Long term chest pain anxiety?

[Megan624]

So for about 8 months now I’ve been suffering with a sharp chest pain that comes and goes, I’ve been taking pain killers such as Ibuprofen and Paracetamol but nothing really works, the sharp chest pain is mainly on my left section of my chest but however there could be the odd time it’s on my right. I’ve already had 2 ECGs done and they all came back fine so I’m wondering if anxiety could possibly cause this? I know for the past 9 months I’ve had pretty bad anxiety and panic attacks but even when I don’t have the overwhelming or anxious feeling the chest pains still come and it generally hurts so much. This is really annoying me and I’m very curious to see why this happens Anyway thank you!

[Agora1]

Hi Megan624. If your symptoms have been ruled out in being heart related than it is more likely coming from chest wall discomfort due to your anxiety. There is something called Costochondritis (which I have). It is an irritation of the nerves between the rib cage.

It is not a serious condition but it can hurt a lot. I use heat on my upper back which helps with the chest pain . Try not to over take pain relievers since they will eventually not work. Sometimes GERDS/Reflux from Acidic Stomach can cause distress in the upper chest. But your doctor is the best judge of that since we can only go by our own experiences.

I'm glad you joined this support site. It's an amazing group of men and women alike who

suffer as you do with anxiety/depression. Hoping to see you on as you get more comfortable in knowing you are never alone. xx

[Megan624 in reply to Agora1]

Thank you for replying! I’m pretty sure my doctor did say something along the lines of Costochondritis, but I’ve had a chest X-ray, and now I gotta have blood taken. Hopefully they come back fine (highly likely they will) My doctor also mentioned it’s very unlikely for me to have something serious due to the fact I’m pretty young for it. But thank you so much x

[Valorrian]

They say panic attacks mimic heart attacks. Could you keep a log and see exactly when you are having this pain? Is it after you walk the dog? or do gardening? or making dinner? sitting watching tv? Maybe you can narrow it down as to when it happens or why? Maybe taking to a family member? Maybe when you think of something?

[Megan624 in reply to Valorrian]

Eh okay sure I guess, I’ve already talked to many people about this because let’s be fair, I always talk about things to people, but thank you for this idea 👍

[tomo87]

I have had ecg for the same reason I swear it feels like my heart is hurting sharp pains etc suffer from generalised anxiet disorder panic disorder depression and agoraphobia suck being me but all these symptoms are due to anxiety hope it helps .

[pXanax]

Go for full blood test .results will show why you are having this . If all clear likely you need to see a phychiatrist ..this issue can be managed .and change your daily activities .eat healthy diet .go for exercise ..walk ,jog .games .do some quiet time self meditation with soothing music .meet more friends .keep busy .you will recover .

[Megan624 in reply to pXanax]

Yeah I’m going for a blood test in a couple days

[RhondaT71]

I also have the same thing. I actually went to the ER a couple of weeks ago in the middle of the night because I woke up with one of my chest pains and my left arm was pins and needles. Nothing was wrong. I did my own research and found out that Acid Reflux/GERD can cause chest pains so I went to my doctor and she prescribed me Raninitidine/Zantec and my chest pain has gone after 1 week. Do you have acid reflux? Bloating of the stomach? Burping a lot? Etc? If so, I would talk to your doctor about getting on some antacids. Good luck!

[Megan624 in reply to RhondaT71]

No I don’t have that stuff 🤔

[RhondaT71 in reply to Megan624]

Well that's is good to hear. I sure hope they figure out what is going on. Good luck to you!

[Megan624 in reply to RhondaT71]

Yeah me too and thank you!

[Lucyjae]

Hiya Megan624, I’m

Having the same symptoms of you and I fell like I’m going crazy, I do suffer with health anxiety a lot but the last 2 weeks Iv had constant chest pain on and off all day every day, I’ve seen two doctors and been to the E.R I had bloods taken , ecg, and a chest X-ray and they all came back fine ??? Every time I get the pains it scares me , what can this be if the doctors are saying it’s not my heart ?

[Katielucyx in reply to Lucyjae]

Hi Lucy.

Also had the tests done, been suffering with these pains for years.

Still scares me every time. Wish I knew what it was.

[Jenn_12345]

Hey Megan624. How have you been? Has your pains gone away? If so, how long did you have them for?