chest pain

[starshadow]

i had my first panic attack two monthes ago, then i developed this strange problem that i am so concered with my breath. i sort of feel i can not get enough air from breathing.  
recently i experience with chest pain, it is light pain ( not sharp) in the middle of the chest just above the breast, and it comes and goes. since it is not strong pain, i can handel it. but i am worried.
Is this chest pain anxiety related? my doc did ekg hoter and 2d echo test on my heart,it is all normal. Anyone has the same experience?

[lavenderlady4556]

It is anxiety related for sure! I had all those same tests done and all my were normal as well. I remember on time I had chest pain constant through the day. The only thing about that that made me not worry so much was that a heart attack wont cause pain for hours on end. The chest pain is very normal and causes no damage whatsoever. So when you feel it, acknowledge it and say "I know this is panic and it is nothing to worry about." and hopefully that will help your mind and body train to recognize this as something safe and ok .... then go away....

[starshadow]

thank you for the reply.

But the feeling is very real. i can't believe it is my mind playing trick.
I don't know what kind of test to reqest from my Doc anymore, Moreover, I am afriad he won't give me more test anyway.

[tanns]

Oh yes.  I had my first panic attack 1.5 years ago and for a year I couldn't let it go as "just" a heart attack.  I went to many, many doctors in addition to four cardiologist trying to find a "real" reason for the chest discomfort.  All my tests have been normal.  I still have chest discomfort daily and it is very frustrating because there is no reason for it.  

The only suggestion I have, because I am still dealing with chest discomfort too, is to nip the whole heart concern thing before it spirals out of control.  That's what happen to me.  I think the fear that something was wrong with my heart started me down this anxiety pathway and I can't find the way off.  Do whatever it takes sooner, rather than later.

And I have the breathing thing too.  Occassionally (and more so when this all started) I still feel like I can't get a good enough breath of air and feel short of breath for no reason.  It scares me when it happens out of the blue but I am trying to chalk it up to underlying anxiety.

Good luck and very best wishes to you.

[lavenderlady4556]

Your feelings are very real of course... but this is your mind playing a trick on you. What you need to do is start READING about anxiety. Get some books. The main thing is that your mind is playing these tricks on you and your body. Your "danger switch" has been turned on and your mind is noticing things that when on low alert would have been ignored. So going to the same store as when you had an attack will trigger a corresponding though subconciously "I had an attack here last time". Then your mind starts to look for the beginnings of an attack, often creating them. These you then feel and you start thinking "oh no, what happens if I had a heart attack here? Who would save me?" and then your emotions start to play into it and the whole thing spirals out of control.

The only information to give you to help is to "float" through attacks. Recognize what you are feeling but STOP the thoughts that come into your head. Repeat to yourself that you are well and all is ok. A little discomfort never killed anyone. This then helps reset your mind so it doesnt AUTOMATICALLY connect panic to the symtoms.

Like I said before. What you really need to do is read about what panic really is and how it MIMICS our fears...

[tanns]

This is a response to a question I asked the Mental Health doc, Dr. Gould on April 27th.  Although I don't care for a number of his responses, I felt that this was a really good one.  I've printed it out and look at it when I get scared.

"The problem with anxiety is that once it starts, you become hyper aware of your body, and symptoms like you describe can be created out of anxiety, and persist because they represent anxiety. Assuming all your medical tests are negative, what you should do now is not rely on some specific medication, but seek a consultation with a psychiatrist who can both prescribe medication and also talk you through this and figure out exactly what is going on."

The part about the symptoms persisting because now the represent anxiety was a real eye opener.

Hope you feel well soon.

[tanns]

In my FIRST reply I meant to say I couldn't let it go as "just" a PANIC ATTACK!  Geesh, I should proof more!!!

I couldn't accept the fact that my panic attack was a panic attack, I convinced myself it was a heart attack even though three (at that time) cardios gave me the all clear.  The symptoms are so real and so physical.  That is hard enough to chalk them up as "just" anxiety but then they come whenever they darn well feel like it.  Even during the good days.  That makes it even harder!!

Sorry about the misprint!!!

[tanns]

I think you should do whatever it takes to ease your mind.  

I'm just telling you that I was going along, minding my own business when the panic attack knocked me off my butt.  Totally out of the blue.  I never had any problems with anxiety/stress/panic before in my life.  That is the reason for my year long quest to find something "REAL" wrong with me.  On days when the pains are bad, I have less success convincing myself it is anxiety.  On other days, I am more successful.  I don't know how or why it started.  I was doing great, feeling great and enjoying my life.

How can a healthy person have chest pain and shortness of breath?  I don't know but I am proof it can happen.  I eat well, exercise daily (4-6 miles) and keep busy.  It happens and it isn't fun.  

Get checked out if it will ease your mind, it is the smartest thing to do, just don't totally discount anxiety.  It is a strange thing.

Best of luck to you.

[starshadow]

thank you guys for your answers.

I am not very sure i have anxity disorder.that is the reason i concerned with my symptoms.
I only had one big panic attack, which make me into ER.
After that, i had few small panic attack, but it is all manageable. I am not in panic attack all the time.
Moreover, my doc said he doesn't think i have anxity disorder, and he thinks i am a little axious. basically he thinks i am healthy person.
that is the reason i am so concerned with my symptoms, i don't want them get overlooked.  How can a health person have chest pain and shortness of breath.

[starshadow]

the quest for something is "  really " wrong is very hard.

Thank you very much for sharing your experiences. it is very helpful.  
nowdays i am supersensitive to my body. Everything will trigger my suspious that something serious wrong with my health. i suspect i had lung cancer, heart problem ....

[bip]

I went through the same thing is you.......I had every test done in the world and it came out to be anxiety.......You will be fine.Anxiety can do so much to us.......Hope you feeling well..

[gmoneyTR]

[gmoneyTR]

[gmoneyTR]

[gmoneyTR]

I have had sum of the symptoms above. I have had severe panic attacks a couple of months ago which resulted in a visit to the ER, ekg was perfect, and the doctor said i was fine. Chest tightness and pain continued along with numb left arm and i went to my family doctor again. My blood pressure was taken 110/ 70. She even went as far to say i have the heart of an athlete, but i still cant get over the fact that it may be my heart. My grandma died from heart failure a month before this all started and my grandpa had open heart surgery and just barely made it through. Also, a couple months back i was watchin a movie with friends and i was so worried i was gonna die in a public place that i went into a full blown attack. I had numbess shootin up my left arm, my chest was tight and numb, and my heart rate was through the roof. As soon as the movie was over though, the numbness and pain was gone. I am positive that its all in my head, but i continue to stress about it. Any advise?

[gmoneyTR]

[gmoneyTR]