Mysterious Chest And Neck Pain

First of all the most important thing toi do is to try not to stress about it.....Handle it the symptoms as rationally as you can so then at least the stress factor that ive found doctors like to refer to is diminished.Ive had a throat tightness which diesnt sound much like what you have been experiencing in your neck for the last few months...

I can more tell you that it doesnt sound like its a nerve issue-if anything its muscular.It wouldnt hurt to try and sit straight as possible and see if any of the symptoms lessen.

The sternum pain is the main thing that I have had.After many visits to cardologists its diagnosed as a thing called costochondritis-which is a chest pain sometimes on the left or right and maybe even both which is caused by an inflamed joint.Its nothing life threatening but can cause alot of worry because it feels so much like a heart attack.My chest pain is on the left so it pulls on the muscle going up the left of the neck all the way to my jaw.My doctor said that costochondritis is very common in people who life weights or maybe even didnt lift weights correctly....You can kind of tell(not a very advanced method) if you have it if you run your hand straight down from your chin to your chest and press on the bone slightly to the left and right of the middle.If it feels really sore and tender to the touch then it is more likely to be a joint issue(costochondritis) than it is a heart problem...

Ive had neck muscle pain for a few months and chest pain for almost the whole year and it may seem like pretty warped logic but im not dead yet-and I figure where it anything to lose sleep about something serious would have already happened:)

Hello ambi !

You are not alone I think I have the same symptoms.
I went to my clinic at least 20 times for the past 6-7 weeks (from november till present).
All ekg’s (about 4) look normal.
Blood pressure is ok but my pulse is increased from the first day of my chest pain symptoms (around 80-90 sometimes even more; before I usually had very stable around 60 p/m).
On this week 7 one more symptom appeared ---- my neck muscles are very tired on the back and very sensitive on the sides (feels painful when touched). Plus throat tightness as in your case (sometimes feels like not enough air).
I have a few more symptoms like:
1. Sweating usually evening ours or at night
2. Cold hands (sweating palms)
3. Dizziness
4. Sometimes I have a tingling or trembling in different locations of my body (feels like my muscles shaking).


So, ambi could you please write me back more about your symptoms.
Looking forward to hear from you soon.

Kot
e_rogov@ hotmail.Com

Malmorcan,

did you have traumatic injury in neck?

According to my experience it is neck problem. It is called sympathetic cervical spondylosis.


The symptoms include: neck pain, headache, pain and tingling in arm(s), blurred vision, tinnitus, nausea, vertigo or dizziness, short of breath, chest pain, heart beating, sweating... Sometime it mimic cardiac problems and been misdiagnosed.

It is due to the irritation of sympathetic nerve from cervical problems.

Chiropratic adjustment combines with acupuncture will give you maximum relief. No matter you believe in it or not, just give it try. Let's see what happens after the tx.


Good luck,

jun
edit

Hi kot.....

I get alot of the same symptoms as you except for the night sweating....

I really havent had any luck in finding out what is going on.I just know that I need to try and gorget it and not let it develop into a panic disorder.Whenever I get an kcg I use it as a sign that im not dying and try to forget about it.I did have one doctor say that alot of symptoms I have eg nexk tightness,chest pain can be attributed to the acid reflux that I have.The dizziness and muscle weakness,tingling(which I also get but usually in my hands,face) sound like they colukd all be connected.

I wish I could help you more:(

Hey ambi,

yesterday I went to the emergency room, because of the numbness all over my body.

My hands were cold and even paralyzed than. Doctors made lots of tests such us blood, urine, ekg, muscles enzyme and others. They gave me a shot of lorazepam and my numbness and paralyzed hands are disappeared ( I felt normal except more dizziness ).
After I was told that my hart is normal as well as muscles. So doctors suspect that it could be nerves problem, therefore they gave me a referral for an mri of my back, neck and head. For the chest ct scan.
After all they prescribed lorazepam 1mg tablets. Give ½ to 1 tablet orally every 6 hours when needed for anxiety (et. When you cannot breeze or hands going cold and sweating, or chest pain).

Ambi if your symptoms are similar I would recommend this medication when you feel really bad. Lorazepam is not only an anxiety medication but also a muscle relaxant.

However it is not for a prolonged use - just for a temporary relieve. This medication is not a toy and could be dangerous.


By the way what insurance you use and what medical center?


I wish you full recovery in 2006.

Happy new year!!!

Kot

Thanks for the replies. I looked up costochondritis and found a reference to a related disorder, tietze's syndrome. It turned out that that was my problem. It's similar, but I recognized it from the sudden onset, and the fact that it got much better in the first two weeks, which is common. It was a result of improper weight training of my upper body. It caused an inflamation, and it said that swelling was common with it. It's more common in women, and usually the result of physical strain. The swelling in that area, when inflamed, could slightly restrict blood flow to my head, which was why I had a shift in my ekg when I was on the treadmill the first time; it only happened after 7 seven minutes on the treadmill, when the incline was so steep that I had to hold onto the rails to stay on, and that's when I began to get the symptons. That's why when I did the repeat treadmill a few months later, I did not hold onto the handle-bars, and I had no shift in my ekg.

It's entirely gone now, thankfully, and i'm very relieved that it wasn't my heart. Thanks for the feedback, it pointed me in the right direction, and gave me some peace of mind.

I just happened upon this site today and was shocked at how similar many of the posting were to my symptoms. At least the symptoms I used to have. I didn't feel like my normal self. Check this out...

