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1796093 tn?1317002510

hard pounding in chest?

ok the other day i was washing my truck and i got this pounding in mid chest it felt like my heart was skipping beats? it happened like 16 times in like 6 or 7 minutes ive had chest pains for two years but have had all the work ups and all come back negative on heart problems well the drs said they could have been heart palpataions or esophagus spasms cause i had a ekg 10 minutes after they happened and it was fine so they suspect gerd but are putting me on a holter monitor just in case has anyone else had this happen to them? or could this be anxiety thats what they were blaming it on for two years
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Avatar universal
Anxiety could very well be causing this, but until you've totally ruled out your heart, you don't want to assume anything.  If it turns out to be anxiety...please let us know as we're always here for you and understand!  This is a great place for support, advice and to share knowing you're not alone.
Helpful - 0
1796093 tn?1317002510
thank you for your response i go in tomorrow to have my holter monitor put on and i gotta wear it for two days but I've already had a stress test, 10 EKG's, 8 or 9 ECG's, blood work ups 3 or 4 different times on different ocassions, chest x-rays and the hole nine yards and all has come back totaly normal i think my doctors only doing the holter monitor to ease my mind cause she said she'd garentee its not my heart and mentioned that it might be GERD now? but shes gonna do this heart monitor anyway
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Avatar universal
I think it's time to "accept" that your heart is fine.  I seriously doubt that they will find anything with the Holter Monitor, but if it eases your mind then it's worth doing.  Often it's very difficult to accept that anxiety can cause all the real symptoms it does and we becomed fixated on it being something else.  This worry and fear is feeding your anxiety and keeping it going strong.  GERD (acid reflux) is very common and will cause a burning sensation in your throat due to stomach acid backing up. This can cause a "choking" sensation but medication will take care of that and avoiding certain foods that trigger it.  If you can't accept that your heart is fine after if the monitor shows nothing, I would get into therapy to help with this. Our worrying/fears causes our anxiety symptoms.....once we can stop this...our anxiety eases.  Life is short, don't miss yours by worrying it away.  I know this is much easier said than done....I've been there.  But know you can and will feel better with some help and acceptance on your part.  Take care.
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Avatar universal
My initial experience with anxiety came about with concerns about heart health.  In my opinion we can become so oversensitized to any feeling that we can relate back to what we are worried about.  I too had every test under the sun only to realize that anxiety was the culprit.  When I was initially going through this, I would notice every little palpatation, twinge, pain, etc and the alarm bells would go off in my mind.  I also believe that we tend to misinterpret our 'symptoms' as well.  For example, before my exeperience with anxiety a flutter in my chest would be no big deal...in fact, I probably didn't notice it, but when anxiety is involved that flutter is a very big deal.  

For me, seeking help through talk therapy really gave me the knowledge to confront it.  Learning about it gave me the tools to deal with it quite effectively.  Do you have access to counseling?
Helpful - 0
1796093 tn?1317002510
yes i've got an app with a mentel health specialist on the 27th my doctor set that up for me as well and im really hoping this holter monitor comes back fine and that the therapy with this new doc will take care of all this cause im only 23 and basically lost the last two years of my life for the fear of dying everyday even though im still here and just fine
Helpful - 0
1796093 tn?1317002510
well just got my test results back for my holter monitor and my doc saya theres nothing abnormal on them but for some odd  reason i still worry about my heart but its about impossible cause of all the test now ive had all the ekg's, ecg's, blood work, chest x-rays, stress test, and a 48 hour holter monitor. is it even possible for it to still be my heart?? but now my doc thinks its gerd on the count that zantac has been pretty affective and still wants me to go see the mental health specialist cause she says myanxiety is still real bad and wont give me anything til then cause its not her expertess so i recon i dont get ant releif from anxiety for like a month and im still getting like these jumpy feelings in my chest any ideas?  i also had these jumpy feeling while i was wearing the holter monitor but obviously its not my heart thanks for the support i really appreciate it
Helpful - 0
622882 tn?1318464307
Hello Chase, Hello, I get chest pains all the time with anxiety and panic attacks and have been to the ER many times over the years. And I have had many test done, but even after all that I still feel like there is something wrong with my heart even though all the test show otherwise! This anxiety and panic is awful, it plays all kinds of tricks on our minds!


