Any worrys for me?????

[Crewchief67t]

Hi,  I am 32 yo male.  I have posted here before.  I am still a bit scared.  This has been going on for a little over 4 months now.  I do smoke a littlen no drinking and have very good cholestorol levels,    Started with some racing heart one night.  Next day i didnt feel well.  Abdominal pains all over.  Was prescribed some aciphex for acid reflux.  Didnt really help.  Two days later went to er because i was having chest pains. Did a EKG, bloodwork, chest xray.  I have had a total of 7 or 8 ekgs and bloodwork, chest xrays at er and all were fine.  They said Gerd and anxiety. I have been to the er 5 times for chest pain,  everything was normal.  Treadmill stress test, endoscopy, Mri of c-spine, coronary calcium screening (scored 0).  Numerous bloodworks, xrays, Ct scan of abdomen and pelvis. I was diagnosed with esophogitis and diverticulosis, some mild bulging of c-spine disks at c3,c4,c5.  Doc says no nerve impengment.  All were normal besides a few small issues that i probably would have never found out about without these tests.  The pains i have had are usually very localized.  They never travel from chest to jaw or chest to arm or such.  They are usually sharp or a throbbing pain.  usually lasting only a few seconds at a time or sometime for a few mins.  But they do come back many times everyday.  

I have had chest, neck, arms, hands, legs, headaches, finger pains, jaw, toothaches, bottom of feet.  I do admit at the beginning and up until a month ago or so i was having serious anxiety issues with all of this.  I have probably been to the multiple dr. visits 30 or so times in 4 months.  

The last serious anxiety attack i had was one month ago.  I started feeling kind of weird so i sat down and didnt feel quite right so i stood up and walked away.  My heart started racing super fast.  My left arm went numb and had some tunnel vision for a few secs.   My boss called 911.  by the time they got there i felt better.  My HR and BP were down and the numbness went away.  Since then i have felt mentally fine but am still having all the pains i have described.

I dont feel anxious anymore but still have the pains.  I usually dont have anypains when i am busy.  Usually when i am less busy i have these.  I can go out and pushmow the yard when its 100 degrees out and be totally pain free.  But when i take a break and sit down within a while my pains will reapppear.    

I am currently on xanax and some BP meds.  Seen a counselor a couple of weeks ago but do not get to see a real therapist until end of september.  I really dont think this is anxiety but i guess that is part of the process?

Please if you have any ideas please post them.

Thanks alot!

[Crewchief67t]

Forgot to mention that sometimes the pains seem to be aggrivated by movement.  But not all the time.  Sometimes i can press on the right side of my chest my left side will hurt and vice versa.  Please help!!!   I am desperate!

Thanks

[Encephalomalcia]

Sounds like you need a chiropractor.  When ribs out out of alignment it is very painful and there can be sharp chest pains and pain in the back area.  A chiropractor will know if your ribs are out of alignment and be able to fix it usually one visit.  It is amazing how much sharp pain, pressure, ribs can cause when out of alignment.  Breathing in and out can hurt.  Make sure that you are getting enough vitamin B's, vitamin D's and calcium to calm your anxiety.  Chiropractors are strong believers in vitamins, so check with your chiropractor.  I know how it feels to have ribs out of alignment, been there with all ribs out.  I worked for a chiropractor and now see that chiropractor once a year.  He really helped me a great deal.  My ribs used to feel like they were digging in and it was hard to sit even though I was thin.  Once he adjusted my ribs, it felt comfortable from then on to sit.  Also, this can cause flare up with the acid reflux.  See a chiropractor as soon as possible and the same day you have the visit, you should feel better and see an improvement.    

[grendslori]

Crewchief, you are probably having anxiety problems. I say that because if you are busy, you don't hurt. Your mind at that point is focused on 'other things' not on how you feel. If the ribs are out of alignment you would have pain all the time, no matter what you are doing. Anyone who has been to the doctor the amount of times you have been without discovering a problem, probably needs to talk to someone. Get yourself some help to find out why you are so focused on how you are feeling. Anxiety can do a real number on you!

