I Need Advice

[Loyalist]

For the past couple of years, I've been getting attacks of extreme pain and tightness in my chest. It's usually accompanied by an erratic heartbeat, as well as a "fluttering" sensation. It lasts anywhere from a few minutes to intermittently over a period of days or weeks. I can go without episodes for months, even the better part of a year.

Now, for the past week I've been getting it worse than ever. There's a constant, stabbing pain in the middle of my chest, as well as pressure, increased heart rate, and early beats (http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3062886). I also feel nauseous and have been unable to sleep for days.

I've been to my family physician, a number of hospitals, and a cardiologist, had every test including chest x-rays, ultrasounds, electrocardiograms, blood tests, and have been hooked up to a heart monitor for a number of hours. Everything came back normal, and all doctors put it down to anxiety. I was willing to accept that, but the attacks have been increasing in frequency and severity, and this past week has been the worst yet. I don't know what to do; I've sought the aforementioned medical help, but no one can find anything wrong, and I feel like I'm being viewed as a liar or hypochondriac. Right now, I feel like I'm going to die.

There's no history of heart disease in my family, nor was I born with anything. I've never consumed alcohol or taken any drugs, and I'm fairly physically active. I'm prone to panic attacks, but they're nothing like this, and I don't believe it's connected. Has anyone experienced this? Does anyone have an idea of what I should do next?

[Creeping Death]

Sounds like angina both my parents have that, they have a small atomizer they spray under the tongue when the pain oiccurs, Mum had her valve cleared and that was the end of it.

Here is a medical help forum that maybe of assistance, here is a sample that is akin to your condition, seems more like what you have.

MedHelp: Chest Pain (http://www.medhelp.org/forums/cardio/messages/32858.html)


I, too, suffer fromchest pain and occasional flutters and rapid beats. This is the "first" time that I've ever seen anyone else note a "hollow" sensation in the center of their chest. I describe one of my pains just like this. I also can get "stabs" on the left side, a burning/heavy sensation in my left breast more toward the bottom as well as near my left arm pit. I have also experienced chest tightness and heaviness in the center. BUt, the "hollow" kinda constant aching feeling in the center of my chest can go on all day sometimes. I was originally told I had MILD Mitral Valve Prolapse with trivial regurgitation (3 years ago). Since then, I've seen two different cardiologists who both tell me, although I do have a trivial regurg with the mitral valve, I do NOT have prolapse. I am convinced that all of my symptoms are related to my nervous system being wacked - ultra-sensitive. This all came about for me three years ago when I became dehydrated due to a flu virus. My life has been awful ever since. I can't have any caffeine or sugar. Caffeine sends me right into tachacardia and any sugar brings on a host of symptoms, like flutters, chest pain, tingling/numbness in left hand and foot, nausea, and sometimes clamminess. It's all adrenaline related for me. No one has been of ANY help. The doctors say it may be anxiety related, but I totally disagree as I never had this before even during my most anxious of times, and, it simply isn't normal that I can't have even a cookie without all of these symptoms arising - so where exactly does the anxiety come into play when my symptoms relate to what I stick into my mouth rather than stressful moments? ANY input would be so greatly appreciated. Thank you.



Emerald. (36 years old female/mother of two boys)
Register and you can ask a doctors opinion;

Here is another medical forum (http://forums.wrongdiagnosis.com/showthread.php?t=2834) hope this was of helps.

[Electronic God-Man]

For the past couple of years, I've been getting attacks of extreme pain and tightness in my chest. It's usually accompanied by an erratic heartbeat, as well as a "fluttering" sensation. It lasts anywhere from a few minutes to intermittently over a period of days or weeks. I can go without episodes for months, even the better part of a year.

Now, for the past week I've been getting it worse than ever. There's a constant, stabbing pain in the middle of my chest, as well as pressure, increased heart rate, and early beats (http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3062886). I also feel nauseous and have been unable to sleep for days.

