Just struggling to comprehend things and if I’m ok.. 21 man

[Dshadzz07]

So like I struggled with acid reflux a couple week back thinking it was a heart issue they gave me ECG and bloods and everything fine. So every settled down, but like last week I got this arm pain that went away. But on the 23rd I got like upper belly tightness and felt heavy.

Then the 24th, I got like this bad left arm pain, shoulder and bicep area. So was very panicky, my mum said I looked fine and not pale and just took painkillers that helped after a while, I’ve been able to do my normal stuff the last couple days just feeling a little spaced like something is wrong despite all my heart tests in the past including ECGs, ECHO, bloods and X-rays being perfect. Like I just worry on the 24th I had a heart attack and didn’t do anything or know it and now I’m just sitting here waiting to die despite feeling ok to do my usual things.

I would’ve been up AE for like 16 hours on the 24th but my mum said I looked fine and I do suffer with bad posture, anxiety, depression and such but just think that was the heart attack that my brain has been preparing me for and now I’m a dead man.

I’m a 21 year old and just don’t know what to do and can’t even get to see a doctor and be assessed as I feel a bit better now just off. Maybe it’s because I’m tapering off my antidepressant I don’t know. Sorry for the vent, I know no one can diagnose me, just really difficult to believe I’m ok.

[Hidden]

Hello

Your Mum I am sure if she had any concerns about you would take you to A&E herself and not be saying you look fine

You have had all those tests done and they found nothing wrong at all so that is a massive positive

You say yourself that your posture is not good and that can cause arm pain , pain in shoulders pain every where to be honest trying to concentrate on a better posture might really help you to get rid of some of these feelings

Acid reflux and I get it can give you pains in your chest and you have been told that you have been suffering with it and anxiety can play a big part in acid reflux as the brain sends signals down to the gut which is why so many people with anxiety and depression suffer with gut related issues

I am not a Doctor but taking everything into account and the fact your Mum is there with you would say that you are in no danger but your anxiety is having fun with you convincing you are and after Christmas I would see your Doctor and ask for all the support they have to offer to help you with your anxiety

The more you worry the more you will convince yourself something is wrong , I know it is not easy when you suffer but try and distract yourself , remind yourself all your tests are clear and that you have a Mum that loves you and would no doubt do anything to protect you including getting medical help but she is not worried you need it

You are going to be ok you have to start believing that and trusting the professionals

Try and enjoy the best you can the rest of your Christmas 🎄 x

[Dshadzz07 in reply to Hidden]

thank you so much for this message. I’m trying to do the most I can with resources available for anxiety.

I want to have a happy life and beat this anxiety. I’m overweight which I think makes me feel I’m going to have a heart attack despite my cholesterol, BP and such being perfect. Like I don’t want to have to get more tests I was looking at getting contrast angiogram to see if I have blockages.

Even though you ain’t a doctor do you think I’d be able to ride a bike for an hour if I had a heart attack untreated.

[Hidden in reply to Dshadzz07]

Hello

I am glad you are trying to get all the support you can with your anxiety

You are still young and a good BP and Cholesterol is another positive but for the future and I think you know it working on losing some weight will be something that really benefits your health so that is something you can do

Those blood tests you had are a good indicator for the Doctors to know if someone has had a heart attack or not as yours were fine that shows them that your heart is to and no need for an angiogram at all

Keeping your weight healthy , exercise eating healthy will all stand you in good stead

As for could you ride a bike for an hour if you had a heart attack I doubt it very much x

[Dshadzz07 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much I really needed this support and it helps to know that anxiety can do so much and I need to stay healthy and enjoy life more.

[Hidden in reply to Dshadzz07]

Hello

I am nearly 3 times your age and have suffered with anxiety most of my life and that is how I know what it can do and make us feel but unlike when I was your age there was no support and that is why I say take all the support you can because you can get this under control

Make it a New Year's resolution to stay fit and healthy with the simple things healthy diet losing some weight and yes enjoy life

You can do this x

[devonian186 in reply to Dshadzz07]

you say you are overweight. a little or a lot. what is your bmi? that can make a huge difference

[Dshadzz07 in reply to devonian186]

well BMI is a flawed system really but I’m 330lbs at 6ft 2

[devonian186 in reply to Dshadzz07]

Surely most or all of your problems can be put down to your weight. You are seriously obese. To get that way presumably your diet is not healthy and you don't get enough exercise. All this will likely have contributed to your bad posture and acid reflux. I would suggest you need proper help via GP or self help group to work out a sensible diet to seriously reduce your weight. You are still very young and need to take back control of your life..

