scary symptoms!!! No real answers!!!!

[Crewchief67t]

I have posted here before.  I am 32 year old male.  Been having chest pains on both left and right sides for about 3 months now.  

It started 3 1/2 months ago with some abdominal pains.  
Had endoscopy done, 5 or 6 er visits, stress test, ct of abdomen and pelvis, numerous chest xrays and loads of blood tests and urinalysis done.  Only findings are esophogitis, diverticulosis and possible herniated c-spine disks.

The chest pains are never spreading to anywhere else.  I can always pinpoint the pains.  The pains are located about 1 or 2 inches to the left of my sternum near the bottom rib, behind right nipple, sometimes on the left side in arm pit area and same on right side.  I do have a tender spot about 4 inches above xypohoid process right in the middle that hurts to the touch.  I have occasional jaw pain on whole bottom jaw and frequent arm pain, and tingling on both arms and sometimes the ring and pinky fingers, they dont hurt at the same time ever.  The really weird thing is that the pains are almost always happening when i am sitting down!!!! Usually if i am busy there is no pain or any other symptoms. When i press on the center of my chest my whole ribcage hurts.  But the chest pains are never the same as when they occur out of nowhere.  I have been suffering from severe panic attacks, racing heart rate.  The pains only last for seconds at a time but occur numerous times in a day.  

I do smoke lightly and do not drink.  No family history of heart disease.
My doctors are saying anxiety.  After all the tests done they have found nothing wrong with my heart.
If you have anything to add please leave a post.
I am going to see a psychiritrst in two weeks.

Thanks

[doctornee medical]

Hi
Thanks for writing to the forum!
Esophagitis probably due to GERD can itself cause tender chest. Omeprazole is a good drug to combat this. 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. 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 bed at least 2 hours after food.
The other possibility is costochondritis of the joints between ribs and sternum.
I would also suggest a 12 lead EKG when you have pain in jaw and left arm.
The sensations of pins and tingling are generally due to peripheral neuropathies. Hence peripheral vascular pathologies have to be ruled out either by angiograms or by dopplar studies. Hypoparathyroidism too should be looked into apart from hypothyroidism and diabetes.
I think you should discuss these possibilities with your doctor. It is difficult to comment beyond this without examining. A comprehensive investigation is required keeping all the points in mind.
Hope this helps. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!

[Crewchief67t]

Thanks,

I have been tested for hyperthyroidism,  I have also had numerous 12 lead ekg's done and no abnormalities have been found.  Forgot to mention that sometimes the pains are aggrivated by movements or posture.  I have been taking metoprolol succinate, aciphex, xanax for all this.  Dr's are really suggesting anxiety.  They dont feel any more heart testing is necessary since i am so young.  I do admit that with all of this my anxiety level is sometimes crazy.

thanks for your input

[Crewchief67t]

Oh, did i mention that i did have a stress test done that was normal.

[doctornee medical]

Hi
There is a strong possibility it is costochondritis (inflammation of the joint between rib and sternum as the pain is aggravated by movement. 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.
Hope this helps. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!

[Crewchief67t]

I do know that my sternum is sore to the touch.  If i press on the center of my chest my whole chest hurts.  I do have occasional sharp pains when taking a deep breath.  The general chest pains are not duplicated exactly but very close.

One more question:  Is it possible for heart related symptoms to last for over 3 months?  This has been aggrivating me sooooo much.

Thanks

[doctornee medical]

Hi
If the symptoms were due to the heart, there would be other accompanying features like pain radiating to jaw or arm, severe breathlessness etc. Personally I do not think they are related to heart, but it's difficult to comment for sure without examining you. Your symptoms are most likely due to costochondritis or calcium deficiency. Severe anemia causing increased bone marrow activity too can cause similar symptoms. Hence if you are not anemic, I would say you can safely assume its costochondritis and consult an orthopedic specialist. You can also check your blood calcium levels.
Hope this helps. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!

[Melimo]

There is one thing that pops in my mind.  You say this happens when you are sitting.  Have you had a tilt table test?  There is a condition called orthostatic intolerance, not just the orthostatic hypotension.  There are several types of this condition.  Most of which are postural.  Many sufferers report chest pains in sitting positions.  Anyway, ask your doc.

