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Health anxiety

eternalsunsh1ne profile image
25 Replies

Hi, I've had this for a few months now and it got a bit better and now it's getting worse again. I was having chest pains back in October and went to hospital to get checked out. I had blood tests, chest x-ray and an ECG which were all fine and I was told it was just a muscle problem and anxiety. I am 20 years old with no known history of heart attacks but I suppose i could eat healthier and exercise more. The chest pains are still there but now it has spread to my middle/upper back and shoulders and arms and it hurts so bad I couldn't sleep last night and makes me feel sick because the pain feels like its straight through y body from front to back. I'm so scared that it's early warning signs of a heart attack or something awful like that. I don't know what could be causing this pain and it scares me because I can't see a doctor at Christmas. Can I trust in the ECG, chest x-ray etc being accurate when they show nothing is wrong? What do I do? I am in so much pain the top half of my body hurts so much.

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eternalsunsh1ne
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25 Replies
Mikemike123 profile image
Mikemike123

Are it’s messing with your breathing? And shooting pains through arms and all over?

eternalsunsh1ne profile image
eternalsunsh1ne in reply to Mikemike123

I do feel like I can't breathe sometimes but I'm not sure if that's just because i'm panicking. And the pain in my arms changes.. its sometimes in my elbows, down my forearm into my hand or my upper arm

Xena13 profile image
Xena13 in reply to eternalsunsh1ne

I hope you are feeling better!! Remember that fear can make you feel this way. We can heal from fearing fear.

eternalsunsh1ne profile image
eternalsunsh1ne in reply to Xena13

I'm struggling quite a bit and the pressure of Christmas is making it worse. My body hurts so much I don't know what to do. But hopefully I'll be okay, I'll just keep reminding myself, thank you

It could well be muscle pain. I had constant aches in my chest (mainly central) for 8 months. Turns out it was muscular and sorted with 1-2 lots of physio.

eternalsunsh1ne profile image
eternalsunsh1ne in reply to

Thank you for your reply. I have never felt like this before, everything hurts and I've been struggling to sleep which makes my anxiety worse.

in reply to eternalsunsh1ne

I’ve had constant ectopic heartbeats for three months solid, plus lots more occasions over the past few years and I’m fine. It scares me but the cardiologist said lots of people get them and they’re very common. I’d say it sounds like you have muscular issues as all the areas you mention are linked. It’s probably where you hold your tension. I hold a lot in my neck

eternalsunsh1ne profile image
eternalsunsh1ne in reply to

I hope so, thank you so much

Oh and it went through to my back and shoulders too

It is so very important you trust your Doctor and those Specialists who have spent the time and money to do the tests etc. You trust the tests and move on.

If you are having pains in chest etc could it be with your Anxiety you are rushing your food or not allowing time to digest it.

Pains in joints etc, you could try warm compresses, you can purchase items at the chemist or you can use a pulsating strong shower head with warm water on the areas that are sore

Merry Christmas

BOB

eternalsunsh1ne profile image
eternalsunsh1ne in reply to

I try and convince myself to trust the doctors and sometimes it does work. It's just that I have so many heart attack symptoms it's hard to convince myself. My whole body hurts for no reason and it makes it hard to sleep which makes my anxiety so much worse. Thank you for the advice though I'll keep it in mind, merry christmas to you too

Sillysausage234 profile image
Sillysausage234

Hi, look up costochondritis

TriggerPoint profile image
TriggerPoint

ANXIETY Can Definitely Cause Your Symptoms.... However The Problems Can Be Coming From Your Spine Too.... I Would Suggest Seeing A Neurologist & A Rheumatologist. Besides A Cardiologist. If Everything Is Fine With Your Heart ? Pursue The Other Two Doctors ! ... You'd Be Very Surprised As To How Much Your Anxiety Can Be Related To Actual Physical Symptoms.... [ it's best to know for sure ]

BUT !* Know The Difference:

"Symptoms of a Anxiety or/ Panic Attack?"

Sudden high anxiety with or without a cause

Heart palpitations

Sweating

Shaking

A "smothering" sensation or shortness of breath

A feeling of choking

Chest pain or discomfort

Nausea

Dizziness or faintness

A sense of unreality

A fear of going crazy or losing control

A fear of dying

Numbness or tingling

Chills or hot flashes

An isolated panic attack, while extremely unpleasant, is not uncommon or life-threatening. Panic disorder and panic attacks are not the same thing; panic disorder refers to repeat panic attacks along with worry and concern about having repeat attacks. Panic attacks can be a symptom of other anxiety disorders as well.

