Hello to all, I’m new to this website but I’ve read a lot of the forums on here and I find it comforting (as well as sad) that people are going through exactly what I’m what I’m going through. So let me tell you how this all began (I apologize before hand as I know this sounds embarrassing and silly) but this summer, about 3 months ago, I was in the car with my cousin on the way to the mall, who told me about this celebrity who suddenly died at the gym from an unknown heart defect at age 40, this scared me so much that a little while Iater I started experiencing chest tightness. I’m not sure exactly how much later but it must have been within a few minutes because when we were at the mall, I had already noticed the feeling. I was extremely scared but I kept it together. When I saw my father the next day, I still had the feeling but I did a breathing exercise and it went a away for a little while.. but that night I woke him because it came back and I was having a full blown panic attack. I told him how I felt and he wasn’t concerned about my physical health because he had gone through the same thing at one point, so basically he stayed up with me the entire night. The next day I had a physical with a doctor who told me I was fine. I’ve seen about 5 doctors (including a cardiologist) since who have all told me I’m fine. I even did chest rays, an ECG and a blood test, all came back completely normal. I’m 21, I’m thin, I don’t have high cholesterol or blood pressure or a family history of heart problems (well only know up to my grandparents) except for my mom who has a innocent murmur but it has never given her any trouble. But I hear these rare stories about people in their 20s with no risk factors getting heart attacks and that EGCS don’t always pick up on issues. I also read that women tend to get their symptoms dismissed as anxiety. All of this scares the living daylights out of me. I’m obsessed with researching my symptoms and I know it’s unhealthy but it’s preventing me from living a normal life. I notice my chest discomfort during both exertion and rest. Doesn’t really get better or worse during either. The discomfort is seldom a pain but rather a dull tightness about my chest, which is mostly associated with angina. Some days I don’t feel it at all, some days I feel it constantly. I’m always scanning my body for any aches and pains and it’s so exhausting, I never used to be like this but I feel so tense. I’ve noticed that sometimes breathing exercises and hot water helps but it really just has to go away on its own. I sometimes have arm tension and tingling in the fingers. About 3 weeks ago I had an infected cough and a jaw ache which the doctor said was completely normal. My cough went away but I still notice the jaw ache. Sometimes it pops when I open my mouth, sometimes it doesn’t. Sometimes it’s uncomfortable to chew, sometimes it isn’t. I can’t figure it out. The jaw ache doesn’t stay in one place. It started in the upper jaw/Sinus area, now it’s traveling to the lower jaw/chin/throat/ear area. It’s not a pain but a discomfort. Sometimes I notice it beats like a heart beat. Idk, it’s weird to explain. Anyway, I know this is long but is anyone going through or has gone through something similar? Does anyone know a lot about heart problems who could possibly give me some insight? I just want my life back.
Oh by the way I recently starting seeing a psychiatrist and I’m daignosed with GAD and OCD symptoms
Hello pastagirl. I know exactly what your going through. I've been dealing with these same issues for a little under 2 years my story is very similar to yours. I have had numerous test done as well they always come back normal so I started to see a therapist by the way I'm 41 boy how I miss my 20's lol. I've learned that you can not I repeat can not google your symptoms this does make things worse at least for me it does. I do meditation deep breathing try to get fresh air every day. I also play some games on my phone as a distraction technique works for me. Have you asked your therapist to help you with relaxation and breathing. You will get through this for me some days are tough and some are great. I was diagnosed with PTSD GAD and panic disorder. Every day is a constant battle. Your heart I'm sure is fine. Btw I also drink hot water and it helps. Do you have any stomach issues that your aware of? I have ibs as well so sometimes during a flare up my symptoms seem a little worse. Try not to worry. You are so young I have a son your age. Try and have fun enjoy your life best you can. If you need to talk you can message me on here. Hope I've helped some. Take care..xoxo
Thank you so much Renee, your response is truly appreciated. It’s good to know that someone understands and I’m not alone. I don’t have any stomach issues that I know of but I think I might have GERD, I’m going to make an appointment with a doctor who specializes in stomach issues.
