Ongoing centre chest pains, breathleness, upper back pain, been to A&E 3 times in 1 month

[Bighugs88]

Hi 👋
I have spoken to my gp for medical advice. I am just hoping for reassurance, support and if anyone else has or is going through the same thing. I will try to keep this short but a lot has been going on.

Background: 33 yrs female, no high bp, normal cholesterol levels, never smoked, never taken recreational drugs, bmi of 20, active and work part-time as a Midday Assistant. No previous or known heart conditions. Both parents are in their 60s and high high bp, high cholesterol and are on medication (blood thinners). My mum recently has been suffering from breathlessness and chest pain so is under going tests through the NHS relating to Angina.

So from Feb to April I had random pain in my upper left arm which went after a week, then randomly I had a sharp pain right in the centre where my heart is and this pain travelled across my right chest to my shoulder. I couldn't move and had to sit down then after 4 mins the pain went and I was completely fine. This then happened again numerous times after 3 weeks gap. I only started to take this as a serious health concern when on 30/5/2022 in the evening the pain happened again, terrified in quickly went to local A&E they did an ecg which was normal and then said I could go home and a doctor will call u tomorrow. I didn't ask for further testing as I felt fine, but on the same day at night when I was sleeping 10:45pm I wanted to turn and then then pain started again but this time my right shoulder up to my elbow was hurting. Went back to A&E in the car as the ambulance didn't come. They kept me in and did ecg, chest x ray & blood test for inflammation, viruses & tropnin, the results all came back fine. The doctor was surprised I was having these pains since Feb, said it might be costochondritis eventhough my ribs and sternum were not tender or sore. Since 31/5/2022 I have been having continuous dull ache in the centre of my chest (feels like my heart is injured or bruised 😞) I get random sharp chest pains for a few seconds on my left and right side. Having fluttering of the heart which feels like in my throat, breathlessness & upper back pain. When breathing in or laughing my chest hurts at the centre. I was back in A&E 2 days ago and again chest x ray is clear (no inflammation & no swelling of heart), blood tests normal, ecg fine. The doctor tested for blood clotting, haemoglobin & d dimer for clotting all the results are fine so ruled out anaemia & doesn't think clot in lungs.

My anxiety levels have been really high, thinking the worse that I am having an impending heart attack, swelling of heart, blood clot in lungs . I have a 5 years old daughter who has autism and she is my world. Due to hig levels of anxiety I have loss my appetite and have now a sensation that there is a lump in my food pipe and finding it hard to swallow.

My gp finally has referred me to a cardiologist as the rapid access chest clinic do not take female patients under 40 yrs if there is any abnormal result (high bp, abnormal test results from A&E). She has referred me for 24 has ecg and also an ultrasound scan of my abdomen to rule out problems with gall bladder. This might take weeks, but the doctor said if I feel very unwell or unable to keep down liquids then I need to go back to A&E.
I am just so worried that I am going to drop dead, that there is something seriously wrong with my heart. Even typing this now I am getting weird palpitations. Seriously I am not disregarding pain, but if the pain was somewhere else I wouldn't be so worried but as it is my chest area right in the centre I am thinking the worst is going to happen even though 2 different doctors at A&E have reassured me there is no instant danger. Please anyone there for support

At the moment I am lying down and what I have noticed is that when I sleep on my back the pain and discomfort in the chest is much less than sleeping on the side. The palpitations are more prominent when I sleep on the side. Lying on my back helps to ease the discomfort and makes me relaxed.

@123feraverto
Thank you for your support
Let's see when I will be contacted for ultrasound scan, but will keep everyone posted about further investigations and referrals

I had a few issues with breathing and heart rate since having Covid. (Made worse with anxiety)
I read up on CBD oil. There have been reports suggesting it may help some breathing problems and may help Covid symptoms and is also taken by many people to help with anxiety. I thought I would get some and it does help take the edge off my anxiety.
My GP says it’s a placebo 🤷‍♀️ and the A and E doctor kind of just shrugged his shoulders 🙂 I think the main problem for taking it would be if you are ever taken in as an emergency there is no knowing if it would interact with drugs that they would need to give you as it’s not a licensed medicine.
I am glad you’re seeing the right people. I hope all goes well for you. I hope that you can get on top of your anxiety, all that adrenaline could be causing overstimulation of your nervous system, hence heart palpitations and increased gastric fluid.

Haven’t read the full thread but clots can’t be ruled out without a CT with contrast…

@Useyourfork
Thank you for your message. I am looking at ways to keep myself relaxed and calm whilst I wait for my referrals.
Seriously when I have been so anxious all my muscles tense up like they have become rigid or locked.

@YerAWizardHarry
The last time I went to A&E on 22 June. The doctor in emergency did mention one of the potential reasons of chest pain could be blood clots in the lungs, but because your d-dimer blood test and blood clotting results are normal so I don't think you have clots in your lungs. When mentioned about my results to the gp on 23rd June she said there is a low chance, however she did acknowledge that blood clots do not show up on chest x rays.
The hospital doctor didn't offer ct scan with contrast based on blood test results. Also my gp has referred me to cardiologist to rule out heart complications. Seems like I will need to push for further lung 🫁 testing if heart results are fine and I am still in pain.

