I’d get it anywhere from a couple times a week to once a month. Then one day in my mid-30s it just stopped.
From what I understand this is relatively common. I was so grateful for the person on reddit who dropped this nugget of wisdom several years ago. It was nice to know I wasn’t dying or whatever.
For me, the way to deal with this was to raise my arms above my head in a stretch. Made it stop every time.
Thought I was having a heart attack the first couple of times it happened.
As an adult, I still have them from time to time, but not anywhere as frequently, though still without any warning.
mine was sleeping on my back lying still, it alleviates it. also it was triggered by doing certain exercises, but that seems to help alleviate eventually. one time it lasted alot longer than usual
Same! Instead of raising my arms, I basically just take a very deep breath and try to expand my thorax as much as possible. Works quite well for me.