PLEASE help. Random shooting pains, at my wits end.

[PED]

Over the last 4 months I've been to the ER with chest pain, had an upper GI scope, and tried a plethera of drugs, including XANAX. On XANAX occasionally, prilosec, altace, norvasc, and lipitor daily. I DO have some anxiety, but this can not be all anxiety. 34 yr old.



I get shooting pains in my arms, shoulders, up the center of my chest, outside of my chest, and all along my jaw line, including the tip of my jaw frequently, sometimes even in my cheek area. NONE of the pains lasts longer than 5 seconds.  Only place it is slightly more frequent is my left shoulder/neck area. Neck MRI checked out OK. No pattern to the pains, but they have gone on since November.



I do a lot of driving, and have to stand in the same tense position for 3-4 hours at a time (arms in front or behind my back looking down). The pains are worse after these days I think (trying to keep track).



I'm still scared it's heart related, given where the pains are). But my IM (who is pretty good) thinks it is neuromuscular.  Tried PT with little luck. I can exercise without chest pain (angina) I feel better at exercise actually. Nuclear stress test was fine, as were all heart tests.



I guess my big question - can these shooting pains really be neuromuscular?  Other than stretching what should I try (can't really use alieve with my upper GI being a mess).



I really tried to attribute it to anxiety, however I've had a really great week with little anxiety and I've had 2 days of intense shooting pains, of course after a long tense day standing. I'm just concerned it's my heart/something worse.

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-PW]

It would be possible that it is neuromuscular, it does not sound like cardiac related pain.



No primary neurological disorder comes to mind. 'Lightning pains' are described as a feature of late stage syphilis, but you obviously do not seem to have other features of this disorder.



Even though the MRI neck is normal , there may still be  alot of muscle spasm in your neck and back. A PT who specialized in teh neck and back might be helpful (As opposed to a general PT).



Good luck

[Citizen T]

i would probably also want to have a brain MRI done

[PED]

Hey, if a doc suggested it, I would do it.



However, fortunately with all of my strange symptoms.  Shooting pains, upper GI distress, extreme burping and gas.  I don't get any more headaches than I ever had.  



Biggest concern.  Shooting pains in arms, chest, and jaw.  Sure seems like heart, but with my GI symptoms (upper GI scope showed no ulcers, but did show some acid problems) I'm wondering if I'm getting some sort of vagal nerve response from pressure in my gut.



I've never been this frustrated in my entire life.



6 months ago I felt great, and went to check my cholestorol and that was it.



Since that time I've dropped a ton of money on meds, shrinks, ER visit, physical therapy etc.  My insurance is good, but I'll bet I've blown through at least 2500 bucks in co-pays, meds, therapy etc.



This really sucks.  Thank goodness for my wife and kids.  They keep me going right now.  Love them to death.



Part of me is considering that it started with anxiety, which pushed the GI stuff and Blood pressure, ended up on all these meds, which now are messing with my system.  



I'm actually considering changing jobs because of all this ****, taking off 3 weeks of work.  Dropping all of the meds (or tapering during that 3 weeks) and seeing how I feel.  Of course that will cost me a job (and my income will drop) and time off.



I know... reading this everyone will say it's all anxiety.  But, I know my body.  Some of it is, not all of this ****.

[rjlucas]

I went through that exact same thing for over 2 years.  Doctors couldn't figure it out kept telling me it was stress and anxiety.  After 2 years of testing and researching the internet, I had a doctor do a thoracic spine mri.  Sure enough, I had a severe herniated disc at the T5-T6 level.  Herniated discs in the thoracic area are very rare and account for less than 1% of spinal surgeries.  I had the same symptoms that you are talking about.  I just had surgery 2 weeks ago and am recovering well.  This problem is very rare, but I would ask for the mri just in case.  Good Luck and God Bless.

[arunlnaik]

Your symptoms may be caused by fibromyalgia, a kind of musculoskeletal disorder. You can get ample info on net on this entity.

regards

[SteveIT]

I would suggest looking for a myofascial trigger point therapst. Trigger points are real, and are reported in the medical literature. They are small, tender knots of muscle that cause the surrounding muscle to tighten and shorten, but they also "refer" pain to other parts of the body in fairly predictable patterns. Both the scalene muscles and the sternocleidomastoids (SCM) can cause pretty intense plain in completely unexpected places. Generally, the SCMS refer pain up into the face and head, the scalenes can refer down as far as the fingertips. As long as there is nothing structurally wrong with your neck (check with your doctor) trigger point release therapy might be in order.