I use relaxation CDs, breathing exercises, sipping on ice cold water, reminding myself that it is only anxiety and that it will pass and that it has never harmed me and will not harm me now! I will take Klonopin which really helps, and Toprol which is a beta-blocker to keep my pulse and blood pressure under control. I also take Reglan for my heartburn problems which has been then only thing that has ever really helped that.  I also just started using the iPhone apps: Anxiety Connect, Depression Connect, Panic Talk Down, Panic Attack Aid., Panic Control and Panic Eliminator, Making and listening to my own panic attack talk down recordings on my Iphone and listening to them when I am having a panic attack. I also find that listening to music, playing games, or listening to a guided relaxation on my Iphone or Ipod a helpful distraction.


Getting up and moving around also helps, sometimes just calling someone and hearing another person's voice, if you have no one to call try calling a prayer line or help line (You can program these numbers into your cell phone),



It also helps to get on this support board and talk to others who understand what you are going through! I think it helps to read positive uplifting books, and to listen to music. Prayer is something else that can be helpful!  I also take a multi-vitamin along with extra vitamin B, fish oil, vitamin D, Magnesium, calcium, C, and E.  Exercise always makes me feel better!  Watching something funny on TV or a DVD, or watching a funny Youtube video is also helpful!

I have also read that Chamomile tea and bananas were helpful for anxiety and panic. I also try to stay away from triggers like stress, certain foods, drinks, coffee, chemicals, and smoke that I am sensitive to. I keep a journal of when I am stressed and what I eat and drink, so I can look back later for any connection with my panic attacks and anxiety, because I sometimes have a delayed reaction. Eating healthy and getting enough sleep also helps!


I noticed that when I am not taking vitamins I have a lot more anxiety, my guess is that I am low on some vitamins and minerals and this set off anxiety symptoms.



I am sensitive to orange juice, cranberry juice, certain berries, coffee, pizza, and others that I can't think of right now. These will set off symptoms in me sometimes right away, and sometimes hours later (delayed reaction). I also cannot take any cold medicines as they cause me to have anxiety and panic attacks. A lot of cleaning products like bleach and Lysol spray will cause me to have anxiety. Stress is another big factor in my panic attacks and anxiety.



I suggest keeping a journal of everything from, foods, drinks, chemical exposure, medicines, stressful situations, and even the weather, as any of these could be triggers. I use a large 3 ring binder filled with paper as a journal.




Belly Breathing Exercise
1. Place one hand just above your belt line, and the other on your chest, right over the breastbone. You can use your hands as a simple biofeedback device. Your hands will tell you what part of your body, and what muscles, you are using to breathe.

2. Open your mouth and gently sigh, as if someone had just told you something really annoying. As you do, let your shoulders and the muscles of your upper body relax, down, with the exhale. The point of the sigh is not to completely empty your lungs. It's just to relax the muscles of your upper body.

3. Close your mouth and pause for a few seconds.

4. Keep your mouth closed and inhale slowly through your nose by pushing your stomach out. The movement of your stomach precedes the inhalation by just the tiniest fraction of a second, because it's this motion which is pulling the air in. When you've inhaled as much air as you can comfortably (without throwing your upper body into it), just stop. You're finished with that inhale.

5. Pause. How long? You decide. I'm not going to give you a specific count, because everybody counts at a different rate, and everybody has different size lungs. Pause briefly for whatever time feels comfortable. However, be aware that when you breathe this way, you are taking larger breaths than you're used to. For this reason, it's necessary to breathe more slowly than you're used to. If you breathe at the same rate you use with your small, shallow breaths, you will probably feel a little lightheaded from over breathing, and it might make you yawn. Neither is harmful. They're just signals to slow down. Follow them!

6. Open your mouth. Exhale through your mouth by pulling your belly in.

7. Pause.

8. Continue with Steps 4-7


I been reading the original version of "The Feeling Good Handbook" by David Burns, it is the 1989/1990 version, and I am finding the advice in this book helpful! I heard that the newer version it not the same. Other books I find helpful are "The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook: A Step-by-Step Program for Curing Yourself of Extreme Anxiety, Panic Attacks, and Phobias", "Panic Attacks Workbook: A Guided Program for Beating the Panic Trick",  "Health Journeys Guided Meditations For Help With Panic Attacks", and
"Managing Stress: Principles and Strategies for Health and Well-Being (Web Enhanced with CD-ROM)" I also just recently got “The Linden Method” I have already found some helpful advice in the manual that goes with the program, and the “Panic Attack Eliminator CD” that comes with the program seems helpful. And I just ordered a used copy of the “Attacking Anxiety Program” from Ebay. I figure if I get any help or relief from any of these it will be worth it! Another small program I found helpful is “Stop Anxiety Now” by Eve A. Wood, M.D.