Take care

[mammo]

I totally agree with grendslori.  My son is in jujitsu and gets dis-located ribs, and the pain is constant.  Panic/Anxiety atttacks can have so many symptoms, and make you feel like you're having a heart attack or even dying, they can be very debilitating.  You've had thorough examinations which have shown nothing, and you sound like you're very active and physically fit.  You may be doing something during your workout to cause chest soreness.  If your chest hurts when you press on it, then it has to be muscular, nothing internal.  I would see a psychiatrist and get on some medication to help you with the panic attacks.  Panic attacks are actually a normal function of the body.  When we are scared we get the "fight or flight" feeling from the rush of adrenaline, but when they come at the wrong time, they reek havoc with our bodies and minds as we don't know what to do with it.  This is why you feel better when busy.  When you start feeling one coming, get busy doing something, don't sit and think about it, as it makes it worse.  Make sure you are breathing deeply (with anxiety attacks you tend to breathe shallow which cretaes more problems) breathe in thru you nose, and out thru your mouth.  Talk to yourself saying "this is a normal function of my body, nothing to worry about", by getting up and doing something physical, you give this adrenaline something to work on, plus it keeps you from dwelling on it.  Anxiety presents itself in many ways, and often when we feel we have no anxiety.  Talk to your doctor about this, he/she should be able to give you something to help with these until you see the other doctor in Sept.  I think you may be creating more stress with the constant worry of something else being wrong.  There are so many of us who have been thru this, and we are here to support you and help in any way we can.  Hope this helps.

[Crewchief67t]

Thanks for the resopnse.  I have seen a physc. counselor a couple of weeks ago.  Cant get in to see a real one for two more months.  Well last week i got a job transfer so we are moving also.  So now i have to cancel that appt as we will be moving out of town.  Now it will be even longer.

I somewhat know that these pains are probably not heart related but i cant help to think what if..........  With all the tests done i am sure they would probably have found something by now.  At least i hope anyways.  I am still scared.  The pains come at anytime.  But usally when just hanging out.  Sometimes when i am busy but very very rarely.  It is almost always when i am doing nothing.  

I dont feel anxious thats why i dont think its anxiety.

But thanks for the help.  Please post more if you would like.  I usually feel better when i read others comments.

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[grendslori]

Crewchief, the 'what ifs'  are always going to be there. What if I get in an accident....what it I get fired.....what if I die tomorrow. Life is about living and learning. If you spend all of your time wondering about the 'what ifs', you are throwing away a huge chunck of your life! The reason you probably feel so much better coming on these forums is because people are telling you what you already know. The fact that you are always asking the what ifs, means you are probably anxious and don't realize it. Stay focused on your new move and don't worry about anything passed that....baby steps. On a sidebar, are you a real crewchief? My husband was for 10 of his 20 years in the Air Force.

[Crewchief67t]

Hi, I had gotten myself a appt. with a cadiologist and I had a echo and corotid doppler done and a EKG done on tuesday.  All those tests were normal.  He suggested a Thillium Stress test and a CT of chest.  Had the CT today.  Wont get those results for a couple of days i guess.  

Should i quit the worries?  I am still in pain alot of the day everyday.  Chest, jaw, arms, ect. ect. ect.  

Thanks.  

[Crewchief67t]

Ok,  I have the offical report from my MRI i had done two weeks ago.  This is of my C-spine only.  

report says:

An area of fluid signal is present within the c5 vertebral body likey represent a benign hemangioma with slight fatty replacement suggested.  The vertebral bodies are otherwise normal in height and alignment.  The spinal canal appears slightly congenially, ap diameter from 1.1cm to 1.3cm greatest at the c6/c7 level, otherwise normal in single appearance whti the spinal cord normal in caliber and appearance. The craniocervial junction appears normal. Minimal facet degenerative changes are suggested.  Very minimal disk bulge is present to the left lateral aspect at c3/c4, minimally to the right at c5/c6 and very slightly bilaterally at c4/c5 level.  This mildly narrows the neural foramina without nerve root abutment.  No focal disk herniation is identified.  Disk spaces are otherwise unremarkable.


