chest pain/maybe anxiety/how do i know

Hi. I am a 21 year old female with horrible anxiety and panic attacks. I currently take xanax for my panic attacks. But for the past couple of days I have had this shooting dull but sharp pain on my left side of my chest going under my arm. Sometimes it comes in the morning, sometimes at night, and sometimes all day. I never had a heart problem in the past but right now I have a 2 year old and a new born which makes it very hard to get to the emergency room. I think about it all the time and maybe it makes it worse but I am terrified of what it could be because I have two kids to raise and I can't imagine not being here for them. I am under stress but have never had pain like this when I have had stress in the past. I am wondering if any one else has had this problem and if so what it was and what they did to help it. It doesn't radiate at all. It's all on that one side. Then my arm gets tingly and sometimes my head hurts. No jaw or neck pain though. I constantly have the fear of death and of it being something very serious. I was thinking about getting checked out tomorrow but I do want to know if anyone else has had this so that I don't drive my self insane in the mean time. Please someone help me get to the bottom of this. It is very scary to me.

I have had anxiety for 4 years and I still find new ways my anxiety sends out physical pain. It is scary. For your peace of mind go and get checked. I had such bad anxiety this past week that my new pain was in my jawline! Never before have I had that! It did scare me but I have no other pain in my mouth. So I figured it was my anxiety and it was! This is a hard disorder to live with and we are all her for you. I would not worry about this as it is typical of anxiety to feel as if it is a heart attack. I get those too. Try to relax ( I know hard) and since it is not constant it is probably nothing. Please read our resource page as it has many coping skills and mindfulness helping tips. Also please try talking to a professional counselor as CBT training has been a huge help to many.

Stay strong we can win together.

P.s please keep posting here as we do care and it does help as well.

Sorry one more thing. Try a journal, helps a lot of people here including myself.

Hello an welcome!

You've received some great advice and support above...

...so I will just wish you well, and direct you to our Resources at the top of the main forum page here for great self help material ti help get you through this fear.

Look specifically at the 'Super Scanner' link to see how anxiety can lead to physical symptoms...which can then cause more anxiety...more symptoms, ect...in a cycle.

Also try the 'Stress Relieving Exercises' for management and relief of anxiety in general.

Keep posting with us as well if you find it helpful. We do understand, care...and support is key.

Scaredy Cat