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help me know my symptoms

Hello please could you help me, I will breifly explain my symptoms. 2months ago my Grandad died I helped care for him, it was very distressing, after I started experiencing anxiety and stress and guilt. My first symptom was a feeling like food was stuck in the middle lower chest jusy above my stomach, it felt like I wanted to bring wind up but couldnt. The anxiety got worse and I started to get pains accross my chest and squeezing down my left arm. I have had an ECG and blood tests both came back ok. The pain is still there on and around my left breast and down my left arm, sometimes i get a slight tingling in my lips. I get muscle cramps in my left calf muscle which is worse when I do walking. It looks like my front muscle on my calf is abit swollen. It just looks different to me, my doctor has diagnosed anxiety and pescribed Propronolol starting dose was 40mg which he has just uped to 40mg three times a day totaling 120mg, which I havent done yet, because I am scared he has wrongly diagosed me and really there is something wrong with my heart and wondering if the Propronolol could be dangerous. There is heart desease in my family. I have other symptoms, nausea and Ive noticed a lump under my left armpit that if I get the deep aching down my left arm and press this lump it releives some of the aching feeling. I feel like my breathing is abit raspy, I am a smoker, but I have cut down recently, and I am going to pack them in totally. I also get the same feeling in my right arm and wrist. What is wrong with me. I am the only carer of my beautiful 8yr old son. I dont want the doctor to get it so wrong and things to become too late to do anything about.
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Avatar universal
You sound like you are at least willing to consider that some of the symptoms are likely stress related.  One of my thoughts was that stopping smoking can unmask previously existing anxiety and tension, and in and of itself, quitting is stressful. Having said that, do not think for a minute that I am saying don't quit, I am not, I think you should toss the pkt you have in your hand and not smoke another one.  What I am saying, is that perhaps you need to have your Dr also focus on nicotine withdrawal as a possible explanation for some of what is happening too.  Like you say, you have a beautiful 8yo son and he is worth doing this for today, not next wk.

So yes, sounds like its somewhat anxiety based, that nicotine withdrawal could be playing into things, that physically you may be feeling physical symptoms that are both anxiety and physically driven - if you were caring for a dying relative, you may have done some lifting etc, that could have stressed your body in some way, esp your back or chest.  

If you can, a stress test would be worth doing, if its clear, then its reassuring, and you can work towards letting the intrusive worries about your heart health go.  Counseling is also another option to think about helping you through this difficult time.

Reach out and hug your boy, know that you will be there for him and then make it happen.  You are in control even if you think you are not.

Best wishes for a healthy year ahead.

Fiona
Helpful - 1
242509 tn?1196922598
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
The symptoms are markedly unusual for obstructive heart disease, and sound like panic attacks. The propranolol may only address parts of this disorder. This is a real disorder, but it is more likely to be related to a severe life stressor than to any organic heart disease.
But if you want to make sure, I'm sure he won't mid ordering a stress test, so that if this is negative you can then be re assured that you are at low risk of death or heart attack. If the test is positive, then you most likely will benefit from an angiogram.
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
Hi my name is Ivan. I have the same symptoms as lilmandzand i am only 17. I started last year september. It fell like my heart struggle to beat when i lay down it is worse. I also have all the pains the guy above des but more. at the side`s of my body. in my arms, in my legs ,in my feet , My headache got so bad that i saw bright dots before my eyes. It also feels like something is moving in my left arm like bubles. I have very bad pains in my neck.

If you have a answer please let me know.

Best Regards,
Ivan
Helpful - 0

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