I've been to my family physician, a number of hospitals, and a cardiologist, had every test including chest x-rays, ultrasounds, electrocardiograms, blood tests, and have been hooked up to a heart monitor for a number of hours. Everything came back normal, and all doctors put it down to anxiety. I was willing to accept that, but the attacks have been increasing in frequency and severity, and this past week has been the worst yet. I don't know what to do; I've sought the aforementioned medical help, but no one can find anything wrong, and I feel like I'm being viewed as a liar or hypochondriac. Right now, I feel like I'm going to die.

There's no history of heart disease in my family, nor was I born with anything. I've never consumed alcohol or taken any drugs, and I'm fairly physically active. I'm prone to panic attacks, but they're nothing like this, and I don't believe it's connected. Has anyone experienced this? Does anyone have an idea of what I should do next?

Dear Sir Loyalist,

You may be the only person more prone to panic attacks than I. I had them for a very long time (still do, but less than I did). It came about from an "upper" period in my previous drug life.

I had panic attacks but even after I stopped doing all drugs I was very very anxious. Still at this point, I find myself very tense in some situations.

I, like you, was told by every physician that it must be "panic attacks". I had ultra-sounds and heart monitors because my heart was racing at 140+ beats per minute.

Most likely these situations come with an extremely active mind coupled with anxiety. The solution may be to "not give a fuck". Honestly, if you don't give a fuck it will help. It is definitely hard to do, especially for minds like ours, but sometimes it helps me. Don't give a fuck and sometimes I feel a weight lifted.

Just send a message to me and I am sure I can relate. Every day I feel very anxious, and even panicky.

It's an odd situation but I am positive that I can relate.

[Electronic God-Man]

Let me tell you that the person quoted in the above (Brian Foley's post) is just a paranoid anxious person believing in bullshit.

People who "can't find anything wrong" are just too damn anxious.

Once you really accept this and any discomfort you feel to simple anxiety, you may begin to feel better.

The mind plays some damn awful tricks on us. And of course, :D mind is always more powerful over matter. You'd be surprised over the bullshit that the shock of the body can make your mind feel (or try to explain).

[Silverfern]

For the past couple of years, I've been getting attacks of extreme pain and tightness in my chest. It's usually accompanied by an erratic heartbeat, as well as a "fluttering" sensation. It lasts anywhere from a few minutes to intermittently over a period of days or weeks. I can go without episodes for months, even the better part of a year.

Now, for the past week I've been getting it worse than ever. There's a constant, stabbing pain in the middle of my chest, as well as pressure, increased heart rate, and early beats (http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3062886). I also feel nauseous and have been unable to sleep for days.

I've been to my family physician, a number of hospitals, and a cardiologist, had every test including chest x-rays, ultrasounds, electrocardiograms, blood tests, and have been hooked up to a heart monitor for a number of hours. Everything came back normal, and all doctors put it down to anxiety. I was willing to accept that, but the attacks have been increasing in frequency and severity, and this past week has been the worst yet. I don't know what to do; I've sought the aforementioned medical help, but no one can find anything wrong, and I feel like I'm being viewed as a liar or hypochondriac. Right now, I feel like I'm going to die.

There's no history of heart disease in my family, nor was I born with anything. I've never consumed alcohol or taken any drugs, and I'm fairly physically active. I'm prone to panic attacks, but they're nothing like this, and I don't believe it's connected. Has anyone experienced this? Does anyone have an idea of what I should do next?

If you have pain down your left arm at the time its cardiac, I would be guessing its gastric. Many ulcers mimic cardiac conditions.

[Baron Samedi]

There is a possibility indeed you have anxiety problems, as I have very similar issues with myself, sans chest pain.

