*Constant* Chest Pain from Anxiety?

Does anyone have this for a symptom??  It's horrible, feels like I'm going to drop dead from a heart attack at any second during the day.  Have had multiple tests with Dr., said I have anxiety - put me on Celexa (3 mo's now) but it has done nothing.  Tried breathing exercises, meditation, etc - none of that stuff helps.  And can't really exercise because I'm scared I'll drop dead!  Please help, this is ruining my life, hurting my marriage and my job.  The chest pain is very real and painful to me, but the Doc is telling me it's a chemical imbalance and basically all in my head...   ???

[swan6893]

I have had that same problem. It comes and goes for me. I usually rub that area on my chest and when i feel that I can feel that, I know that i am going to be ok. I hope that makes sense to you. If the Celexa is not working by now I would try a different med. It may take awhile to find the meds that work for you.   I hope this helps.

[iamfaithful]

What kind of chest pain is it?  I ask because I had chest pains and swore I was going to have a heart attack, but I have GERD and gallbladder issues.  I take meds for the gerd and it has made my chest pains dissapear.  Have you been tested for GERD-acid reflux?  

[hycotuss]

No, but that is my next step.  To try and get referred to a GI specialist.  Could you please tell me what types of tests you had done to determine what medicines and treatments you ended up using to clear up your chest pain? (upper GI, endoscopy???)

My chest pain/pressure is under my left pectoral, feels like it's in my ribs, sometimes it hurts when I touch it, sometimes it doesn't.  They're calling it "Non-specific Chest pain", that's why the anxiety diagnosis.  I guess I'm bad at describing it.  I have this "gummy" feeling all the time in the left side of my chest, like something is ripped, it's very annoying and hard to ignore, I think about it all day, always clutching my chest and taking deep breaths to see if my lungs are still working!  I feel like I'm crazy.

I'm taking Prilosec now, but it's not doing anything to help the chest pain.  What medicine are you on that is helping you with yours?  Thanks!!

[Dilios]

Do you drink a lot of caffiene?  I had chest discomfort that was on the lower left side of my chest everyday.  It was particularly bad when I worked out.  However, I reduced my caffiene intake, and it subsided.  It sucks because I love coffee, but I can make it through my workouts now without having that setback.

[iamfaithful]

I have had the endoscopy and all of the heart test to rule out it being anything associated w/cardiac care.  Now I will tell you that while the chest pains have basically dissapeared I still get the pain under my ribs quite often-on left side and right.  But of course when it happens on our left side you get more concerened-I know.  I am on aciphex for my gerd-it's prescribed and it has worked wonders.  I'm not kidding, in the beginning I actually went to the ER for chest pains and they found nada relating to my heart, but they did find gallstones, and this was before all of my other symptoms.  I really did feel like I was going out of my mind because the pain would not go away but all the test were coming back negative.

Now I have never noticed that if I touch my left side it hurts, but I CAN relate to the pain under the ribs.  You know gas will make you feel like that also, and I suffer from that as well.  
Yes, you need to see a GI so they can let you know what's going on.
Also, and I am sure you are tired of hearing this, but stress will make you feel pains where you would least expect it.

[hycotuss]

Thanks for all the comments, yes, I'm sure it is related to stress now, initially I just thought I was having a heart problem and also went to the ER twice, once in an ambulance!  Hard to believe stress can cause you so much *pyhsical* pain and anguish.  I do drink a lot of coffee and find that harder to quit then some of these meds.  I just need to go see the GI, cut the coffee, and try to eliminate stress from my life and hopefully I will slowly start to feel better.

I feel sorry for everyone on this board going through this kind of stuff, it's the craziest thing, to feel constantly ill but have every test come back negative.  And every doctor telling you that you're ok.  If I start to feel better I will try and come back and help out with any information.  Thanks again.  Hang in there everyone.

[shuv2ship]

i am experienceing the same exact things. im starting to think i have apinched nerve.

[turkstragal]

My doctor also says the chest pain is from a anxiety..Usually its not to bad unless I am under extra stess then I would swear I am going to die..My chest hurts, I feel short of breath and it feels like my heart is going to jump out of my chest..It is very scary feeling that way..Also sometime its like I can actually see the walls moving in towards me..I think that is the worst feeling of all for me..

