Chest pains and anxiety

[Peewee55]

Lately I have been having chest pains in the left side of my chest.  Sometimes they are bothersome and very achy, other times they are combined with a piercing pain.  Also, I feel as if my heart palpitates, or has an irregular beat a few times a day. I have gone to the doctor who ran tests (including an EKG) all of which came out "perfect".  I should add that I do have anxiety, am a constant worrier and am 25 years old.  The doctor says that the chest pains are manifestations of my anxiety, but for some reason I'm not sure if I believe him.  He has given me a prescription for Paxil, but I have yet to fill it.  I don't want to be anxious and spastic for the rest of my life, but I am terrified of the side effects that I have read that Paxil causes.  This problem will not go away by itself, I have to make a decision. If I don't take Paxil, what will be my next step? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[scaredjo]

hiya i have had the same symptoms as you on and off for 10 yrs, i too dont believe my test results were normal
its a no win situation the anxiety is a vicious circle the more you worry the more you will get symptoms its amazing how the brain can make the symptoms happen
i dont take meds but have therapy which does help maybe you should try it too
let me knoe how you get on
jo

[Peewee55]

Thank you guys for the advice!  I really appreciate it.  I have an appointment with my doctor tomorrow and will talk to him about my worries.

[michelleanne]

I would definately get a second opinion!
However, 'chest pains' usually stem from panic attacks.
I was on Paxil for 5 years...it worked wonders for my panic attacks...I actually just went off it Feb 10th-ish, tried other meds, but they didn't work, so I started up Paxil again.  All I can say is positive stuff about it.  It doesn't make my heart pound, and I don't have attacks anymore.  Good luck to you hun.

[RubyWitch]

The chest discomfort you describe is classic for an anxiety/panic aficionado. As is the tendency to not believe the doctor when they tell us eveything is OK. So, you CAN seek out another opinion and then another one after that because, well, why should you believe ANY of them? And the EKG machine was no doubt on the fritz, and blood work gets lost or mixed up all the time. YIKES!
If you say you have been diagnosed with anxiety, why would you not want to do something to help yourself learn why and reclaim your life?
Maybe the Paxil isn't the right med for you. If you have fears about it, you need to discuss these with your doctor and perhaps agree on trying something else that doesn't scare you as much. I certaily wouldn't want you to be "spastic" like my neice for the rest of your life, although I doubt very much the Paxil would do that to you.
Yes, you do have to make a decison. And you're very correct when you say this problem will not go away by itself. If you don't take the Paxil, and you and your doctor can't agree on a course of meds to attempt to help you, then have him refer you to a psychiatrist.
Peace
Greenlydia