[Dshadzz07 in reply to devonian186]

this is where I have an issue I have hypothyroidism which mine is very hard to control like I’m trying me best with medication. But it’s unstable so my hormones and metabolism are very effected. I have a personal trainer that helps me and I’m starting more exercise again but also it affects me getting tired quicker.

It’s a difficult place to be, I really am trying. I noticed with the hypothyroidism is because I gained nearly 100lbs in 6 months where I was eating normally then got diagnosed and it was completely out of whack.

[devonian186 in reply to Dshadzz07]

Sorry for your troubles. You are so young and have the whole of your life ahead of you so hope you can get to grips with your various health problems through medication, diet and exercise.

[AlfredV]

Sorry for your troubles. It can be disconcerting when you don't know what's going on. I'm wondering whether you might have indigestion. It can be very painful and can cause pain in areas other than the abdomen.

Your symptoms do align with a heart attack, but I think it is unlikely. The reason I say this is that a heart attack (or other heart damage) does cause elevated troponin levels that can persist for a number of days after the event. This is what they look for on the blood test.

I hope you are able to get some answers. All I can recommend is that you badger your GP. Also, take note of every symptom that doesn't seem right. Even apparently unrelated symptoms can give clues as to what might be going on.

[Dshadzz07 in reply to AlfredV]

yeah I think a lot attributes to anxiety and with all the tests I’ve had done too just really difficult mentally to think I’m ok still. Like 21 man the doctors say no unless you got inherited issue which I don’t or abusing solvents which I don’t. So like it’s just a situation I need to process.

[Hidden]

If you have chest pains especially those that extend to your left arm you should get down to A&E. That is the NHS advice since it might be life threatening. It matters not how old you are or whether you look OK you might be having or had a heart attack. You should leave the diagnosis to the health professionals who will be able to carry out tests on the spot including a troponin blood test. Your life is more important than avoiding a trip to A&E because of the wait time. And as others have noted you say you are 'overweight'. If that actually means obese with a BMI of 30 or above you should lose weight, which will help your heart and if you have a tendency to acid reflux it will help that too. You may need help to do that so I suggest you reach out to your mother who should be able to support you in that. Certainly cutting out or reducing sugary stuff and sweet comfort food will be a good first step to losing weight, as will starting to exercise regularly. Even going for a walk is beneficial.

[Dshadzz07]

thank you for the advise but as I’ve said I didn’t really have chest pain just in my arm which I assume to bad posture.

I just get afraid and did get tested two weeks ago and was fine and have no heart defects.

From the rational stand point I’m fine, age plays a huge factor in heart attacks 1/100000 are below 30. Just trying to use my CBT techniques, to help myself.

[jerry12953]

Just one thing.....you can rule out acid reflux by taking gaviscon when you feel the heartburn. Gaviscon is widely available in pharmacies and supermarkets. Good luck.....

[Dshadzz07 in reply to jerry12953]

yeah thank you it’s been helping not a big fan of it tho

[Hidden in reply to Dshadzz07]

Acid reflux is a symptom that something is not quite right with your gastro system, especially if it occurs frequently, rather than the occasional upset. In my opinion a healthy 21 year old should not suffer it on a regular basis, unless it is caused perhaps by eating the wrong sort of indigestible food, meals are too large so that the stomach is distended, or the person is significantly overweight. By addressing causes like these there should be no need to take 'indigestion' remedies on a regular basis such as Gaviscon or over the counter PPIs. However if you continue to suffer you should consult with your GP who may be able to advise further lifestyle changes and perhaps initiate some tests to isolate any problems should they exist.

[jerry12953]

If it HAS been helping the pain is probably not reflux-related. Another med you can try from the pharmacy is one of the PPI's eg Nexium. It clears my heartburn very quickly and lasts for about 24 hours. If that happens it +/- rules out reflux problems. PPI's are not for long term use though, if you can help it.