Ongoing chest pains, left side only (not heart attack)

[SkipSkip]

Hello all

I’m a married 32 year old male with two kids.

About 3 years ago I had what I know believe was my first panic attack. Lying in bed and all of a sudden getting a sore chest, tingle in my left arm and also a ‘weird’ sensation/feeling all over.

Long story short, I’ve had many tests to thankfully rule out any heart problems. I’m fit and doctors say I’m at good weight and healthy.

I’m been told I have anxiety by my gp and for the second time gone on medication which sometimes helps but still on most days will have a constant ache in my chest (left side).

I have found my temper getting shorter and shorter and the need to have things tidy doesn’t help with having two small kids at home 😂 I’m a musician and even starting to find that singing (what I love doing) is starting to set my chest off and I find myself worrying more about how and if that will affect me every time I do music.

Is anyone else out there experiencing the same issues? Or has anyone had this same thing and come through the other side?? having good and bad weeks over the past 3 years is really starting to get to me and affect my life and family life

i have seen doctors, specialists, chiropractors, physiotherpists, hypnotherapists. I’ve changed diets, lost weight, done headspace apps etc too

I need to find a permanent fix to my anxiety so any help or advice would be greatly appreciated

TIA

[baet123]

Hey Skip,

Welcome to the forums and thank you for posting. It is extremely brave and courageous of you to share your story with complete strangers and that is something you should be extremely proud of!

It is very encouraging that you have underwent appropriate testing to rule out serious conditions and that you are fit and healthy for your age. Our brains often trick us and we might not have any physical problems and we might be healthy, but the pain and discomfort is certainly real. I experienced health anxiety for a number of years and although I had serious weight problems, generally I was pretty healthy and thankfully therapy and medication was a winning combination for me.

You mention that you have seen doctors, specialists, chiropractors, physiotherapists, hypnotherapists. I’ve changed diets, lost weight, done headspace apps etc. Have you seen a psychologist and has your treatment in the past been regular and sustained? Long term, sustained treatment and intervention is super important to your treatment and recovery. Maybe therapy is the way to go and you are able to receive subsidised sessions under a mental health care plan.

You seem like a very intelligent, thoughtful, caring and logical person. Your concerns and what your experiencing is extremely normal so don't stress however I believe a sustained period of therapy in combination with medication may be your best bet.

You mention you are a musician. That is so awesome! May I ask what type music you play? I am a huge metal fan and think musicians are so cool!

Have you also tried group therapy? Group therapy sessions are extremely helpful. Normalising anxiety and being in a close and intimate environment with people who are experiencing and have experienced what you are going through and have come out the other side would be of great benefit to you.

Hope this helped.

Nick.

[ianrab]

Hello. I do hope that there was a successful outcome to your condition this because I have had the same symptoms since January. My heart is "OK" following treadmill and ultra-sound scan tests. Started on blood pressure meds as the hospital says the pressure was high (I am over 50 and had been threatened with meds for a year or 2); I think this was precautionary from the hospital. Anyway, left discomfort is there most of the time now, annoyingly waking me from sleep - as if lying down is a trigger. So my sleep is deprived. What next? One option is a heart CT but hospital pretty sure my heart is ok. I'm still doing 2-3 hours cardio exercise per week, but I am doing this with caution (monitoring heart rate); so heart looks ok (again); what diagnsotics do I do next?