Question:

Does anyone get chest pains that last for a day or so? I have had them for about a week, but today after getting the first good nights sleep in a long time, they are gone. I am wondering if maybe they were bad because I have been having anxiety. I have had stomach aches before form that, but never chestpains. Thanks Kristi

Response:

Thanks! And it’s funny you should mention an EKG because I just had one 1 1/2 weeks ago in the ER! LOL  it’s not really funny, but it helps to laugh at myself sometimes, ya know? I went in because my heart kept feeling like it ws skipping a beat when I was going to sleep one night. has that ever happened to anyone? I have an appointment tomorrow for an echocardiogram as well because they heard a click in my heartbeat and think it is mitral valve prolapse, and of course that brought on A LOT more symptoms. I didn’t have the constant chest pains until the day after I was told that. In fact until last night I hadn’t slept or eaten much since. also 2 nights ago I fainted after reading something that upset me. My poor husband and kids have never known me to be like this. I have always been a worrier, but I am really losing it. I feel like a totally different person than I was 2 weeks ago. Kristi

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – You might need a prescription antacid like Prevacid or something.  Ask your doctor (at least if you get an EKG you could rule out anything cardiovascular.) I know;  I’m there too. bw Does anyone get chest pains that last for a day or so? I have had them for about a week, but today after getting the first good nights sleep in a long time, they are gone. I am wondering if maybe they were bad because I have been having anxiety. I have had stomach aches before form that, but never chestpains. Thanks Kristi — bw Before you buy.

Response:

Does anyone get chest pains that last for a day or so? I have had them for about a week, but today after getting the first good nights sleep in a long time, they are gone. I am wondering if maybe they were bad because I have been having anxiety. I have had stomach aches before form that, but never chestpains. Thanks Kristi Hi Kristi, yes, i have them also and probably everyone on here who has anxiety will tell you the same..thats why people who suffer from anxiety usually will make at least one trip to the emergency room..thinking they are having a heart attack! Glad you are doing better now! take care…Kelly

– Free audio & video emails, greeting cards and forums Talkway – http://www.talkway.com – Talk more ways (sm)

Response:

You might need a prescription antacid like Prevacid or something.  Ask your doctor (at least if you get an EKG you could rule out anything cardiovascular.) I know;  I’m there too. bw Does anyone get chest pains that last for a day or so? I have had them for about a week, but today after getting the first good nights sleep in a long time, they are gone. I am wondering if maybe they were bad because I have been having anxiety. I have had stomach aches before form that, but never chestpains. Thanks Kristi

– bw Before you buy.

Response:

You might want to see if a relaxation technique helps your symptoms. bw – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thanks! And it’s funny you should mention an EKG because I just had one 1 1/2 weeks ago in the ER! LOL  it’s not really funny, but it helps to laugh at myself sometimes, ya know? I went in because my heart kept feeling like it ws skipping a beat when I was going to sleep one night. has that ever happened to anyone? I have an appointment tomorrow for an echocardiogram as well because they heard a click in my heartbeat and think it is mitral valve prolapse, and of course that brought on A LOT more symptoms. I didn’t have the constant chest pains until the day after I was told that. In fact until last night I hadn’t slept or eaten much since. also 2 nights ago I fainted after reading something that upset me. My poor husband and kids have never known me to be like this. I have always been a worrier, but I am really losing it. I feel like a totally different person than I was 2 weeks ago. Kristi You might need a prescription antacid like Prevacid or something. Ask your doctor (at least if you get an EKG you could rule out anything cardiovascular.) I know;  I’m there too. bw Does anyone get chest pains that last for a day or so? I have had them for about a week, but today after getting the first good nights sleep in a long time, they are gone. I am wondering if maybe they were bad because I have been having anxiety. I have had stomach aches before form that, but never chestpains. Thanks Kristi — bw Before you buy.

– bw Before you buy.

Response:

I have anxiety attacks and several times my chest has tightend up for an extended period. Here are some tips… Exhale as much as you can … What you are doing is hypervenalating and not even realizing it.

