Constant 24/7 chest pain

Molly79 · ‎09-09-2016

I'm 37yrs old, female and have just recently been diagnosed with anxiety. 5 months ago my father passed away in front of my mum in the kitchen due to a heart attack. 3 weeks after his passing, unusual symptoms started rising. Fear, withdrawn from the world, chest pains, panic and most of all stress. Ever since I have suffered from major chest pain, ongoing for 4-5 days with no letting up. My chest pain will give me maximum 2 days grace and then start up again. I've seen a cardiologist, had multiple ecgs, blood tests, abdominal scan, chest xray of heart and lungs plus a stress test and of course, all come back normal. 2 months ago my mum passed out and has a aneurysm on the back of her brain and we are awaiting surgery. I have been put on medication and have only been taking it for 2 weeks. Im seeing a councillor next week for the first time so touch wood this will help. Just wondering if others are suffering the never ending chest pains and how does people deal with this. I work night shift as well 5 nights a week and I never want to go too work or leave the house 😢 I did however go away for a week overseas and I never suffered any chest pains or anxiety!!!!!!

Guest_5218 · ‎11-09-2016

Hi there Molly. I see that you posted your new thread 2 days ago. Sometimes during a weekend, posts may get missed initially due to people being away etc. I am sorry that you have not yet had a response.

So I just thought I would pop in and say hi to you. And also take the opportunity to welcome you to the Forums. In so doing it will also bump your thread back up into the first page, where hopefully you will get further responses from people who are more able to help you.

I am a 57yo female who has also been diagnosed with severe anxiety (ptsd and ocd), so I can understand what you are going through.

I see that you have already seen your GP and been given medication to help you. 2 weeks is not a long time to be on it yet, so you will probably find that there is still further improvement to happen there over the coming weeks.

And its good news that you are booked in to see a counsellor this week. I am sure you will find this a beneficial tool to add to your coping 'tool box'.

I expect you will soon have others here who can advise you further and offer additional tips to help you.

Its good to see you here Molly, and I am sure you will find that the sound advice and ongoing support of the good people here will be a useful exercise for you. I hope you will respond and continue to reach out to us.

In the meantime, I wish you all the best.

Kind thoughts,

Sherie xx

BballJ · ‎11-09-2016

Hi Molly,

Welcome to the forums, firstly my apologies for your loss in the past 5 months, it always unfortauntly has a lasting negative impact when a family member passes.

I know all too well your symptoms of anxiety with the constant chest pain, a few years ago, I was home alone after my family went away and leading up to them going away, i started getting chest pains through out the day, even waking up during the night from them, i thought i was having a heart attack, i had blood tests done to see anything untoward and nothing was found. Whilst they were away I had an anxiety attack at work, i wasn't afraid of being home alone, I was afraid of something happening to me during the night and no one there to help me (thats anxiety for you, creeps up out of nowhere) it became so prominent like yours that i was getting it so regulary, which leads me to believe you are suffering from something similar because for me my mind plays tricks on me as the more you think about something, the more it happens, our minds are so powerful and can trick you into many things. For me, i found out later on this is my anxiety flaring up because it was always around events that made me uncomfortable and i would stress. You have already taken the first steps of starting medication and seeing someone, which i wish i did earlier because they really do help. The medication you are on having only been 2 weeks really isn't enough time for you to start seeing the full effects, and the psycholgist will help, as they will give you tips and techniques to deal with your anxiety.

I personally found relief after i worked out my anxiety is what is causing this, you have also done the right thing and had a doctor check things and you said came back normal, which again should hopefully calm you down. I think you also found relief when you were away because you would of been distracted by having fun, again the mind is powerful and the more we fester on something the more it builds up.

You have been through so much in the past 6 months with your parents so the stress and anxiety that has built up doesn't fully surprise me but the best thing is, there is help out there and you have taken the best steps and even joining these forums should help as they have helped me, knowing other people are going through what you are helps you mind a little, i'm not sure how but i find it does.

Feel free to post back as many times as you wish 🙂

My best for you.

Jay

Molly79 · ‎12-09-2016

Hi Sherie

Thankyou for welcoming me to the forums.