My doc says this is NOT causing my pain.  My Physical therapist says it is.  (more than likely anyways).  He is very confident on this.  He explained that mri's are taken laying flat and not when you are in abnormal body positions. and mri may not show everything when laying flat on back during mri.

Who should i believe?  My doc is the one who referred me to PT about 2 months ago and doc is the one who ordered mri of c-spine.  This is really confusing to me and VERY frustrating.  

Thanks

[grendslori]

Ironically, I would believe the PT. Try going to an Orthopedic doctor and have him review the results. When my daughter was 8 years old, she had muscle weaknesses in her hand so bad she couldn't snap up her uniform slacks that she wore all the time in the winter months. The Pediatrician chalked it up to her having Arthritis. I disagreed with him and he told me he would send her to the Physical Therepist and if they came up with a muscle weakness, then he'd believe it. Not only did the PT find she had muscle weaknesses, she diagnosed scoliosis (which none of the pediatricians over the years had picked up) she also diagnosed contractures of both of my daughter's knees, due to the Rhuematoid Arthritis (straigtening her knees took a year of physical therepy, both at the hospital as well as at home to finally correct)  I would put my money on the PT.

[slhlovescats]

hi,
i read your post and i immediately knew what you were talking about. i am a 27 year old female who started having "so called panick attacks" three months ago. one night i was just sitting down watching tv and BOOM my heart started going 180 beats per minute, couldnt breath, called 911 thought i was having heart attack. ER did all sorts of tests and even hospitalized me for 3 days, sent me home with a diagnosis of panic attacks. same thing happened again and like you, i always felt it coming, would get up and go outside thinking i needed fresh air and boom my heart would start again. after second time of hospitization my doc sent me to cardiologist who put on a holter monitor, my first night wearing it my heart stopped beating for 3 seconds. he then ordered a 21 day monitor so he could see if it continued doing it. my third day of wearing it he called to say that i needed a pacemaker. it had stopped again for about 5 seconds and again. it was gradually getting worse. i was scheduled that week for my pacemaker and that night my heart started going fast again i called 911 because i couldnt breath. the hospital finally saw what my heart was doing while i was hooked up to telemetry. while i was sleeping in the hospital my heart rate dropped into the 30s and stopped beating. they ran into my room to wake me up. then they finally shut up about my "panic attacks" they never have given me a reason for why my heart would start going crazy, they even said it wouldnt be caused by why i needed my pacemaker. but mysteriously  the attacks stopped after getting my pacemaker. i still get chest pain and i dont know why, but i say panic attacks are greatly misused. had one more person told me i was having a panic attack i think i just might have really gone crazy!!!

[slhlovescats]

please let me clarify, im not suggesting that i think you need a pacemaker or that what was wrong with me is wrong with you, although you could ask to have a monitor put on just to be on the safe side.
im just saying that in my opinion, where there is smoke, there is fire!  its your body and you know yourself the same as i knew myself. i knew i wasnt having panic attacks and i was right. stick up for yourself and dont make yourself think that your crazy if you know you're not!

[Crewchief67t]

I have noticed great improvements over the past couple of weeks now.  The pains are less occuring.  Had a few other cardio tests done.  All ok.  When i am in pain i take either a couple of asprin or Ibuprophen and the pains are gone for a few hours.  The occasional xanax also helps relieve pains.  

The racing heart thing doesnt happen anymore.  It was just my anxiety.  I do have alot of stress right now and have for the past few months with an impending job loss or job transfer.  I ended up getting transfered.  Also loss of a close family member of my wifes and a few other things.    

I do appreciate all the responses and support.


Thanks

[Crewchief67t]

I did have a cadio appt. two weeks ago.  Had 12 lead EKG, CTA, Echo, Corotid artery doppler.  All normal.  

I just wish i could get this **** figured out.  

Where do i go next.  Is it safe to say its not my heart?  The Cardio doc says pains are not coming from heart.

