A "buzzing" in my chest

[skoogie]

I felt this start between my shoulder blades behind the, 20 months ago, when I lay down at night.  Very distinct.  Not a palpation with a distinct beat but a sensation like touching your hand to something electric but the only place you feel the electricity is in that area.  When it's really strong it radiates to the tips of the shoulders and the forehead.  I've tried to explain it, worn a Halter, blood work is normal, been rejected for an Omega-3 trial due to too healthy levels.  I am 65, female, a RN night charge nurse in a SD rural 25 bed hospital, married, many enjoyable responsibilities in community life, haven't smoked for 18 years, walk and/or ride bike regularly, had breast cancer 10 years ago.  5'6" 200" gained 40 pounds after stopping smoking, not able to lose it.  Paternal grandparents died of MI in 80s, father of prostate CA, healthy heart.  I do not suffer from anxiety.  All I get from my MD is a pat on the head.  Explain??? Thanks for your help.  

[daizychick1510]

A related discussion, vibration in chest was started.

[skoogie]

Sorry, I think I wrote too quickly... this sensation is directly behind the lower end of my breast bone, about a circle about 8 inches in diameter, I have avoided caffeine and tried H2 blockers in an attempt to quiet it.  B vitamins make no difference.  Sudafed makes it wild, my ears ring, it's awful then.  My blood pressure at the bloodmobile yesterday was 102/70.  The only meds I take are Evista to prevent osteoporosis and Topamax for neuropathy from the chemo (it's helped greatly, I can walk barefoot again).  Because I work nights I occasionally take a quarter of an Ambien to get to sleep to put myself back on a "normal" sleep pattern.  Don't drink coffee or tea. Since it started,I always feel this when laying down, sitting up only when I am very tired.  My doc tells me she can put me on a beta blocker that will make the feeling unnoticeable but won't "cure" it... as a nurse who works with cardiac patients who walk in the door, I really want to know what this is, especially after a fellow came in with an inferior MI not too long ago.  I haven't sought the time of a cardiologist because I really didn't think I was "ill" enough to take his time.  Thanks again.

[Michael J. McWilliams, M.D.]

It is difficult to put on explantion on things like that.  The important thing to do is rule out cardiac and other potentially dangerous causes.  Once that is done, you should be reassured that it isn't dangerous.  The Holter is helpful if you have the sensation while you are wearing it -- you don't, it isn't helpful at ruling out an arrhythmia.  A stress test might help if it sounds at all like it could be consistent with blockages ( I can't tell from your description).

I kind of wonder if it was a muscle spasm or fasciculation, but I haven't heard of that causing radiation of symptoms.

It sounds like it will be difficult to know for sure what it is though....I hope this helps.