[HawkR]

I got the same shit, and has had the same evalutation with the same diagnosis; Anxiety problems. Now, I think that on this area, the body is to complex for us to understand. Now, I ain't nervous, I don't stress and I'm all in all pretty chilled. Still, I get those "attacks". One doctor also said it was pain from when my body was stretching while growing(but hey! 1.95m and still growing?). But as mentioned, jujst chill down, relax and ease out. No matter what the problem is this will help;)

[Vulpix]

Very sorry to hear you're not well. Apart from searching the internet and trying more doctors, I would give beta blockers (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beta_blocker) a shot. They solve anxiety, but you'll probably feel letargic. Worth a try though imo.

[Absinthe]

Actually, it sounds exactly like Panic Disorder (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panic_disorder).

Yes, depending on the level of anxiety they psychosomatic symptoms can become so severe and long-lasting that make you think it is impossible that "it's just another panic attack" -- this is exactly how panic works, thus creating a vicious circle. The more you panic, the longer the symptoms last and the more severe they are, and thus inducing more panic which makes the symptoms even more severe and so on and so forth.

If medical examinations have ruled physical factors out, then it's 99,9% indeed a Panic Disorder. You need to conquer the fear and try to calm yourself thinking that this is just a trick of your mind. This is how I conquered mine ;) although they were not nearly as severe and frequent.

I would not suggest anti-anxiety medication for you because you are a smart boy and I am certain you can take control of this condition easier than the average person. Cognitive behavioral Therapy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_behavioral_therapy) also helps a lot, and also a fantastic technique in such cases is meditation (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meditation), although I am sure something like that would seem too alien to you. :)

And some advice on the side, if you are in the habit of drinking coffee, quit it now, as well as any sort of agitating substances such as tobacco and tea, chilly peppers and spicy food --anything that might induce a chain of panic reactions resulting from the initial "naturally" occurring symptom (e.g. faster heartbeat).

Finally, add some laughter in your life -- it helps more than you can imagine. For you I would suggest the Monty Pythons and the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitchhiker_guide_to_the_galaxy). ;)

[Vulpix]

I would not suggest anti-anxiety medication for you because you are a smart boy and I am certain you can take control of this condition easier than the average person.

Anti-anxiety medication is probably not a good long-term solution, but if you need a quick fix it's worth a try. It's not about being smart.

[Absinthe]

Being smart is about being more able to comprehend yourself and your feelings, being less prone to learned helplessness, being more logical, plus it is easier for smart people to exercise self-discipline in panic attacks. I agree, medication is not a solution. For me, CBT would be the best way to go.

[Vulpix]

CBT could be good, but how long will he need to wait for that? If he's in agony and can't get therapy straightaway, then medication is better than nothing.

[Beorn]

It's just wind and indigestion. Chew properly before you swallow. :D


In all honesty, I, like Brian, had thought it might be angina or the sort.
My Father had angina alongside with his thyroid problems, and you sound akin to the very same symptoms he had.

On the other hand, you do say you suffer from panic attacks and have had a good thorough medical examination. More than once, it seems, too.


I'll mimic Seuthanan here and tell you I had the same chest pains when I gave up my constant speed binges and, although they weren't as bad as yours, they do sound to be stress related.

Go see a shrink, mate. Let it all out to him/her. :)

[Loki]

If I were you, I would get another medical opinion. Doctors aren't always right, in fact they often make mistakes and misdiagnoses.

When I was younger I also got chest pains quite often, at irregular intervals. Now I've grown older it has stopped completely.

[Thorum]

Hej Loyalist. Sorry to hear. I am sure it is frightening.

When I was 18, in high school, I was taken to the hospital with rapid heartbeat. Irregular, very fast, then slow. Then it went away on its own. I have had this happen a few more times over the last 25 years since.

I can tell you what I was doing at the time which I believed triggered these episodes.

1 - Very hungover. Or drinking fairly heavily the previous weeks. Also, smoking too much dope or doing coke.

2 - Drinking too much coffee. For me this was 3 or more cups in an hour or two.