Response:

Hey There, On top of anxiety causing the chest pain, it could be costochondritis, which is an inflamation of the cartelige between the breastbone, sternum and ribcage. It is totally benign, but can be painful. It could also be GERD (gastro espohageal reflux disease) which is also benign but painful. Have yourself checked out by a physician. Hope this helps! Andy

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Does anyone get chest pains that last for a day or so? I have had them for about a week, but today after getting the first good nights sleep in a long time, they are gone. I am wondering if maybe they were bad because I have been having anxiety. I have had stomach aches before form that, but never chestpains. Thanks Kristi

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thanks! And it’s funny you should mention an EKG because I just had one 1 1/2 weeks ago in the ER! LOL  it’s not really funny, but it helps to laugh at myself sometimes, ya know? I went in because my heart kept feeling like it ws skipping a beat when I was going to sleep one night. has that ever happened to anyone? I have an appointment tomorrow for an echocardiogram as well because they heard a click in my heartbeat and think it is mitral valve prolapse, and of course that brought on A LOT more symptoms. I didn’t have the constant chest pains until the day after I was told that. In fact until last night I hadn’t slept or eaten much since. also 2 nights ago I fainted after reading something that upset me. My poor husband and kids have never known me to be like this. I have always been a worrier, but I am really losing it. I feel like a totally different person than I was 2 weeks ago. Kristi

SNIP Kristi, I have MVP.  The things you have listed are common symptoms.  You should know that most MVPs are harmless.  But, sometimes panic/anxiety can go along with it (for unknown reasons).  My cardiologist thinks the genes for MVP and anxiety travel together but he admits it’s just a guess.  There have been some studies that suggest that people with MVP live a bit longer than average.  Many people have MVP and don’t now it and it will never cause them a problem.  Unless your prolapse is very bad (which odds are it’s not) you will not have to worry about your heart.  (Well, you may have to take antibiotics when you go to the dentist but even that’s becomming less common.)  You may have to deal with an anxiety disorder that sometimes comes along with MVP. Does your chest pain feel like it’s at one point and does the point sometimes move around?  If so, that’s what MVP chest pain is commonly like.  Other than being a pain, it’s does not mean you’re having a heart attack. If you obsess over your symptoms, you will probably make them worse. If you say, "my prolaps is causing a pain, so what?" then your symptoms will probably get better.  Once I was diagnosed and was told that it was a harmless condition (and gave up caffiene) my pains went away. God bless,   Mark Before you buy.

Response:

Also, esophageal spasms. There can be a link between these and a lot of what has been said above. There’s a test (ouch!) called an Esophageal Monametry/Bertsein Test that can help diagnose this. I flunked it, supposeedly defining my pain. It can come from acid reflux, anxiety/PA/stress, or external muscle/nerve  causes. Its VERY painful and can, in my case last for days if not longer. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Does anyone get chest pains that last for a day or so? I have had them for about a week, but today after getting the first good nights sleep in a long time, they are gone. I am wondering if maybe they were bad because I have been having anxiety. I have had stomach aches before form that, but never chestpains. Thanks Kristi

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Also, esophageal spasms. There can be a link between these and a lot of what has been said above. There’s a test (ouch!) called an Esophageal Monametry/Bertsein Test that can help diagnose this. I flunked it, supposeedly defining my pain. It can come from acid reflux, anxiety/PA/stress, or external muscle/nerve  causes. Its VERY painful and can, in my case last for days if not longer. Tom, Do you do anything special for these.  My GI doc says I probably have these.  He is treating my reflux with currently 45-60 mg Prevacid a day.  I take Klonopin, but he says if I think I am having further problems with these spasms, adding some extra klonopin/ativan as prescribed is also beneficial.  I have not had the manometry test done but did have an upper GI endoscopy (bad enough) which showed some mild esophagitis/ gastritis.  I also have Carafate to help coat the esophagus, but that can be a hassle if taking with out meds.

If it’s from reflux then Prilosec or Prevacid should help but I found no help there. The Bernstein test will surely tell whether you’re susceptible to spasms. Its pretty uncomfortable but it helps to know those terrible pains are not cardiac. What’s Carafate? I was given something called LEVSID – a smooth muscle relaxer. Didn’t help me that much but a little. Not sure if my problem is caused by "internal" reflux. More related to some external stimulus (exercise) or stress. Klonopin helps but not in the short term, if one comes on. Xanax seems better. There are other stronger smooth muscle relaxers that can be used – nitro glycerin, cardizem, and a host of others. They effect more than your esophagus so I tried them and decided no. Sick of too many drugs. Meditation is a great way to help, for any of these problems, psychological or strictly physical. Hope that helps a little at least. They sure are painful. I’m so tired of bad doctors that I just stopped dealing with them. Although, I’m starting a new doctor in a month or so to get another opinion on all this crap. Good luck… Tom – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Denise

Response:

