Whats going on??????

[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, nexium 2xday, 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

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

sorry to say, but no other ideas--maybe orthopedic visit will be fruitful.

[Crewchief67t]

Hi,  Just wanted to update you on my cardio vistit.  Had ECG, 12lead EKG, CTA, Corotid artery doppler.  all came back normal.  Doc says not my heart.  What the heck is it then.  Off to see a neuro or ortho doc next i guess.

Any more ideas?
Thanks

[Crewchief67t]

Thanks Doc!

I am also going to see a cardiologist tomarrow.  I had to get this appt. on my own since my doc refuses to refer me to another cardiologist.  He says NOT HEART PROBLEM.  I also got a job tranfer so we are moving this coming weekend.  Under alot of stress for the last 6 months.  I will for sure go see a ortopedic doc as soon as i get there.  

This has gone on long enough.  My doc says anxiety.  Of course i am suffering from anxiety.  I am in pain everyday.  And the pains are VERY VERY unnerving and scary.  With all the test done I am surprised that if it was my Heart it did not show.  

But anyways I truly appreciate your responses and kind words.

I do have one more question.  What kind of Doc are you?  Always been curious.

Thanks
Mike

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Since you had pain and redness I would still say, please consult an orthopedic specialist. Also show your MRI report to the orthopedic specialist. With this report and the symptoms you have, there are chances that the spinal lesion is responsible for it. However on net, a confirmed diagnosis cannot be given. Also this way, you will have a second professional opinion from the orthopedic.
Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!

[Crewchief67t]

Ok,  I have the offical report from my MRI i had done two weeks ago monday.  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

[Crewchief67t]

Over the last few weeks on and off i could touch what i think is about my 3rd or 4th rib just left of the sternum and it was VERY painful to the touch and my skin was red there.  That pain has all but gone completely gone away.  The pains i am having are almost always when i am sitting.  I just dont get it.  I have had stess test, LOTS of EKG's bloodwork.  all of them when i am in pain but they find nothing.  Calcium score of 0.  Doc says its not HEART.  When i press on parts of my chest the opposite side will hurt.    All of my bloodwork came back good.  ALL of them. you name it they probably tested for it.  I take nexium also.  I have heartburn right now but i forgot to take nexium this morn so i just took it now.  I am going to see another Cardiologist on Tuesday and see what he says.  I had to get this appt. on my own since my Doc wont send me to another one.  He says NOT HEART!

Thanks for the response once again.  I really appreciate it!

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Yes, it could be anxiety. There is a chance that it is costochondritis (inflammation of the joint between rib and sternum. The inflammation around the joint area gives sharp pain on taking a breath. This can also cause tenderness on pressing the area which pains. An orthopedic doctor can diagnose this for you. In your case the pain is not a classic picture of costochondritis. Just press at the area and see if it is tender. If you find it to be so, it could be costochondritis.
Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!

[Crewchief67t]

Thanks,  the chest pains dont come very often.  They are usually only present with rest.  I cant remember having them when doing ANY strenuous activity.  The pains are usually brought on by posture it seems.  But once again i cant tell for sure.  If i am having a chest pain when i sit down, it is almost always relieved by standing up.  The arms, jaw, neck pains are usually also happening when i am sitting down.  or just standing doing nothing.  like now sitting in front of the computer my left arm hurts and so does my back.  It will probably go away if i get up and move around.  The pains in my chest last for a couple of seconds.  The rest of the pains may last for a few mins after.  

My BP has been very very good over the last month or so.  It has been averaging around 110/80 off meds.  I am still taking the Toporol XL for anxiety i guess.  Thats what my doc says anyways.  

Could this all just be anxiety?  The more i think about it the more it happens.  I am so lost!!

Thanks for the resopnse.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Thanks for writing to the forum!
You could be having stable angina as you usually suffer from the chest pains after a bout of activity. If the pains come also without activity then probably this is unstable angina. A stress echocardiogram is generally positive, but has not shown any positive result in your case.  A 24-hour ECG holter will be needed for diagnosing this as the EKG taken at other times is normal in your case. This will tell for sure whether there is an involvement f heart or not. History of smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, large meals, exposure to cold weathers, high cholesterol, a family history of heart disease etc all act as precipitating factors.
Stomach ulcer, indigestion, heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux (when acid from your stomach is thrown into your esophagus), gallbladder disease, and gallstones can all cause chest pains. You have been diagnosed with esophagitis and this could be because of GERD. Omeprazole is a good drug to combat this, though  it may not suit all. Along with it you can try over the counter antacids. However I would recommend you see a doctor and take medication under a doctor’s supervision. Refer: http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/barretts/index.htm for other medical treatment options.
Avoid heavy meals. Avoid too much of caffeine, tea, fried food and drinks both alcoholic and non alcoholic fuzzy ones. Avoid heavy exercises within 4 hours of a heavy meal. Raise the head end of the bed by pillows to 30 degrees. Go to bet at least 2 hours after food. Maybe these tips will help you. You should  see a gastroenterologist (a specialist who looks after the diseases of our digestive system) or a physician for this if these tips reduce your symptoms.
Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!

[Crewchief67t]

  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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!