Aa
Anxiety and chest symptoms?
Back in the end of January, I was sitting at home relaxing after eating a pizza and a rootbeer when all of the sudden, my heart takes off. Feels like its going very fast. It goes away for a second or two and then takes off again. I have had heart problems before and thought I was having or about to have a heart attack.
I drive myself to the E.R. I remember lying there and my heart rate would take off and I would feeling tingling in my hands, feet and somtimes in my face. To make a long story short, They said that I was having heart palpitations and they were not life threatening. My heart rate, as fast as I thought it was going was only at 112-120 bpm. Heck my HR gets to 180+ when exercising. They sent me home and I spent the rest of the night having palpitations and scared that I was about to die.
As a precaution they sent me to a cardio to give my hear a good check up. I had an echocardiogram, Nuclear stress test blood work and wore an event monitor for a month. Everything came back normal, even the event strips taken when I was having an episode came back normal.
My family doc then put me on prevacid for half a month. Didn't help. At this time I started having frequent chest tightness, tingling sensation in my feet witout the palps with hotflashes etc. The doc then decided to back track and see if they missed and MVP. He put me on 25 mg of toprol, a beta blocker, to see if any of the symptoms went away.
The tingling and chest pain become less frequent and so he decided to send me to another cardio for a second opinion. after looking at my test results from the first cardio and talk with me for about 15 min she said she sees no sign of ANY hear problems. After listen to my heart for 5 min she said no MVP either. She suggested that I may have been experiencing anxiety attacks.
So what do y'all think? Anxiety or no? My most common symptom seems to be a fluttery or excited feeling in my center chest area. Sometimes it becomes tight. Escpecially after eating. It doesnt happen all the time though.
I drive myself to the E.R. I remember lying there and my heart rate would take off and I would feeling tingling in my hands, feet and somtimes in my face. To make a long story short, They said that I was having heart palpitations and they were not life threatening. My heart rate, as fast as I thought it was going was only at 112-120 bpm. Heck my HR gets to 180+ when exercising. They sent me home and I spent the rest of the night having palpitations and scared that I was about to die.
As a precaution they sent me to a cardio to give my hear a good check up. I had an echocardiogram, Nuclear stress test blood work and wore an event monitor for a month. Everything came back normal, even the event strips taken when I was having an episode came back normal.
My family doc then put me on prevacid for half a month. Didn't help. At this time I started having frequent chest tightness, tingling sensation in my feet witout the palps with hotflashes etc. The doc then decided to back track and see if they missed and MVP. He put me on 25 mg of toprol, a beta blocker, to see if any of the symptoms went away.
The tingling and chest pain become less frequent and so he decided to send me to another cardio for a second opinion. after looking at my test results from the first cardio and talk with me for about 15 min she said she sees no sign of ANY hear problems. After listen to my heart for 5 min she said no MVP either. She suggested that I may have been experiencing anxiety attacks.
So what do y'all think? Anxiety or no? My most common symptom seems to be a fluttery or excited feeling in my center chest area. Sometimes it becomes tight. Escpecially after eating. It doesnt happen all the time though.
i feel like mine started because I quit smoking. I read somewhere that your anxiety peaks at its intensity for two weeks after a while day workout a cigarette. At the time I was working at a very small restaurant. Pulling 98 hours in paychecks. Often times handling the whole restaurant by myself. One day in particular, the day after my last cigarette, I'm at work and all of a sudden my breath goes and my heart takes off. I'm left scared, breathless. Never ending sense of doom. I quit that day. This lasted for two weeks like the article said about quitting smoking. Though I've leaned to control my breathing and heart palps, like you all said, the fluttery feeling in the pit of my stomach happens now. I feel it starts from my chest. And hits me right in the stomach. It's 4 o'clock in the morning currently and it keeps me awake. My head, it feels heavy as well. Like I can't keep it still. So naturally, my anxiety shoots and it feels like a ton of butterflies in my chest to my stomach. Doctor prescribed me with Clonodine a few days back. But I feel it caused this new butterfly thing. Any clues? Any helpful words from any of you? I feel like I'm going insane and have many thoughts about committing myself into a mental hospital to sleep and take care of this. But I really don't want to. I need help but i don't know where to go.