Could you have a hiatus hernia?
This can cause acid reflux

Whatever the cause of your pain, I do hope you get some answers and feel better very soon

I did have an endoscopy in 2015 when I was suffering from gut problems also had full colonoscopy. The results were normal. However, I have been diagnosed with gastritis and IBS in the past which flairs up when I am really anxious about something

@uncomfortablydumb53
Thank you so much, that is really kind of you. I use to have so much energy and never once thought about being unwell or sick doesn't really cross your mind. So now that I am going through this I just pray that I get better and find answers. My daughter is 5 and she is very close to me. She is constantly asking me if I am happy and always giving me kisses. When I am really worried I think about her and my husband and I know I will be OK 👍 but the mind can take you to many different thoughts which I am trying to close off. I know I will be OK and I have gone to A&E whenever I felt something seriously wasn't right and I have been reassured. Just need to relax, chase my referrals and look after myself.

@cptartapp
You have been through a lot, sending you well wishes and hugs

How are you now? Is the beta blocker drugs helping? Do let me know how your 48hr ecg goes. All the best x

Do you drink coffee? If so I would stop that. It won't solve everything obviously but it would eliminate the possibility that it's exacerbating symptoms such as the palpitations. Some women find they can't tolerate coffee as they get older. I know several friends who had to stop. Its one of the worst things for reflux too.

@whatisheupto
I use to drink coffee, tea and fizzy drinks,but have stopped since march. I just think most likely due to the high healthy anxiety I have been going through with regards to chest pain and upper back pain this has lead to feeling fatigued, dizzy and palpitations. Never had thumping or fluttering heart beat when I started having the chest pains in march. It's only when I became really anxious that I might be having an impending HA or serious heart disease that the palpitations started. However, since trying to become relaxed and not think about my symptoms the sickness feeling has gone and I don't really feel the palpitations as much.

This is my thoughts. I've been down the cardiac route after going to a and e three times. I've had the gallbladder out which was full of sludge. Camera up and down. My heart is fine I have 5cms sliding hiatus hernia and GERD. Omeprazole and careful diet mostly keeps things under control

Fat, tomatoes, onions etc are to be avoided.

Last night I was able to sleep but my upper back feels so sore and so does my my entire front especially the areas where my ribs are near the clavicle bones. Do you guys think I should contact my gp again whilst waiting for the cardiologist if I should request for upper back and front ct scan?
Do you think this is possible
At night my back is so stiff

The pain is internal because when I touch my ribs they don't hurt. Thinking all negative her and getting panicked, no idea where this pain is coming from is it my gall bladder?
Can't be related to heart as they did basic immediate checks at A&E
Starting to think something else is going relating to cysts or tumor pressing on my spine 😩i need to think positive

Honestly OP, I really think it’s your anxiety that’s now ramping everything up, horrible for you to try to manage.
I still think it could be gallbladder related, I was incredibly uncomfortable and sore with mine and every time it got inflamed the pain was horrific (I needed morphine on 2 occasions). I had mine removed and, as I said earlier, my hiatus hernia and gastric symptoms are well managed now. If I get stressed the gastric symptoms get worse so I know that they’re related.

Just to put a bit of perspective as you are worried about tumours and blood clots 🙂
Gerd, stomach ulcers etc are very common. The irritation of the gastric acid on the lining of the esophagus can cause a lot of pain.
I’ve posted some pics to crudely show the anatomy. It would make sense that when you breathe in, the movement of the diaphragm with the lung inflation would
squeeze this area thus worsening pain. Also lying on one’s side the pressure of the lung would likely make it worse.

I had a pinched nerve which caused me all kinds of horrible chest pains, the anxiety from it made me feel 10x worse. The GP prescribed amitriptyline which really helped ease it, and gave me a good nights sleep too so I wasn’t up in the night worrying.

So it could be a nerve issue, or vitamin D deficiency as another poster mentioned.

I hope you get answers soon.

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Do you do any gentle stretching exercises (arm raises etc) and breathing exercises to get your chest and back muscles expanding and relaxing. Improve posture. To discourage any muscle spasms.
Yoga breathing is good. I'm sure there is lots on YouTube.

@YanTanTetheraPetheraPimp Thank you for your support, I do need to somehow control my anxiety, I have very high health anxiety.

@CherryReid
I recently downloaded the mindfulness app which encourages breathing exercises. Will have a look on YouTube as well. The last time I went to A&E on 22nd June thinking the worst was happening to me my breathing became so weird and had a lump sensation in my throat. I have taken some time out to keep myself busy and with family members (mum & husband) to share my thoughts and feelings which helps me to relax.

@ToastofLandon
Thank you,
I am waiting for the cardiologist to rule out heart problems. The ultrasound scan of upper abdomen will hopefully look into the gallbladder.
However, the upper back pain all down to my ribs where my waist is very uncomfortable and my upper abdominal region above the belly button and where the breast bone ends roughly hurts when touches. I am not sure what specific scan I could ask my gp regarding my back or thoracic region? Any ideas anyone? Ct scan?

Get an ultrasound on your gallbladder the person who did mine told me then and there I had gallbladder issues. Was removed within three months

I have been referred for an ultrasound scan of the abdomen via gp on 24 June. Let's see how long it will take for an appointment they will either send a letter via post or call me.

I’m not sure as I just had a chest X-ray and ECG to rule out cardiology issues when I had my pinched nerve, but I would imagine a CT or MRI will be the next thing you’d have after an ultrasound.