i suffer from random painful tightening of my chest, has lasted 3 days this time but mentally i feel ok? Help me please!

[MissDaisytheXD]

Hi there everyone 🙂

I'm a  noob here and i would be stoked if someone may be able shed some light on what is happening to me. I was diagnosed with stress related depression at age 10, then diagnosed with anxiety and mild PTSD nearly 3 years ago at age 23 after leaving a 10 year violent and emotionally abusive relationship. In the last few years i thought my anxiety was dealt with and that I was officially on the mend but this year for the first time in my life, i started randomly experiencing a very tight chest. I can't take a full deep breath, can't yawn properly, and after about 24 hours of trying to inhale it becomes painful to breathe in. It feels like my lungs can't expand all the way, like someone is sitting on my chest. I also feel my heart rate increase. But i don't get the shakes, i don't feel any urge to cry or get angry.

I was told it is an anxiety attack, but mentally i feel fine. These tight chest attacks are becoming more frequent and lasting longer. The one i am experiencing now has lasted 3 days. I have tried breathing excersises, stretching and even tiger balm  to help ease the tightness but nothing works much as of yet. I have even started getting them while at my demanding and stressful TAFE course, but usually i only get them at home. I've had to go back to bed and try to sleep if off as after 3 days it is really getting sore.  I would greatly appreciate any info, advice or stories from anyone who has experience in dealing with these issues or has  experienced it for themselves! 

[white knight]

HI Miss Daisy, welcome here to beyond blue forums

We cannot diagnose at all. We are sufferers to of some illness so we can only give you info based on opinion as you asked at the end of your post.

This is a situation for your doctor and get to him quickly. Anxiety can be really serious.

Recovery. As I've had anxiety and still have depression, bipolar 2 and dysthymia ( a low mood constant depression) I promote best management of mental illness not full recovery. But with my anxiety I can happily say I've fully recovered. The bad news- it tool 25 years.

It peaked in 1987 During a workplace dispute. That commenced therapy for 12 months and meds for 12 years. It also commence relaxation routines that lasted the full 25 years. Every night prior to sleep I'd deep breath, making sure there was complete silence then my muscle tensioning exercises that lasted 30 minutes. During this long period I relocated to the country, found the love of my life, discarded toxic people, revamped my finances to rid myself of added stress and eventually went part time work. I'm now retired at 59yo due tot he other illnesses.

So it can be a long road. but it deserves you full attention.

Tony  WK

[Queen_Diamond]

Hi Miss Daisy;

As White Knight stated we cannot diagnose but what I can tell you is that I have experienced all the physical things you are going through.

Just this weekend I have been experiencing rib muscle and chest pain and was terrified I had a blood clot on the lung so I would start breathing deeply trying to determine if it was my lungs hurting or my muscles;  needles to say with all my over exaggerated deep breathing the pain worsened! I eventually accepted the fact that it was very unlikely to be a blood clot and was more indicative of muscle pain and anxiety.  Mind you I was still going on with my day taking my son to soccer and doing grocery shopping while all these thoughts are going through my head. Even though I was a bit worried I didn't think I was overly anxious yet obviously I was. 

I have also had the experience of not being able to yawn; I feel like I need to but when I do I can't complete a full yawn, it's very annoying! I also experience the opposite when anxious and can't stop yawning! 

Anxiety can do some pretty crazy things to our bodies and produce some pretty weird sensations; even when we don't necessarily feel anxious. Perhaps anxiety is residual in this way. If you are ever in doubt that what you are experiencing physically is anxiety related or a medical condition see your GP or ring the government health line; I have always found them extremely kind and helpful. 

Hope this has helped answer some of your questions. 🙂