Anxiety, chest & back pain

[Thale81]

I'm a 34 yr old male with moderate to severe anxiety. I'm a health care worker so I am obviously my on worse patient. I have been experiencing middle & left back & chest pain from time to time for the past few years, followed by anxiety. I always think the worse, HEART ATTACK! I've been to my doctor several times & had numerous EKGs, blood work, & x-rays. I've even used a heart monitor for two days twice before. The doctors have said that everything checked out fine. My anxiety gets so bad at times that it's hard to live my life & I struggle on a day to day basis. The worse part is that no one seems to understand what I am going through & I don't have anyone to talk to about it. I would love your feedback & stories. Thanks for listening!!

[Paxiled]

You don't by any chance lift something at work regularly that involves that side, or wear a heavy backpack or sling something over that side regularly, do you?

[dukha08]

Thanks for the reply. I know what will happen if i don't take med. But i wish i could have even manage my stress and anxiety before now I'm definitely terrified of having this anxiety that causes too much of my time and life with my wife and daughter.

[ScalpMassager]

At 160/120, you may be risking massive kidney damage at some point if you do not take your BP meds for now.  Once you get healthier (trimmer waistline by losing a few pounds, reduce stresses, manage your anxiety even better, eat and drink healthier), you may with your doctor's approval, find you no longer need such meds.

[dukha08]

Hi, I have been working on my anxiety ever since but the chest and back pain are still with me now the worst one is. I was diagnose just 2 weeks ago with hypertension i don't know if its my anxiety that causes it or what i went to the doctor had ecg again and blood test all normal except for the blood sugar a bit high. now the doctor prescribe me for high BP but i really dont want to be in a medicine state of life. Now my anxiety is getting worst again. A lot of chest pain everyday. The worst part is i dont know if my body is adjusting b'coz 4 months ago i was on a day shift but now 3 weeks ago I began my night shift on my new company. And guess what that is where my BP spike to 160/120. so I'm really down right now.

[anxiety860]

I also pray to God. It turly brings me peace. Anyways, i have major health anxiety also. I talk to my parents, fiancé, etc. they don't understand, but at least talk to me. My great uncle always thought he had cancer since he was a teenager. Today he is 65 years old and healthy as a horse! I've talked to him and he Said his worst mistake was worrying everyday about his health. You're only 28! Had many tests, your heart is healthy. But I'll tell you my story. For over a year now I've had chest pain nearly everyday. I've thought it was my heart, lungs, bones, cartalidge, SOMETHING!!! After many x Rays, ekg, blood tests, seeing specialist, I finally had to accept it was my anxiety causing this. Once I accepted that and decided to beat my anxiety I have felt much better. Try to focus on beating the anxiety and not symptoms.

[dukha08]

HI,

I'm male 28 years old a father of a 4 year old daughter and i am from the Philippines. Ever since i experienced being rushed to the ER last June because of gastroenteritis and hypokalemia, it triggers my anxiety to a full blown panic attack everyday. Well my anxiety actually started last April ever since my friend and previous co worker died because of heart attack, I never had the chance to be more focus and happy of my life because i have been thinking of it until i started having had a problem with my excess/vowel and cost me gastroenteritis and made my potassium low until got rushed to the ER. That day i thought i was having heart attack or stroke or something that trigger cramps on both hands and feet. Stayed in the hospital for 3 days to monitor my potassium. And ever since i was released from the hospital, no day have passed that i don't have anxiety or panic attack. Every time it happen, there is a trigger point and most of the trigger is chest pain, stabbing pain, tightness in chest, feeling of dropping dead anytime. Now panic attack doesn't happen as always since midway august this year but still experience it. And trust me No one will really understand what we are feeling. But anyway to make sure i don't have a problem with my heart went to a cardio and had some tests EKG,X-ray,2decho,stress test and blood test all but came normal except for my cholesterol because im a bit over weight  174 lbs of my height. Doctor never gave me medicine and tell me change my lifestyle. and its been 3 months now since then i still have chest pains, stabbing pain that triggers my anxiety and now i starting to worry not just my life but everytime each family member experience fever, headache  I tend to worry a lot that triggers my anxiety/panic attack. As you said no one will understand except us even if we continue to tell doctors, family members they will say its only your mind is causing you problem. Guess may be true but still a bit optimistic about anxiety i know something is not right but i trust God and always pray to make me strong and overcome this anxiety.

[anxiety860]

Well you being a health care worker knows you're young for a heart attack. Plus, look at all the tests you've had, certainly something would have came up if there was something wrong with your heart. You're healthy! Have you done anything to help you with your anxiety?  Trust me I understand where you are coming from as I always worry about my health even though everybody else knows I'm fine.