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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 15 to 39 of 47. Go back in thread:
Posted by KimberlyDi on October 31, 2003, at 16:13:16
In reply to Re: Left and right side..pains anxiety..???, posted by coxygrrl on October 30, 2003, at 14:53:56
Coxygrll,
I have shooting pains under my left breast, sometimes so severe that it takes my breath away. It scares me to death (no pun intended) and your post gives me hope that mine is anxiety-related also. My bloodpressure is up, and I'm only 34. Much too young to die of a stroke. I've complained to a doctor before but it's never happened while I've been examined so they couldn't tell what was wrong.Good luck,
KDi> I am 24 years old and have just recently been diagnosed with anxiety/depression/OCD. WHEW! I have been to the emergency room 4 times with chest pain and to my PCP 5 times in the last month thinking that they were missing something - that I had cancer, lupus, ms, you name it, I though I had it. THey assured me it was anxiety. I still have shooting pains through my whole chest (they feel like they are in my breasts - they only last a few seconds)and my pectoral muscles and upper back are always sore. I also have pain right under both sides of my lower ribs. I'm still in denial that this is anxiety related, but I've had EKG's, x-rays, blood tests and a sed rate done. All normal. It's good to know I'm not the only one who feels like I'm going to die. coxygrrl@yahoo.com if anyone wants/needs to talk. I still feel alone in this.
Posted by carolee on November 2, 2003, at 17:44:16
In reply to Re: Left and right side..pains anxiety..???, posted by coxygrrl on October 31, 2003, at 13:55:37
i started on lexapro (10mg)just about 1month ago, and take lorazepam as needed. i have noticed a significant improvement in the aspect of not being "startled easily"...it was the very small things that seemed to give me that frightful feeling that felt like and sometimes would end up in a panic attack. like i said i still need the lorazepam when going to do things by myself. i still cant function without them!
you are okay and you are definately not alone. this is a great place to chat with others and feel safe.
your on the right course! stick with it, it always works out!
best of luck
Posted by TombLove on November 3, 2003, at 14:10:42
In reply to Re: Left and right side..pains anxiety..???, posted by carolee on November 2, 2003, at 17:44:16
My pain seems to be deep inside, beneath my left shoulder. It is definitely stess related. Sometimes it gets so bad I have to cry out. Lorazapam helps.
Posted by carolee on November 4, 2003, at 7:11:58
In reply to Re: Left and right side..pains anxiety..???, posted by TombLove on November 3, 2003, at 14:10:42
> My pain seems to be deep inside, beneath my left shoulder. It is definitely stess related. Sometimes it gets so bad I have to cry out. Lorazapam helps.
seem like something more going on. you should go to your PCP - it maybe just tight muscles/pulled and maybe give you a muscle relaxant or better yet a massage. i find that with my anxiety i definately get tight in my upper back and shoulders, and every now and again get a massage on my back to work out the tight muscles that react to my anxiety/fear.
take care
Posted by Johnny5 on November 5, 2003, at 15:36:43
In reply to Chest pains and panic disorder, posted by Amanda on February 28, 1999, at 11:38:54
hey all, this forum helped me feel less alone.
i'm a 21 yr old male, and over the past 3 weeks i've been on quite a ride. initially i began having tightness in the chest and a few spots of pain in the chest for a second or two. after about a week of this, i was sitting around watching tv and all of the sudden i started hyperventilating and my throat got really dry. i felt overwhelmed and scared to death, and i thought i was going to have a heart attack or something. i went to the emergency room, and just like most people here, chest xrays and ekgs were negative.
two days later i had the same sort of attack, but much much worse. it went on, at various strengthts, for probably around an hour. this was much scarier than the last time, so i went back to the ER. the same tests came back negative, and i started to think it was panic disorder. (i study psychology).
i had a hard time accepting this for several reasons. for one, my chest pains seemed to distinctly related to the heart. some of them moved from my left side down through my arm. sometimes my wrists hurt as well, and i even had a few pains shoot down my leg. secondly, i initially saw a psychiatrist who was hesitant to prescribe me any medication until my symptoms got worse. he did give me xanax (.5mg) as needed, and they seemed to help a bit. over the past few weeks, i have thought this could be asthma, heart problems, panic, who knows. it's been really stressful.
