Chest Pain 1 yr

[ScaredInSanDiego]

Hello,

Thank you for taking the time to read over this post.

I am:
Male 27 years old
1 child 6 months
6'3" 300 pounds
Ex Smoker (130 days)
Low Normal (5.5) THyroid
Slightly Elevated Uric Acid
230 Cholesterol
Negative H Pylori

I am currently taking
Protonix BID - GERD
Naproxen 500mg BID - Costochondritis
Benicar HTC 25/12.5

TESTS:
May 2004 - ER - Vagus Nerve response - no chest pain wife made me go as I had turned pale and light headed after a BM
EKG - Normal
Echocardiogram - Normal
Nuclear Stress Test - Normal

May 2005 - Urg Care
EKG - Normal
Ultrasound of Gall Bladder - normal

Aug 2005 - Office Visit
EKG - Normal

Sep 2005 - Gastro consult
Upper GI - Inflamed Duodenem

Jan 2006 - DO
Chest examination - Costochondritis

Story:
Feb 2005 After carrying a heavy load for approx .5 - .75 miles I began having severe chest pain. It radiated to my arm and I felt a little short of breath.  At this time I had no insurance and after my ER visit in 04 that cost me 20K I decided not to go to ER.  Instead I took some aspirin, and a valium (as I wanted to stay calm) and tried to go back to sleep.

Since that night I have been having chest pain on an almost daily basis, doctors have run EKG's but wont test further due to my clear cardio work up in 5/04. They have guessed at GERD, Esophogeal Spasms, And now costochondritis.  All the meds have not worked. I have seen chiropractors and seem to get some relief from them as they say my Thorasic Spine is very misaligned and pinching nerves (T2 - T6).

I find myself in a constant state of worry about death and dying. I am CONSTANTLY taking my pulse. and even more so now since my dr. gave me HBP medication (although at home when I test it or my wife (RN) does it is between 128/84 and 112/58 but in the office I am around 140/100 (the cuff may be to small in the dr office). The Drs do not seem to be taking my pain seriously and aren't running tests.

I fear that I am having a heart attack, aortic aneurysm(no doctor has looked there) and I am in a constant fear as I have not obtained a Dx for these symptoms.  I am just looking for help and I cant seem to get a Dr who will listen to me or spend more than 5 minutes with me.

I am hoping its anxiety, at least I will know the problem and can attack it.

My symptoms:
Chest pain Left side upper left abdominal pain, vertigo, occasional nausea, weird pressure in head, Pain in ribs, tender ribs, extremely tight muscles. Trouble sleeping worried to be alone as I am afraid i will have a heart attack with no one to help me. Numbness and pain in left arm and leg. Loss of Libido, edgy and upset stomach. I have also gained 75 pounds since this all started.

I know I sound desperate... its only because I am. My wife is also very unhappy as she is tired of me always being sick.. I just want my life back.

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

I can't second guess your cardiac doctors, but can suggest that you see a psychiatrist to talk through your anxieties and fears to sort them out carefully.  He or she will be able to help you go in the right direction, and if it is anxiety, will be able to treat you for that.

[ScaredInSanDiego]

Dr. Tonight I took some ativan as I was having a lot of pain. Oddly enough all my symptoms of pain went away after an hour or so. I will be scheduling a psychiatrist appt.

[Aruba417]

I totally know how you feel! I'm 25 and have been convinced for a long time that I had a heart problem. Heart disease runs in my family and starts at young ages so this didn't help my fears. Anyways, I've had a full cardio work up also, and have been seen by different cardiologists whether I was in the ER or urgent care or reg office visit. Everyone has given me the "all clear". However, I STILL get chest pain in my upper left chest, left arm, and get hard painful heartbeats, and palpitations every so often. Since starting on medication for Panic Disorder and GAD, I have felt better. I take Effexor and Xanax. Just the fact that when you took the Ativan and your symptoms went away should help be of some comfort! Good luck and God Bless!

[blueangelz]

I suffer from the chest pains,rapid heart beat and such. Here on medhelp there is one write up about taking benzos and chest pain going away on the heart forum. My cardioligist also told me the same. That if it was TRUE heart problems then benzos would NOT make the problem go away. I went to the ER with chest pain and a heart rate of 170. They thought I was in a arrythmia because my rate was so high. They gave me ativan to calm my mind because they wanted to give me a medication to slow my heart. After about 1 min or so my heart rate started to slowly come back down and it ended up just being a panic attack. So, if benzos stop it from happening and you have had all normal testing come back you can bet on anxiety being the problem.

[ScaredInSanDiego]

Thank you for all your responses. I saw a psychiatrist last week whom prescribed .5mg of klonipin twice a day and lexapro... I already feel about 80 % better.  I have had only slight chest pain once since starting the benzo.... my heart rate is normal... and i am not as obsessed about my heart.  I have been diagnosed with ocd and panic disorder.

[ABCMomof3]

God Bless your Heart. You are on your way to feeling all better. You have the love of a good wife, the support of a good dr. the meds to help relieve your anxieties and lift any depression; who could ask for more. Praise God and thank him for leading the way to a full recovery. You are going to be fine, you are going to be better then fine, you are going to be beautifully, wonderfully fine!!!!