Denise, I believe the benzos (klonopin, ativan, etc.) have the ability to relax the lower esopageal sphincter (and thus the potential of making your GERD worse), so be sure to check this out with your doc before he gives you any benzos for your esophageal spasms. Eat slowly, swallow small amounts of food, try drinking warm liquids before eating. These modalities of treatment should be tried before taking more meds. Chip Tom, Do you do anything special for these. My GI doc says I probably have these. He is treating my reflux with currently 45-60 mg Prevacid a day. I take Klonopin, but he says if I think I am having further problems with these spasms, adding some extra klonopin/ativan as prescribed is also beneficial. I have not had the manometry test done but did have an upper GI endoscopy (bad enough) which showed some mild esophagitis/ gastritis. I also have Carafate to help coat the esophagus, but that can be a hassle if taking with out meds. Denise

Response:

when i get anxious i get chest pains,  my md assures me it is not cardiac.  can anyone tell me what causes it and how to get rid of it? thanks please answer to group, the address is a throw away

Response:

Your Doctor would have to give you a physical first. I wouldn’t take anything until you see your Doctor. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – when i get anxious i get chest pains,  my md assures me it is not cardiac.  can anyone tell me what causes it and how to get rid of it? thanks please answer to group, the address is a throw away

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Your Doctor would have to give you a physical first. I wouldn’t take anything until you see your Doctor. ehm, what does this say _here_ ? v v v v v my md assures me it is not cardiac.

Well excuse fucking me!

Response:

when i get anxious i get chest pains,  my md assures me it is not cardiac.  can anyone tell me what causes it and how to get rid of it? thanks please answer to group, the address is a throw away

I have no idea what physically causes it. I had chest pains on a regular basis with my anxiety, also a tightness. I usually try not to obsess about it (I know it’s tough), and ignore it. By the time it goes away, I forgot I had it You know what I mean? If I obsessed about it all day, it would have lasted all day. If I obsessed about it for an hour, it would last an hour Well that’s the way it works for me…Because I’ve been doing this for a while, I rarely get them anymore I’m also on Xanax Have a good one Perrin! KF…

Response:

well that depends  on who was fucking you

Response:

trouble is alcohol relieves these symptoms, and I don’t want to be forced into that dependence,  my md sparked cardiac! on hearing this, but after examimation, said not cardiac.  the alcohol is acting as a tranquilizer or something does this help?

Response:

Dont self medicate.. its just not a good thing.  Talk to your doc about finding an alternative.. one that isnt as damaging as alcohol can be…. When my anxiety was at its worst.. my chest would be so tight and heavy that I couldnt walk upright.. was scary as hell.  I have had EKGs and no findings of any heart problems.  I still obsess over it however… scares me … but logically I know its not what I fear.. at least not for this moment Take care and please… stay sober…. drinking can only add to the problem in the longrun, even if you get temporary relief! Stacy

|| trouble is alcohol relieves these symptoms, and I don’t || want to be forced into that dependence,  my md sparked || cardiac! on hearing this, but after examimation, said || not cardiac.  the alcohol is acting as a tranquilizer || or something || || does this help?

Response:

when i get anxious i get chest pains,  my md assures me it is not cardiac.  can anyone tell me what causes it and how to get rid of it? thanks

There are many causes of chest pain. Ask your doctor what he thinks is causing your chest pain. And how he thinks you should get rid of it. He should be able to come up with something better than just what isn’t causing it. The next time you get a chest pain, check your anterior chest wall for tenderness. Which could indicate muscle spasm. Anxious people tend to tense up all their muscles. And also tend to think they are having heart problems. Chip

Response:

I had this problem when I first started dealing with anxiety. And because I didn’t know what it was, it scared me, and made it worse. I was certain that I was going to have a heart attack, no matter WHAT the doctor said. It’s your chest muscles tightening up. The only thing you can do to relieve it is to relax. My chest muscle pain spread down into my arms and my side. It got to the point of where I couldn’t wash dishes without dropping them. I couldn’t brush my hair without having a muscle spasm down my side and all through my arm. Try to relax. If you start to hurt, take a hot bath. Or have someone give you a massage.   Personally, I wouldn’t recommend that you take a pain pill, or have a few drinks to deal with it, because that only masks the pain, and doesn’t help you to deal with it in the long run.

Response:

trouble is alcohol relieves these symptoms, and I don’t want to be forced into that dependence,  my md sparked cardiac! on hearing this, but after examimation, said not cardiac.  the alcohol is acting as a tranquilizer or something does this help?