i also have mitral-valve prolapse, which is a pretty common heart condition that simply means that my mitral valve is shaped a little differently than most hearts. it's not a cause for alarm for most people and about 7 million americans have it. one of the ER doctors told me that some research has shown that there is a relationship between people with MVProlapse and people with panic disorder. this was somewhat comforting, but my pains persisted.
i just got off the phone with my psychiatrist's office, and our follow up appointment has been moved up. the nurse at my doctor's office told me that he saw no reason to see me again and that he really thinks it is panic/anxiety related. i'm starting to become more confident in this theory, especially since i stumbled across this site. i still wish i had more answers but i guess it is possible for people to have the types of chest pains that i'm having to have panic disorder.
Posted by coxygrrl on November 5, 2003, at 15:45:21
In reply to Re: Chest pains and panic disorder, posted by Johnny5 on November 5, 2003, at 15:36:43
Hey JOhnny5, hang in there. I'm in the same boat you are. I'm a 24 year old female. I've had Chest pains, emergency room visits, cardiac work-ups that come back negative. i thought for sure that I had a heart problem, but everything seems to fine with me. They keep telling me anxiety, and this site makes me believe them.
TO anyone else who has had ongoing problems with anxiety: I have a question. I've been going through this anxiety thing for about a month now. Yesterday I had a follow up appointment with my PCP. I felt great, she said I looked great, etc... I really felt like the meds were working and I was "better."
Then today I woke up feeling the muscle pains, chest pains, headaches...
Is there good days and bad days? Will I ever feel normal for good?
Posted by JDK on November 5, 2003, at 23:44:08
In reply to Re: Chest pains and panic disorder, posted by coxygrrl on November 5, 2003, at 15:45:21
Hi everyone-
I am so relieved since I have been reading these messages here. I am a 26 year old male, and I have been experiencing some chest pains lately. Not sharp or debilitating in any way, just enough to wonder if it could be a warning that I am going to have a heart attack and die. That's why I decided to do some research on the web.
I have been under a ton of stress at home and work lately and that is probably the cause. I have had panic attacks in the past and used to take meds for depression, but I couldn't deal with the side effects. I tried a few different ones, some made me feel light-headed and "out of it", and some had other side effects which didn't help my love life. I have been doing fine without anything until recently.
I have an appointment to see my PCP next week to get a thorough checkup to make sure there is nothing physically wrong with me, but I really doubt it. I remember when I used to have panic attacks and feeling like I was going to die, and this is probably a mild form of that. It hasn't gotten serious lately, just worrysome. I also have trouble sleeping, and that could be part of the problem. I don't think it's depression, it seems more like a panic type problem since the symptoms usually happen when I feel overwhelmed.
Is there a big difference between depression and panic disorder? My docs always used to assume depression, but I never really felt depressed, just overwhelmed and scared at certain times. Are there new meds without all the side effects now? I haven't tried anything in several years. I hope there is something out there to help me. I have been taking OTC sleeping tablets to help me sleep lately, and I don't know how healthy that really is. I don't want to mask the problem and end up with new ones.
Sorry I posted a blank post earlier, I had the box checked off for no message. This is my 1st time here. I'm sure you will see me around in the future.
Posted by coxygrrl on November 6, 2003, at 5:38:33
In reply to Chest pains panic disorder, posted by JDK on November 5, 2003, at 23:44:08
JDK -
There is a difference between a panic disorder and depression, but for most people, if you have one, you have the other. THere are good meds. There's one called LEXAPRO that works good for anxiety and depression. Maybe you could use a drug just for anxiety. THeres Xanax and Ativan, which are generally tolerated well, but can become addictive.Get your physical. GET BLOOD WORK!
be well.
Posted by KimberlyDi on November 6, 2003, at 12:39:53
In reply to Re: Chest pains and panic disorder, posted by Johnny5 on November 5, 2003, at 15:36:43
Even if it is panic-related, don't beat yourself up about going to the doctor. A 35-year-old friend of mine dropped dead in the emergency room waiting room, after having chest pains.
Regret can be a precious thing, when you are still alive to feel it.
Wish you luck!