Thanks

[slhlovescats]

Your posts are really confusing. On July 31st you were still having all the symptoms, on Aug 3 you said you have been feeling better for weeks, now you say everything is still wrong. I'm confused. You seemed very upset that they were trying to say you were having panic attacks and I explained how in my situation it wasnt panic attacks either and you responded by saying that it was anxiety and that your ok. You seem very confused with your own feelings so I have to say that as much as I try to defend people who get the whole anxiety diagnosis,  I'm starting to think that in your case, maybe it is anxiety.  

[Crewchief67t]

To tell you the truth i dont know anymore.  Days seem like weeks to me, minutes seem like hours.  I do admit i am very confused right now.  I have to go back and read my posts to figure out what has been going on ( if they are actually true).  There isnt a few minutes out of everyday that i feel normal.  This has been going on since late march.  I dont know if at first i didnt think the docs were taking me serious or what.  Docs are very QUICK to dismiss any concern of their patients.  I do feel that they may have worked backwards on me if ya know what i mean.  Minor stuff first then serious stuff.  That may have well caused my constant anxious state.  I did see a counselor a month or so ago ( i think anyways).  Short relief but nothing more.  I have been to the dr. sooooooooo many times. About once a week or more everyweek since end of march.    Test after test after test.  NOTHING.  

When i can really truly rationalize with myself i can see that the pains are not from my heart.  When i push on my ribs a little they almost make me curl over in pain.  I have had back problems for years also (lower back).  Now the neck problems i was not aware of until i had an mri.  It was explained to me by my physical therapist this is what is causing my pains.  

I still think they are all quite possibly unconnected.  When i take a cold drink my left teeth will hurt for HOURS.  I didnt notice that until recently.  

Of course i have been stressed over this because of the nature of the pains that i have had.  Who wouldnt?  With an impending job loss or trasfer, (moving this weekend by the way) the loss of my wifes grandfather from brain cancer in January, my wifes long lost mother showing up after 25 years of being gone.  I can without a doubt say i am stressed.  This has all happend since January.  This has been a very stressful year for my familly.  But on the other hand i am usually unmoved by stress.  I am a 12 1/2 year Army Vet.  Seen alot of crazy stuff.  Been to alot of crazy places and have been in some crazy situations.  I have always taken things with a grain of salt.  No big deal i always said.  Now it is totally different.  

It could be just all that stuff has built over the years and is coming out now.  The Cardio doc that i have seen is a very AGRESSIVE doc.  My first appt i expressed my concerns and told him the "story" and he ordered some tests.  He was slightly concerned over my cholestorol levels.  They are ok but not good enough he said.  I will go back to see him in 5 weeks for another appt.  We are only moving a short distance from there so i can see him again.  

This has been a giant rollercoaster for going on which seems forever (and i really do hate rollercoasters by the way).  I just want this all to end.  It has ruined my home life, my sex life, have a very hard time enjoying anything.  

Sorry for the long post.  I hope you all understand what i am going through.

Thanks to everyone and sorry for the confusion.

[nikite]

I agree... I think you need a chiropractor.

[nikite]

After reading more of the posts I STILL think you should see a chiropractor. I had been to dr after dr, as have you, to find out what my severe pain was from... noone could find it nor fix it. Stress was causing my back to come out of alignment & pinch nerves... nerve pain, in my experience, doesn't respond to pain meds. It's also rare a md will agree w/ a chiro but they are the only ones to have helped me.

[rockcityaudiouk]

Just a quick note to try to help you.
1.your suffering from extreme anxiety. Sometimes we don't find the reason why,
sometimes its just to do with our personailitys or something in our subconscious mind.
It will take time to resolve,but it will resolve the sooner you seek counselling.

2.if you take Ibuprofen and the pain goes away,its muscular not cardiac origin.

3.you have had more than enough radiation exposure for the next year or two.
so no more xrays or CT,s.

4.people that suffer from anxiety are normally very clever people that usually get unnecessary tests(one way or another)but then end up damaging themselves through the  actual over testing.

