chest pain and sense of doom

[Mels22]

COULD I HAVE ANGINA OR A PENDING HEART ATTACK? I AM A 25 YEAR OLD FEMALE ADN HAVE BEEN HAVING MOSTLY LEFT SIDED CHEST PAINS FOR ABOUT A MONTH NOW. I AM VERY CONCERNED NOW THEY ARE MOVING TO THE RIGHT SIDE AND THE MIDDLE OF THE STERNUM. I ALSO SOMETIMES FEEL PAINS IN MY LEFT SHOULDER, ARM, AND FINGERS. I WENT TO THE ER 3 WEEKS AGO WITH CHEST PAINS AND AN IMPENDING SENSE OF DOOM. THEY DID BLOOD WORK, EKG MONITORING, CHEST X RAY, CT SCAN AND ALL CAME BACK NORMAL. MY CHOLESTEROL WAS 135 AND MY BP WAS GOOD. I HAVE NO HISTORY OF FAMILY HEART DISEASE. I HAVE HAD ANXIETY IN THE PAST BUT THIS FEELS DIFFERENT. I'M SCARED EVERYDAY OF DYING AND I JUST FEEL A DOOM CLOUD OVER MY HEAD. I READ AN ARTICLE WHERE WOMEN HAVE DIFFERENT SYMPTOMS THAN MEN INCLUDING THIS SENSE OF DOOM, INDIGESTION, ETC. I HAVE ALL THESE AND IT SAYS YOU CAN HAVE THEM FOR A MONTH BEFORE THE HEART ATTACK. I JUST KEEP WAITING FOR IT. MY DOCTOR DID AN EKG WHICH CAME BACK WITH INVERTED T WAVES SO HE ORDERED MYOVIEW NUCLEAR STRESS TEST WHICH CAME BACK NORMAL. HE ALONG WITH THE CARDIOLOGIST ENSURES ME MY HEART IS FINE. I'VE HEARD STRESS TESTS AREN'T VERY ACCURATE AND I'M JUST WONDERING, COULD I BE HAVING ANGINA LEADING TO A HEART ATTACK? I'VE BEEN TOLD EVERYTHING FROM GERD TO POSTPARDUM TO ANXIETY (I HAD A BABY 5 MONTHS AGO). I'M ON PROZAC, TRANXENE, AND PRILOSEC WHICH DON'T SEEM TO BE HELPING THE INDIGESTION OR WORRY. WHAT SHOULD I DO? SHOULD I PRESS FOR MORE TESTS? I'M SO SCARED I'LL DIE AND NOT BE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF MY BABY. PLEASE HELP!!!!
THANK YOU FOR YOU HELP IN ADVANCE!!!

[CCF-M.D.-MJM]

Hello,

Congratulations on your new child.  

Based on your age alone, your risk of coroary artery disease is extremely low especially if you have no other risk factors.  If you have negative cardiac work up,  you should feel very comforted.

The incidence of depression and anxeity is the number one cause of chest pain in your age group -- hands down.  This is good news from a cardiac perspective, but as you know this is very difficult to treat and deal with emotional, especially when you are under as much stress and sleep deprivation that you are under now.  Make sure you are getting enough sleep and consider asking for counseling.  Doctors are not always as good at this because it takes a lot of time to talk through this and our schedules sometimes just don't permit.  It is probably best to ask for some outside help other than your physician -- see if they can recommend somebody.

I hope this answers your questions.  good luck and thanks for posting.

[momto3girls]

Hi there honey,

Well, if feeling a "sense of impending doom" indicates a heart attack, I'd have been dead about 100 times over now!  I feel that same crippling, terrifying feeling and then my thoughts run wild with it...this is it, this time it's for real, I know something is wrong!  Boy, it can be paralyzing can't it?

I too have chest pain...it moves around as well.  If it's moving around and you can press on it and it hurts, it's probably muscular.  Have you ever heard of costochondritis?  It's an inflammation of the cartilage that connects to the bones (most painful in the chest/sternum area for me).  Look it up and see if it sounds like what you're feeling.  It has sent me to the ER (I'm 33) many a time only to be told, ya, it's not your heart!  You're young, I would guess (I'm not a doctor!) that you're fine for your age.  If you've had the appropriate cardio work-up (ekc, echo's, stress tests) than that's why they're telling you that you are fine.  I've had all the same work-up as you and have a slight family history and still they say I'm fine and I believe them.  