I am experiencing severe GAD and internalized panic attacks. My symptoms include chest & back pains, electrical spark like feelings throughout the body, tingling, heart skipping beats (heart thuds), insomnia, internal shaking, indigestion, and more. It has been an exhausting experience. I tried conquering them with herbal supplements, but after six weeks they were not enough. I've started a medication and am three days into it and already feel better, and though I realize it will take a few weeks for full result, I'm thankful for it, and my great physician. I am also in group and individual therapy and learning that the symptoms can go on long after you remove yourself from the situation, mine being employment related. There is hope .... just get yourself to a good doctor. Good luck to you!
1 Comments
What medicine do you take? Your story, i can relate 100%. Adding my head being heavy? I don't know exactly. It feels weird to keep it still.
I've been going through the exact same thing for over six months now. And I've had all the requisite tests... everything came back fine. But, I still have the pains- and here's the kicker.... my greatest fear is having a heart attack because I saw a friend's father die of a heart attack right before my eyes in December, of '05.
So... when I have these pains, despite every effort I can make to calm down, and contro my reaction to them I always panic that I'm having a heart attack. So... when I have a panic attack it mkes me panic worse because I have another panic attack that my first panic attack is actually a heart attack.
So, it's something of a viscious circle ! And it has been a constant source of stress and further anxiety for me since March.
So... when I have these pains, despite every effort I can make to calm down, and contro my reaction to them I always panic that I'm having a heart attack. So... when I have a panic attack it mkes me panic worse because I have another panic attack that my first panic attack is actually a heart attack.
So, it's something of a viscious circle ! And it has been a constant source of stress and further anxiety for me since March.
Ok, maybe I was a little unclear. It is NOT just 'all in your head,' as some doctors put it. That is the completely WRONG diagnosis for it!! Panic Attacks, Anxiety Attacks and Symptoms are REAL symptoms, it's just that the problem is not PHYSICAL. The brain is not able to compensate for the adrenaline, seratonin, and other chemical levels that are released in the brain. So instead, the anxiety levels are always at a constant HIGH peak, causing chest pain, panic attacks, you name it.
It actually involves two glands located towards the front of the brain, close to the forehead, namely the amygdalas. These two glands work to control the anxiety levels and the release of adrenaline and other chemicals that pumps through your body every day. However, people with anxiety and panic disorder and problems have a constant HIGH level of anxiety that the amygdalas cannot always control. Or it may also be that once your anxiety levels get high, the amygdalas can't work properly to RESTORE the natural balance of the chemicals surging through your body. As a result, your body goes into the fight-and-flight response, and tons of adrenaline and other chemicals surge through your body, causing your anxiety and panic symptoms. In order to overcome the problems, the body (amygdalas) must learn to control the natural balance of chemicals in the body again. This can be done by one of several ways:
MEDICATION:
A combo. of an SSRI (a Seratonin Reuptake Inhibitor) or Anti-Depressant and a benzodiazephine, or Anti-Anxiety med., is usually THE best cure for people with anxiety and panic disorders. I am currently taking Lexapro, an SSRI, along with Lorazepam, a benzo. I just started the Lexapro though, so I will let you know how it works for me!
THERAPY:
In the LONG RUN, therapy, particularly Psychotherapy involving a combination of CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and Talk Therapy is THE best for people with anxiety and panic attacks. They work by having you FACE your problems and your fears directly in order to TRAIN not only YOU but your MIND that it won't hurt you. Over time, your body will learn to compensate and adjust these new learned techniques and restore the body's chemicals naturally.
DIET:
DIET is a key thing in the recovery of ANY one suffering from Anxiety and Panic problems. Not only IMPROVING YOUR DIET, but also TAKING A VITAMIN DAILY I found has decreased my anxiety and boosted my stamina SIGNIFICANTLY!! I still suffer from Panic Attacks and Anxiety, but whereas before I was getting Panic Attacks EVERY DAY it is maybe ONCE A WEEK, and the attacks are MORE MINOR and some almost NULL!!