5.the way that you list the tests,the amount and the way you glide through your tests and results,suggest to me that you are in severe panic mode.

you need to talk and you need help,but mental help because clearly your suffering and that's sad in an otherwise CLEARLY HEALTHY MAN.(according to all your tests)and lets just say,they are very,very extensive.Hope you find peace.
God Bless you.
Jon.

[Crewchief67t]

Thanks to everyone for the posts.  I really wish this would go away.  It seems that i will get these pains for no reason at all.  I can be just sitting doing nothing and the pains strike.  One after another.  It seems my dr. has given up on me.  It is real depressing.  I really feel helpless.

Thanks

[slhlovescats]

Hi,

Here's the thing. I feel for you because I'm somewhat in the same boat. The only difference is that I know I'm not having panic attacks. I know this because I know myself!
I do believe that my symptoms have on occasion turned into panic attacks because they have been so scary and severe that I went into panic mode. So yes I have learned that when I feel my symptoms start I need to stay as calm as possible to keep it from escalating to a panic attack, which has helped. but that doesn't mean my symptoms aren't real. They are very real and I have made it my mission to figure out what is wrong so that I can help myself. So this is where you need to decide, for yourself what you THINK is wrong! If you truly believe that it is something other than anxiety, you need to stick with that and ignore everyone telling you it is. If you think that you are suffering from anxiety then you need to talk to your doctor. There are medicines and natural teqniques that you can use to help you but if you want to take the route of believing its a medical issue then you have to be prepared for a possible long road of trial and error until a doctor finally figures it out. Stay strong for yourself and your family and you will get through this eventually!  

[slhlovescats]

One other thing? Has the cardiologist checked you for coronary artery disease?

[kesta]

Hi,

I believe that you are suffering from anxiety/panic disorder.  I have been since 2004 when a series of devastating events happened.  I was 49 at the time and had never experienced anything like it in my life.  Like you I was totally confused and terrified!  I tried tests, doctors, the ER and finally I started seeing an anxiety specialist - he is published and speaks in the US & Canada.  Hi name is Dr. Paul Foxman.  He got me started on the CHAANGE program and it has changed my life.  I still have anxiety, but now know what I'm feeling and why.  The biggest thing I learned from this program is that the body is a machine.  It will do what we tell it to do.  Also, anxiety is not a mental disorder, it is a physical one.  When we become anxious we have a rush of adrenalin and that can cause fear and then we fear the fear and are bathed in another rush of adrenalin.  If we can identify the 1st rush and go to a calm place within ourselves, it helps.  That is why when you are doing physical things you feel better - you use up the adrenalin.  I calm myself and then go outside and garden or do the dishes or dance like a fool around my living room.  It helps.  The pain in your chest is most likely the muscles tightening - another trick to help alleviate the anxiety is to consciously relax your muscles.  I tell myself, when I'm beginning to have anxiety, that I'm having an adrenalin rush, I relax my muscles, smile (it's amazing it works), take deep breaths (making sure to really push out the breath to make room for the in breath) and then go on to do something physical.  Also, when we work really hard physically ,like working out at the gym killing ourselves for an hour ;), we naturally get an adrenalin rush and it is just that, natural.  Some anxiety is natural and necessary.  Those of us with this disorder become afraid of the rush and like I said earlier, it pushes us into another rush.  I hope this helps.  It takes time but each time you're successful at avoiding the second adrenalin rush it becomes easier and easier to do so.
Be well,
Kesta

[slhlovescats]

thanks for your message. I joined this site not only for some possible answers to my problems but also to relate to other people. I tend to look for the people that are having problems like myself. I have been to doctors but sometimes you need to have understanding from someone and theres no one better to get that from then someone who has been through it too. I have noticed that a lot of people on this site tend to use words like you cant have that, you have this, your too young, etc. etc. and I think that they are really wrong for that. No one on here can diagnose anything, so I dont know why they try. Everything should be advice and only opinions. So if you ever want to vent, just message me and I will listen. About the CAD, I'm not sure but it sounds like they did check you out for it and if they didn't say anything then I would assume you're good.
You say when you have the pain that you take aspirin and anxiety med. try taking just the aspirin and see if it works. If so then its not anxiety.  

