Anxiety and constant chest/arm pain

[nm13]

I'm 34 yr old male and have been experiencing various chest and left arm pains for about three months.  I've seen a plethora of doctors from cardiologist to internist to GI doc to psychologist.  Heart problems have been ruled out by numerous EKG's and stress echo test.  GI doc found I have a hiatal hernia/GERD from upper GI and is currently being treated with Nexium.  Have also had ultrasound of liver/gall bladder and MRI of abdomen - all normal.  Feel like a pin cushion from all the blood work - again all within normal ranges.

My psychologist insists anxiety is the culprit.  Though I have been under a fair amount of stress with work and family, can these pains linger around for this long just from anxiety?  They come and go throughout the day and are very disruptive to my thinking of 'what's going on with me? - which I'm guessing only breeds more anxiety.

The only other med I'm on is Lipitor for cholestorol.

I'm reluctant to try any anti-anxiety meds since I had a bad bout with cymbalta a few months back and I really don't feel as though I need it.  I just want the pain to stop.  I've tried numerous relaxation and meditation methods which are very calming and helpful, but still the pain comes.  The only time I don't notice it is when I'm exercising (usually run 3-6 miles/day).

Any thoughts of what's going on?  Anxiety, current med side effects or something else?

[anxiety4ever]

Hi Everyone. If you are suffering from any anxiety, Please please please read a book by Dr Claire Weekes, its called Essential Help for Your Nerves. I have suffered for years with every symptom possible, been to A & E and have had numerous test and trust me this book has worked wonders. I can not recommend it enough. I think she has several books out and all deal with anxiety. They are amazing.......A real life changer. I have never read a book like this before. Dr weekes seems to understand and explain every symptom possible in anxiety and why we get them. The book has practical solutions on how to remover which is the best bit.

[Xango02]

Please try yoga it has done good to me. Practice pranayam(you can find the techniques on youtube) for just 30 mins daily it would do wonders trust me.
Try for at least a month with determination things will definetly change for good.
Good luck all

[kels13]

Hey! I'm only 17 and recently like maybe the past 2-3 weeks i have been hurting n my chest and having chest tightness and horrible headaches. they did bloodwork EKG's xrays and alot more and havent found a thing and told me mine was anxiety and put me on meds twice a day for it. which the meds make me sleepy and so i really dont function right but if its not one thing its another! lol

[mikeymike817]

Hey all, I've been feeling my symptoms for about 6 months now arm pain, chest pain, neck pain,jaw pain, and finger pain(which is really bad). At first it was every now and then but this past month its been there all day everyday. It driving me frigging nuts.. Its there when i'm calm and in a good mood and its there when i'm stressing about it. I've been to the emergency 3 times and got a ecg done and it was fine. But that doesn't ease my mind at all, i cant stop thinking that it has to be something wrong that's serious, It seemed to be getting a little better 2 months ago but then my cousin who lives across the country had a heart attack after overdoseing on his prescription meds(this was intentional) After i heard that the pain has doubled.. ughh i just dont know what to do its ruining my life.. I work out of town and every time i go i get scared because i'm thinking this could be the time i have the heart attack.. Im hoping this is anxiety and if it is what do you all do to get rid of it cause all the things i have tried haven't worked(excercise,accepting it and eating better. Can anxiety be there all day evryday happy,sad, sleeping or working????????

[Cap4life]

Hi Guys, am glad am not the only one going through this problem, also have symptoms that were mentioned below and have been to several doctors including physiotherapist, blood tests, ecg chests scans, everything is fine. They prescribed Azlam 0.5 mg, which does not help that much. I stay alone, it gets worse when am on my own but when my girlfriend is sleeping over it gets better. Is there anything that can be done or diet that I can take to calm palpitation especially because they are the worst? Gudluck to everyone

[Cherry00]

This message board has helped me today. Just like every other day I have some weird symptom that makes me feel like I'm dying. This week it has been left arm pain. But last week it was feeling confused and foggy. The month before it was chest pain and palpitations. A few months before that it's tight chest and shortness of breath. Sometimes is hot/cold flashes and clammy fingers and tingly toes and dry mouth. It's like my anxiety is always trying to out-smart me. As soon as I get used to a symptom or get it checked and know it's not fatal, my body moves on. I'm in constant fear and confusion because how will I ever know if a symptom is serious or just the new manifestation of anxiety? I hate fighting my way through every day telling myself I'm going to be okay, telling myself I'm going to live. I think the longer this goes on perhaps the more strength I'll have to fight it because I can count the days I've won before. Lately reading the Bible has helped and if you are fearing death, perhaps having faith in the afterlife and strength from God is the best of comfort. We all need to read these posts and remind ourselves that these symptoms aren't just ours, they are common and we all suffer but knowing we aren't alone can help us fight back against our symptoms.