new and need help

It all started on January 26th, 2007 I was driving home from St. Loius, Mo which is a 12 hour drive.  about noon that day before I left St. Louis, I began to have chest discomfort and "belching".  As the drive continued, the pressure in my chest got worse and worse well about 8 hours in the drive, I immediatley lost control and both my legs and arms went tingly, actually both my hands clenched up into a fist and I was unable to straiten them out.  My heartbeat began to race and blood pressure shot up.  I was able to get to the side of the road and my passenger's call 911 and I was transported to a hospital by ambulance.  At the Hospital, I was given a series of tests but was told I was not having a heart attack.  I was sedated and released to my colleagues who drove me home.  The following Monday, I went to local doctor in my hometown (didn't have a family doctor at that time because I had never had health issues to need on).  Any way went to this doctor who told me that he beleived I had a blood clot in my lung and I may die if it is not taken care of.  He sent me in for a dye test before admitting me and the test was negative for clots.  The doctor said he was wrong and that what happened to me while I was on the road may just be one of those "unexplained things", so he sent me home. 

Over the next few weeks I continued having pain in my chest so I went to a different doctor who gave me a series of tests on my heart (stress, Echo, EKG, Holter moniter).  All tests were negative.  He referred me to several different doctors.  I was did have an Upper GI done and they did find erosion in my esophogus, which I now take meds for.  However, my pain keeps coming back. 

Thanks
CC

Everytime I drive somewhere out of town I began excessive worrying about my chest and thinking if I am close to a hospital.  I then begin having panic attacks.  I also begin to get panic attacks when I get a sharp pain in my chest.  I keep thinking that the doctors have missed something and I am going to die. 

I have gone to therapy and after my second visit my therapist said I should be "fine" from here on out.  Well not the case.  I have been to 10 different doctors and they all say I am fine. 

However, I will get a sharp pain and start worrying.  I don't have pain every day, just once in a while and then I begin having a panic attack.  I have been told by one doctor when I told him I have good days and bads that I am starting to sound like a hypocondriac.   

Does anyone else in here ever experience a sharp pain, which they have been able to associate to thier anxiety?  I know I have generalized anxiety and panic attacks although I have never been "officially diagnosed" with these things.  I do take Celexa for the generalized anxiety.  I also have been working on breathing techniquues of 4 second inhale, 4 second hold, 8 second exhale.  It helps a bit.  I have been dealing with this for a year and half and continually find myself "checking in" to see how my chest is doing.  Before this started happening, I used to run three miles a day.  Now I don't do any physical excercise because when my heart starts pumping harder, I think I am beginning to have a panic attack. 

Does anyone have any advice, comments are answers.  I need some help, this is driving me crazy.

Hi Bigcc,

Welcome to HW. I hope we can help you out here. What you talk about symptom wise really does sound like panic.

Often the things we experience are incredibly frightening and do feel like a heart attack. I am no doctor, but I don't think you are a hypochondriac at all. Panic can manifest in many different ways including raised heart rate, GI pain and nausea.

I would really recommend taking up the jogging again. It may initially feel like "panic' but it will burn off the excess adrenaline.and you will find that you function better (just my thinking)..

Again, welcome, you are among friends here.

Meg

Big,

Welcome to HealingWell and the A & P Forum. I am Kitt and I hope we will be able to meet your needs. 

I feel you may be having issues with anticipatory anxiety due to your posting but remember I am not a professional.

Common Anticipatory Anxiety Reactions include :

Feelings: anxious, fearful, angry, confused, hopeless, losing control, numb, sad, moody, irritable, guilty.

Behaviors: withdrawal from others or activities, disrupted routines, startle reactions, easily crying

Cognitions: preoccupation with possibility of trauma, concentration difficulties, self-doubt, worry, indecisiveness, memory difficulties

Physical complaints: muscle tension, headaches, gastric distress, sleep and appetite changes, fatigue

Talking usually helps. Share your feelings with friends, family, on here are all good ways to work through the anxiety.

Relaxation techniques: Try deep breathing, muscle relaxation, visualization (imagining peaceful scenes), and/or listening to soothing music.

Realistic self-talk: While we can't always control what happens to us, we can always control what we say to ourselves. It's important to keep things in perspective. Talk to yourself in reasonable ways. Ask yourself "how likely is my fear?" Remind yourself that you have coped before during other challenging times. Don't just dwell on the negative but consciously look for things you can appreciate every day.

Make an effort to stay focused on what's happening now. What do you see, hear, and smell? How do you feel? Truly be 'present' in the moment! That will help you keep the anxiety down.

One other thing you might look into is GERD, many people with GERD have chest pain and belching issues.  Just my 2 cents worth.

Again a warm welcome.

Kitt

big,

Hey there, I am glad we have helped you and please do keep on talking to us.

Gerd can cause some nasty sx and anytime you have chest pain you of course thing Heart.  The first time I had severe heartburn I ate a roll of Roilaids.  It went away but it helped me realize that is was not cardiac.  I followed up with my physician.

Take care and know we are here.

Kitt