Hope this helps, and good luck!!
It actually involves two glands located towards the front of the brain, close to the forehead, namely the amygdalas. These two glands work to control the anxiety levels and the release of adrenaline and other chemicals that pumps through your body every day. However, people with anxiety and panic disorder and problems have a constant HIGH level of anxiety that the amygdalas cannot always control. Or it may also be that once your anxiety levels get high, the amygdalas can't work properly to RESTORE the natural balance of the chemicals surging through your body. As a result, your body goes into the fight-and-flight response, and tons of adrenaline and other chemicals surge through your body, causing your anxiety and panic symptoms. In order to overcome the problems, the body (amygdalas) must learn to control the natural balance of chemicals in the body again. This can be done by one of several ways:
MEDICATION:
A combo. of an SSRI (a Seratonin Reuptake Inhibitor) or Anti-Depressant and a benzodiazephine, or Anti-Anxiety med., is usually THE best cure for people with anxiety and panic disorders. I am currently taking Lexapro, an SSRI, along with Lorazepam, a benzo. I just started the Lexapro though, so I will let you know how it works for me!
THERAPY:
In the LONG RUN, therapy, particularly Psychotherapy involving a combination of CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and Talk Therapy is THE best for people with anxiety and panic attacks. They work by having you FACE your problems and your fears directly in order to TRAIN not only YOU but your MIND that it won't hurt you. Over time, your body will learn to compensate and adjust these new learned techniques and restore the body's chemicals naturally.
DIET:
DIET is a key thing in the recovery of ANY one suffering from Anxiety and Panic problems. Not only IMPROVING YOUR DIET, but also TAKING A VITAMIN DAILY I found has decreased my anxiety and boosted my stamina SIGNIFICANTLY!! I still suffer from Panic Attacks and Anxiety, but whereas before I was getting Panic Attacks EVERY DAY it is maybe ONCE A WEEK, and the attacks are MORE MINOR and some almost NULL!!
Hope this helps, and good luck!!
thanks for all the replies. I does make me feel better than the doc may actually be right and not just taking a shot in the dark at a possible diagnosis.
I thinkits funny that they call it Axiety at all when I don't feel anxious at all... well until my body starts telling something is up anyway.
it is also amazing to think that all of this could be in my head. Just simply amazing.
I thinkits funny that they call it Axiety at all when I don't feel anxious at all... well until my body starts telling something is up anyway.
it is also amazing to think that all of this could be in my head. Just simply amazing.
dealt with this also it sounds exactly like ANXIETY! tried several meds finally found 1 that I think worked! effexor spelling may not be correct? took this for 1 month all symptoms disappeared. have been off it for 2 months with no more symptoms... good luck we all feel your pain!
Your symptoms sound all to familiar to me. You were perfectly fine, living a perfectly happy and normal life, and then one day POW, the symptoms hit, and you are then faced with ongoing attacks of chest pain, heart racing, heart palps, you possibly felt lightheaded or dizzy, and you thought for sure you were having a heart attack or something. You got TONS of bloodwork, TONS of EKGS, maybe took a few trips to the Emergency room where they constantly hooked you up to EKGS and told you that you are fine...had Echos and saw cardiologists, they may have tried to refer you to a gastrointerologist....YUP, sounds like PURE Anxiety and Panic attacks to me.
Yet realize that you are NOT ALONE!! We ALL are suffering through what you are suffering through now, and more so!! You convince yourself that something HAS to be physically wrong, even though ALL the tests came back fine!! I am sure you must have had Thyroid tests up the ying-ying too, which also came back fine!! I cannot even count any more how many of those I had done, all by different doctors and hospitals!!
I had CT Scans, MRIs, an Echocardiogram (I in fact DO have MVP, but its mild) EKGs and EEGs, Haltar Monitors, TONS of bloodwork from blood cell count to electrolyte tests, LYME Titers, ANA Titers, of course the numerous Thyroid blood tests, Vitamin B12 test, along with MANY others I can't remember anymore!!
