odd chest "shivering" feeling

[southdak]

I am a 42 women.  I have been having a strange feeling in my chest.  It starts with some tingling in my chin and face occasionally during the day.  Then will turn into this shiver/tingling feeling deep in my chest.  It comes and goes but only occasionally during the day.  It is mostly at night.  Very hard to sleep while it is happening.  I have been tested by an endocrinologist and have only slight hypothyroidism.  Taking 25 Synthroid for it.  I have been taking it for three weeks and nothing has changed.  I have "normal" sorts of tests but all was normal.  I have used an event monitor to test for heart issues.  So far all the symptoms I have do not show up on the monitor as a heart issue.  I am scheduled for a stress echo on Friday.  Anyone out there having have any suggestions?  I have a prescription for an anti-anxiety drug that I take at night to relax.  It relaxes my enough to sleep but I can still feel this wierd feeling still.  Help!  

[Michael J. McWilliams, M.D.]

Sensations like this are usually not cardiac.  I agree with that checking a monitor and a stress test should clear up whether it is related to the heart.  If you have had the same sensation while wearing the monitor and it is normal, it is not related to heart rhythm.  The stress test should clarify if it is related to you blockages.

It does not seem to fit the classic descritpion of exertional pain ( or equivalent) that improves with rest.  Ask your doctor if it sounds related to the nervous system or a specific nerve pattern -- a neurologist might help determine if it is related a damaged nerve or processing from the nervous system.

I suspect the cardiac work up will be negative.

I hope this helps.

[southdak]

Thank you for the information.  I am thinking along the same lines.  If the cardiac tests are ok.  I'm going to press for a neurologist appointment.  I did ask to be tested for Lyme's disease which seems to have some similar symptoms.  I did have a couple of tics in my hair in June.  They also did a lab looking for possible infection.  I will know Friday on all of those.  Hope to find something, so it can be treated.  Thanks!  southdak

[joel2510]

HAVE BEEN RECIEVING CHEST PAINS + PRESSURE FOR 2 WEEKS. I HAD SIMILIAR PAIN LAST YEAR WHERE I COMPLETED A X-RAY AND ECG WHICH WERE FINE. HOWEVER IN THE LAST WEEK I HAVE GOT THE PAINS BACK AGAIN AND PRESSURE ACROSS MY CHEST OFTEN IN MY BACK TOO. I AM MOST BOTHERED HOWEVER ABOUT THE PAIN IN MY HEART WHICH FEELS LIKE CRAMP AND CAN OCCASIONALLY MAKE MY HEART BEAT FASTER. VERY STRANGE AND MY GP DOESN'T KNOW WHAT IT IS. PLEASE ADVISE. THANK YOU.
*I DONT SMOKE, DRINK OR TAKE DRUGS.