really anxiety?

Question

Hi, I am 20 years old and for the past three months or so i have had chest pains, feeling like I am going to die any second, and its hard for me to get a good sleep. And with chest pain also comes costocondritis (my doctor said) and i have had ekgs, holter monitor, chest xray, and blood work several times and everything came back fine. I was wondering if anxiety can cause my chest pain off and on during the week. also i am on citalopram and xanax (when i need it), are those medications okay to take or are they harmful in the long run. 
Thanks

lynn57 · Accepted Answer

Even though the chest pain may be caused by anxiety, that doesn't make it any less real.  Citalopram is a safe med.  It is an SSRI.  Has it helped ease any symptoms and how long have you been taking it?  Xanax is a benzo and can be addictive if taken regularly.  If you are only taking it occasionally there shouldn't be a problem.  No med comes without some negatives.  It is up to you and your doctor to see if the pros outweigh the cons.  Once your anxiety eases up the chest pain should too if that's the cause.  Some types of angina are harmless.  Could be just muscle contractions or indigestion.  Have you been checked for GERD?  My indigestion gives me horrible chest pain.  Hiatus hernias can cause chest pain. Your doctor should rule out all physical possibilities and then get to work controlling that anxiety.  Good luck!

kris233 · Answer

I have been on citalopram for a little over 2 and a half months. I use to only take xanax when i needed it but it got to the point where if i couldn't sleep at night i took it at night. I know I rely on xanax way too much. the er doctor had diagnosed me with GERD. I had blood taken to check to see if i had a hiatal hernia and that came back negative. I take citalopram every night before bed. I use to have pain really bad and a feeling that something was wrong and I was going to die. Now, it has got to the point where in the morning i feel fine, i go to work and when i get home then i start hurting so a part of me thinks that when i waitress (which is my job), i am so busy running all over the place without rest makes me feel more chest pain once i get home. Then by the time night comes and i go to sleep i feel a little better. I just have the thought in the back of my mind that something else is wrong besides anxiety because it comes and goes each week. One week i am perfectly fine while the next i am miserable.

vedabug23503 · Answer

Hello dear,

I suffer from the same thing, and I think alot of people do as well. I have had many EKGS, chest xrays, bloodwork ect, and nothing has ever been wrong. It is just anxiety. Its all about accepting that there is nothing wrong. Thats the hard part! I have alot of chest pain and am working to trust my doctors and knowing that im fine :) good luck hun, hang in there!

phoenix708 · Answer

i used to get that alot. i imagined all these diseases for myself. brain anuerysym. heart attack u name it i thught i had it. and im still alive. as for the medication. i never took any. my mom wouldnt let me take them because. i could get addicted to it. unless they are going to cure you u shouldnt take them in my opinion. hope this helps.

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