[tysonb]

Dont feel alone everyday of my life i feel as if im going to drop dead or basically just lose my mind.My Doctor and therapist both tell me my chest pain and general body aches are all related to anxiety.Im 33 yo male with 3 children and this has affected my home life and career but i hide it well so no one thinks im a nut but inside im just going insane with fear all day 24,7.Last time i saw my physician she said i may have gerd so she prescribed something that at this point has done nothing to relieve chest pain only thing that works is the kolonopin that works for a while but it always comes back i just have a hard time believeing that anxiety or stress can cause such a heavy feeling in the chest all the time makes you wonder in the doctors no what their talking about or is that just the anxiety way of thinking.GL to you and your not alone!

[jqq]

I feel the same thing! I thought I was alone for so long. I am 18. I get chest pains too and feel like I cant breath and think I am going to have a heart attack but I am so young and healthy because I have been to doctors too and have gotten a chest x-ray and 2 EKGs and blood and everything is fine. Sometimes I look at walls too and they look like they are moving toward me. This is all so weird out of this world. But I am happy to know that there are other people out there going through the same things

[tapped]

My chest pain was constant, it turned out to be just from anxiety. Mine was either the muscle in that area being tense or my stomach acid irritating that area. Try a different med, my chest pain was no longer constant after a night in the ER and a dose of lorazepam. Look up vitamin B3 for anxiety too, I take a B complex supplement and it seems to help my nervous system stay calm, apparently it works just like Valium in the brain. If you need to take a med during emergencies go ahead, but try to stay away from them otherwise. I am improving week after week, it has been a month so far. You will get out of this, just keep the nutrition up and try to just go about life with your symptoms, it helps a ton when you stop fearing it and begin to accept it. You will realize that the fear makes itself worse. Good luck

[chillmore]

OMG! For 7 months now I have been in constant pain due to anxiety.  I have chest pain that moves all around my rib cage area, front, back & sides.  I also suffer from extreme stomach aches and cramps.  I have presented at hospital emergancy around 5 times convinced that I was dying.  I have had extensive tests run from everything like heart problems, stomach ulcers, reflux, urine infections, IBS and more.  It has cost  me thousands of dollars searching for the problem only to discover that it was anxiety.  This was a theory we initally crossed but being a disbeliever of this sort of thing I blew it off.  I have tried all kinds of anxiety med's but most of them have a counter reaction and cause more pain than relief.  I have been to a massage/meditation guru and this has helped a little.  I watch my diet and eat plenty of fish and vegies.  I wish I could say that I have found something that works but I haven't as yet.  This is effecting my whole life also.  It effects my relationship as I am always too sore to have sex.  It effects my work as I have to take time off when the pain reaches it highest point.  I am drinking too much alcohol to try and sedate myself enough to go to sleep at night. I am at breaking point after more that 7 months of constant pain and I am ready to try anything to make it STOP!  

[patriot51]

i do the same everyday! think i'm gonna die at any moment! I HATE IT!!!!!! just got on vistaril if it works or helps will let u know.i was to afraid 2 sleep afraid i was gonna die in sleep!  i know how u feel.

[Darren30]

I having an attack now...so scared klons dont work last one wad hour long 15 mins of I felt detached and was pos I was dying....i cant live like this.....no one believes me........and er told me they cant do anything.....i started binge drinking and abusing meds so I can do normal activities.....i have lost everything and my doc dismissed me so now I will have to buy illegal drugs....i wish u all.the best  of luck....And ty for this forum it kept that peak attack  from worry  of heart failure down...i think im cursed and just want peace....but 9 years was too much so im gonna be junkie. Its the only way I knew how....
sorry god

[Darren30]

Sorry to you all. Thos has been my curse for nine years...to make it short. no dr helps me, family doesnt think im telling the truth..i.spend most time alone fucled on a large quinty of street drugs...god forgive me and let tjese forums educate someone so tjey dont end up like me a junkie who cuts himself so much he lost the use of two fingers...i hope god or someone helps you all...dont end up like me. Ty

[Darren30]

Im so sorry for all of you....i have suffered for seven years. No help from doc and family thinls its fake. Well to be short, I cut my self and hope I die....i broke down after 3 years and now im a junkie. God forgive me. Maybe this forum will save someone like me...cursed

[Darren30]

Sry didnt know it posted I took 100mgs of valium and snorted  6 2mgs of klon with ten vicodin...it went away but itll  happen again soon...and I dont want anyone doing that it can kill. My life is ruined and I dont care if I od..im a loser and deserve it.