First get your heart checked out to rule out cardiac problems. Alcohol is not a good medication because it gives you a bad hangover possibly with a few extra PA’s thrown in for good measure, it wreaks haov on your liver and is *addicting*. You wouldn’t be the first anxiety sufferer to turn into an alcoholist. So IMO you’d better see a psychiatrist is no other physical problems are found and have yourself prescribed a good benzo like Xanax or Klonopin. They are CNS depressants like alcohol but without the dangers and side effects of alcohol. Philip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

yeah BUT WHAT IS IT?

Response:

yada yada and I have heard all the stuff about cortisol too.  All the anx stuff i’ve read said it can cause chest pains.   But what is it?

Response:

actually, you guys have helped me.  I have  to get thru this.  a few drinks work.  i have to function and this works. thanks for your help

Response:

yada yada and I have heard all the stuff about cortisol too.  All the anx stuff i’ve read said it can cause chest pains.   But what is it?

Probably tense muscles. P. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

bull. what would be the evolutional advantage to have someone have chest pains when panic ing.  I can see the fight or flight syndrome, but the "I am having a heart attack syndrome" as a survival instinct to too much adrenaline or cortisol.  no it makes no sense to me.  a "I am dying syndrome"    no evolution wise it makes no sense In hte writings of mark twain  and the 1800’s writers functional drunks like Bat matserson were common and ladies having fainting spells (a good cover for panic) were much more common than now, maybe our world is less forgiving?

Response:

bull. what would be the evolutional advantage to have someone have chest pains when panic ing.  I can see the fight or flight syndrome, but the "I am having a heart attack syndrome" as a survival instinct to too much adrenaline or cortisol.  no it makes no sense to me.  a "I am dying syndrome"    no evolution wise it makes no sense

Well, a part of evolutionary theory is random variation.  Not everyone has panic and anxiety disorders.  Not everything that evolves is functional.  If this chest pain impairs ability to survive and reproduce chances are people who experience what you have will not fair as successfully as those who don’t and it won’t become a standard feature of the human race. In the writings of mark twain  and the 1800’s writers functional drunks like Bat matserson were common and ladies having fainting spells (a good cover for panic) were much more common than now,

Sorry to be finiky, but I’d like to interject at this point and say that there is no such thing as a functional drunk IMO.  If you call functional "being alive to drink more alcohol" then I suppose they are functioning, but to me that is not what life is about.  Being a drunk involves dysfunction in at least one area of your life, and usually more than one.  If there is already dysfunction then being a drunk only makes it worse. Aside from that, what is the point you are trying to make?  I don’t get it. Sorry if I’m coming across agressive, I don’t mean to, I am just tired. maybe our world is less forgiving?

If you think that this world ever was, is, or ever will be forgiving then I think you have been misled.  Sorry to be the one to break it to you. x Cath — ~ No one is guaranteed happiness. Life just gives each person time and space. It’s up to us to fill it with joy. ~ All mail is filtered.

Response:

First of all you need to check with your doctor. I would hate to say it is just panic and find out that it wasn’t. Usually you can tell that if it hurts when you touch your chest then its muscle. I too get chest pains during anxiety. Mine feels more sometimes like a tightening there. I know when i am stressed out or going through some anxiety that my shoulders and back get knots in them which tend to affect the muscles in my chest.  My husband says the same thing though,."Irene! how can you be having a heart attack every night and almost the same time. He’s right. If your getting them almost everyday then it’s probably anxiety. Don’t feel stupid going to the doctor’s. remember the saying "Better safe then sorry!!!"   Irene says… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -every once and awhile, sometimes in conjunction with extreme anxiety, and sometimes triggering it, I experience piercing chest pains. I know this isn’t alt.support.heart.disease but I am hoping it is just a symptom of panic attacks? I am a 19 yo female, in reasonable health, with below average blood pressure, but I am afraid years of alcohol and cocaine abuse wrecked my heart. Naturally being the dork I am I am afraid to confront my doctor with this information. I couldn’t possibly be having heart attacks every other night and stopping them by pure will. ech, paranoia. i have also found drinking things with nutra-sweet increases the chance I will suffer chest pain and headaches. which really sucks because I, not unlike models and lab rats, have developed a taste for the stuff. How could I possibly live with out diet 7-up, and that artificial, futuristic flavor? sigh. I’m slowly trying to convert to Goodflow lemonade… but. you know. special interest groups and natural food fanatics aside, does anyone know if nutra sweet is addictive?