It's hard to deal with it...try to talk yourself out of the scary feelings you have.  I have done this more times than I'd care to say.  I also have children (3) and have worried time and again that I'll die and leave them motherless.  I truly know what you're feeling.  Hang in there and try to gain reasurance from the tests you've had done and what your doctors are telling you.  Good luck, enjoy your baby and best wishes to you (:

momto3girls (:

[CollegeGirl143]

it sounds like you're having very bad textbook anxiety, (impending sense of doom, constantly scared of dying)..These in themselves are more symptoms of an anxiety disorder than a cardiac problem. if you do a search on the web you can find all the info on it you'll ever need

[Celeste07]

Hi there, and congrats on the new baby!
I was going to comment on the other thread, but for some reason it wouldn't bring up the page.
My daughter just had her second child 5 and 1/2 months ago and I have to tell you that she is going through some very similiar episodes. Anxiety with some aches and pains seems to be very common during postpardum. Her doctor feels that it's due to hormones and muscles and her body readjusting to it's former size.

Personally, I have had the same sensations you have many times over, just the other night infact, and like moms, I have been in and out of the ER for it.
I know how terrifying it can be, and I sympathize.
Panic/anxiety can be a bugger to deal with and the symptoms it can cause are so numberous. woodruff gave some excellent advice and the book he suggested is definetly worth checking out.

Best wishes hon, for you and your baby!

[cmiller]

There is a condition in preganancy called "preclampsia" which is treated with high doses of Magnesium... basically a pregnant mother gets to the point where she can not hold magnesium and needs a supplement.  the Dx occurs only when it threatens the child.  As far as I can tell, no further consideration is given to lactating mothers who may be low in Mg from having their own stores stripped by a growning fetus.  loss of Mg can cause a feeling of sense of doom, depression, anxiety symptoms, palpitations, weakness, well, just do a search on Mg and you will discover a long list that might look like your symptoms.
Here's a start:
http://www.mgwater.com/conseq.shtml

stress strips Magnesium.  a vicious cycle.   I know I'm a lot happier now that I'm on Magnesium.   Perhaps Try Mg glycinate and see how you do. unless your doctor is for some reason dead set against it... which would be a shame for someone just post partum.  

many more postings on this site if you are interested.



good luck.

CMiller

[Mels22]

I APPRECIATE EVERYONE'S COMENTS AND UNDERSTANDING.  IT HAS BEEN VERY DIFFICULT FOR ME TO DEAL WITH BUT ITS HARD TO SHAKE THE FEELING THAT ITS NOT MY HEART WHEN SOMETIMES MY NECK, SHOULDER AND CHEST PAIN GET SOOO BAD!  I FIND IT HARD TO SLEEP AS WELL.  I WILL TRY THE MAGNESIUM AND SEE IF IT HELPS.  AT THIS POINT, I'M WILLING TO TRY ANYTHING.  IS IT TRUE THAT STRESS TESTS ARE NOT VERY DIAGNOSTIC?  IT JUST SEEMS ODD THAT MY SHOULDER AND ARM PAIN IS ONLY ON MY LEFT SIDE.  SHOULD I ASK FOR AN ECHO?  ITS THE ONLY TEST I HAVEN'T HAD.  I WOULD LIKE TO BELIEVE THIS IS JUST ANXIETY AND I HOPE AND PRAY IT IS. I WOULD GIVE ANYTHING TO GO BACK TO NORMAL AND I APPRECIATE THIS SITE SO MUCH AND ALL THE INPUT I GET.  THANK YOU!!!  GOOD LUCK WITH ALL YOUR CHEST PAINS!

[Mels22]

I'm still scared of having a heart attack.  I read the following symptoms online for heart attack and I have almost all of them...