[slhlovescats]

I meant to say (probably not having anxiety) or vice versa, take just the anxiety med and see if that works.

[kesta]

Good point.  When I'm feeling pain I often take an Ibuprofen and the pain goes away- like with a headache...but when one is anxious, their muscles tense up and often taking an Ibuprofen will relax the muscles and often the pain and anxiety will subside.  So taking the pain med to see if it is really anxiety does not work.  You are correct - just take the anxiety med and see how you feel in about 1 1/2 hours.  I'm at the point now where just an Ibuprofen when I'm feeling anxious is helping enough to relax my muscles so that I can get a grip on the adrenalin rush.  Remember, a big part of helping your anxiety to subside is to conciously relax your muscles.

[Crewchief67t]

The Cardio doc and my regular doc both said i DO NOT have CAD.  The tests i have had ruled it out i guess.  The cardio doc says i have a normal healthy heart for a 32 year old guy.  

As for the Xanax i rarely take them anymore.  I took my first one in over a week on saturday.  I havent had one since.  When i am in pain for awhile i take some ibuprophen or some asprin (which ever i have at the time).  The pains will pretty much dissapear for a few hours or so.  So i guess its probably muscle or other pains.  Who knows!

[bethenyxx]

whoa, your first post sounds almost exactly what i'm going through right now, although i haven't had near as many tests as you have yet.
i have a doctors appointment tomorrow for another ongoing condition as well as to check up on this issue, you've got me a tad worried now, what if i get all the same tests you did and they all come back negative? everything i've had so far has.
as with you, i refuse to believe it's my anxiety. at least now because i'm on zoloft and i haven't been having near as many panic attacks as i used to, almost none.
but ever since this has started, i'm TERRIFIED about dying. not only just from not knowing why i'm in so much pain, but just in general, it's really starting to take me over.
i'm agitated at the fact i cannot get a straight answer as to what's going on.
i just hope i can get a believable diagnosis so i can stop worrying about what could be causing all of my pain.

[Crewchief67t]

Hi,  i havent totally ruled anxiety out yet.  Sometimes it seems the more i think about it the more pain i am in.  The pains are almost always when i am sitting doing nothing.  Thats the part that has me confused the most.  When i am physically or mentally active i feel GREAT!  If i sit down for a while to relax thats when i am in pain the most.  

Please dont worry!  It only makes things worse.  Believe me.  I really wish i knew what the hell was going on.  I am past the worried part as this has been going on for about 5 months now.

Let me know if you find anything out.  PLEASE!  I will do the same if i find anything out.

Take care and good luck

[den367]

I am going through the same stuff... it *****...what worries me is the people who write that this has been going on for years.. I am only 3 months in and feel like I have had way too many tests. My Doc says anxiety and costocondritis.. I am thinking it's side effects from my BP meds...

[Crewchief67t]

What BP meds are you on?  My second Dr. thought the same thing.  But i am still on them.  And still in pain!  My doc also said anxiety and Costocondritis.  Let me know if you find anything out.

Good luck and take care

[Carodor]

All of this sounds like the same problems I have been dealing with for the past four years or so.  I've had every test done as far as cardiologist are concerned.  I have never seen a psychiatrist or chiropractor, but I am convinced that my problems are panic attacks.  I'm on two bp meds and I'm on Buspar for anxiety.  When I have a severe attack and can't tolerate it anymore I take an Ativan.  It's really amazing the different things that your brain can do to you to make you think you are dieing.

No matter how convinced I am that it is panic attacks, when the fear hits you, you start to look for anything else it could be.  For me, it's the fear of a heart attack.  My arms go numb, from time to time I'll have jaw pain, and even leg pain.  I've had burning sensations on my left arm on the skin.  All signs of a heart attack.  Yet all the doctors and ER docs always say panic attack.  The thing to keep in mind is that when the doctors tell you that you are perfectly healthy and you walk out of that doctor's office or ER...  how do you feel?  For me, I always feel better and relieved.  That is a major indicator that it's not my heart.

