long lasting pains

[scaredjo]

does anyone get chest pain that lasts for a while like not a stabbin pain more like someone is pressing it with there finger, please help before i freak

[sumihari]

Hi,

I get these type of chest tightness as welll, pretty much all over neck, shoulders, jaw, with the shortness of breath. Anxiety and worrying about blood pressure which I do as well doesn't help.

In your case the fact that the tightness comes and goes, must indicate it is just muscle tension. I believe you had seen a cardiologist not too long ago and you were given the all clear. So you must be okay, the cardiologist would have picked any issues.

You also mention that you are going away on holidays soon , so all this could perhaps be stressing you out and causing a bit of muscle tension, especially when we are not doing anything but worrying.

Sumi

[cj29]

I get all sorts of pains all over my chest.  It is how we interpret them that determines its severity when dealing with anxiety.  I know you have a clean bill of health from the doctor, so lets focus on why you feel this way.  Of all the members in this community you remind me of how I was the first time this happened to me.  The biggest step in gettng over this, in my experience, is acceptence of the anxiety. Until we accept, there is no to very little progress.  I started to accept it because I was wrong over and over again and I cannot argue with the fact that I am still here.  While seeking reassurance helps in the short term it does very little in the long term.  Just keep on plugging away and working at it; and ensure that you are talking this through with a therapist that you are comfortable with on a regular basis.  Keep us posted!!

[kev51585]

Have you considered cognitive behavioral therapy?  By understanding the way we think and perceive our world......we can identify our triggers to stress which create anxiety.  By understanding these triggers we can then modify our behavior and thoughts.  CBT has been proven to be just as effective as anti-depressants.  If paired with a good therapist....it can be a deep process that is very effective.  Talk to your doctor.....he/she may suggest pharmacotherapy in conjunction to CBT.    

Cheers!

Kevin

[Pum]

Everyone gets twinges and pains in their chest from time to time but most people ignore them unless the pain gets to a point that can't be ignored. I suspect you are just highly aware of every little pain. Your echo was normal so each time you feel a pain try to tell yourself "my heart is perfect, this pain is nothing".

Maybe it's a muscle thing. Anxiety causes tight muscles which then hurt from time to time.

I think some of the people getting better have gone on meds. while I think you're toughing it out without them if I recall correctly. SSRI's are wonderful when needed but it's great that you are improving so well without them.

Take care.

[scaredjo]

i do take omeprazole for heartburn, it doesn get worse with exercise and just comes and goes im just so fed up everytime i feel i have nailed anxiety something else happens and so many people seem to be getting better where as iseem to be stuck, im so fed up of worrying and forever checking my BP. i jus been for a meal with family and hated every minute cause of these pains i wanna be better and enjoy my life

[kev51585]

Do you have acid reflux?  This can sometimes mimic the symptoms of myocardial infarction.  Does the pain increase in intensity with physical activity?  Is there anything that lessens the severity of the pain?  Anxiety is sneaky and presents itself in many ways.  It can manifest itself into may "physical symptoms".  The idea known as Cartesian Dualism states that the mind is in fact separate from the body.  Medical schools has moved past the realm of science into more philosophical discussions regarding pain.  The mind especially in a state of heightened anxiety is fully capable of creating the sensation of pain.