THESE ARE SOME COMMON SYMPTOMS THAT PATIENTS MAY EXPERIENCE BEFORE A HEART ATTACK:

Pain or ache in middle of chest
Pain in shoulder or arm (usually left), neck, jaw or in back between shoulder blades
Indigestion, bloating, heartburn
Difficulty breathing
Nausea, vomiting
Cold sweat, paleness, weakness

Would it be possible to have these symptoms a month before a heart attack?  I have been having unbelievable indigestion and bloating and pains.  Do you think its just anxiety?  I checked that concondritus syndrome and it doesn't hurt when I press on it.  It is a deep down dull ache...doesn't that sound like an impending heart attack?  It moves from my left to right sides and sometimes in teh middle.  Should I go to the ER?

[woodruff]

Kiddo, you're so stressed right now that you can't really take in what is posted here.  You are almost certainly in the grip of panic, and you are almost certainly not in danger at any time, now or in the next month, of a heart attack.  However, to judge from the tone of your message, I think it might be a good idea to go to the ER--but for this reason only:  You need help, right now, for your panic and anxiety, and the attending physician will be able to give you a little tranquilizer, such as ativan, to tide you over until you see your counselor on Tuesday.

Here is a list of the commonest symptoms of panic attack, as you will find them on any site that deals with the subject:

Rapid heart beat, pounding heart or palpitations
Sweating
Shaking visibly or inside
Choking sensations or lump in throat
Smothering or shortness of breath sensations
Chest pain or discomfort
Nausea, bloating, indigestion or abdominal discomfort
Dizziness or unsteadiness
Feeling light-headed
Derealisation (feeling unreal or dreamy)
Depersonalisation (feeling outside yourself or like you don't exist)
Fear of losing control or going crazy
Paresthesias (numbness or tingling sensations) in face, extremities or body
Chills or hot flushes
Skin losing colour
Blushing or skin blotches
Urgently needing to urinate or defecate

[eleblofish]

hello all, can any one out there help me. when ever i have a drink of alcohol my heart starts racing,sweat pours out of me, i feel like im going to die. this can happen after only 1 glass of wine. Im not a big drinker any way but have had to give up all together.can anyone help? I would be so gratefull!

[tickertock]

This is common reaction to many with palpitations that drink even one beer, alcohol is a heart irritant and many that over indulge often have what is called the "Holiday Heart syndrome", you might want to look it up. For those that are sensitive to it only only takes one drink. Best thing is realising it and stopping. I used to have this when I was younger though it took  quite a few beers or drinks to cause this, now I can have quite a few without symptoms. I take medication though, atenolol & cozaar. I would not encourage anyone that finds alcohol to be a trigger of palpitations to drink though, it just aint worth it. Good luck.

[anacyde]

Yikes, you sound like you're going through some postpartum anxiety.  I've probably always had anxiety, but after the birth of my first baby in 2003, I was nearly crippled with anxiety.  I was SURE I would never live to see her first birthday, and that she'd grow up without me.  I had palpitations frequently and I always felt a sense of impending doom.  I was convinced my cardiologist was a fool and was missing something important.

Turns out I had postpartum anxiety, probably a result of all of the hormonal changes, adapting to motherhood and having a pre-existing anxiety disorder.  I began to emerge from it around 6 months postpartum and was fully better by her first birthday (which I lived to see despite all of my dreadful worries).  Yes, it was a long year.  Looking back I still feel sad because I pretty much remember nothing of the first five months of my daughter's life.  I was literally drowining in my own fears.  I was so afraid of dying that I had stopped living...I merely existed.

I know that when you feel like this, it is next to impossible for anyone to convince you that you are okay.  You think you're the exception to the rule and that something vital is being missed.  If you've been reassured, please please please try to find the courage to break free from this anxiety.  Don't have regret like I do about everything I missed by living that way.  Tell youself what I told myself.  Live.  Isn't that what I'm so afraid of missing?  merely exist for 100.  I guess that was what finally got me out of what I was in.

Hang in there.  Read the archives here, this site was HUGE in getting me to feel safe again.

PS: Sometimes certain medications, even ones meant to treat anxiety, can make anxiety worse.  You might want to try finding a really good therapist who does cognitive-behavioral therapy.  It's more of a talk approach to overcoming anxiety that focuses on eliminating the cycles and pitfalls that keep us stuck in negative thinking.  Sounds silly, but it isn't.  It does work.  Certainly don't stop your medications without a doctor's supervision or anything like that, but if they are not working, it is time to try something else - with help.