Since I stopped drinking, this has stopped though my coffee consumption is still fairly high. Sometimes I still feel an "early" heartbeat or flutter. I had similar symptoms as you. I also felt my mind racing, worry, sweat, pain in chest/side. In my case, they virtually disappeared by cutting down on coffee and quitting drinking. (I had to be honest with myself to do this. Not easy).

The episodes are called "tachycardia" in my case. (Rapid heartbeat).

Doctors said it wouldn't kill me but if I wanted, I could go on medication. I was never truthful with doctors about my alcohol/caffeine consumption. My bet is they would have said to cut them both out.

Don't know for sure if this will help you but at least you may find comfort that others have similar problems and make it. You will survive. Just don't give up. You'll find a solution.

[Æmeric]

I had the exact same thing when I was in my teens. The doctors couldn't find anything wrong & assumed I was a hypochondriac. The episodes with chest pain ceased when I was about 20 but I still occassionally get the rapid irregular heartbeat or fluttering. It's probably anxiety brought on by stress (I think the same thing can cause a heart attack). I know that my acid reflux can cause my heart to start beating rapidly & irregularly. For peace of mind I always have aspirin with me, though I never had an episode bad enough to cause me to take. But on days when I'm feeling stressful I'll take an aspirin without having an episode as a preliminary caution. If it's anxiety the best thing to do is something that will help alleviate (in your subconscious) the anxiety. I also drink water if I anticipate an episode, this helps, though that is more related to my acid reflux.

[Lady L]

You know there have been lots of people experiencing problems finding a name for their sickness, so that part is not so uncommon.

Its interesting how you feel it isn't linked to anxiety and yet the doctors have no " physical explanation. " That leaves me to say if you truly feel it isn't anxiety you need to do whatever you can to find the right doctor who is going to listen to you and help you. You know your own self and body better than anyone. Follow your gut and don't give up. Push the issues if you must.

Also, I wouldn't be closed to excepting it could be anxiety, and I say that because " anything is possible " and thats just the way it is...

I have had very anxious periods where I feel completely over whelmed, nervous, jittery, nauseated...etc and in those moments there is no way I could deny it is anxiety. So, for you to not feel it is connected to anxiety, does make me wonder if its not " Psychical " Although, anyone can then be in denial too maybe....of course not assuming you are.

You got some really good advise here though from everyone. You just gotta keep pushing till you find the answers your looking for...and stay positive.:)

Edit: And, don't be close minded about medication either if it was due
to anxiety attacks. Sometimes it takes a while to find the right medication to suit your needs.

[Aemma]

I'm sorry to hear about you not feeling well right now Loyalist. Not a fun situation to be in. :(

Personally it sounds as though you do have Panic Disorder. Anxiety attacks can be so very severe at times one thinks that one is dying for the pressure that one feels. Both meds and therapy will help enormously: the idea with the meds is to get your physical system regulated (the brain chemistry esp.)whereas the idea with therapy is to deal with the cognitive aspects of anxiety and its source. It's also been found that anxiety disorder often goes hand in hand with depression ( a mood disorder). I'd say, as BWW pointed out, get yourself a good medical doctor who specialises in this field (often a psychiatrist) as well as a good psychotherapist or preferably a psychiatrist that does both the psychopharmacological and the psychotherapy, though these professionals are hard to come by. The next best thing is to have both types of professionals treating you in tandem during this acute phase.

With respect to psychotherapy, it is recognised that the best method to deal with anxiety disorder is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. The one drawback to this is that for some people it doesn't work since for some, one's ability to reformulate the thinking pattern is blocked.

