Have worked myself up into an absolute mess - chest pains

[Katyathegringa]

I was a smoker for 15 years, but gave up 3 years ago. At the end of my smoking years I did start to get some pains in my chest, but I usually put them down to the reflux that I suffered from. I have occasionally had the same pains since giving up but about 3 weeks ago I started getting them again and it is almost always with me now; pain/ache in lower ribs, back and at the top at the front of my chest. I don't have a cough, nor am I bringing up phlegm or blood, I am occasionally getting reflux as well.

Anyway, I've just been to the doctors who can't hear anything abnormal, but can't diagnose me either. He has sent me away with advice to take paracetamol for a week and come back if the pain is still there. Thing is I have basically convinced myself that this is payback time for all those years of smoking, and I have got lung cancer - you may say I am being paranoid, but I am absolutely terrified.

No words of wisdom? Or are you all convinced I am right and just don't want to say

Ok, take a deep breath. How is your breathing? Are you stressed about anything? If you are not breathing in a relaxed manner this can bring about chest pain.
are you taking anything for your reflux? try not to worry

I am stressed, actually have an appointment with the community mental health team tomorrow due to panic attacks (although have not had one for a bit now). My breathing is OKish; sometimes it hurts when I breathe in, sometimes it is OK. I am just taking gaviscon, but probably not enough - need to buy some more tomorrow. I know there are a million and one things that this could be, but I am just workin myself up into a state.

Thanks so much for responding indigobarbie.

It could be stress and psychosymatic (apols for spelling), not trying to belittle it in anyway. I had panic attacks and thought I had every manner of things wrong with me.

If you are really worried go back to the doc's and ask for a referral for an xray just to check.

Hey, no worries. I suffered panic attacks a few years back, and didn't even realise that I was! I was going around short of breath, but sometimes I didn't think I was - all this pain in my chest, thought something was really really wrong. Once I received counselling and sorted out what was going on, I felt much much better, and my breathing resumed.
Try to breath into your belly - place one hand on your upper chest and one on your belly, when you inhale make sure it's your belly that is expanding and not your upper chest. Do this deeply a few times and see if it helps any.
I agree with Bertie though, just see how you are and then ask for referral if you don't see an improvement. HTH hugs xx

Thanks a lot, i do keep reminding myself that it may be just stress and psychosomatic, but because i have felt the same pain before - before I started with the whole panic/stress thing, I worry that it isn't. If it hasn't cleared up by this time next week I am going to ask for a referral.

Hi I get chest pains when I'm stressed....I know this as it happens quite a lot. However it doesn't stop me thinking the worst. My GP advised staying still and breathing in deeply and slowly. I try to do this but it's hard when your natural reaction is to hyperventilate! Take Care of yourself, hope you are ok X

It sounds like a gallstone to me. This is exactly the sort of pain I get and in the same places. That would also explain the reflux. Ask for an ultrasound scan..that's how they diagnose them.
hth and you have have my empathy :(

Oh wow, I hadn't even thought of that. When I go back to the docs I will mention that to him.