Hang in there.  Things will get better!  You are definitely not alone.

[anacyde]

PS: Pre-eclampsia happens during pregnancy or (very rarely) during the immediate postpartum period.  Pre-eclampsia was ruled out by the time you went home from the hospital.  Don't try supplementing something like magnesium without a definite reason and a doctor's advice, as doing so could give you some actual heart issues like arrhythmia.

[anacyde]

Same thing happens to me, particularly when I haven't eaten much.  I'm not much of a drinker anyhow, I feel toasted after a little glass of wine!  But as you describe, the same happens to me after a drink, though not always.  Seems pretty common for palpitation sufferers.

[eleblofish]

hi,thank you so much for your advice it as made me feel better.iv had a bad day with palpatations to day and could do with a nice glass of wine but there's no way im going to its too scarey for me.its not fair, iv had all the test done by heart doc who says im fine, found heart murmer but dont need any treatment for it.I sometimes get palps after i eat dont no why. any clues?

[CollegeGirl143]

its common for people(myself included) to have increased pvc's or even increased instances of arrhythmia after eating because the heart rate naturally increases during digestion. For some people an increase in heart rate is a trigger for pvc's or arrhythmia, so its like a chain reaction.

[eleblofish]

hi, i think i understand wot you mean. but when you say pvc wot does that stand for. iv been like this now for the past 11 yrs, before that i was ok. i cant help but wonder why it changed or wot i did to make me be like this, i get very scared sometimes, and its on my mind all the time.does any one else feel like me? im sure you must.thanks for your help.

[CollegeGirl143]

Pvc is a premature ventricular contration.. its basically a palpitation.. And i think pretty much everyone in this forum has an idea of what you're feeling, thats why we're all here.  If the fact that you cant get this fear out of your mind is making life harder, talk to your doctor. You dont have to live in fear :)

[splishy]

I had the exact same thing happen to me after my pregnancy- my baby was 4 months old and have a two year old- I'm skinny and both pregnancies seem to take alot out of my body and totally changed my body chemistry. We lived in Las vegas and I dropped a lot of weight after the baby and was hospitalized because I thought I was having a heart attack- couldn't catch my breath- was nauseous- cold hands and feet- rapid heartbeat- total freak out-
My paper work from the hospital states- I had hypokalemia and hyperglycema- had a stress test- enzymes negative and ejection fraction of 50%. Said I have a one-step reversible ischemia in the anterior wall- he wrote- "discussed this in detail with radiologist and this may be of no clinical significance". What does THAT mean? He told me I also have Mitral Valve prolaspe on the way out the door.

I am being treated now with a minamal dose of anti-anxiety-effexor 37.5 because I can't tolerate any higher because my system is super sensitive to medicine. My anti-anxiety medicine gives me anixety-HA

Any info on what the doctor said and what it means would be great. Haven't seen a doctor since because we have moved.

[eleblofish]

hi, yes i can see that everyone on here feels like me after reading all the postings, i just happened to click on the right one for me and got carried away at finding people who suffer as i do, sorry.i have been to my docs and told him how i feel but he does not seem to understand he just says ( i no you feel like your going to die but your not)and says he can give me tablets but they will leave me tired and washed out, as i am a working mum with 3 kids doesnt think it would be a good idea.

[anacyde]

I sometimes get an increase in premature beats after eating, and I suspect it is related to movement in the esophagus.  This is just a guess.  I notice when I have esophageal spasms (I have severe reflux) I get more palpitations or a very low heart rate (upper 40s to low 50s).  Sometimes just eating a normal meal can cause some of those symptoms too.

Since sugar also affects me, I think that may have something to do with the increase that occasionally comes with meals as well.

