Heart Issues or Anxiety?

So, some back story. I'm a 25 year old female (turning 26 tomorrow!), relatively healthy. No major issues have ever gone on. Diagnosed w/ pleurisy last year. Then had constipation issues that have been resolved (had a colonoscopy, everything was fine). And now I have this never-ending chest pain.

Last year, I was experiencing sharp, stabby chest pain in one very specific area. It's on the right side, around breast bone. Sometimes it feels like it is somehow originating behind my breast to a degree. Went to ER - ran EKG, looked at x-ray, did blood tests for blood clots. He says I have pleurisy. I leave with a script for 800MG iburprofen, 3x a day. That eventually did the trick.

But the pain comes back, little twinges that might last a day or two. Then go away.

Until recently... I've been having almost constant on and off pain throughout days for the last 2 months or so. Same exact spot. It never varies. It's the same as it was w/ the pleurisy diagnosis last year. One doctor (MedExpress.... that'll tell you a lot) told me he thought I might have asthma, and dismissed the pleurisy recurrence. Went to a pulomonary doctor - I do not have asthma or allergies. He said the chest pain could be musculoskeletal, cardiac related, stress/anxiety or GI.

I have a GI doctor currently who is aware of these issues. I just went to a PCP internal medicine guy last week. He ran an EKG and said it didn't look bad, some elevated something with the left ventricle. He is concerned it might be a heart-related issue. Of course that made me panic. He made me get tons of blood work and I believe I'll be doing a stress test next Wednesday (an excruciating 7 days from now). He also noted my BP has been elevated the last times I've been to doctors. And to that, I think, of course it has. I get extremely nervous in a medical setting. It's not SUPER high. But.... I think it's constituted as pre-hypertension.

Occasionally, in the last month, I've been getting a bit of a sore upper left arm. Around my shoulder. I convince myself it's a heart attack and call my Mom at 11:30 PM worrying about it. But I breathe. I calm down. I take a bath. I feel a little better. And these chest pains sometimes DO go away for a week and a half, but always come back. No clue why.

All I do is worry. I've been battling a variety of health issues all year and I can't relax anymore. And I'm starting to wonder if anxiety is the root of my problems. My GI issues. These chest pains. The not knowing, right now, is the absolute worst part. I start sitting at my desk at work focusing on the annoying pains I keep feeling, then I'm like -oh, my arm hurts... this must be something so bad, then I start feeling sick. I have to go into the bathroom and try to breathe deeply a bit to calm myself down.

It's an endless cycle. The pain is the first thing I notice in the morning - but it doesn't keep me up at night. I've recently lost 20 pounds (on purpose) but still am considered slightly overweight via my BMI. Tonight I plan to start exercising, walking and getting some nervous energy to go away. I feel better when I'm doing things. When I'm not focused on it. I went to a concert a month ago, and didn't notice pain at all because I was NOT focused on it either.

So of course, the tests could come back pointing to heart issues. But I'm 25 and otherwise healthy... and I'm terrified. So what do you guys think? Anxiety? Stress? Am I insane?

I'm so tired of this happening and I feel awful all the time about it. It's all I think about.

amnicr, The best way to rule  out chest pain caused from your heart is to talk to your doctor. If your heart is in good health and everything checks out, it's extremely rare to have any heart condition. While chest pains associated with anxiety attacks can occur at any age, they're more common at ages when coronary disease is rare, between the ages of 20 and 40. Chances are if you do not have a history of heart problems, your chest pain in not heart related.   But always check with your doctor at least once and let them know if your concerns. Stress and palpitations are so common, and almost always benign. That said, I can't tell you specifically what is going on, only your Dr. can do that.   For now, let's assume that you are just experiencing one of the symptoms of  anxiety. Caffeine, stress, lack of sleep, certain foods, ECT...have all been known to bring on the palpitations.  Try to avoid these as much as possible. Pleurisy is swelling  of the thin layers of tissue (pleura) covering the lungs and the chest wall. The symptoms of pleurisy are chest pain and difficulty breathing. The chest pain usually starts suddenly. People often describe it as a stabbing pain, and it usually gets worse with breathing. I have read of people having pleurisy that is chronic and can last for months. I do hope you are able to find a cause for your sx, meanwhile coming here and talking with us will provide you with the emotional support you need.   ♫ . ♥ .•* ★ ¨`*• ♫ .•´*.¸.•´ ♥ ♫ ♥♥♥´* ☀ Happy ☀ Birthday ☀ ♥♥ ♫ . ♥ .•* ☀ ¨`*• ♫ .• ´ *.¸ ☀ .•´ ♥ ┊ ┊┊ ┊☀┊ ┊ ┊┊ ☀ ه. •´♥ ه ┊ ☀ ┊ ┊ ི ♥ ྀ ♫ ☀ ┊┊ ☀ ه Kindly, Kitt  

Another possibility for the chest pains which is possibly the most likely candidate under the "musculoskeletal" field is Costochondritis which is inflammation of the rib cartlege or the rib itself. Its mostly found in the joints where the ribs attach to the sternum (breastbone) but can be found further afield. Many think it may be caused due to earlier trauma or previous infection, but it many also be genetic. It CAN really "screw with your head" until you get it clearly diagnosed and learn to identify it as such

I've had it for years, mostly transient but over the last year it's been a constant companion with my depression and chronic anxiety. Your arm pain may also be related to tension in your neck & shoulders & trapped nerves either in shoulder or neck. Most of us can tend to store a lot of our tension in these areas.

I'm suffering from some of these same issues. I had an arrhythmia (bigeminy) identified about 3.5 years ago and went through a series of tests with a cardiologist. His verdict was there was no sign of heart disease and the arrhythmia (like many) was benign. Even so, on bad days it can be very difficult not to 'second guess' yourself and let the "what ifs" take over.

The BP issue is interesting. There is a known phenomena known as "white coat hypertension" where anxiety in doctor's offices leads to B/P readings higher than they should be. A useful measure is the holter moniter for B/P which is a 24 hour B/P monitor where you are attached to a device which takes your B/P hourly as you go about your normal daily activities. At the end of the 24 hours, you return and are "de-hooked" and the readings are then taken and reported back to your referring doctor. This may give a true answer regarding the state of your B/P.

Hope some of this may be of some help to you. My sincerest best wishes in any case.

Amnicr.

I am sorry that you ended up in the ER last night...but it sounds like you got some helpful information that should put your mind at ease...great news that your cardio function looks good!

I am certain that your other results will show healthy finding as well...and at that point, you can start to focus your efforts on anxiety management.

We are here to support and cheer you on, so keep posting.:)

.................and.................

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

S.C.

Hi Amnicr,

I am glad to read that your tests all came out well! That is great news, and now you can focus on treating your anxiety.:)

Did you get a chance to look at the link that I posted in the above message to our Resources? There are great self-help ideas and infomation in there.

Here are the exercises that you may find especially helpful in stress reduction:

Self Help sites with breathing/relaxation exercises instructions

Panic attack relief exercises:

 

http://www.healthcentral.com/anxiety/c/73076/34334/breathing-lessons/

http://www.healthyplace.com/

http://www.stress-relief-exercises.com/

http://www.ehow.com/video_4405003_breathing-exercises-panic-attacks.html

http://www.psybersquare.com/anxiety/panic_relax_I

 
The exercise program that you signed up for sounds excellent! I am sure that getting out and being active will help you tremendously!

Keep up the good work, and give those coping skills a go...they work if practiced regularly!

S.C.