27 yr old male with consistent, scary chest pains, please help!

Hi all,
To start off, i'm 27, 5'8 and 165 lbs. I consider myself a bit overweight...maybe 15-20lbs or so. I do have family history of heart problems, but nothing of anyone suffering at my young age (50+). I smoked for about 6 years and did my sprint of binge drinking in my earlier 20's. Smoke free for about a year and I hardly ever drink...just a beer or two when I do.

I have been in and out of the ER about 5 times now for chest pain, dizziness, shortness of breath, arm and leg pain/numbness. My last time in being 9/19/2011. ALL of my EKG's have came out fine, as well as my bloodwork, chest xrays, etc. Upon my last visit,  they tested my pancreas and thyroid as well, gave me 2 EKG's, chest xrays and hooked me up to a heart monitor for 3 hours. I was given a 'GI cocktail' under the assumption it might be GI related (didnt do too much)....as well as an anti inflammatory shot in the butt (which also didnt seem to help much).  Was eventually told that it was suspected to be GI related as well as related to my anxiety, which I do have...bad attacks.

Im somewhat used to having anxiety attacks, but lately the chest pain has just been so consistent. From the moment I wake up until im finally able to fall asleep at night, its there. It's intensity fluxuates. The pain is located just below my sternum and is also tender if I push in on it. It can often feel like burning, dull, crushing, sharp, throbbing pain. IT shoots through to my back and up to my neck...often down to my left arm and hand and even into my legs, making them numb sometimes. I also get short of breath, feeling like I have to struggle to get air in....and notice this mostly when lying flat on my back. Exercise, even just walking a mile can bring on a bad 'attack'...or they can just come out of nowhere. The pain ususally stays with me throughout the day thoough...its been this way for about a month now. I've tried to break my symptoms down as best as I can, as well as my triggers....


Symptoms during Attacks:
• Consistent Pain:  Chest, Left arm/hand, Right upper arm, Upper back, upper stomach (gall bladder?), Neck.
• Occasional Pain: Jaw line (usually left), Lower back (kidney area), Left leg, Feet, Right lower abdomen.
• Burning in chest area, belching often helps if able
• Dizziness/Light-headedness
• Shortness of breath/Tight chest
• Hot Face
• Cottonmouth
• Pulsating behind eyes
• Nausea/Indigestion
• Brain Fog
• Fatigue
• Depersonalization
• Panic/Paranoia of worst case scenarios
• Sore/Tender stomach/chest/abdomen
• Difficulty breathing while lying flat on back (like air is being pushed from my lungs)

Symptoms outside Attacks:
• Consistent Pain:  Chest, Neck.
• Occasional Pain: Lower back (kidney area), Left leg, Right lower abdomen.
• Burning in chest area, belching often helps if able
• Headaches
• Pulsating behind eyes
• Brain Fog
• Intrusive thoughts
• Depression/Regret
• Sore/Tender stomach/chest/abdomen
• Difficulty breathing while lying flat on back (like air is being pushed from my lungs, almost comparable to the feeling of having wind knocked out)

Known Triggers:
• Caffeine
• Cigarettes
• Alcohol (BAD attacks after a night of drinking)
• Dizzy Spells
• Physical Activity (Even moderate)
• Thinking about symptoms/ anticipating an attack
• Heat
• Driving (usually morning time and during traffic)
• Feeling anxious


Im sure the first thing that pops into your mind and may seem obvious is that I suffer from anxiety and nothing more. I have been  on Xanax for about 5 months now, which is a terrible drug and regarded as the hardest to come down off of. I take a small dosage, about .5mg a day split into 4 pieces. I was also prescribed a pepcid  med to take in the am, which hasnt really helped much.

I do feel it may be GI related, but things like mylanta, tums, pepcid offer little to no help.....I even avoid spicy, greasy foods.

I have recently acquired health insurance and am seeing a new doctor on the 28th......I just hope I make it til then.

Any insight that could be offered is GREATLY appreciated....thank you so much for taking the time to read this!

-Ryan

[beanhead2010]

Wish someone would answer you. Sometimes just hearing your not alone helps alot. Good luck to you!