so, I've been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, most likely generalised panic disorder or generalised anxiety disorder. I continuously get chest pains when I go walking but I've been trying to monitor everything that happens when I get the pain so.
I get relatively dizzy when I'm walking and after maybe 200-300 yards I sometimes get a pain in the bottom of my sternum possibly in the upper part of my stomach. I'm very anxious and I get pains in the back of my tricep my back and sometimes (but seldom) in my pectoral major/minor (all on the left side). One doctor said I have mild costchondritus. I've had 2 ECGS all show everything is fine with my cardio and about 4-5 different doctors listening a to my heart (2gps a junior doctor at the hospital and 2 proper doctors) all say it sounds fine. All say my lungs are fine too. When I walk I regularly get anxious and end up breathing through my mouth, So my question is, can breathing through my mouth cause pains in this place, I belch quite regularly when I'm walking so everything seems to point to the fact I'm swallowing in a great deal of air.
By the way I'm 29, no prior heart conditions, non in my family either on the just underweight side of bmi, thin for my height. (6 FT 4)
Hi I think you get these reactions when out walking because in your mind you expect them to happen,I'm the same if iv had a panic situation say in a shop the next time I try go in I relive it even if I'm not trying to think about it xx hope this has helped a little
Taking in a lot of air can cause gas and yes I get gas pains from taking into my air...I get it in my chest as well. You have to learn to control your breathing...take deep slow breaths and this will calm you down.
My doctor gave me some lanzaprozol to control my 'gas' although now I think it wasn't needed as its gas from air not from stomach acid. I'm going to keep going for walks and see if I can control it, thanks for your reply everyone
I think you have answered your own question. Your anxiety is causing you to over-breath and that causes the pains. That would be confirmed if the pains went away when you belched.
If you only get this when you are walking you might like to think why that is. There is a school of thought that you desensitize yourself by continually walking to the point BEFORE you start panicking. That way your body gets used to it and learns not to panic.
How would you charaterize you chest pain? Is it stabbing or sharp or is it heavy and constricting? Does it go away when you rest and come back when you exert yourself again? Is it worse in cold weather or when you are going up an incline?
Well I get is usually when I'm anxious, but it's a sharp stabbing pain for a couple of seconds then it goes and it definitely subsides with rest, my muscles in my chest back and neck are noticeably very tight though.
Well, about 6 months ago when I was exercising regularly i wouldn't get the pains at all. I could run 2 miles easily with no pains, but I used to get a pain in my jaw when I'm cold I don't notice any difference going up stairs or inclines though. I only really notice it when I'm anxious..
Alright. I was just making sure that it was not cardiac in nature and its not thankfully. You see a normal resting ECG will not show up coronary artery disease. But from your answer here it sounds as though you are fine.
By the way a bit of psychotherapy, meditation, yoga etc all help -- anything except sedatives. Good luck.
Thanks for your concern Andrew I really appreciate it. I've thankfully stayed away from sedatives and serotonin boosters. I'm doing a bit of CBT with the NHS now too, so hopefully that will help. Thanks Andrew.