Anxiety and Stress Forum - Chest Pains And Anxiety Over Them

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Q: Chest Pains And Anxiety Over Them

asked by: rastamickk on October 25th, 2005

New User

I am really in need of some ideas about what this could be, its really scarying me and not helping my anxiety.

First of all I am a 20 year old female and at an average weight. I first starting having a sudden sharp pain in my left side right under the breast and after about a month of it I lost it and went to the er thinking I had a heart problem. I had an ekg and chest xray and bloodwork done 3 times and everytime they were fine. I have continued to have the pain for the past 4 months but now it has changed and I have this constant pain all over my chest that is sometimes stabbing, dull, or burning. Also it is in my back and neck and sometimes my arms. I am completely worn out from it because my doctor says he is at a loss from what it could be. Originally thinking it was pleurisy, but now she does not have a clue. This is scary to me because I have such intense pain that does not ever go away. I fear it could be my heart or something serious even though the dr assures me it isnt. I do have anxiety, but this is so much different than anything I have ever experienced before. If anyone could help, id greatly appreciate the feedback.

The pain is predominetly on the left side from the breast down and around in my shoulder blade area in the back, but can be realy widespread to other areas as well.

Replies(9)

jurplesman

replied on October 26th, 2005

Experienced User

Hello rastamickk,

that must be really worrying you. But if doctors cannot find a cause for this you can safely assume that you are suffering from anxiety attack.

Anxiety attacks are caused by excess adrenaline production that can stimulate any muscle tissue in the body.

These could simply be symptoms of hypoglycemia, probably a prediabetic condition due to insulin resistance. This can easily be treated by going on a hypoglycemic diet.

You can be tested for this with a proper medical test for hypoglycemia

jurriaan plesman, ba (psych) post grad dip clin nutr
for more articles see
Hypoglycemia.Asn.Au

2gartners

replied on October 26th, 2005

New User

You May Have Acid Reflux Disease.

After I had my first baby I got an almost stabbing pain thru my chest. It would spread to my back up my neck and sometimes my arm. I honestly thought I was going to die. This went on for about 3 mos until I got medicine from the doctor. The two major causes of it for me was alcohol and caffeine. If I even start to drink any type of hard liquor I feel my neck or back (between the shoulder blades) start to tighten. If I don't take an antacid right away I get a full blown attack. I use to make myself throw up to relieve the pain but eventually that quit happening. Ask your doctor about acid reflux and the symptoms. This may be your problem and it won't show up on any tests either.

Good luck!

louane72

replied on October 26th, 2005

New User

I have had that panin under my rib and my back,,,, it kinda of felt like the pain I had when my gallbadder would hurt,,,,
then doc couldnt fine anything either,, and at times it would be so bad,,,
when my anxiety eased up I realized that the pain left to...
I havent hurt like that again, but the last three mouths my anxiety has shy rocketed and I felt that pain again,,,,
it could be just becaused we are so tense up....
I thougth back then that it had to do with my bowls .. I was alwasy having to go to the bathroom back then,, and it seem like I hurt really bad when I had to go,, so I dont know really why it happens,,
does pain pills work to get the pain to go away,,, I cant remeber if I took anything or not,, iwas scared of everything back them,,,
ok good luck,,,,,,
louane

rastamickk

replied on October 26th, 2005

New User

Thanks

Thanks for replying, it made me feel better. I will look into the things you have mentioned. I also just posted a new post about this weird feeling I get and I cant tell if it is a panic attack or not...If you could take a look and let me know id appreciate that too....
Thanks again

freakonature

replied on October 30th, 2005

New User

I have a small history so please bear with me.

About a year and a half ago, I was getting really bad headaches. My doctor put me on welbutrin and it made them worse. Then I was put on lexapro and then buspar. I was still having headaches, so I went for a cat scan. This revealed absolutely nothing. The headaches went away after that.

Now for some reason, every little pain I get, whether it be for a second, it could be in the upper left of my chest, the upper right, the lower right or just about anywhere, I feel like it's something serious.

I find it hard to laugh at sutff and I worry about everything - money, paying bills on time, you name it.

I've also had high cholesterol. Not off the scales high, but high enough. I'm trying to control what I eat but it's hard sometimes to do that. I also know that smoking is not helping either. I managed to go 5 days without smoking but i've had 2 yesterday and 2 today.

There are times I get a quick shortness of breath sometimes that it gets me concerned, but nothing serious. I can exercise with no problems and generally feel ok otherwise. I guess i'm just concerned that there is something wrong but maybe it's all in my head?

Stress/aniety/other?

Thanks

orlinz

replied on November 1st, 2005

New User

I get a small stabby pain sometimes on my left side near the shoulder but down near my armpit , im a 15 year old male. I thought I was gonna have a heart attack or something and I looked up on the internet for what it could be and that just gave me an anxiety about it. I woke up the day after that on the weekend and didnt want to eat cause I thought there was something wrong with me , I only get it if I kinda think about it you know? Just stress and anxiety realated imo.

eliz1234

replied on December 15th, 2005

New User

Scary Huh?

I have anxiety attacks and everything everyone has said, headaches, chest pain...I have. It can be extremely scary, and I know first hand. I've gone to the doctor and the hospital numerous times and have had every test possible done on me. (stress test for heart, chest xray, cat scan, mri, mra, blood drawn...). I know it can be really scary and every time I have a new kind of pain no matter where it is, I always think its something serious and its not the anxiety this time. I know its hard, but hearing everyone who has the same problems, i've been trying to come to terms with the fact that its just anxiety. Anxiety brings about almost every symptom you can think of. I get sharp head aches, chest pains (including sharp pain behind my breast, burning sensations, dull aching...). I encourage everyone to go to the doctor to rule out anything serious, but most likely if you have anxiety, it is going to be anxiety related. It's always best to check to be sure, and I know it sucks. I hate going to the doctor all the time cause its kind of embarrassing, but thats what they are there for. Good luck to everyone!!!

popprincess

replied on December 16th, 2005

Experienced User

I have been getting a few chest pains lately, although nothing major, and also a feeling of breathlessness when I get into bed, as I suffer from anxiety I will not go to the doctors, but then I suppose you can't always oput everything down as anxiety!

deeena09

replied on June 27th, 2009

New User

chest pain

Im 18 and Im at a healthy weight. I eat very healthy and exercise a few times a week.
Ive been having chest pain in the left side from the breast down (I was so happy when I saw this in the first comment), also my left shoulder blade..sometimes my neck (spine) tightens
and I feel thats when I dont have enough water... I just want it to go away its pretty annoying...when I work, I sometimes forget to drink because were always so busy..those are the days I get my pain. But sometimes its when Im relaxed at home..sometimes when Im stressed out (I get stressed out over the tiniest things for the longest time) and
right now I feel like crying because of some stupid little thing that I did wrong. Everyone keeps telling me that everyone makes mistakes..but now I dont even care about the mistake (actually I do), but what I also care about is this stupid pain in my heart that wont go away and its wrenching...there thats the word..but yeah like a year ago I asked my doctor and she said its normal and its okay ..but its really not that normal..Im too nice too be up front like that with her because shes really nice too. Anyway this felt good just writing it all out since I dont tell it to anyone..k bye

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