Please help, not sure what this might be

[breasmommy]

Out of the blue, mostly when at rest, I get a tight feeling, almost like a knot or large gas bubble, right below my sternum. The pressure and discomfort increases as it moves upward toward my neck. The pressure/discomfort stops once it reaches about my collar bone or bottom of my neck. During this "episode" I feel like it is harder to breath. When the pressure/discomfort reaches my throat and ceases I gasp for air (kind of like what you see on tv after someone is revived by cpr after drowning) and then it is all over. This whole thing occurs suddenly and only last for approximately 5 seconds (though it feels like hours). Afterward, of course, I have terrible anxiety and am aware of my breathing and heartbeats (which are all normal) waiting for it to happen again. I have been to a cardiologist who did ekg's, ecocardiogram, event monitor for 2 weeks and a cardiac cta - all of which is normal. He is not concerned and told me I do not have to return to him, though he has given me no insight into what it may be except a side effect of a medicine I was on. I have since stopped the medicine and the symptoms stopped too until yesterday when I had another "episode". I would like to know what this might be and if I should be concerned enough to either go back to that cardiologist or see another one. It is very disturbing and makes me uneasy when this happens.

Thank you

[breasmommy]

Thank you both for your suggestions.

With my gastritis, I do occassionally get sensations in my chest that seem to mimic heart-related issues but nothing like this. Along with my Zegerid I have also used Zantac 150, tried Prevacid as well as a bunch of over-the-counter antacids. I have even had prescription pain medicide prescribed to me to manage the severe pain I do get with this condition. I have also had a barium swallow and an Upper GI performed that allowed my gastro to rule out Esohageal Spasms (which my symptoms are not like the ones that are described for this condition). Also, these "episodes" do not follow swallowing. They have occurred while relaxing on the couch, walking and even exercise. They happen any where from a few times a week to a month or two apart.

The part that has made my GP, Gastro and even Cardiologist believe it is the heart is that after the pressure radiates upward, it feels like a large thud in my chest accompanied by my gasping for air. The Cardiologist told me that it is nothing to worry about and not life threating. He also told me the function of my heart appears to be good with no abnormalities in function or structure.

This is why I am so perplexed.
Something has to be causing them- a trigger even.
What is it that is going on with me- is there a name?
Should I go back to him or see another Cardiologist?

I'm at a loss and very concerned. No one I know has anything like this so I am hoping that someone on here has experienced the same thing and can give me more suggestions, a possible cause and insight on what I may want to do next.

Thank you

[Sirenet]

Hi. Does this happen after you've just swallowed? Food/drink/possibly even air.  If so, you may have experienced "Esophageal Spasms" which can be briefly painful. There is a correlation with acid reflux. Google and see if this may be what you experience. Just a thought...

[Jerzeegal]

I got symptoms like you are speaking of when I had gastritis. At the time I was using zantac 150mgs once a day and also gaviscon liquid following meals and at bedtime. I know your gastro said no correlation but it might be worth a try using the gaviscon at least and see if that helps.

[breasmommy]

Thank you for your response.

I also have Acid Reflux as well as Gastritis which I am on 40mg of Zegerid twice a day for. My Gastro was also consulted about these occurances and says that there is no correllation. I also notice that when I have these "episodes" I am not experiencing any gastric symptoms.

I forgot to mention that I was also diagnosed with SVT when I was 17 (I am 29 now). This symptom is something new that I had never felt before with SVT and has only been occuring over the past two to three years. The medicine that I was speaking of was Prozac which I was on for Anxiety/Depression/OCD/Panic. I also know these are not related to any of those as normally these "episodes" put me in a state of anxiety and panic.

[Staplator]

If it's not your heart it sounds like heartburn.  Perhaps you should see a gastroenterologist.  For me, it went away when I took Prilosec OTC.