chest pain

[radicaledward]

I've had anxiety since I was 15, (I'm now 25) and have been on Paxil almost constantly since then. I went off of it in December. A week later my mom died. Two weeks after her death I started college. I had started training for a 13 mile run in September, and I think I may have pulled a muscle in my chest. Anyway, I've been having chest pains since my mums death, and they keep getting worse. I finally went to a dr, and she did an EKG and said I just had anxiety. She prescribed Klonopins and Paxil, which help a little, but I'm terrified all the time that I'm going to have a heart attack, or an aortic dissection (my dad had that two years ago). Even though my Dr. has told me I'm ok, I'm still convinced something is wrong. When I've just taken a Klonopin, I get rational and think, *hey, I pulled a muscle, and I'm anxious because my mum died and I'm starting school.* But as soon as it starts to wear off, I freak out and start having an attack. Because I convince myself that my heart is going to fail me and I'm going to drop dead on the floor. It's odd, because in all the years I've experienced anxiety, chest pain has never been an issue. I tired of being terrified all the time. I can barely make it to class some days, and I don't even want to go to the grocery because I feel safer at home. On top of this, I think my fiance is going to leave me soon due to my anxiety. Please, someone, anyone, tell me I'm not crazy, I'm not dying, and I can get over this. I'm on session 4 of the workbook, and these peoples stories are great, but I can't see me at the end of that road, saying, "Yeah, it was hell, but I made it". I'm desperate right now. The fear is exhausting. I just want a little bit of hope.

[Guest]

I know how you are feeling. I can definitely sympathize with your fear. I lost my mom this past February, lost my job this past February and have been dealing with a lot. I thought I was dealing okay until about 3 weeks ago when my anxiety reappeared. I completed this program over a year ago and had been off all medication and doing well. A few ups and downs but I was functioning. Now, I am right back to square one. My doctor said I am showing signs of anxiety and depression once again and I am back on med. I have restarted this program as it was so helpful before. First, you have to know you are not alone. We are all where you are or have been there before. When I initially suffered from this a few years ago, I had a heart problem (MVP and SVT) simultaneously. Trust me, if you had a legitimate heart problem if would show up on an EKG, stress test, echo, etc. If you have not had these test and would feel more comfortable being sure, ask your doctor about it. More than likely, it is just the pulled muscle or the anxiety. Your symptoms can change and expand. My symptoms this time around are a little different then before. Don't get consumed with worry. It will only make it worse. Maybe you need to talk to your doctor about going on a longer lasting anxiety med. Sounds like you are on only a quick acting, quick leaving anxiety drug. You may need something permanent until you get to the point you can confront your anxiety on your own. Believe that you can do this. It makes all the difference in the world what you say to yourself. I can scare myself with the best of them. Believe me. But I an taking it one day at a time, one minute at a time and teaching myself to think differently. I know the fear is real and it can be so exhausting. But you are stronger than the fear. You can face it. Be informed. Be active. Be effective. Hang in there and keep working the program.

[Guest]

I was just having chest pain and had to log on to this site. I found this site for the first time lastnight. I too have gone to the doctor and they said I was fine they did an EKG and a 24 hr heart monitor. I've been to the E.R. 3 times for chest pains and all three times they said I was fine. Still when these chest pains are present I feel like it's my heart and not whatever else is happening. Which in my case I believe now could be just gas because I've noticed I am very bloated when this happens. Anyway, I also have the fear of the aortic dissection mainly becuase when I start to have these attacks I torture myself by searching for possiblities of self diagnosis. I'm now on paxil, my 7th day today. I'm hoping for some kind of relief. I hope you find relief as well and good luck to you!

[Guest]

Thank you both so much. proudmomof2, I am on Paxil as well, which I've been on for about 10 years. Once it kicks in, I think I'll handle things better, but I've been trying not to take the short term pills for fear of getting addicted. My dr. did just an EKG and a visual aortic exam. Basically she just felt around where my aorta is and said she didn't feel anything abnormal. When my dad had aortic dissection it took the doctors 4 days to find it, and it was by doing a CAT scan. So I know I'm being irrational, but I would feel better if I had a CAT scan as well. I don't have insurance however, and I don't have a job right now because I'm a full time student. I also realize that if it comes back ok, next week it will just be something else I'm convinced I'm dying of.
Nicolette_leo, I also search the web for symptoms and actually create new ones based on what I think must be wrong with me. I'm on my 5th day of Paxil, and no relief yet. I actually had to listen to the Relaxation cd 3 times before I could even get out of bed today, because my chest hurt so bad. It was so relaxing that I fell asleep though. Oops. I'm scared to be back on Paxil. It was sooo hard to get off of it. I had hallucinations, brain zaps, and I just felt empty, like I had no emotions. But it does work wonders when I'm on it, so I'm torn. I see my dr. in 3 weeks, and maybe she can prescribe something that isn't so harsh. Enough of my rambling. Thank you both for your posts. It's a relief to know I'm not the only one, even though I wish no one else would ever have to go through this. I hope you both find the relief and peace from anxiety.