Chest pain and anxiety?

Question

I ve experienced chest pain since I was 18. It only happens at night when I m relaxing or playing video games or watching TV, reading a book, and so on. It was diagnosed as a panic attack and I was prescribed Ativan for it. The Ativan never worked so the same doctor sent me to a counselor who figured I was stressed which I am not. A different therapist said it didn t sound like a panic attack so he sent me to get an EKG which was normal. A different doctor also told me in was a panic attack and prescribed me cipralex. It didn t work. I am now 29 and still experiencing these pains. I have tried Canibas and CPD oil, that didn t work either. These pains literally feel like someone has taken my lungs and squeezed them. I can breathe just fine, heart rate remains normal though I do start to sweat but because it hurts so much. The pain is constant and the only way to cure it is to sleep.

I am relatively healthy except for a genetic condition called sponged kidneys and the occasional monthly migraine. I don t smoke or drink. I love my job. Been married for 12 years happily. It also helps when my hubby pounds on my back. I just need to know if anyone experiences these as well and if they know what it is. Apparently the doctors dont. And what can i do to stop the pain when it happens.

Andy C · Answer

Your pain is related to the migraines and the reason sleep helps is due to sleep sort of resetting the brain.

I don't claim to know what this is,  perhaps some kind of hemiplegic migraine or something,  but it definitely sounds like a neurological problem,  and for those,  there is little that can be done.   We don't have the technology to quantify our nervous system and manipulate them.

So we have to do what best works for us.   Start experimenting and see.   My suggestion (and suspicion) is that it could be due to your diet.  It's AMAZING what a bad diet does to your body AND BRAIN.

I'm going out on a limb by saying you think that sugar is food.  It is not and actually,  in quantity and chronically,  it is poisonous and the cause of obesity,  diabetes II and most heart disease.

Sugar and other sources of fructose as well as trans fats, corn-fed animal products and alcohol all cause metabolic syndrome and metabolic syndrome is what causes obesity, etc. by hurting the liver.

Anonymous · Answer

It sounds to me like you need more than "counseling"; you need intensive therapeutic treatment. You've been medically checked, so unless you want to visit a specialist cardio-thoracic physician, which might be advisable, I think you probably are experiencing severe anxiety attacks.  These are not necessarily the same as panic attacks, which come on suddenly and involve a rapid, pounding heartbeat.  Panic attacks usually have no obvious cause, but that can also be true of an anxiety attack.

I really would suggest that you be thoroughly checked over and tested by a specialist in heart/chest (thorax) issues , bearing in mind that what you are experiencing may have nothing to do with your heart. In fact, it sounds like it doesn't, but of course there are other things in the general vicinity of the chest. What about costochondritis, which involves the ribs?

If everything checks out medically, then a thorough psychiatric evaluation might be called for.  There are anti-depressant medications, like Effexor, that can be prescribed off-label for chronic pain.  This could be helpful for you.

Good luck.

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Chest pain and anxiety?

2 Answers