chest pain......

[Haych22]

So im in desperate need of some answers and seeing as i've spent the passed 8months in and out of doctors surgerys and havent been given any clear answers i hope someone here is able to shed some light on my issues...So i've been experiencing chest pain. It happens most days quite a few times. Most times it only last 1-3 seconds but in some instences its lasted half hour to a hour. Its a sharp/stabbing like pain at times like a ache...the weird thing is i cant prevent it from happening. It happens when im busy, moving around, resting, happy, sad...anytime anywhere...ive seen 3 cardiologist and had all the test! (8 EKG's, 24 and 48 hr holter, stress test, echo, 2 chest xrays, 3 lots of blood tests and all normal cept a episode of fast heart rate lasting 15mins and my cardiologist is unsure whether is normal or abnormal in the 24hr holter so they put me on a 48hr holter to try catch it again. My 48hr monitor im still awaiting the results of and of my lastest blood test. i've been assured that the pain is not cardiac but i can't accept it. The pain is ALWAYS on the left side right where the heart is located. Ive tried pain killers, heat packs, massage and at the moment im in therapy because im constantly in fear about my heart, im scared the doctors have missed something! nothing seems to help, im getting no answers and im feeling completly lost. Nothing is helping. I do suffer from GAD and thats what the doctors thing causes my chest pain, but im not even anxious when the pain arises, its more the other way around. please can someone help me and give me some answers to what it could be...im really worried!

[Haych22]

doctornee: ive seen a GI about 6months ago and hada barium swallow, endoscopy, xrays u name it...all negative for abnormalities cept slight reflux but hardly enough to cause any real issues, ive tried the meds and lifstyle changes and its made no difference to the pain i feel in my chest which is why i dont think its related to that. What else could be the cause?? my local GP's are no help and im on the verge of giving up.
wow chips,  youve pretty much sum'd up what ive been going thru thta past 9months. and im sorry that you go thru it too cuz i know how crippling it is in every aspect of your life...i too feel alone and lost with worry of the unknown with what is happening to me. i had bloods done to check for inflamation today and it was negative along with every other test which makes me think im going mad because what i feel is real and no one has an answer for me...fustrating and causing me depression now because i struggle to enjoy myself, im in constant worry over my chest pain which then brings on GAD and the vicious circle begins..i just want a clear diognosis and maybe i can begin to accept and treat it. ill add you as a friend and keep intouch k, thanks chips

[Chips1989]

Hello Haych22, Like you I have experianced the EXACT pains you described. My doctor also have done Multiple EKG tests,hooked up to a heart monitor atleast 4-6 times. I have been in and out of the ER atleast 8-11 times in the run of 2 weeks also concerned when I found out I TOO have GAD and am still worried LOL. . but they have ruled out I have been having this pain from what is called Crushin wall syndrome or something of that sort.. Let me ask you something. . is the pain located on the inner right part of your left brest area? around the LEFT side of the sternum (middle of the chest)? If so it is exactly what i have experianced since i was about 11 years old. I am now 21 and still have this sensation so i too understand it is not anxiety. This is just due to inflamination of the muscle tissue and nerves in and around the ribs that connect with the sternum, as you say when taking a breath (inhaling) this causes you chest to expand and in turn causes the pain to occur more intence. The best thing I used to do was use a bag of cold peas to reduce this tightness and just try to relax and keep your mind off this. It is intence and it gets very annyone.. but keep this in mind.. if it were your heart that was directly affected it wouldnt be your heart to feel the pain first.. something else would be triggered before hand.. an example is a heart attack.. your hands get all clammy and cold,you get a tingling feeling in your left arm and leg and sometimes you get major headaches from the blood rushing. But like you I suffer from GAD so bad that i only get about 4 hours of sleep at night even with sleeping medication. . . i always have a bad headache and at times i have hilusinations with are quite horrid. Dont let this GAD get any worse by worring about something thats not to be feard :) I also feel the hoplessness and emptyness that nobody is caring or understanding the feeling or pain that is buried inside me. I should be outside playing hockey or out hanging out wit friends at my age but instead im stuck in fear and worry, at times i often cry just because the feeling of being alone is so intence its like nobody understand whats going on except yourself. I dont want to sound lame or anything but if you ever need someone to talk to or even just a stranger to hear you out, witch i find can make a hell of a difference. dont be afraid to msg me or anyone on here for that matter. This community of people on here all have an understanding of what its like. If youd like just even email me anytime or msn im ussually on its layes_chips_14***@****
I hope everything fairs out well for you =)
good luck!

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
Just because the pain is on left side of chest does not mean it is a heart attack. You have had ample of tests to rule this out. Yes, as the doctors are saying, it could be gastric reflux. You do not have to be anxious for this to start. Also more often than not it causes a stabbing pain.
The symptoms could indeed be exacerbation of the GERD.  It could also be hiatal hernia. Treatment is a combination of drugs to reduce the acid and lifestyle changes. You will need to take a combination of medications (under medical supervision) like a proton pump inhibitor such as omeprazole  empty stomach in the morning and an antacid gel after meals for complete relief. Possibility of H pylori infection too should be looked into by a carbon urea breath test and a combination antibiotic tried. Many a times a persisting H pylori infection can be the cause behind acidity not responding to treatment.
Life style changes that will help include: Avoid heavy meals and eat frequent small meals. Avoid too much of caffeine, tea, smoking, fried food and drinks both alcoholic and non alcoholic fuzzy ones. Avoid heavy exercises within 4 hours of a heavy meal. Raise the head end of the bed by pillows to 30 degrees. Avoid lying down for least 2 hours after food. Maybe these tips will help you.
You should consult a gastroenterologist (a specialist who looks after the diseases of our digestive system) or a physician for this if these tips reduce your symptoms. You may need upper GI endoscopy for confirmation.
Other than this it can be costochondritis. However, heat therapy, application of local analgesics usually helps.
Since I cannot examine you and know other related conditions you may be having, nor is a detailed history possible on net, please discuss the various possibilities with your PCP. Take care!