[Crewchief67t]

Hi I just had a coronary calcium screening since my doc didnt think anymore heart tests are needed.  I scored a 0.  I do have the jaw,arm, shoulders and back pains.  But they are only sort of achy and never radiate.  The pains more or less seem to be posture related, even the chest pains.  I do however have been having some short sharp pain along my collar bones.  This has only happend twice in the past few weeks.

I only have a real issue with all the pains added together.  If i only had a pain here and there once and awhile i dont think i would be going crazy over this.  

My docs are suggesting anxiety also.  He did also mention costocongritis but since i am dealing with stomach acid issues he doesnt want to put me on Ibuprophen.

Once again thanks alot.

[Crewchief67t]

I have not had a tilt table test done.  My docs dont think it is heart related.  Even from the beginning.  For some reason i do.  But all tests prove otherwise.  My docs are saying anxiety and possible costocongritis.

Thanks

[Crewchief67t]

This is real strange.  Now i am getting sharp pains across shoulderblades.  Once again this is only when i am sitting.  This is driving me crazy.

[Crewchief67t]

Why do these pains all happen out of nowhere?  And why do they happen about the same time?  This is driving me nuts!

[doctornee medical]

Hi
Thanks for the update!
Like I said in my earlier post, please try out the tips I suggested. Pain in the chest and now as you say simultaneously affecting your shoulder blades area can be due to acidity and GERD. As I said earlier, Omeprazole is a good drug to combat this. Along with it you can try over the counter antacids. 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 bed at least 2 hours after food. Try this and see.
Another possibility is fibromyalgia.
Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!

[Crewchief67t]

Thanks.  I was on aciphex for about 8 weeks, then protonix for about a week(it gave me horrible headaches), and now on nexium.  How is fibromyalgia diagnosed?  I have had ANA tests and a bunch other ones.

I do appreciate your responses very much!

[Crewchief67t]

Thanks for the replies.  I went and saw my Dr. this morning.  He is really stressing issues of GERD and anxiety.  I am on nexium but havent been taking it regularily for some reason.  I did take a pill when i got home this morning and the chest pains have pretty much dissolved.  My arms, neck and shoulders still hurt on and off.  

I am having a really hard time trying to rule out cardiac stuff even though all the docs i have seen have ruled it out completely.  Next week i have a appt. with a therapist. Lets see if that helps any.

If you have anymore to add please do so.

Thanks once again.

[Crewchief67t]

I dont know if its just me but it seems my docs do not want to do anymore cardiac tests for me.  It scares me!  I will be fine for a few hours then bam.  i have some wierd pain that almost makes me crazy.

[Crewchief67t]

Thanks for the comments!  Please add anything else if you want.

Thanks

[Crewchief67t]

Why would i be also have jaw pain also, both upper and lower on both sides?  Stress, Anxiey?  The pain builds over time then goes away with just a little discomfort left over.  i do notice in the morning my jaws have been sore.  My wisdom teeth were removed about 9 years ago.  I can be just sitting here on the computer doing nothing, watching tv, driving and then the pains come and go.

[Pum]

If you are anxious you tense up without realising it and this then causes all sorts of aches and pains. You are probably clenching your jaw all night too. Check the inside of your cheek and you might find you've been biting it. Do warm baths/showers help your pains? If so, they are muscular and related to stress.

Be kind to yourself. It sounds like they have pretty thoroughly checked your heart out. Try to accept this is anxiety (which doesn't mean it is nothing, just something different) and be pleased that it is treatable. There are lots of books and sites about learning how to relax and change the way you breathe etc. I highly recommend anything by Dr Claire Weekes. Even your GERD might improve if you overcome the anxiety.
Take care.

[Crewchief67t]

All of my pains except arms and jaws are very sharp and localized.  Sometimes i do get some very painfull arm pains that are over the whole arm (both arms).

Thanks

[Crewchief67t]

I am still having all sorts of issue.  the same as before.  I have 0 answers from my doc.  Can all these pains really be anxiety.  I personally dont think its anxiety.  but who knows i guess.  I recently had more bloodwork done and an mri of c-spine.  slight bulging of c5.  doc says thats not the problem.  

What is the problem?

[Crewchief67t]

I have most recently had more blood work done for autoimmune diseases they came back normal.  Had a two appts with a very experienced Cardio doc.  Had 12 lead EKG, ECHO, corotid Doppler, and a  CT angiogram.  The doc says  all looks fine.  I am still in pain everyday numerous times.  Duration lasts anywhere for a second or two to ALL day.  Who do i see next.  This is making me go crazy i think.

Thanks
Mike