Its been a rough few months for me but I'm seeking as much help as I can due to reading such great forums on the beyond blue website.

Wednesday couldn't come quick enough for my appointment with someone to talk too and also offer me some light to follow in a good direction.

Thankyou so much for replying to my post. It's makes such a huge difference to be corresponding with someone that has been through a lot as well.

Guest_5218 · ‎12-09-2016

Morning Molly. Yes it certainly has been a rough 6 months or so for you. And it is exactly these things which brings on depression and anxiety with renewed vigour. The grief and stress involved in losing your Dad so suddenly, followed by your Mums ongoing health concerns is enough to rattle anyone. And on top of that you have been coping with full time shift work. You must be an amazingly strong woman, so well done to you.

Strong enough to have recognised that you need help, and prepared to do what is necessary to make things right again. It is a frightening experience to have the 24/7 chest pains, but you have had all the tests to reassure you that there is nothing wrong with your heart. Now you need to concentrate on the anxiety side of things.

Yes the Forums are a great place to come for both information and support. Have you checked out all the resources listed at the bottom of the website, in the blue section. All very helpful, so when you get the opportunity, I would recommend you have a bit of a browse if you havent already.

And thanks for getting back to us. You will find many people here who have gone through similar things to what you have, and they are all very willing to share their experience and tips.

Take care.

Sherie xx

Molly79 · ‎12-09-2016

Hi Jay

Thankyou for your words. I know I'm not the only one suffering out there.

All these symptoms are knew to me and of course the immediate reaction is to freak out and think the worse in which I just can't seem to get off my brain.

Today is a ok day. A little bit of chest pain txt actually feels like my chest muscles are really sore but my heart has not stopped racing even when I have sat down or spent a few hours in the garden.

3 weeks now I've been on medication so time will tell in a few more weeks and my appointment with someone to talk too is in 2 days YIPPEEE 🙂

Im trying to think positive and just set my mind on other things but of course, the feelings are still there but atleast I did occupy my mind for a while.

Dont hesitate in replying please. More words, more reassurance 🙂

BballJ · ‎14-09-2016

Hi Molly,

glad to hear you are feeling a little better, my apologies for the delay in getting back to you as well, I understand what you're saying as well, we all freak out when we don't know where these symptoms came from, it's human nature, but as I said earlier you did the right thing and got it checked out.

looks like your appointment will be today, it's just ticked over midnight so I am saying Today hehe, hopefully that brings you a little step closer to recovery.

I tend to find my heart racing when I'm trying to fall asleep, I just feel it beating fast and I have to calm myself down to fall asleep, like a mini panic attack. You're doing all the right things trying to keep yourself occupied which is great to hear and the medication will continue to kick in and help you which is another positive to take away which all adds up to recovery 🙂

Hope your session goes well.

please post back if you want, will continue to check back

my best for you

Jay

Greyhound123 · ‎15-09-2016

Sorry to hear about all of the things going on at the moment, the guys here are realy nice and hopefully you can feel comfortable and it will help. With reguards to the chest pains. I went off my medication for an extended period this year, and I started getting chest pains I had never had before, I was convinced it was gastric reflux or a heart condition my father has, I went to the doctor and he told me it was anxiety, I didn't believe him and thought "I know anxiety, I have had it all my life, this guy is steriotyping me for telling him I was on medication". After I went back on my medication because my anxeity got worse, the chest pains went away and have not come back.....

Molly79 · ‎22-09-2016

Hi greyhound

Thankyou for a reply to my situation. This will be my 4th week on medication and I have had 2 sessions with a therapist.

She has provided me with a few cds to listen too and also a colouring in book. All this is new to me so I'm still trying to get my head around it all.

The therapist has recommended I start taking a magnesium powder to help with my anxiety. First drink of it today and what a horrible taste lol

My chest pains are still there and go all day/night with no letting up. Some times I want to be sick but it's in my head I think.

My appetite has not been the best. I've lost a lot of weight with my anxiety as food most days is a no go due to being in pain with the chest.

Its still early days with medication and therapy but I'm willing to give anything a try. Just wish the constant chest pain and worrying would take a hike!!!!!!