KDi in TX
Posted by cookie0876 on November 6, 2003, at 21:50:13
In reply to Re: Chest pains and panic disorder, posted by Johnny5 on November 5, 2003, at 15:36:43
Hey Johnny! I have tightness in my chest, pains that move from side to side, down my arm, and sometimes seem to shoot up my neck. My left arm tingles often, and sometimes I hyperventilate so bad my hands crimp tight and my mouth crimps as well so my lips tighten around my teeth. I've learned to control these attacks - they used to last for hours and still can if I dwell on them. I also get vibrations all throughout my body they think is another symptom of anxiety, but I'm not so sure about that and will probably hane an EEG to confirm that. Ativan works really well for me, but they quit prescribing it. I tried a lot of different anti-depressants, and Wellbutrin has worked very well for me. My doctor suggested I could be bipolar and mania could be the cause of my anxiety, but I never seemed manic before all of this. I will say that my very first full-blown attack was speed induced (last time I ever did anything dumb like that), but apparently now that I know what one feels like I have them without drugs of any kind. Good luck to you.
Posted by cookie0876 on November 6, 2003, at 21:55:39
In reply to Re: Left side..pains anxiety..???, posted by KaStevens on September 17, 2003, at 9:20:36
Do you notice your chest pains or shortness of breath happening at night? It never fails that when I'm settling in for the night, I start having them. I, too, am afraid of dying in my sleep. I have a five year old, and I'm constantly worried I am going to die in my sleep and he'll be left alone. It is terrible. I dread bedtime!
Posted by carolee on November 7, 2003, at 7:41:11
In reply to Re: Chest pains and panic disorder, posted by cookie0876 on November 6, 2003, at 21:50:13
> Hey Johnny! I have tightness in my chest, pains that move from side to side, down my arm, and sometimes seem to shoot up my neck. My left arm tingles often, and sometimes I hyperventilate so bad my hands crimp tight and my mouth crimps as well so my lips tighten around my teeth. I've learned to control these attacks - they used to last for hours and still can if I dwell on them. I also get vibrations all throughout my body they think is another symptom of anxiety, but I'm not so sure about that and will probably hane an EEG to confirm that. Ativan works really well for me, but they quit prescribing it. I tried a lot of different anti-depressants, and Wellbutrin has worked very well for me. My doctor suggested I could be bipolar and mania could be the cause of my anxiety, but I never seemed manic before all of this. I will say that my very first full-blown attack was speed induced (last time I ever did anything dumb like that), but apparently now that I know what one feels like I have them without drugs of any kind. Good luck to you.
how funny it is that the last time i did "coke" was the beginning of my panic/anxiety attacks. i do think there is a link between "recreational drugs" screwing up serontonin in our brain which definately contributes to what we are dealing with now. i wonder how many other people actually did drugs in the past and now have anxiety/depression/manic/bipolar symptoms/issues?
Posted by KimberlyDi on November 7, 2003, at 8:13:33
In reply to Re: Left side..pains anxiety..???, posted by cookie0876 on November 6, 2003, at 21:55:39
I have pains in the left side of my chest, sharp stabs, at night. My mother-in-law died in her sleep of a heart-attack in August, so that fear weighs heavily on my mind also. However, I'm in my 30's, not late 60's, so I try to learn how to relax. Panic makes it worse.
Good Luck,
KDi in TX> Do you notice your chest pains or shortness of breath happening at night? It never fails that when I'm settling in for the night, I start having them. I, too, am afraid of dying in my sleep. I have a five year old, and I'm constantly worried I am going to die in my sleep and he'll be left alone. It is terrible. I dread bedtime!
Posted by cookie0876 on November 7, 2003, at 16:24:27
In reply to Re: Left side..pains anxiety..??? » cookie0876, posted by KimberlyDi on November 7, 2003, at 8:13:33
I'm in TX, too (Dallas)I'm sorry to hear about your mother-in-law.
