Stress Center Peer Support

for the past couple of weeks I have had this feeling between my breasts. kind of like a tightening muscle feeling (if that makes sense). I am very bony in that area and I don't feel any muscle - so I am not sure that it is a muscle tightening. Of course my fear is that it is my heart.

I don't have any other symptoms. As an axiety sufferer I am supprised that it isn't creating other symptoms. I am trying not to panic about it. I have had all kinds of tests over the past couple years (ekg's, echocardiogram, xrays, blood work) Heart checks out fine I was told that its all anxiety.

Has anyone else ever had anything like this?

ellkay

Anxiety causes our bodies to produce many physical symptoms. Some mimic those caused by serious physical problems. If you have had exhaustive tests which give your heart a clean bill of health I suspect your symptoms are a result of just what you indicated.......FEAR!!

Having been there and done that, I can appreciate your concern. I guess I have imagined all sorts of dire physical problems over the years but all turned out to be caused by anxiety.

You may not have other symptoms because this one scares you the most!

One of the saving keys to my realizing past anxiety symptoms was the absence of my normal anxiety symptoms when a new one showed up.

I would bet there are a million or so other tight chests out there!

Best Wishes

I havent' been stressed lately so I am having a hard time believing that its stress. I hate this... I just wish I were normal.

I have had this symptom for two months now, it is constant but varies in how tihgt it is. After tests w/ the Dr. and reading alot, I am certain it is gerd and esophagiel spasms (sorry spelling is horrific) I have never really delt w/ heartburn or gerd so the symptoms it creates are very scarey. Could this be what you are experiencing?

I don't think its gerd - it feels like a muscle or something and its right between my breast (sorry to be so descriptive).

It could be muscular, indeed. All of the rib muscles attach to the sternum, and round the body. I get that feeling everytime I work out... it is constant, and the doctor assures me that it is muscular.

Do you exercise? Or, those of us that suffer from anxiety, are certainly known to tense our muscles and this creates pain after awhile. Trust me, I know! Check your posture, as this also affects the chest musculature. Hundreds of muscles in the chest and pectoral region...

Good luck to you...

Just this past Friday I had very strong tightness in my chest right where you discribed. I thought I was going to have a heart attack or something. It hurt and was scarry. The day was stressfull and I already had a crying spell that morning. At the end of the day I let my supervisor know how I was feeling, hurting, etc. As I was about to leave for the day she asked me how I was doing and I told her I was still hurting in my chest. She suggested for me to see my doctor as soon as I could and explain the circumstance. So I did. After my doctor listened to me he took my blood pressure and then said my heart was fine. As I was sitting there and still shaking he informed me that I was experiencing a Panic Attack. He said I should focus on my breath when I feel anything like this coming on me. Just take a deep breath from my abdomin thru my nose hold then out slowly thru my nose. I need to work on this. My doctor advised me to practice breathing like this for 15 minutes a day.
I hope this helps you in your situation. It has for me. Hang in there and Trust God.