My trigger lately is that when I'm sitting on the couch I get relaxed and then all of a sudden my throat will feel an intense burst and I will find myself sitting up fast and gasping for air.  These were a lot like the heart palpitations I had before but with out the heart racing.  Probably due to me taking atenolol.  Some times I can just let it go and forget about it and I'm fine.  Then other times I start thinking, what else could it be.  Then comes the chest pains, random body pains, it's very confusing and extremely frightening.  So I started to think that maybe I have a problem with my digestive system.  Maybe acid reflux, which I have not been tested for.  So again, I pop an Ativan and there goes the pain and fear I'm about to die.  But the thought of when it is going to happen next is always there looming and waiting to push you into another attack.

Some things I have found out that do help me is to listen to the doctors.  Tell them everything, no matter how silly things might sound.  The more info they have, the more they can help you.  Never use the internet as a doctor.  It's great for figuring out symptoms but horrible for those of us who suffer panic attacks as all of a sudden we have everything wrong with us.  Research instead of how many people have died of heart attacks around your age group.  Research family medical history...  how many in your family have had early heart problems, anxiety problems, etc.   Look at your lifestyle, the food you eat, how much exercise you get and we all can use some changes.  I highly recommend getting aggressive towards doing the right things.  Get out and walk, jump in that treadmill, jump into that lake and stay clear from the flesh eating bacteria!  

Most importantly, find your inner calm.  Focus on yourself and the things you done, and what you want to do before your time does come.  And if you feel an attack coming on after all the doctors have told you that there is nothing wrong with you, turn to death and say...  it's not my time and you can't catch me.  Get active, throw on your shoes and start walking.  Get your heart beat pulsing naturally, tell your brain that YOU are in control and it needs to sit down and set breathing back to automatic mode.

I've always been over weight...  always been one of those people that fills up with stress and never shows it, never releases it.  I've had many tragedies in my life that drag me down.  And I've told myself that if I want to see my kids grow up and make me some grand babies (I'm only 33), then I need to do the obvious things.  Lose weight.  Eat Healthy, Exercise, see my doctor on a regular basis, and learn to live in peace with myself.

[Opie1937]

I just read all your posts and the replies that are on this blog.  I do not have this problem, but I do know something about it.  I worked for 25 years as a fireman and went to hundreds of medical emergency calls.  We had to diagnose the complaints of victims with pain or illness or injury.  Some of them were similar to your condition.

If your heart skips a beat and comes up into your throat, you may feel it.  This is a fairly common condition and most people do not notice it, but if you do, It will scare you and you may panic.  You may notice this mostly if you are at rest!

Panic victims tend to breath very rapidly and upset the oxygen/carbon dioxide balance in their blood.  The body senses this imbalance and tries to correct it by increasing the circulation, inhalation, etc. and becomes a vicious circle.  The more you breath the worse it becomes.  You experience pains, shortness of breath, numbness and tingling in your extremities. You may grow weak and even faint. This is hyperventilating and is very real to the victim!

We used to have the victim breath into a paper bag.  This reduced the level of oxygen and restored the imbalance.  A better solution was to have them breath into an oxygen mask without turning on the O2.  That way they believe they are getting help and start to calm down.  Your mind is very powerful, if you are being reassured and calmed by positive instruction to slow your body responses, the panic may subside.  This does not mean you are crazy and do not have real pain and problems.  We always sent the person to a hospital or doctor for testing.

The other thing is your blood sugar level may be going up or down and causing a problem.  

Good luck with your health in the future.

[Crewchief67t]

Thanks for all the responses.  I think the anxiety has pretty much went away.  I still have very short lived panic attacks.  I am still in pain almost anytime i am relaxed.  Still have all the mentioned pains.

Thanks
Mike

[Carodor]

Well... hopefully your department drove Pierce fire trucks.  I only say this because I build them.  8)

And you are absolutely right about the oxygen / carbon dioxide thing.  Doctors were always telling me to breath into a paper bag to regulate myself.  It does work....  especially if you really believe that it does.