Posted by KimberlyDi on November 10, 2003, at 13:06:35
In reply to Re: Left side..pains anxiety..???, posted by cookie0876 on November 7, 2003, at 16:24:27
Posted by panic_attack on November 11, 2003, at 9:44:58
In reply to Re: Chest pains and panic disorder, posted by carolee on November 7, 2003, at 7:41:11
carolee.. Thats very true. I did alot of recreational drugs as a teen and one night I did alot of "coke" and have never been the same since that 1 night of hard core partying. I cannot drink like I use to.. I cant do anything like I use to. I have severe panic/anxiety attacks. Drugs is what caused my problems and now I am dealing with alcohol abuse :(
Posted by sbx on November 13, 2003, at 16:41:33
In reply to Re: Chest pains and panic disorder, posted by Amy on September 3, 1999, at 16:54:10
As I type this, thinking I'm about to croak, it's bloody great to read all your messages!
I used to take 'funny turns' when I was in my 20's (I'm 34 now), the worst being when I was on holiday abroad. I didn't have chest pains back then but I would feel unsteady, loss of breath, sweaty, the usual stuff. I still have feelings that make me think I'm about to stop breathing which annoys the hell out of me. Only in the last week or two have the chest pains started. There is no history of heart disease in my family and I consider myself to be pretty fit, so heart problems didn't cross my mind. More so, the feelings I'm getting switch from left to right, most often just below my left pec or to the right or in the middle of my right pec. I have two kids, my son is very active and keeps me on edge as soon as I walk in the house. I've also recently started a new job, more high profile than my previous positions. Having said that, I can also wake up with the same type of pain in the middle of the night, which doesn't make sense to me. This is not a permanent problem throughout the day and it definitely subsides when I'm out with the lads or if I've had a few beers. My problem now is, what do I do next? I'm not at all confident that my doctor will recognise this as a problem and I don't want to start taking medication for it. I'm cosidering massage for relaxation but would be interested to hear if anyone has anyone found any other natural remedies to these problems?
Posted by octiigon on November 16, 2003, at 2:40:51
In reply to Re: Chest pains and panic disorder, posted by sbx on November 13, 2003, at 16:41:33
Hello everyone... I'm a 19 year old male that has had panic disorder for as long as I can remember.
The initial cause was probably related to controlling OCD/(Borderline or Narcissistic- not sure which) Father- and an abusive meth addict step-father.... (causing of fear).
Instead of an "area" of pain- my whole upper body ignites in pains. Sometimes untill it feels like the "world" is crashing down and "reality" is collapsing on itself. Sometimes it got to the point of self-mutilation.
By the way, anyone else get some extremely disturbing dreams? I've had some that- to me- seem really psychotic.
I've been on several different drugs for panic disorder- but all of them altered the way I thought- not to mention I got bad side effects from them all- so I decided to do some extensive research- and my parents bought me some program that supposedly helps with panic disorder- I'll get the name of it later.
First- Exercise. Nothing has helped me more than exercising be it lifting weights or aerobic. I guarantee if you exercise five days a week- for even 30 min a day- you will feel a noticable difference. Exercising also seemed to level off your panic attacks- I only get pains in my torso compared to a full out feeling of loss of control of my self.
Second- AVOID Caffeine and eating lots of sugars. Panic Attacks are triggered by adrenaline- sugar and caffeine increase your adrenaline. I fully regret drinking caffeine lately, because it has had alot of negative affects on my anxiety levels. Having alot of sugar has the same effect. I stopped eating candy, and it too has had a profound affect on me (that is... when I follow that rule).
Eat a well balanced diet. For a period of time I tried my best to eat a completely balanced diet- and threw out all the junk foods. It also helped me smooth out those times where I would have otherwise been in a full fledged panic.Third- Engage in a relaxing activity in a relaxed environment. I personally am an artist and a writer- I use those things I do to help clear away the anxiety and sort of "lose track" of everything i've been worrying about. Also, STAY BUSY, staying active helps you with the pain- in that you don't have time to sit around- worry about everything or about getting a panic attack- Then getting a panic attack from worrying about getting one- Then compounding those panic attacks... etc... you get the point. It's just i've noticed you don't "feel" the pain as much when your actively doing something.
I know sometimes it can be hard to incorporate these things into our lives ( I know I have- I've gotten addicted to Caffeine due to Finals coming up- Something I will and am regretting. It worked for me and I hope it works for others out there who want to try a natural approach. Hope this helps.
