What is this feeling

[Ian2008]

Hello all,
     I have been having a very strange sensation in my chest for the past few days that is very concerning. First of all, it feels like alot of burning in my chest ( heartburn I assume), but in like 10 second intervals there will be like a wave of tightness in the middle of my chest. Then it goes away. It almost takes my breath away. It really I would say feels like a heart palaption, but I check my pulse when this is happing and it is normal. Also, I was actually at my doctor yesterday when this was happening. He ran and EKG just to make sure, and it was normal. Plus, I have had a million tests to rule out heart disease. This seems to happen about an hour after I eat. Also, before this happens I feel like the food I ate is stuck in my chest. Any similar stories, or ideas? This is freaking me out!

[jb195]

You're not alone!  I feel the same way.  I feel that I'm having a heart attack because the pain and tightness is on my left side. The stress test and EKG ruled out that it's not my heart, but I still feel as though it's my heart.


All I can say is relax and try to avoid certain foods.

[redheart]

Hi,
I am not a doctor,  I am just giving a suggestion.
Please rule out all the causes for heart diesese at any cost. Even go for last test in the line. Every test has some some degree of fales negative, so rule out all those.
we need to listen to our body signels at all times.

If those issue are ruled out, Rest of issue's are not harming for life. you might have a GERD, heat burn. Try using antacid when you get this attack. If that resolved with antacid, you know it is due to GERD.
see Gastroentrologist if you have heat burn and goes after antacid.He will do an EGD to rule out Hitus hernia or any uncles etc.
These are all not big issues which can be resolved pretty soon with medications.

Please keep positive attitude, you are not alone , there are many like you and we keep going.

[ggreg]

It could also be that you are feeling acid in your tummy, and your gut is trying to vomit it up, and the muscles all do that heaving thing, contracting to throw up, in a rhythm like dry heaves.  Make a note at the end of the day, record on a paper as to when this happened, you know, what time of day.  Then think of all the things you were doing an hour or so before and right up until you got that burning sensation and constriction.

Make a list of what you were eating, or if it was in the morning and you had not eaten, or if you were rushing around, just whatever.  Then after a number of these "attacks," see can you find something in common.  I imagine, if it's not your heart, that it will have something to do with either not eating breakfast and your stomach is not too happy about that, or it's stress-related, like when you visit a doctor or when you are at work in certain situations.  

Me, I got the dry heaves when I was out of work and looking for a job, and just before I'd go in for an interview, I'd throw up.  Also, if I go too long without eating, my stomach will act up like that.  Or if I eat certain foods, I get that way.  So, that's why I say to keep track of what's going on an hour before this happens to you.  Just an idea.

[fibromama]

here is some info I got off a website



Symptoms of a Panic Attack
raging heartbeat
difficulty breathing, feeling as though you 'can't get enough air
terror that is almost paralyzing
nervous,  shaking, stress
heart palpitation, feeling of dread
dizziness, lightheadedness or nausea
trembling, sweating, shaking
choking, chest pains, distress
fear, fright, afraid, anxious
hot flashes, or sudden chills
tingling in fingers or toes ('pins and needles')
fearful that you're going to go crazy or are about to die

[fibromama]

again the anxiety same thing I will sometimes not swallow my food in fear of choking and my chest becomes so tight and the muscles start tightning up in my chest and ill start thinking Im having a heart attack.  When stuff like this starts happening try to tell yourself over and over Im okay and try to take your mind off the situation,,my mom has bad anxiety and brushes her teeth to calm herself down.  Its really hard to think about anything else when you feel so bad,,but cant dwell on whats going on in your body things will just get worse.