[rints]

Hey Mel!
Boy i was glad to see your message here.. I am 26 and have exactly the xame problems!!!!! I was like reading my own words.
Only thing is that my baby is 3 now and suddenly this feeling started 4 months ago with weakness, nausea. paleness  and have grown  to be a big problem! I have been in ER 5 !!!!! times.. and they find nothing as well... i have had several bloodwork, ekg's, stress stress and i have been on holter monitor ( i dont know results yet)
here are my symptoms...
pain in chest ( left side - dull aching pain that comes and goes)
shortness of breth
palpations, tingling on my left hand, arm, leg, side
muscle pains . also pain in my left arm, shoulder, jaw
headaches
terrible fear that i am going to dye
problems with sleeping because i am afraid to dye
feeling doomed

and doctors have found nothing.. i am also just afraid that they miss something..

Belive i do know how you feel... and i know how much you want it to stop.. because its what i want the most
lets hope there is help for us...

[CollegeGirl143]

your extreme fear of dying, even though you cant find any medical problems, is textbook of anxiety. So are your other symptoms. Panic attacks are horrible because they are driven by an irrational fear of death, but the symptoms we feel from panic attacks can mimic a heart problem, and this is very scary. Its a vicious cycle. If all your physical tests keep coming back normal, talk to your doctor about the possibility you are having anxiety attacks.

[Mels22]

Hi all, I was in Arkansas for 2 weeks on vacation at the lake and am still feeling these pains.  I am so scared.  I have called 911 three times including this morning.  I woke up with the worst left sided shoulder and arm pain shooting down.  They know me now and told me not to spend the money to come in.  They did EKG and said that and vital signs were fine.  The chest pains have gotten a little better but the shoulder and arm pains are killing me!  I went to a chiropractor today and he seems to think its a pinched nerve.  He adjusted me and cracked my neck and now it feels worse.  He wants to see me 3 times a week...should I go?  He did a bunch of tests on me and found a lot of tension in the left area.  I have had all the cardiac tests and all were negative but I know they can be wrong sometimes.  I have an appt with cardiologist on Friday and I'm wondering if I should go.  All my family seems to think its just anxiety or GERD but I'm still so scared about my heart!  Could all those cardiac tests be wrong?  My baby is growing before my eyes and I can hardly take care of him.  I just want to know what is wrong and feel better.  Any suggestions?
Thanks!

[fugi]

It's very sad that so many of us continue to have the same problems but, the Dr's are constantly saying theres nothing wg. I too have sharp shooting chest pains,left shoulder pains, and side pains. I am now have expierencing burning sensations all over the upper chest walls. I have been to the emg room about 8x. Everything always comes back normal with the exc. of the last visit about a week ago. My ekg was abnormal with sinus arrym's. I went to my cardio and he said that he has done every test with the exception for a scope inserted in my heart and he sees no need to do that when all my test are coming up neg. I am not on a holt mont. for a month to see y I'm having the arrym's. as well as racing, pounding heart rates. I cannot focus on anything including my child, which is unfair to her. I've been told to seek proffesional help b/c it's just aniexty but, I just can't seem to understand y this is happening all of a sudden when I've been perfectly healthy and non stress. B/C this is not a good way to live I am now with a phsyc. and it seems to be helping a little but, the most improvement and sense of hope I've had lately has been through prayer...Good luck to all and just know that I will be praying for all of us to get through this.

[Mels22]

Hi all...my echo came back normal.  Therefore I've had a normal myoview stress test, 8 EKGs, chest x-ray, CT scan, echo, MRI and physical check up...normal blood tests, BP and cholesterol.  The only thing that came back abnormal was my liver blood work.  Here is my question...could I still have a heart attack?  I just don't know what to do.  I still have left arm/shoulder/chest pain.  I've been to 2 regular MDs, cardiologist and neurologist and now they are saying maybe fibromyalgia.  If anyone has any suggestions, I would really appreciate it!  Do you think my pain is of cardiac origin?  I also have terrible ingiestion, burping and upper stomach pain - have had it for 2 months.  Is this normal?  Do you think I'll have a heart attack?  I'm scared everyday of this.
Help!!!!
Thanks!

[christina95630]

Why dont you email me direct i have experienced all and then some of your symptoms and went throught dr's, er's, etc. i finally found out what it was (not to worry) and got rid of it for good! please email me and i will give you my number because it would talk too long to type everything out.

Sincerely,
christina_95831***@****