[TreyElaine]

I have constant chest pains accompanied with arm pain and left breast pain. I am afraid that I am having a heart attack at times. I am so afraid that I even put 911 on my quick dial key from my cellphone. I get stressed out a lot. I have been stressed even more lately especially considering that I just lost my grandmother to lung cancer. She passed away August 2, 2010. I was very close to her and I feel a lot of sadness because she is gone. I often wonder if that sadness has intensified my pain. I feel crazy because I think I am causing my own pain a lot of the times. I hope it is nothing serious. I am my own worse enemy because I cause my own illness. I can't help but to stress about the pain because it is painful. I cannot believe that a person can create a pain with their minds. I hope someday I can overcome this pain mentally and physically. I hope you all the best too. Thanks for sharing, Its good to know I am not alone.

[pooky11]

i have just been doing the same exact thing for about a month now my doc says it is severe anxiey with panic attacks , it is just horrible, i have constent chest pain at least 7 to 10 time a day it is running my life, i feel like i am going to kill over any time! do you have a constant fear that somthing is wrong or you are going to die from some awful disease? i do not know how to deal with this so i was hoping mayb you had some suggestions or just knowing that im not the only one out there dealing with the same issues! thanks

[pooky11]

you are not alone at all i also have left breast pain, i have convinced myself that i have breast cancer and god knows what else, it is the scariest thing i have ever had to deal with i live in constent fear of dying! how often do you feel the chest and breast pain i am having 7- 10 attacks a day ?

[chase6407]

i am only 23 and I have suffered from left sided chest, arm,  and pain between my shoulder blade and my spine for two years thinking everyday is my last fearing i am going to have a heart attack but i've had blood work ups for my heart and for cancer i have also had EKG's, ECG's, and a stress test but all come back fine just really having a hard time beleiving that anxiety can cause this everyday for two years the only thing that seems to help are muscle relaxers and exercise my dr. has reffered me to a mental health specialist but i dont see him til next month but it kinda helps to know im not alone but ***** to hear that others also have to go through this

[Bazza57]

I have experianced the same chest pains & realise it is stress/anxiety. I have been put on Buspar which seems to help but the best drug to relieve the pain & stress is Champix. I know it's to stop smoking but it's the best drug for stress related problems I have tried.

[limomel98]

30 year old female and I have been having chest pains in different spots since early august. They come and go, but only go away when I lay down or rest/sleep. All test came back normal, ekg's, chest xray and blood. The doc said its anxiety/stress/panic attacks, but wants me to do a echo-cardiograham of my heart to rule out cardiac cause. I have also got this burning feeling in my chest,that moves thru my back. doc thinks its acid reflux, i took one prilosec OTC 20mg and it seem to go away.. two days no chest pain, Though i had a few mild ones yesterday. also does anyone experience adreniline rush while drifting off to sleep? Like a hot flash sensation all over your body? then you awake scared with a racing heart? I do, been told thats anxiety/stress related too. Its a scary feeling, to awake that way, plus feeling numb and tingly mostly in my hands and arms. I want to go back to the way i use to be! I live in fear of dying, i hate it! I also find that my heart flutters/skips a beat and I get lightheaded immediately after, SCARY!!!

[qtpie1135]

Hello, I get chest pains all the time with anxiety and panic attacks and have been to the ER many times over the years. I have also been told that I am sensitive to chemical, and certain food and drinks, and even certain smells, like smoke and cleaning products.



I use relaxation CDs, breathing exercises, sipping on ice cold water, reminding myself that it is only anxiety and that it will pass and that it has never harmed me and will not harm me now! I will take Klonopin which really helps, and Toprol which is a beta-blocker to keep my pulse and blood pressure under control. I also take Reglan for my heartburn problems which has been then only thing that has ever really helped that.  I also just started using the iPhone apps: Anxiety Connect, Depression Connect, Panic Talk Down, Panic Attack Aid., Panic Control and Panic Eliminator, Making and listening to my own panic attack talk down recordings on my Iphone and listening to them when I am having a panic attack. I also find that listening to music, playing games, or listening to a guided relaxation on my Iphone or Ipod a helpful distraction.



