Question:
Im 36 years old and only have had a mild episode of panic attack only once
about 10 years ago. My life is quite stressful I suppose and I tend to worry
a lot. Yet I've been fine up until about 3 months ago when after lifting
some boxes I felt a tremendous pull on the muscles of my chest. Nothing else
but that, I was sure I had pulled some muscles and that was it. But after a
few days I started feeling pain in the middle of my chest and muscular
spasms specially on the left side which was scary enough to trigger massive
episodes of anxiety and panic attacks. This has continued with more or less
intensity up until now. Although the problem seems to be muscular (its
relieved by changing positions) its alarming enough to cause anxiety.
After having a whole lot of tests done they can't seem to find anything
wrong with my heart nor any internal organs. Yet I have developed this awful
undescribable pain in the upper abdominal area when I breathe, possibly
cause I tense up those muscles to such an extent ?? Heart palpitations (
when my heart seems to skip a beat) have sent me to the emergency room
already once about a week ago, where of course they cannot find anything
wrong after doing throughout tests. I've been told to relax and although not
directly, the doctors seem to suggest that anxiety is causing this symptoms.
My standard answer to them thus far has been, sure, Im having panic attacks
and Im definetely anxious, but its all triggered by actual physical symptoms
and not the other way around !!! Since they cannot find anything wrong, they
have pretty much suggested they cannot do a thing until something serious
happens.(if ever)
So here I am in this dilemma, where I have controlled the attacks by slowing
down my breathing, or breathing abdominally, yet I keep feeling this
sensation of inmense pressure in my middle chest, right above the stomach.
The palpitations are milder but still there and some nights, I would go
entirely without sleep. This is really affecting me now and since doctors
don't have any tests left for me, I need to know if my anxiety can be so
powerful to inflict this symptoms on me. I always thought I could give
myself a headache but this is lasting for too long already.
Has anyone experienced this symptoms ?? Should I be asking to see a
psycologist ?? Medication ??? What else can I possibly do ??
I would appreciate your input.
Answer:
I am unsure what tests were ordered or what means of diagnosis used-but if it
were me I would schedule an upper gi and gastroscopy to see if you have hiatal
hernia, I would have serum antibody blood tests to see if you have any
arthritic conditions that may be inflaming the soft tissues around your abdomen
or chest, I would order a cat scan of the abdomen-if any of these have ben done
and no organic illness is found, then yes indeed do see a psychiatrist or
psychologist
Yep, same here. I only had PA's if I felt something physically wrong first.
My anxiety rarely involves nervousness :) I've been checked out many times,
2 EKG's, blood work (3 times), CAT Scan, blood sugar level, X-rays,
neurology check up, etc., and they found nothing wrong :)
I've experienced the same chest pain (I mean severe!), and tightness right
above my stomach, for over a week before I finally had a PA. I drove myself
to the ER thinking I was dying! The pain in my chest just stopped all of a
sudden, then I had this feeling that my brain was shutting down or
something. That;s the only way I can describe it. Well anyway, I ran into
the ER thinking I was having a heart attack, but when explaining my symptoms
to one of the nurses there (faintness, hard time breathing, chest pain,
feeling of my brain shutting down, dry mouth, weak, fatigued, sweating,
etc.) I remember one of the nurses saying that I was probably having a PA (I
didn't believe it at the time :). I also had a sinus infection, and a cold.
Certainly didn't help :) This was back in March, and I'm still here,
so....:) I'm 27, and have been a hypochondriac for years, which I believe
caused my anxiety in the first place. Maybe your same way. Hypochondriacs
can actually cause themselves to have physically symptoms, some people don't
realize that, and in turn cause themselves anxiety :) Maybe that's why you
(and myself) have anxiety only after feeling something physical first. I
still have that tight feeling my chest once in a while, but nothing compared
to what it was. I've been on Xanax since April, and doing fine, with a
little setback when I switched to Paxil in July :( Ahhh. Big mistake! :)
Let me ask you something. After you were told there was nothing wrong, and
it was anxiety problems, did your symptoms get less intense or go away for a
few hours? If so, then your probably in the same boat as me. Everytime I
would run to ER (9 times total) I would feel great that day, then the next
morning, it would all start up again.
By all means, if your unsure about something, go get a full check-up. But if
still have problems after being told by many doctors there's nothing wrong,
that's classic signs of Hypochondria :) Welcome to the club, sucks, don't
it? :)
I'd see a psychiatrist and get a diagnosis and suggestions for treatment.
Sounds like you have an anxiety disorder of some sort. Possibly panic
disorder.
