Breathing problems from anxiety?

[Panpig]

Is breathlessness and chest pain a known anxiety symptom? I've had a negative covid test, clear chest xray and various blood tests at the hospital. Also my oxygen levels were never below 96% I had a blood gas test and the doctor did say it was borderline so to rule out a blood clot I have to go back on Monday for a CT scan. But I have had really bad anxiety on and off for years, specifically health anxiety. Just wondered of breathing can be an actual anxiety symptom?

Absolutely, anxiety can cause chest tightness. When I was younger I was convinced I had asthma as I would get tightness in my chest. I saw a crap GP who just used a stethoscope and said I sounded fine but didn't even consider anxiety. Years later I saw a better GP who made the connection. I take SSRIs and have counselling and it has helped. It has flared up a little recently due to worrying about covid. If you're doing all the right things around getting the physical side looked into it could also be worth checking out anxiety

Yes it can be. Did you get the all clear from the CT scan?

Yes.
I have honestly worked myself up so much I’ve convinced myself I’m having a heart attack and I get intense pain too - feeling like my chest is crushed (there’s nothing physically wrong with me) and often when I go out alone (I probably go 200 yards) by the time I come back I’m breathless and can’t catch my breath like I’ve run a marathon (not that I ever have) and it makes me so tired this constant drain of fear.

Absolutely OP - it can also be a sign of low iron. I say this because after having DD1 I developed chest pain and breathlessness and pain when I was breathing, my anxiety was also through the roof and it turned out my iron levels were through the floor so I was on tablets for around 9 months.

Once my iron picked up to a normal range I was worrying and anxious about something else, and the chest pain started again. The rational side of me knew it was my anxiety and the only way I really believed it was when I wasn't worrying (few and far between) I felt completely fine, then as soon as I started worrying, the pain would start, and it was horrendous.

Have a chat with your GP if you're still worried and maybe see about an iron test or alternative therapies. Hope you manage to get sorted - anxiety is horrid

Sorry OP I should have mentioned my anxiety is Heath anxiety too, so you have my full sympathy as it's the worst feeling ever - my doctor also did full bloods and ended up prescribing me sertraline. I haven't taken it, I don't want too, but it gives me some comfort knowing that if I feel really bad, I have it to take