You may think you're having a heart attack, and it's true that some of the symptoms can be similar. However, most people having a panic attack have had one before, triggered by a similar event or situation.

The chest pain of a panic attack usually stays in the mid-chest area (the pain of a heart attack commonly moves toward the left arm or jaw). You may also have rapid breathing, rapid heartbeat, and fear. A panic attack usually lasts only a few minutes, comes suddenly and disappears suddenly, but leaves you exhausted.

"Heart Attack Symptoms"

Symptoms of a heart attack include:

Discomfort, pressure, heaviness, or pain in the chest, arm, or below the breastbone

Discomfort radiating to the back, jaw, throat, or arm

Fullness, indigestion, or choking feeling (may feel like heartburn)

Sweating, nausea, vomiting, or dizziness

Extreme weakness, anxiety, or shortness of breath

Rapid or irregular heartbeats...

Prayers For Ya ~*-

eternalsunsh1ne profile image
eternalsunsh1ne in reply to TriggerPoint

I have a lot of symptoms that relate to heart attack which worries me so much even though I had tests at the hospia. Thank you for your reply though

RoseFleur profile image
RoseFleur

I'm having something similar happen with my heart. I have to get it checked out with my doctor. I'm pretty terrified my anxiety will kill me- or even worse- give me the slow death, a "living death" that I endure every day now. Sorry for the morbidity but I can't lie to myself

eternalsunsh1ne profile image
eternalsunsh1ne in reply to RoseFleur

I feel exactly the same. Gettingchecked out did put my mind at ease a little bit but some days are worse than others, hang in there x

oregonlover profile image
oregonlover in reply to eternalsunsh1ne

I've been dealing with this worry/feeling for the past couple of months. I am new to this site having found it yesterday after a panic attack.

I get the chest pains too, I even made my husband take me to the ER in September convinced I was having a heart attack. The nurses/doctors took me very seriously and ran all the tests for me. They concluded that it was anxiety. I've reminded myself of this often but of course I can't seem to help the what if this time it's the real thing. So I just tell myself that if the feelings continue for another few hours or get worse, I can go in. If not, it's anxiety and move on with the day.

Sorry that you're going through this.

eternalsunsh1ne profile image
eternalsunsh1ne in reply to oregonlover

I've been to ER once too, only had an ECG, blood tests and chest x-ray done but they were all fine and several doctors have told me it's just anxiety and muscle strain. Some days I can accept that and some days I can't. The pain is not severe so I try not to think about going to ER or a doctor unless it gets unbearably bad!

Thank you for your reply though, it reassures me

RoseFleur profile image
RoseFleur in reply to eternalsunsh1ne

Thank you

notlrac profile image
notlrac

I went through this in 2013. I ended up having an investigative heart catheterizarion done to visually inspect my heart, being that I am a fat, diabetic male in my 40's. Guess what? No problems found. And if anyone had a great chance of there being heart issues, it would likely be me. I was having a major, ongoing issue with health anxiety and panic attacks after the sudden and unexpected death of my best friend, from sudden cardiac arrest. It's not unusual for a surviving person to start to feel the "symptoms" of whatever killed somebody they were close to. Then again....even general anxiety can sometimes give you these types of feelings in your chest. I am not a medical professional, and I suppose it's always best to be safe and see a doctor if you don't feel right, but I would trust what the doctors are telling you.

eternalsunsh1ne profile image
eternalsunsh1ne in reply to notlrac

Thank you so much, this reassures me

Charliie1994 profile image
Charliie1994

I get this when I am anxious / panicking. Strangely when I feel happy it doesn’t happen ...

eternalsunsh1ne profile image
eternalsunsh1ne in reply to Charliie1994

It's eased a lot recently and I've felt more relaxed! It's a vicious circle

Charliie1994 profile image
Charliie1994 in reply to eternalsunsh1ne

It really is ... also when you get past a symptom that freaks you out , another one comes along ...

eternalsunsh1ne profile image
eternalsunsh1ne in reply to Charliie1994

Yes! Exactly this all the time

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