Pain in my neck/upper back and chest burning; is it all in my head?

Hi everyone!

I'm new HW and have been offering my support to others over the past few days.

I've been suffering from panic anxiety disorder for over 5 years, but had what I call a relapse (increase in panic attacks) within the last 5 months.

A week ago (Sunday) I began to feel ill; it all started after I choked while trying to take a drink of water. I felt stomach acid come up and felt immediately nauseous. Then I began to experience symptoms of the stomach flu (going to the bathroom constantly) and my chest began to feel like it was burning. This lasted for over 5 hours; I wasn't sure if these were symptoms of a panic attack, and tried to take antacids as well as pepto, but that only settled my stomach.

I woke up the next morning feeling drained and light headed. I had no appetite and my stomach was still very upset. We were out of town and the trip home was not very comfortable, but I managed to get home safe.

I decided to go to the walk-in clinic Tuesday after experiencing the same symptoms of chest burning that afternoon. They immediately hooked me up to a EKG and told me that my heart looked fine, but my blood pressure was high. I talked to the doctor and they told me that I most likely had a virus and gave me medication for the nausea. I went home and started a liquid diet and also tried my best to get enough rest/fluids.

On Wednesday afternoon, I began to experience light headedness and pain that felt like a tension headache. I had difficulty seeing straight and a feeling of panic. I was able to calm myself down and drove to pick up my fiance from work. When I got home I began to experience the burning sensation in my chest again and also a pain in the middle of my shoulder blades. I began to panic again and tried to calm myself down; after suffering for several hours I decided to go to the Emergency Room. When I arrived, they did another EKG and also checked my pancreas and gallbladder. After being given a bag of fluids, I was told that I most likely had acid reflux. They gave me a prescription for pepcid and told me to follow up with my primary care doctor.

I made an appointment on Thursday to see a general practitioner about my chest/back pain and nausea. She told me that these sounded like symptoms of GERD and scheduled me for a esophogram as well as a few tests for bacterial infections (H. Pylori, Baisc Enteric Pathogen Panel, and C Difficle). She also asked me to take an otc acid reducer such as zantac in addition to the pepcid.

On Friday I felt like I had my energy back; I was able to clean the house and felt fine except for soreness in my shoulder area, which I felt relief from with a heating pad.

Yesterday I began to feel a pain in my upper left shoulder and felt very nauseous and light headed. After dropping off my stool samples at the hospital, I began to feel gassy and the pain my shoulder started to move down my left arm. After waiting it out for several hours and trying to get my mind off of it, I felt so tired that I had to lie down. I began to feel very sleepy and the pain was getting worse. I finally decided to go back to the Emergency room and almost blacked out twice on the way there. I felt weak, dizzy, couldn't see straight and nauseous despite the fact I took my medication.

They did another EKG and the results came back fine. I also had an x-ray done of my chest and stomach, a blood test, and an ultrasound to check my gallbladder, right kidney, and pancreas. Everything test came back saying that I am in perfect health (excluding my high blood pressure and high triglycerides). The doctor told me that I more than likely have myalgia (muscle pain). I was prescribed a mild pain medication and also a medication to ease the cramps in my stomach.

I worry that they will never figure out what is wrong with me and that I'll continue to be in pain. This has caused me a great deal of anxiety and I sometimes get to a point where I uncontrollably cry due to the stress. I haven't been able to eat anything due to the nausea, am constantly in pain, and feel really sick.

Has anyone else experienced similar symptoms that were anxiety related? The tests are all coming back fine so I am getting to the point where I'm starting to wonder if it is my anxiety that is causing these symptoms. I have had chest pains before and palliation, but never a burning sensation, or neck pain that caused me to be light headed.

Thanks for your help and support!

WorryWart

Thank you for your support Melissuh!

I understand the frustration in getting numerous tests run; in a way it helps me to relax knowing that I don't have a problem with my heart. Then I start searching what other diseases could cause this pain; which is when my panic disorder causes me to worry.

When did you begin to notice the symptoms worsen? Have you been tested for GERD? Do you have any recommendations for tests I should request from my doctor?

I have a barium swallow tomorrow morning, so hopefully that will give me some more information. The doctor said that sometimes if a person has an ulcer or hernia that it can cause back pain.

Hang in there!

WorryWart

I hope your appointment goes well on Tuesday, Melissuh! In a way I don't want to be diagnosed with anything new; I already have diet restrictions and am working on loosing weight, so the last thing I need is to worry about another health problem.

Thanks Mdk for your support! I'm 100% positive that my panic anxiety disorder has caused me to be more uncomfortable and tense. I took 5mg of oxycodone around 5pm and have been feeling a lot better.

The Basic Enteric Pathogen Panel and C Difficle both came back normal. So I'm just waiting for the H Pylori and then the results from tomorrow's test. I'm hoping that what I'm experiencing is just GERD and that my pain will go away.

Good luck today!!

I just use my heating pad for my back pain, and heck, all my pain.
I haven't taken pain meds in 6 months, for anything... honestly afraid to..

I just got home; the test showed that the barium went back up my esophagus. The person doing the procedure told me that I have very bad reflux. No wonder I get nauseous when I try to eat.

I'm sorry you've got bad reflux, BUT I'm happy youre getting answers!

WW,

Reflux is known to cause radiating pain into those areas....

...but if you feel it is more muscular in nature, it could be muscle tension...in which case, the link I gave you for Stress Relieving Exercises has instructions for Progressive Muscle Relaxation that could be helpful.

Another thing you may want to ask your doctor about is the possibility of trying Cymbalta...an SNRI that could do double duty for both mood and pain...?

I hope you continue to get the answers you need for your health...body and mind...

...and that you get your work schedule resolved easily.

Know we are cheering you on!

S.C.

Hi WW,

Wow! You got a lot of answers today! Two dx's really...that is a lot of progress made...

...and hopefully a good idea about your treatment plans for feeling your best again.

Glad to hear you are going to be seeing your therapist regularly, as soon as the schedult allows...or sooner? ;p

...and continuing the use of the coping skills will help you to get a jumpstart on managing the panic.

Great job on pro-actively getting the answers you needed. Keep up the good work, and keep us posted so we can keep you cheered on along your journey!

S.C.

OMGsh!! I hope you get that authorization!

Continue to work towards your overall wellness...you are doing great.:)

Peace and progress!

S.C.

Happy youre slowly figuring things out! I on the other hand, am not, lol. I had to cancel my appointment, I called the drs and told them about some palpitations I was having, they told me to go the ER, they gave me a referral to a cardiologist, so I got in at 10am tuesday! I personally felt like that was way more important!

W.W.

Glad to hear the insurance coverage was a go!!

I hope that your Rx's bring some relief soon.:)

Keep up the good work and keep us posted!

S.C.

I having the same problems right now.. reading your post has helped me. I hope your feeling better.. Id go to the doc. but i dont have insurance.. I thought about going to the ER but Im calming down though my upper back and shoulder still hurts Im feeling some better.. I hope it passes soom...

Melissuh,

I used to get palipations with anxiety, but I think it's smart to get it checked out if you have insurance. It is frustrating when the doctors don't know how to help you. Just remember that you have an appointment on Tuesday.

Keep me updated on how you're doing. :)