Getting up and moving around also helps, sometimes just calling someone and hearing another person's voice, if you have no one to call try calling a prayer line or help line (You can program these numbers into your cell phone),



It also helps to get on this support board and talk to others who understand what you are going through! I think it helps to read positive uplifting books, and to listen to music. Prayer is something else that can be helpful!  I also take a multi-vitamin along with extra vitamin B, fish oil, vitamin D, Magnesium, calcium, C, and E.  Exercise always makes me feel better!  Watching something funny on TV or a DVD, or watching a funny Youtube video is also helpful!

I have also read that Chamomile tea and bananas were helpful for anxiety and panic. I also try to stay away from triggers like stress, certain foods, drinks, coffee, chemicals, and smoke that I am sensitive to. I keep a journal of when I am stressed and what I eat and drink, so I can look back later for any connection with my panic attacks and anxiety, because I sometimes have a delayed reaction. Eating healthy and getting enough sleep also helps!



I noticed that when I am not taking vitamins I have a lot more anxiety, my guess is that I am low on some vitamins and minerals and this set off anxiety symptoms.



I am sensitive to orange juice, cranberry juice, certain berries, coffee, pizza, and others that I can't think of right now. These will set off symptoms in me sometimes right away, and sometimes hours later (delayed reaction). I also cannot take any cold medicines as they cause me to have anxiety and panic attacks. A lot of cleaning products like bleach and Lysol spray will cause me to have anxiety. Stress is another big factor in my panic attacks and anxiety.


I suggest keeping a journal of everything from, foods, drinks, chemical exposure, medicines, stressful situations, and even the weather, as any of these could be triggers. I use a large 3 ring binder filled with paper as a journal.



Belly Breathing Exercise
1. Place one hand just above your belt line, and the other on your chest, right over the breastbone. You can use your hands as a simple biofeedback device. Your hands will tell you what part of your body, and what muscles, you are using to breathe.

2. Open your mouth and gently sigh, as if someone had just told you something really annoying. As you do, let your shoulders and the muscles of your upper body relax, down, with the exhale. The point of the sigh is not to completely empty your lungs. It's just to relax the muscles of your upper body.

3. Close your mouth and pause for a few seconds.

4. Keep your mouth closed and inhale slowly through your nose by pushing your stomach out. The movement of your stomach precedes the inhalation by just the tiniest fraction of a second, because it's this motion which is pulling the air in. When you've inhaled as much air as you can comfortably (without throwing your upper body into it), just stop. You're finished with that inhale.

5. Pause. How long? You decide. I'm not going to give you a specific count, because everybody counts at a different rate, and everybody has different size lungs. Pause briefly for whatever time feels comfortable. However, be aware that when you breathe this way, you are taking larger breaths than you're used to. For this reason, it's necessary to breathe more slowly than you're used to. If you breathe at the same rate you use with your small, shallow breaths, you will probably feel a little lightheaded from over breathing, and it might make you yawn. Neither is harmful. They're just signals to slow down. Follow them!

6. Open your mouth. Exhale through your mouth by pulling your belly in.

7. Pause.

8. Continue with Steps 4-7


I been reading the original version of "The Feeling Good Handbook" by David Burns, it is the 1989/1990 version, and I am finding the advice in this book helpful! I heard that the newer version it not the same. Other books I find helpful are "The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook: A Step-by-Step Program for Curing Yourself of Extreme Anxiety, Panic Attacks, and Phobias", "Panic Attacks Workbook: A Guided Program for Beating the Panic Trick",  "Health Journeys Guided Meditations For Help With Panic Attacks", and
"Managing Stress: Principles and Strategies for Health and Well-Being (Web Enhanced with CD-ROM)" I also just recently got “The Linden Method” I have already found some helpful advice in the manual that goes with the program, and the “Panic Attack Eliminator CD” that comes with the program seems helpful. And I just ordered a used copy of the “Attacking Anxiety Program” from Ebay. I figure if I get any help or relief from any of these it will be worth it! Another small program I found helpful is “Stop Anxiety Now” by Eve A. Wood, M.D.



I hope that you feel better soon! Please keep us posted!

[chase6407]

i get those same flutters in my chest some times thats why my doc put me on a 48hr holter monitor but it came back normal my doc says that i get lightheaded and such right after cause it scares me and my anxiety causes it to do that im sorry you have to go though this to i wouldn't wish anxiety on anyone its horrible i never imagined that anxiety couldcause any of this its crazy

[limomel98]

Its too many of us with these problems, im starting to think it is something in the air, thats making us sick, I have never known anxiety to be this bad!