Developing health anxiety due to pain

[Ckd123]

Hi everyone, so I have had chest pain for many years now and over those years have had alot of tests including numerous EKG's, chest xrays, stress test, holter monitors and a calcium test score which was 0. Never any answer, have never seen a cardiologist because all my tests were normal so they didnt feel a need to see me. Anyway lately the pains have started to affect my life negatively and my mental health. The second i wake in the morning i feel fear, I check my hear rate on an app on my phone. I have become obsessed with everything heart related and now have a massive fear of death. I worry all day, every day. My sleep is affected and im always tired due to constant over thinking. I have started to spend all my time at home and am neglecting my friends and family.

What could this chest pain be. Its usually localised but can happen in any part of my chest from sternum to left side to right side. it never radiates and I never feel week or dizzy. I also have left arm pain on and off and jaw pain but never together with the chest pain. Iv had an endoscopy, GERD was ruled out but mild acid reflux diagnosed, also H.Pylori and a tiny hiatus hernia, that was 3 years ago. I still have occasional heart burn and acid reflux.

Anybody experience anything similar.

[musicandhockey]

This definitely sounds familiar! I’ve had a lot of anxiety about my heart and I don’t even know how many times I’ve been convinced I was having a heart attack. It’s so awful and I’m sorry you’re dealing with it.

Does your chest hurt more when you press on it? Or when you press on your sternum or ribs? Because considering what has been ruled out, I think there’s a chance you might have costochondritis. It sounds kind of scary and it hurts a lot, but it’s not dangerous. It’s a musculoskeletal condition where the cartilage between your ribs gets inflamed. A lot of people get diagnosed with it because they go to the ER thinking they’re having a heart attack because the pain is so bad. I’ve had it a lot. Maybe ask one of your doctors if they think that might be it? If so, they might give you something like a medrol pack which is steroids and can help with the inflammation. Heating pads can help and if you sleep on your side, maybe try hugging a pillow. It helps to keep your chest open. Gentle stretching can help too.

Hope you feel better soon!

[Ckd123 in reply to musicandhockey]

Thanks for reply. My GP suggested costochondritis when she pressed on my ribs under my left breast and it was sore but I’m not convinced. There is another small area of my upper right chest that is sore to press on but I get pains all over my chest at different times. It also isn’t sore when I breath in deeply which is one of the symptoms according to Google. It’s also been going on for years, worse in the last year.

It’s so frustrating because nobody seems to know what’s going on.

[Spurdog1]

Reflux is the easiest to deal with, and I have suffered of late. Elevating my pillow, a small glass of full cream milk before bed, and don't wat for the four hours before bed should fix it.

As to your anxiety honestly I could see this coming, I have been in that place a long time ago and it's certainly the app is increasing your anxiety. Bin it straight away. And try to relax around the place. Slow breathing whenever you can. See your doc, who may medicate to being down anxiety.