Your welcome hon. Yes I have gerd also and it can be painful at times. It can be uncomfortable in your chest and in between shoulder blades. When ever you feel anxious just breath through your nose for 4 sec hold for 4 and release for 6 do this over n over until you feel calm. I normally do it for 1 min and re evaluate. There are also alot of great free apps you can down load I use Pacifica so if it's a really bad day I do some of the things on there and it helps. Remember STOP googling it is not your friend lol. 😁😁
Hi Pastagirl,
I read your story and I know what you mean. I sometimes have this panicky feeling as well, when you realize how easily you can die, and that your heart is only one beat away from it.
I usually have this sensation when I can't sleep at night.
The symptoms you're describing could be psychosomatic - a reflection of your anxiety. For example, you probably never noticed these things before, but now your anxiety is making you notice them.
Have you tried taking a course of meditation or yoga? This can be helpful, at least a little bit.
Also feel free to talk to us on hear and that can be re-assuring.
Hope you feel better soon,
Best,
Jonathan
I’m thinking I might have that because it can get particularly uncomfortable after I eat, not even a large amount of food. I do something similar where I breathe in for 5 seconds and exhale for 7, I’ll try it though thank you so much for that tip!
I’m starting to think that too. Like sometimes I *think* I have chest discomfort and then I try to detach myself from my body and I don’t feel it anymore, it’s insane. I’ve programmed myself to hyper focus on my chest so I’m feeling stuff that’s not even there. So scary.
Hey dear
First of all, you are not alone as I am a sufferer of panic disorder . Since you have visited a cardiologist and every test come out fine , I am pretty sure that you are fine with your heart. Whenever I feel anxious, I feel heart palpitations and chest tight and the it turns to hyperventilate. Don’t do feel breathing when you have a panic attack . Just keep your mouth shut and breath with your nose slowly. I use the breathing in alternative nostril when I do breathing exercise. Also, stol goggling about your symptoms as it will around your anxiety. Did your psychaitrist prescribe you with any medication? Try mindfulness as it helps you to accept the unpleasant feeling of the moment . Do t fear it as it could turn to a vicious cycle. Wish you well !
Mag
It sure is a vicious cycle! The more I read the more information I don’t want to know. I’m taking xanax (but I’m starting to take less of it as directed by the psychiatrist)and escitalopram.
I am on escitalopram too. Am also on diazepam daily .
Hi I’m 23, I’m going thru the exact thing as soon as I hear bad news I think it’s going to happen to me, my chest pains go to my back and down my arm Iv had it for 3weeks now! But now that’s going I’m having shooting pains in the head and dizziness! Iv had enough off all the pain it’s getting worse not better, Iv had a ecg and bloods 4moths ago and came back normal I think it’s got to be something more serious as I won’t be going thru all this pain.. my body aches all over. Medication is not helping me
Hi,
Have you tried cognitive therapy? If you live in the UK, it might be available on the NHS.
This might be good for you because you said "I hear bad news I think it’s going to happen to me".
I think that your thoughts are contributing to your anxiety and making you more panicky than you should be.
Hopefully you can improve soon,
Best,
Jonathan
I mean Cognitive Behavioural Therapy - it might be free to take if it's on the NHS.
Yeah I’m from wales, is it on the website? I haven’t had no threrapy the doctor haven’t transferred me to anyone either thanks for the reply
Hi,
That's cool. You can refer yourself for cognitive behavioural therapy.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cognitive-behavioural-therapy-cbt/
And then it should be free from the NHS.
I hope it's useful!
All the best,
Jonathan
I’m sorry to hear all of this but I understand what you’re going through. I feel all kinds of pains/discomfort as well. Have you talked to your psychiatrist about it? If it’s not working maybe they can change your meds.
Hi the doctor hasn’t transferred me to anyone and I’m back and for there all the time so you would think he would have transferred me to someone, honestly my head is constanly in pain and it just comes on me I don’t feel anxious or anything, life is so cruel