Posted by CraigD on November 16, 2003, at 18:36:14
In reply to One Possible Natural Remedy, posted by octiigon on November 16, 2003, at 2:40:51
For those who find relief through alternative methods, massage and accupuncture can be very helpful
Posted by Dr. Bob on November 17, 2003, at 16:56:12
In reply to Re: One Possible Natural Remedy, posted by CraigD on November 16, 2003, at 18:36:14
> For those who find relief through alternative methods, massage and accupuncture can be very helpful
I'd like follow-ups regarding natural remedies to be redirected to Psycho-Babble Alternative. Here's a link:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20031104/msgs/280615.html
Thanks,
Bob
Posted by ENation on November 19, 2003, at 17:38:19
In reply to Chest pains panic disorder, posted by JDK on November 5, 2003, at 23:44:08
I am so glad this forum exists as I have been experiencing exactly what most people are in this forum. First of all, I must say that I went to the doctor and EKG came back OK. So I highly recommend going to your PCP ASAP just to take that off your shoulders, really helps. Then, clearly define what the symptoms of a heart attack are. Finally, stop going to WebMD.com and search for heart attack symptoms, you will make your brain create new ones. I noticed that I would read something and figure out I am fine cause my symptoms are different and the next day I would strangely start feeling those newly discovered symptoms.
I clearly have a panic disorder, which was induced by mdma (which I will never take again), but to which I am thankful for taking me out of depression and fixing my relationship. Also by going through panic attacks, which are common side effect of mdma, I realized that I have had too many irrational fears in my life before this. The key is: there are things in life you can control, and there are things that you can not. (that is how one overcomes fear of flying) - you can control picking newer airpline to fly, but you cannot control what pilots are gonna do etc. Anyways, do everything you can to make sure you dont have a heart problem, and then live your live. Remember it is better to die of a heart attack as a happy person than live a miserable life.
In regards to my chest pains: yeh I have burning, and squeezing and tightness and heart beats too fast and any other heart attack symptom you will find on the internet. But the facts are: my cholesterol is low, i am young, i have no symptoms when I exert myself and my ekg is ok. That is enough to keep me comfortable and make a progress against anxiety attacks, which by now is the enemy that is clearly losing battle to me.
Posted by kkk on November 26, 2003, at 14:54:45
In reply to Chest pains and panic disorder, posted by Amanda on February 28, 1999, at 11:38:54
i am so glad to have found this forum. i am 23 year old female, who has dealt with anxiety for the past four years. i actually went anxiety free for about 2 years, however, during the past 2 months, i've been quite anxious again. it started out with me getting sick and then, as all of you may be familiar with, my worries went beyond the norm. so, as a result, although i am not physically sick anymore, the worry and anxiety lingered. so, for the past 2-3 weeks i have been feeling a lot of chest pains. i went to the emergency room like many of you and got the xrays and the ekg and they were normal, but it is so difficult to believe that nothing worse will happen. it's about controlling the mind, which is so terribly difficult to do. it's the ability to separate fact from fiction and it is something that i am trying to do everyday. anyhow, thank you for this forum and for all your insightful messages that give me strenght and support.
