Pressure in chest and bilateral arm heaviness

[skygirl5]

Can someone please help me figure out what is going on with my body?  My symptoms are:
First of all, I suddenly feel a bilateral sensation in my arms of extreme heaviness (not numbness, not tingling) that starts at about mid forearm level and goes up my arms
At the same time, my chest feels like it is in a barrel and I am being squeezed completely around
These 2 symtoms last about 30-seconds to 1 minute and occur "out-of-the-blue", such as when shopping  or sitting on the couch.  It has happened at work and at home.
The last time this occured, for the first time,  I had a dull aching pain in the center of my back, between my shoulder blades, for about 5-8 minutes.  These "spells" concern me and this last one really scared me, thinking it might be a heart attack.  I chewed aspirin and tried to relax and eventually the aching pain went away.
I am a 58 year old woman with no history of heart disease except for familial history of my dad dying at 59 of heart disease.  I am only 5 pounds overweight and do not have high blood pressure or diabetes or any major illness.
Twice I have gone to the ER, thinking I'm having a heart attack.  The results are negative. I have been seen by 2 cardiologists and have had negative EKGs and stress Echos.  I do have a high CRP level  (about 5).  The cardiologists say I should check with my mental health professional since I have a history (controlled on meds) of depression.  Mentally, I feel good.
My psychiatrist says these are spontaneous panic attacks.  Then he says that I should make sure everything is okay with my heart.
One more part of my history that may be important - I have had herniated discs (C5-6-7) that have not bothered me for years.  I was in a carwreck and had MRIs.  I did physical therapy and was able to avoid surgery and relieve the pain. That was about 10 years ago.  I rarely have any neck pain now.
Does anyone have a similar experience or any ideas?  Thank you!

[princessfree55]

I like all of you have experienced these same symptoms.  I am almost 65.  I have exercised all my life and am fit for my age.  Like all of you, I am not overweight.  I started about 1 1/2 years ago after a pilates class.  After the second episode I went to the hospital, thinking women "present" heart attack differently than men and maybe that was the issue.  NOT!  I am wondering if it has to do with compression of the wrists?? I know it sounds silly but I added road biking back into a rather rigorous schedule of pilates, yoga etc.  all have wrist compression.  So, what do you think?
The other thing that I'm more alarmed at is the length of time it takes me to get my energy back.  I have always felt very powerful physically.  IN the last month I've had at least 5 episodes and am feeling tired much of the time.  I even thought of lime disease as I've been hiking a number of times at high elevation.  Also would like everyone involved here to know how grateful I was to find you.  SKS

[MMfafa]

Wow, with so many people experiencing this, I have to believe it is lifestyle or something we all do or have in common. I think it is related to the spine and probably a result of using computers and the position we are in when we type, mush like carpel tunnel syndrome affects the hands. We are a generation of 'puter users, and it seems like the age group affected is the group who probably has and still does use laptops. Years of stooping over a computer has probably jacked our upper backs.

Just my opinion..:-)

[mcmikin1953]

Male 61,  Same symptoms,  Mine started aout 4 or 5 years ago.Symtom occuring randomly once or twice a month increasing to weekly episodes. I went thru a whole battery of test,  Cardio  ,and  neurological. Doctors could not find anything that was causing these symtoms..
At the time I had been on one particular statent drug for about 4 years. My doctor changed my statent and the symtoms stopped completely.
Till about two months ago they started again. Now they are coming daily, and they are lasting longer. One recently lasted for allmost 5 min. The after affects after that one lasted days, Felt like had been hit by a bus.  Note: onne hour after the 5 min episode I had another normal 30 second episode. Really nothing normal about these episodes. This was the first time it happened more than once in a day. Next day it happened right in my doctors office, Blloood pressure normal,  sugar normal. Blood pressure was checked before and after  not during though. And sugar checked imeddiately aftter.  Of course he took me off statents totally,
This has only been one weeek now and that has made some drastic changes  in my healt in that my energy level aare through the roof, rubber legs or sluggish feeling in my legs is gone.  i thought it was old age , also constant lower back pain is gone.  However I am still having these episodes.  One last night, one again  this morning.
Glad I found this conversation, but 4 years runinng and no answers is not encouraging but nice to find some people that undersrand

      

[Buzzdew]

I just turned 50 and have had this happen twice.  Both times I was standing up from a seated position.  Very intense pain down both arms and a feeling of heaviness in both arms and middle of my chest.  I am in good health with checkups about every 6 months.  I've had low blood pressure most of my life and am not overweight.  Recently had my thyroid checked and it is fine.  I know anxiety attacks and this is in no way related to one of those.  I'm thankful to hear that it is probably not a heart attack which crossed my mind.  As I type this my hands/arms feel a bit weak and tingly as I had one this morning.  Super scary.  I do look at my phone and tablet a lot.  I've heard this can hurt your neck, but the pinched nerve sounds reasonable.  It feels more like blood flow to me with the pressure and heaviness.  Will look up all of the terms you have been given and look forward to finding out what is happening to us.

[Debra925]

I, too, have had these symptoms. Tingling down both arms and some compression in my chest. Had them periodically for about 2 years. I'm a 59 year old woman who is pretty healthy and active. But when these symptoms happen, both arms go limp and weak and tingling pain and pain down to finger tips. It last for a few minutes, probably less than 5 minutes. Had two episodes within 3 days. This concerned me cause usually they are a couple months apart. Trip to ER proved not heart related. Had MRI of neck cause I have an old injury to my neck from car accident 25 years ago. Just arthritis. Now, off for an EMG in a couple weeks. I will continue to pursue. I'm thankful for this website & will continue to keep you posted.

[Resourceress]

I too am having these symptoms... and have not yet consulted a doctor.  But an online search yielded this result: Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

http://www.bodyandbalancecenter.com/pgs/s_tos1.html  

As I am a teacher/librarian who routinely carries multiple heavy bags, this could be a possibility.

Hope this proves helpful to someone.....