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – every once and awhile, sometimes in conjunction with extreme anxiety, and sometimes triggering it, I experience piercing chest pains. I know this isn’t alt.support.heart.disease but I am hoping it is just a symptom of panic attacks? I am a 19 yo female, in reasonable health, with below average blood pressure, but I am afraid years of alcohol and cocaine abuse wrecked my heart. Naturally being the dork I am I am afraid to confront my doctor with this information. I couldn’t possibly be having heart attacks every other night and stopping them by pure will. ech, paranoia. i have also found drinking things with nutra-sweet increases the chance I will suffer chest pain and headaches. which really sucks because I, not unlike models and lab rats, have developed a taste for the stuff. How could I possibly live with out diet 7-up, and that artificial, futuristic flavor? sigh. I’m slowly trying to convert to Goodflow lemonade… but. you know. special interest groups and natural food fanatics aside, does anyone know if nutra sweet is addictive?

Yo chex: First of all welcome,I know you have only been here a few days or so posting. First things first,you should have a complete check-up from a good GP. This will rule out all of the things that you "think"are bothering you.I know making a trip to the Dr. is stressfull,but we have a newsgroup full of people who have survived this very important step.Once this is done you can start laying some of your fears to rest,and if the Dr does find a little something wrong the 2 of you can deal with it.You will probably find that the chest pains are part of your panic problem,and once you realise that they won’t hurt you,you can move on to conquering other fears and phobias. Good Luck and always….. Keep the Faith,Moose

Response:

every once and awhile, sometimes in conjunction with extreme anxiety, and sometimes triggering it, I experience piercing chest pains. I know this isn’t alt.support.heart.disease but I am hoping it is just a symptom of panic attacks? I am a 19 yo female, in reasonable health, with below average blood pressure, but I am afraid years of alcohol and cocaine abuse wrecked my heart. Naturally being the dork I am I am afraid to confront my doctor with this information. I couldn’t possibly be having heart attacks every other night and stopping them by pure will. ech, paranoia. i have also found drinking things with nutra-sweet increases the chance I will suffer chest pain and headaches. which really sucks because I, not unlike models and lab rats, have developed a taste for the stuff. How could I possibly live with out diet 7-up, and that artificial, futuristic flavor? sigh. I’m slowly trying to convert to Goodflow lemonade… but. you know. special interest groups and natural food fanatics aside, does anyone know if nutra sweet is addictive?

Response:

Hey Chex! I don’t mean to sound patronizing, but have you seen a doctor?  It’s always best to see a doctor about chest pains, just to be sure. I will tell you, ( but please don’t get confident and put off that doctor’s appt.! ), that I have experienced piercing chest pains also. My doctor explained that sometimes, stress and tension like to gather in strange places, like the thin muscles of the chest.  These muscles can tighten and cramp just like the larger muscles.  Because these muscles, especially the ones at either side of the lower breast bone and ribs, are so thin, when they cramp, it’s often a piercing, stabbing pain. Have you tried changing position?  A light gentle massage can also be helpful, but don’t massage to hard, or you can get another cramp rolling!  Lying flat on your back with our arms raised over your head can also help sometimes.   Chest muscle cramps also make breathing hell!  You don’t want to breath deep, because each time you do, here comes that stabbing pain again.   Take light breaths, gradually make them deeper.  Also, a warm, wet towel applied to the area can loosen the muscles too. Again, please see a doctor, if nothing else for your piece of mind and safety, but try not to assume the worst.  And be sure to tell your doctor about your love of nutra-sweet.  You may be suffering a reaction to it. Good Luck!  Let us know what you find out. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – every once and awhile, sometimes in conjunction with extreme anxiety, and sometimes triggering it, I experience piercing chest pains. I know this isn’t alt.support.heart.disease but I am hoping it is just a symptom of panic attacks? I am a 19 yo female, in reasonable health, with below average blood pressure, but I am afraid years of alcohol and cocaine abuse wrecked my heart. Naturally being the dork I am I am afraid to confront my doctor with this information. I couldn’t possibly be having heart attacks every other night and stopping them by pure will. ech, paranoia. i have also found drinking things with nutra-sweet increases the chance I will suffer chest pain and headaches. which really sucks because I, not unlike models and lab rats, have developed a taste for the stuff. How could I possibly live with out diet 7-up, and that artificial, futuristic flavor? sigh. I’m slowly trying to convert to Goodflow lemonade… but. you know. special interest groups and natural food fanatics aside, does anyone know if nutra sweet is addictive?

Response:

Related Articles

• Margrove and others: Anixety and Omega 3s (EPA and DHA)
• New member: See story inside…
• Caffeine, Stress and Your Health: Is Caffeine Your Friend or Your Foe? 1/30/06
• reversing Heart Blockage
• Lupron & Heart Disease
• Natural healing
• Omega-3