Previous symptoms: extreme fatigue, weakness in arms and legs, chest tightness sometimes with pain, night sweats, increased resting heart rate (got up to 100 when my normal was 60), throat dryness/hoarseness, hip pain, difficulty walking, asthma/bronchitis, tremors/shakes in neck and arms/hands, eye strain and redness, weight fluctuations (first loss 30 pounds, then gained 50 pounds that I couldn't get rid of), skin rashes, "the itchies" where I would itch all over - especially at night, hearing loss, ear aches, memory loss, confusion, dizziness/vertigo, slight ankle swelling, headaches that would sometimes last all day, neck tightness in the back and between shoulder blades, shooting pains in my legs and back, lower back pain, pain in spine, loss of breath, a slight cough, skin color darkened especially on my legs and feet, nausea, discolored toe nails, loose teeth, mood swings and irritability, very dry skin especially on bottom of feet.

These were random symptoms that I have dealt with for about 5 years. At first they were minor. I didn't have them all at once. By themselves, they were easy to dismiss as stress or out-of-shape. But this past year as things got worse (affecting my heart) or strange (like being diagnosed with asthma at 30 - I was like no way), I started to really pay attention.

Doctors seemed to be of no help, so I got on the internet. I found out that flight attendants seemed to suffer from mysterious symptoms as well. About 6 years ago, I used to travel frequently for my job. Within a year of my frequent flying, the symptoms started. In hindsight, I believe there is a connection.

In my research, I have determined that the culprit is toxins. It can be arsenic, pesticides (both of which I had close to poisonous levels), or some other chemicals or heavy metals. According to my findings, these symptoms can develop if you have ever travelled by mass transportation, been exposed to or around pesticides (especially professional grade), office areas, housing developments, fertilizer, well water, working in a manufacturing setting, or living near abandonded mines.

What seems to happen is the toxins get into your blood stream, poisoning your blood and depriving it of oxygen. It affects your mucous membranes and lymphatic system. As a result, all of your major organs become poisoned or toxic and oxygen deprived causing cell damage. But the toxic level and symptoms are below the thresholds, so all medical tests (I had EKGs, stress test, tests for chemicals) are within "normal" range. Your immune system gets so overwhelmed with trying to fight the toxins, it becomes overburdened making you vulnerable to every bug out there (more colds/flus, gastrointestinal problems, stomach flus, etc).

This thing is so bad, I passed it on to my children (chemicals can cross the placenta and can be found in breast milk). They were born with higher than usual levels of arsenic and pesticide in their blood. My oldest daughter used to fly with me. She has the same symptoms. I had all of our arsenic levels checked as part of our regular physicals. My level was 35 (urine test - high limit is 50). My daughter's level is 18 (blood test, which is probably more accurate, high limit is 23) and my infant has 7 (blood test, high limit is 23). I also had inorganic phosphate (a pesticide test) checked which was near the high limit.

The Good News...

I sought homeopathic help in the form of an herbalist/accupuncturist (I went through a couple before I found one that is excellent). I started on chinese herbs (the nastiest tasting stuff I've ever drank but I wanted to get healthy at all costs). I also increased my raw vegetable intake, especially fresh organic spinach, broccoli, and carrots (anything with vitamin A and fiber). Organic is better because my sensitive system couldn't take anymore chemicals.

I've always eaten fruits pretty well but tried to eat blackberries and blueberries especially (excellent antioxidants). I started using olive oil and fresh garlic in my cooking, especially paired with marinera sauce. I started taking garlic pills and fresh coconut. I tried eating bread with flaxseed in it. I ate cancer-fighting foods, especially seeds (including swollowing apple seeds) and nuts. I drank plenty of antioxidant teas (green tea, kombucha tea). I even made tea from loquat leaves from a tree in my grandmother's backyard in CA!

I decreased my dairy and red meat intake. Reduced fast food. Reduced breads and pastries. Decreased anything that used white sugar and flour (like cereal, ice cream, especially oreo cookies seemed to cause these "episodes" of extreme fatigue). Notice that I decreased these "bad" foods. I couldn't eliminate them because I have horrible will-power and hate to deny myself. So I just limited them. I did stop using iodized salt (switching to kosher salt) and limited eating foods from the sea (which could be contaminated with mercury and other heavy metals and chemicals - I had an "episode" from salmon pate).

I even did Takara Foot Patches/Pads. I checked out the ingredients. All ingredients are natural detoxifiers. The day after I tried them, my lower back pain was gone. There are many versions out there but I actually researched and tried these. So I can only vouch for this brand - TakaraPatch.com.

My theory is that you have to start with detoxing your body first. When your blood starts getting clean, then it can absorb the vitamins and minerals. Getting the nutrients into your system boosts your immune system, helping your body heal itself!

My results - I dropped my arsenic level down to 9 (blood test, high limit is 23)! I feel great! I have more energy, I am able to play with my children, I joined my church choir (with my throat healed, I can sing again), and I went back to work! I none of the symptoms from above!!!

You probably don't have to do everything I did, including the blood test. I just felt like I had to know. The type of toxin really doesn't matter. It could be one thing or a combination of things. It can even be something your body needs but just has too much of right now. Whatever is poisoning you, the important thing is that you eliminate it. Start paying attention to your bowel movements (smell, color, "texture"). I know it sounds gross, but it is one of the best indicators of how your overall body is functioning.

I hope all of this helps those out there suffering from unknown illnesses and random symptoms. After starting my "detox and immune boost program", It took about 2 weeks to see noticeable results. My last blood test was performed 3 months after the start of this program.

Just remember, it may be something in your blood. More importantly, you can "cure" it and get back to normal. Shoot me a note if you have any questions. Take care and happy health.