I hope that you feel better soon! Please keep us posted!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
When I intially went through this, I felt everything that was related to heart health even when multiple tests confirmed that everything was fine.  That is why counseling should help you in my opinion.  If you are nervous about it, of course you are going to feel strange feelings...I still feel 'odd' feelings in my chest if I focus in on it.  I believe it really does not bother me because I have accepted the fact that it is anxiety and that I am still here contrary to my initial beliefs.  I also believe I misinterpreted any symtpom that I could relate back to heart health.  I still have all those wierd feelings, but I just don't pay attention to them anymore because I know they are not going to hurt me.  It was counseling that enabled me to confront this.  You are doing the right thing by going to see a therapist in my opinion.  Through this, you are going to get an understanding about how powerful anxiety is and how your experience with it is actually quite common, which also made me realize that if so many people experienced this and got through it, I would eventually too.  You are going to get through it and become a better person for it in my opinion (even though you probably don't see it now).  As with any challenge in life, you will learn a lot about yourself through this process and will confront it and deal with it effectively....keep us posted!
Helpful - 0
1796093 tn?1317002510
thank for your response it really helps but even after all these tests its still hard to believe its not my heart and its just anxiety but i dont think theres any way possible it could be but when i start having these pains it goes right back to heart related but i bought a blood pressure machine to take my blood pressure when myt chest hurts cause i know if it is a heart attack my bp would be normal but thanks again for your response
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hey man,
I know how exactly you feel. I have anxiety problems too. I can't help you but God can. I'm muslim (maybe you can hate me, or just respect me) but do this.

Take a glass of watter, and put your hands on glass (like you are whisperining on someone's ear) and say this 7 times each of those:
--
Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Raheem
1 Qul huwa Allah hu ahad
2 Allah hu 's-samad
3 Lam yalid wa lam yulad
4 Wa lam yakun lahu kufuwan ahad
--
    Bismillāhi r-raḥmāni r-raḥīm
    Qul a'udhu bi rabbi n-nās
    Maliki n-nās
    Iela'ahi-nnas
    Min sharri alwaswasi alkhannasi.. Allathee yuwaswisu fee sudoori alnnasi.. Mina aljinnati wa alnnasm.
--
Bismillahir ramanir rahim
1 Qul audhu bi rabbil falaq
2 Min sharri ma khalaq
3 Wa min'sharri ghasiqin idha waqab
4 Wa min'sharrin naffa thati fil u'qad
5 Wa min'sharri hasidin idha hasad
--------

Maybe you just will deny my post, but I'm trying to help, It helps me too.
Good luck.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
oh I forgot. This too:

    Bismillāhi r-raḥmāni r-raḥīm
    Al ḥamdu lillāhi rabbi l-'ālamīn
    Ar raḥmāni r-raḥīm
    Māliki yawmi d-dīn
    Iyyāka na'budu wa iyyāka nasta'īn
    Ihdinā ṣ-ṣirāṭ al-mustaqīm
    Ṣirāṭ al-laḏīna an'amta 'alayhim ġayril maġḍūbi 'alayhim walāḍ ḍāllīn
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
And than of course, drink that watter. May God that help you as it helped to me :) Please tell me results.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I was the exact same way for months after all my tests told me otherwise.  I didn't believe any of the doctors and thought that it could not possibly be anxiety related.  In my opinion, you are following a fairly distinct pattern with most of us that have gone through heart related anxiety issues...which of course is actually a good thing because I also know you are going to get through this.  I slowly got better as I went through counseling, and even then I didn't believe it at first ( I only entertained the idea that it might POSSIBLY be anxiety and panic), but with time I learned how powerful it can be.

Unless your doctor advised taking your blood pressureo on a regular basis, I wouldn't suggest doing that either.  I did the exact same thing and it really set me back for a bit (it was actually part of my therapy NOT to take my BP, which was initially very hard).  BP readings go up and down on a constant basis and your assumptions about it can be way off.  Remember, if we want to find out about a symptom and link it to what we believe is the problem, we can pretty much find something that concludes we are in danger, no matter how remote...the problem with too much available information is that we (as non health experts), don't have the ability to filter what is applicable to us.

Again, I can relate to your experience on so many different levels. I know that acceptence of the anxiety will take time, but you are going to get there...keep us posted!
Helpful - 0
1796093 tn?1317002510
thank you i really apprecciate your response and it helps i havent been taking my bp as often but mine always stays about the same even after i smoke a cigarette so it kinda saved me a couple trips to the e.r. but thank you for your support and i cant wait to get into theripy and such i'm to young to be on daily drugs but if my mental health specialist thinks its necessary then i recon i'll have to take them
Helpful - 0
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