scary chest pain- do you have it?

cuttingirl · Post by **cuttingirl** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 2:31 pm

I know that our bodies can manifest some amazing symtoms of anxiety, one of which can be chest pain. Do any of you have this? I have episodes of chest pain that last for up to 5-10 minutes. A cardiac workup is negative. I wonder if it's a muscle cramp. If you have this, is it a similar stabbing sensation? What do you do?

monty'smom · Post by **monty'smom** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 3:15 pm

Hi and YES I used get them all the time. Many times a day. It used to scare me a little but have had them for years and am still alive so I guess I just have to put up with them. I know many anxious people with the same pain. Mine has subsided a fair bit since I started feeling better. There are so many things we have in common thanks to our problems...but it will get better.

Just try to get relaxed and breathe...I know it hurts to breathe but take shallow breaths at first and I found lying certain ways and just holding the area where the pain is helped somewhat.

Hope this helped,
Best wishes for this to end.
Deborah

cindylou · Post by **cindylou** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 4:08 pm

Yes, I used to get those awful pains all the time and I lost count of how many times I went to the ER with them.

I was born with cardiac defects, had heart surgery as a child and adult and definitely thought the worst when I had the pain. Not heart related though.
Guess what? It was all my anxiety. Huge panic attacks. Nasty buggers. Had this for years!

It probably crumbles you to the floor because that hyperventilation habit from anxiety increases the tension in your chest muscles.

Try breathing in slowly for 2 to 4 seconds and then out slowly for 4 seconds. repeat this for a couple of minutes. Also keep telling yourself that this will pass, and that you ARE OK, and make a conscious effort to gently relax your body. Lower your shoulders first. I'll bet when this happens, your shoulders are up near your ears and tight as a pulled wire. Go easy on yourself and be nice to yourself until it goes away.
Just know, that when you get yourself worked up, for no apparent reason, pain follows in one form or another, but you CAN make it go away.

Huge hugs to you!!!

Paul R. · Post by **Paul R.** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 2:23 am

cuttingirl,

absolutely.

thank you for your post.

its funny, because the severity of all of my anxiety and panic attacks have dropped alot since working this program, seeking counseling, exercise, prayer, etc since March...i still have lingering physical symptoms.

lately, it has been the "tired" head feeling from anxiety that i commented on at another forum.

today and yesterday, however, it is this chest pain again.

and the funniest thing i noticed while reading the comments...was yes, my shoulders were up to my ear and i was also sitting so slumped over as to collapse my chest in.

neither one is good for proper breathing.

you are not alone girl, as I am right there with you. my mind still wants to go the worst case scenario (is something wrong with my heart?), but 7 weeks ago I had a good workup (EKG, bloodwork, X-Ray) and all came back perfectly normal.

i have been living with the chest pain/ tightness for some time now.

I pray that we heal and can one day be free of this.

cuttingirl · Post by **cuttingirl** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 4:51 pm

thank you all for responding to me. I feel much better now. I've had all the workups mentioned, all negative. Guess it's just a part of this condition. Cheers to us all getting better and being better to ourselves and our loved one. THanks again