Posted by LANE on November 28, 2003, at 19:33:58
In reply to Re: Chest pains and panic disorder, posted by kkk on November 26, 2003, at 14:54:45
Hi, My name is Lane I will be 24 Years old in 8 days. I am suffereing from severe chest pain .That I have been told is anxiety related. It all started like this. Sometime in July Me and My Baby's mom split up... This was devastating to me.. she later left to california ,only to tell me less than 24 hrs before leaving. The same night she left. I went to a friends house to cheer up .just drink some beer and such.. I ended up doing some "coke" after being clean for over 2 years. everything was fine but 2 days later i did it again. This time i did a lot more of it ..i mean a lot more.. at basically the end of the night i had sensations making me think iwas dying .. I would get blood rushes from my waiste that went up to my head and felt like constant running wavy water under my skin. This terrified me . then of course these lovely recreational drugs make people paranoid. It kept getting worse. finally i went to my mothers cause i can tell her anything. she brought me out of it somehow with lots of milk. very weird.... I felt like crap obviously after that .. A week at most longer i was feelin really sick and just over all fatigued. Another week passes high fevers...and i cant even drink alcohol ..its awful.loss of apetite.dizzy niss comes into play. I find out that I have Mononucleosis. within a few hrs of leaving hospital.. lmfao i was back cause i had severe abdominal pain.. I ate too much breakfast putting pressure on my spleen. I was afraid to even have a bowel movement cause of rupturing it. THis is the anxiety part kickin in.. After a week the over all mono part was pretty much gone. i was diagnosed oct 1st . did the drugs first week of sept btw... or second. Well in my time to get better .. i was over all just tired all the time.. I would get heart palpitations at work .almost always when my night was almost over. severe chest pain. I couldnt even drive. or sometimes i could and i would get dizzy while driving and have to pull over. one time a friend came and got me and i still had palpitations in the seat next to him. Over the next few weeks i lived in the emergency room i could not be dragged away. even taken by ambulance once. I would vomit. and get nautious. and i would think i had every little illness from readin websites. Several ekgs at most read irregular rythmn but nothing harmful. I was diagnosed with anxiety and put on both paxil and ativan.. The ativan relaxed me butthe paxil made me feel very sick. after a week i dropped both meds. however i still get bad chest pains. pains that run through my armand fingers and palm.and down to my feet. i feel it in the right side also but not as bad. it almost feels like it is in my breast . (lil bit of man boob going on). i actually feel better in a sense with no meds. however i have trouble sleeping . still get jumpy or scarred easily. or even tired. this is personal but even masturbating isnt possible nemore.. i dont know why.. I got some more tests and such as well they did find a couple of white spots or leasions on my brain . they ordered a mri,and a echo .. also they r going to make me wear a 24hr holter monitor. I suppose all this will come back negative.. and it will be my anxiety.but i cannot escape the thought of something else being wrong. i have circulatory problems or so it seems .shortness of breathe.trouble sleeping.And now because of malnutrition and lack of sleep which i cannot help . i feel that the mono is making a slow come back. Well neways this chest pain stinks. is there anything out there for anxiety that wont bring me down as much or make me feel sick like the paxil did. If anyone else has related problems please let me know
Posted by coxygrrl on December 17, 2003, at 20:47:47
In reply to Re: Chest pains and panic disorder, posted by LANE on November 28, 2003, at 19:33:58
Lane, how did your MRI and echo come back?
Posted by John Sandy on December 18, 2003, at 18:09:56
In reply to Re: Chest pains and panic disorder, posted by carolee on November 7, 2003, at 7:41:11
I am a 21 year old male- recently I started having tightness in my chest, shortness of breath, and some numbness in my left arm. I used to smoke pot all the time since high school and never had any bad experiences, then last winter, I noticed my heart racing, extreme anxiety and the feeling that I was going to die.
The next day I felt fine, I smoked a few more times and the same feelings persisted, to varying degrees, it was always a very bad experience, but I would never feel any ill effects the next day. I stop smoking pot for about 6 months. Then last month I tried it again: this was the worst experience of my life. My heart was racing, and it felt like my chest was burning, or something burning in my lungs, I had the shakes or what I think might have even been a mild seizure and I was sure that my heart stopped once that night and at one point I felt a very sharp pain in the upper left part of my chest, like something was bursting.
It was much worse than my previous experiences, I didn't sleep for about 2 days because I was too scared I would die during the night because of my heart stopping. I eventually noticed that unlike the other bad experiences, the feelings did not go away, instead, my chest felt very tight, and my left arm would occassionaly feel numb.
I went to the Emergency room that night, they did an ECG and monitored my heart rate, but they didn't think anything was wrong, if only, Acid reflux. I then went to my doctor and had bloodwork, ECG and X-rays done- all were normal. I don't feel anything like I used to before this experience, when I play sports, I can't exert myself at all, I have to stop because I start feeling my pulse racing and I will have difficulty breathing. I continuously monitor my pulse, and often cannot fall asleep at night for fear of a heart attack. I am also very jumpy and even though the doctor has found nothing wrong with me, I still feel a tightness in my chest and acid reflux pills have not helped at all.
From what I've read on this board, it seems that my symptoms are consistent with anxiety attacks- specifically one brought on by drugs- are there any treatments- does anything help?
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