Yet trust me, especially with ALL of your tests coming back fine, then it is PURE ANXIETY AND PANIC SYMPTOMS to me!!
In fact, a friend of mine is now going through the SAME THING! Her heart is racing at times, she gets heart palps and minor chest pains (not as severe as mine were), and had EKGS, bloodworks for thyroid and diabetes, is going in to see a cardiologist, had a haltar monitor, and GUESS WHAT?? ALL CAME BACK AND WILL CONTINUE TO COME BACK FINE!! Because her, as are you, are PHYSICALLY FINE!
Yet don't get discouraged. Anxiety and Panic sufferers are suffering REAL problems, only that the problem isn't physical. It is all in the mind. The mind plays AMAZING tricks on us, which I am continuing to learn EVERY DAY!!!
Don't feel alone, and there are solutions: whether you decide to go the medicated route or self-help route by seeing psychotherapists, you will not be alone in all this, and you WILL overcome it!
~Crystal
Yet realize that you are NOT ALONE!! We ALL are suffering through what you are suffering through now, and more so!! You convince yourself that something HAS to be physically wrong, even though ALL the tests came back fine!! I am sure you must have had Thyroid tests up the ying-ying too, which also came back fine!! I cannot even count any more how many of those I had done, all by different doctors and hospitals!!
I had CT Scans, MRIs, an Echocardiogram (I in fact DO have MVP, but its mild) EKGs and EEGs, Haltar Monitors, TONS of bloodwork from blood cell count to electrolyte tests, LYME Titers, ANA Titers, of course the numerous Thyroid blood tests, Vitamin B12 test, along with MANY others I can't remember anymore!!
Yet trust me, especially with ALL of your tests coming back fine, then it is PURE ANXIETY AND PANIC SYMPTOMS to me!!
In fact, a friend of mine is now going through the SAME THING! Her heart is racing at times, she gets heart palps and minor chest pains (not as severe as mine were), and had EKGS, bloodworks for thyroid and diabetes, is going in to see a cardiologist, had a haltar monitor, and GUESS WHAT?? ALL CAME BACK AND WILL CONTINUE TO COME BACK FINE!! Because her, as are you, are PHYSICALLY FINE!
Yet don't get discouraged. Anxiety and Panic sufferers are suffering REAL problems, only that the problem isn't physical. It is all in the mind. The mind plays AMAZING tricks on us, which I am continuing to learn EVERY DAY!!!
Don't feel alone, and there are solutions: whether you decide to go the medicated route or self-help route by seeing psychotherapists, you will not be alone in all this, and you WILL overcome it!
~Crystal
Yep....anxiety!!! You did the right thing by having it checked out thoroughly first by a medical doctor...rule everything else out first...then you become one of us!!!! It won't kill you...you will just sometimes feel it will! If it continues, see if your doctor can give you something for the anxiety....there are many different medications, klonipin, xanax, etc. Let us know how you are doing.
Thanks for the response.
Just to correct: I meant to say I have NO previous heart problems. I guess I need to proof read my posts more.
It makes me feel better to know others out there are having symptoms after eating, not that it is good, I guess it helps me know its ok.
Its just so strange how this so suddenly happens. No warnings, just one day BANG and your a wreck .
Just to correct: I meant to say I have NO previous heart problems. I guess I need to proof read my posts more.
It makes me feel better to know others out there are having symptoms after eating, not that it is good, I guess it helps me know its ok.
Its just so strange how this so suddenly happens. No warnings, just one day BANG and your a wreck .
Me too. Thought I was going to die, but 13 years later - still here and still having fluttering, chest tightness - and especially after eating. Toprol 50mg helps take the edge off. Had echos, stress tests, monitors etc etc etc - all normal except maybe MVP, another cardio said NO MVP. So, rest easy that you have had all the testing and it's normal. I have the same thing and it's anxiety for me.
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