I would also suggest some good self-help books (yes they do exist and can be helpful) those especially which are meant to be workbooks to help oneself through anxiety and/or depression. This requires work and self-study but the workbooks can be beneficial in terms of attenuating the disorder. They're yet another useful tool in your health kit. :)

As well, it is important that you care for your body and spirit. This means getting adequate sleep (perhaps not staying up so late ;) ?); nourishing your body with healthy foods and liquids (are you eating well and eating the proper foods?); exercise; laughter (whatever tickles your fancy); concretely managing your stress through breathing techniques, or other relaxation techniques; spiritual practice (whatever that means to you); taking stock of the immediate reality within which you are living at present (are you happy being where you are and with what you're doing right now? Is it YOU and who you are meant to be?)

Believe me the body is well able to send very powerful messages to the mind, especially when the mind chooses to not recognise that the reality one's Self is living is all wrong. And this is indeed what your body is telling you in my humble opinion. :)

Some parting advice Loyalist, don't worry about the jargon in this field. Sometimes the big words hold too much of a stigma and too much sway. Don't let this be a deterrent to seeking professional help. Yes you're young but your 'dis-ease' (and indeed that's what anxiety is all about) can be overcome with the right combination of treatment and self-care.

Oh and very last thing...you will be fine. :) Learn (and allow yourself) to breathe and to be who you truly are.....

Just some suggestions for you to ponder... :)

Here's wishing you good health my young friend. Be whole!...Aemma :)

[Frigga]

I know that this is an older thread, but I wanted to add something.

What is your diet? Do you eat a lot of processed, and/or frozen, canned, dehydrated foods? Do you eat cold boxed cereals? Do you drink soda pop, energy drinks, or coffee or tea? Do you have mecury fillings in your teeth? Does your city water have flouride? Do you eat margarine? Do you eat any soy products? Do you drink homogenized, pastuerized, fractionated milk? Meaning 2% or 1% milk. Do you use any artifical sweeteners?

I ask these questions, because if you do any or all of the above, there is a very strong possiblity that you are developing any of the following: a sensitivity to MSG, flouride, soy products, etc. Our bodies are actually very sensitive eco-systems. If we deplete it of nutrients from nutrition deficient, calorie laden food, we develop dieases. It can be anything. Thyroid conditions, heart diease, celiac diease, substance addictions, pyschological disorders, neurological disorders, infertility, autoimmune dieases, arthritis, the list goes on. Basically, most modern dieases are caused by what we put into our mouths.

I think that you should look at some of these websites. They should help you self-diagnose a little, and educate yourself about what you can do to help heal yourself.

http://westonaprice.org/splash_2.htm

http://www.fourfoldhealing.com.

http://bodyecology.com

http://www.GutAndPsychologySyndrome.com

http://www.wildfermentation.com

http://www.greenpastures.org

My personal recommendation is to do the following:

*Try to locate a source of fresh, raw milk, and drink it everyday
*Throw out all your processed food
*Eat eggs every morning for breakfast
*Eat your butter
*Learn how to culture vegetables using lacto fermentation. Eat them at every meal
*Eat good, healthy animal protien everyday, and eat the fat with it
*Make bone broth from either beef bones, or chicken bones, and drink it everyday
*Get some cod liver oil, and take it everyday, with raw, high vitamin butter oil
*Make pate, with organic chicken liver, and eat at least once a week
*Cut out white flour products, white sugar, and table salt
*Locate Celtic Sea Salt, use to taste. If you're craving salt, there's a reason. Listen to your body

Now, I'm not saying that this will cure you of anything, but it will make your body better equipped to combat stress. Panic attacks come from stress. Stress stresses your body, and depletes it of vital nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Eating lower calorie, nutrient dense foods satisfies your bodies, and makes it healthy. My Mom was cured from Grave's diease following the above guidelines, along with the guidance of her naturopathic doctor, who also proscribed natural supplements. My step dad started to get black outs, where he would forget the previous day, and had to work to get his memory back. It turns out that it was a migraine variant. He had to cut out MSG, and processed foods, and eat a lot more cholesterol, along with supplementing with vitamin B12. He hasn't had another episode in about 6 months. This really does work.

I hope that you find this helpful.

:)