Chest Tightness

[WesleyBuck]

Does anyone else have chest tightness, or what feels like a tight band around their torso as a symptom? I’ve had anxiety most of my life and panick attacks the past several years, so I don’t think it’s related to that. Mostly in the center of my chest, but really includes the entire torso area, front and back. To me, it feels like what I imagine the MS hug to feel like, although my neurologists assure me I do not have MS (based on several MRI’s). A warm hand or heating pad seems to provide a little relief.

[BlueSkies1]

Hi there,When my FND was flared up I would have terrible pains in my chest area and I too read about the MS hug and it seemed to describe it perfectly. But it was not MS!

What has helped with all of my FND issues is cognitive-behavioural therapy and meditation three times a day (I know-it seems impossible!) I feel my life was turned around by a psychologist, an occupational therapist, and a meditation facilitator. The work is slow but suddenly you realize your life has changed for the better! I wish you all the luck in the world. : )

These things have helped me the most (sharing them in the event that they help you!):

1. Accept the body sensations. Name them outloud and say "and that's okay! following the naming. Do it over and over, throughout the day, as a FND sensation arises. You are convincing your brain that it does not need to panic-all is well.

2. Breathe into the sensation. Not to make it go away, but to care for it. With no expectation, just calmly breathe into it. (It usually dissipates the sensation anyway.)

3. Create a daily schedule that allows for productive time and rest time and meditation time. Start very very small on the productive time! Only increase it when you feel ready, not because you are feeling pressured to accomplish more.

4. Meditate, meditate, meditate. Meditation changes the brain and is one of the very best tools for anxiety. If an uncomfortable sensation arises, accept it, and turn to the breathing you have learned in your daily meditation.

5. Find grounding objects that help to calm your system. A rough rock, a ball of yarn, a smell, a song, a hot bath, a cold drink, ice, the feel of your sheets. Find sensory objects and connect with them rather than focusing on the bodily sensation. Your mind will dive in to the sensory experience and forget about tightening your chest!

6. You can recover from this!!!!

[Hamster1980]

Yes, I have felt like my diaphragm has been frozen for a long time so I can't ever really take full breaths, and also have a lot of chest pain regularly.

Like Blue Skies, I thought it was a sign of MS but a brain scan showed it was not. I will try some of the suggestions Blue has offered, and for what it's worth, I have found going to a reputable local chiropractor exceptionally helpful, though neither of us can link a 'straight line' between his work and the symptom relief.

Good luck.

[padraig34 in reply to Hamster1980]

Yes I too thought my diaphragm was stuck because my rib cage is flared after spinal vertebrae injury

But all they did was a.normal xrsyvat the A@E dept

[Tommba33]

Had anyone ever looked into precordial catch syndrome:webmd.com/lung/precordial-c...

[WesleyBuck in reply to Tommba33]

At least for more it doesn’t feel like the symptoms they describe. For me it’s more muscular. I read someone refer to what feels like a layer of latex under their skin. Other parts (arms, legs) definitely feel like that and it may be the same thing in my mid-section, but my body is interpreting it differently.

[padraig34]

Yes I get the same tightness it really affects my breathing and sometimes makes it feel.imposdible

It's also a symptom of MS apoatently

What they call the MS hug

[padraig34]

Does your rib cage feel too high?Do your abdominal muscles feel weak?

THat is what causes mine I think

But I have considered everything from diaphragm paralysis and MS

I know how you fell its horrible

[Yani09]

Good day.

Yes, it feels like an elephant is sitting on your chest.. sometimes my whole body feels squeezed.

I don’t believe it is anxiety and I don’t feel panicked by it.

A panic attack is a very different experience.

Though, if you are only just experiencing the sensation then I believe you could be panicked by it.

Try to relax and it will pass.

Many people want to assure us what we don’t have.. as if we are suffering health hysteria.

It is very uncomfortable but thankfully it is a come and go symptom.

[WesleyBuck in reply to Yani09]

You nailed it exactly! Thanks for the reply!