Chest pain…. Getting worse

[Mumof2boysxz]

Hi all. I’ve posted previously about this issue, but it seems to be getting worse and I don’t know what I want. Some advice, some support, to know I’m not alone or for people to assure me I’m not dying….

I have what are classified as heart attacks symptoms, but every day. I have pain, crushing, pressure and tightness in the chest; pain in the arms, upper back and shoulders; feeling breathless, lightheaded, dizzy, extremely fatigued and generally unwell.

I have felt like this every day since December, only the pain seems to be becoming worse. I have had countless GP appointments, my last being yesterday, and 2 trips to a&e, this year alone. My blood test results and ECGs have been clear at the hospital each time, and the doctors at a&e didn’t seem concerned about my heart. However, as symptoms have persisted, I went back to the GP to see what I can do next. He rang me yesterday and after explaining my symptoms he just said to go to a&e if it persists and that it sounds like classic cardiac pain. He also gave me a referral for a chest x ray to check for physical injury, and offered anti anxiety medication, which I declined as I’ve had them before and they made me much much worse.

I then rang my dad in floods of tears and panic after what the doc told me. My dad thinks the doctor is covering his own back and has to tell me to go to a&e with chest pain. He told me that him, his own father and his grandfather all suffered from terrible trapped gas, and he thinks I have it. He said it pushes the stomach as it fills with air and can cause chest pain. I haven’t mentioned this to the doctor.

I haven’t had any colds or coughs. I haven’t had COVID at any point that I know about, and my chest is clear with no signs of asthma. My blood pressure, oxygen, and cholesterol levels are all normal. My thyroid is fine, and I have low iron.

I am 25 with 2 children. I have no family history of heart issues - my grandfather had one in his 40s but was an alcoholic and overweight. I drink on very rare occasion, quit smoking over a year ago, never taken illegal drugs, and have no diagnosed health conditions. I go out to walk on a daily basis.

i am writing this in tears and wondering what is the point, as my chest is crushing me and I’m sat at home with 2 small children as DP is on a night shift. I just keep thinking I’m going to drop dead. I’ve tried beta blockers but was then taken off them. I was took off anti depressants after getting much much worse when I started them. I have had therapy, and meditate often.

it feels like there is nothing left to be done. I am terrified I am going to have a heart attack. I want the pain to go away and the worry to go with it. How can I have heart attack symptoms all day every day? How is any of this possible?

please don’t be too tough on me in the comments. I’m struggling enough already and wondering what the hell is the point in my life anymore.

Given your age and history of checks in hospital, eg ECGs etc, a heart attack is very unlikely.
It could be a gallstone, it could be a digestive issue. Of course everything needs to be checked, but try not to worry too much OP. Have you had a scan ?

You should tell your gp what your father said about the gas pain, there are medications you can get for that.

I’m sat here crying my eyes out in a state because the pain is terribly bad right now in my chest, and I’m scared something will happen while my kids are here. I haven’t been to the x ray yet, I will have to go when DP is off work so he can take the baby while I go.

Gallstones? MALS? Could be any number of things, have you had a ct scan? I'd ask for a referral. Have you had b vitamins done? B12 deficiency / anaemia can also cause a lot of the symptoms you have inc chest pain

I’m going to call the GP back tomorrow and ask about this being a possibility. My father is convinced that’s what’s causing the pain. Not sure how that would affect my shoulder and upper back pain however, unless that’s unrelated/pulled muscles etc

He isn’t really doing anything but offering anxiety meds, but I’m not convinced whatsoever it’s just anxiety, the physical pain is horrendous. He keeps saying a&e, a&e like I can sit in a&e with 2 kids for 8 hours a day and I don’t drive so it costs me a lot to get there and back also. I’ve got a chest x ray referral but nothing else. My B12 was fine during last blood test, I do have low iron but I’m on tablets for that.

I know you've said there's been ECGs, have you just had the ten second ones, or have you been offered the five day event monitor / 24/48 etc holters? This might allow you to record activity around the symptoms you're feeling, which might give you more peace of mind if you know your ECG is normal?

Trapped wind can cause horrendous upper back pain.

Just the 10 second ones in a&e I’ve had these done twice and both normal. The doctor doesn’t seem to be doing anything at all despite my numerous attempts to explore other options for the cause. I’m getting extremely frustrated. I feel like I’m just being palmed off to a&e every time.

It's called referred pain and is incredibly common, especially with trapped wind/gas.
I had awful back and shoulder pain after major abdominal surgery and hardly any pain at the site.

Thank you I wasn’t sure if this was possible as it’s not even a frontal area

So my dads suggestion isn’t far fetched? He’s completely calm regarding the situation and doesn’t think I have a cardiac issue whatsoever. My other family members and DP think the same.

It could be costocondritis. Read here https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/costochondritis

My mum has this - I did mention this to the doctor, but was ignored.

@Mumof2boysxz if it will give you peace of mind, I'd ask for an event monitor (you can wear for an extended period of time, and you tap it to record an ECG when you feel symptoms) or a 24 hour holter (can be worn for more than one day) that continuously records. This might help you be reassured it's not cardiac pain / encourage your GP to investigate other options?

As PP have said trapped wind can cause horrible chest pain (I've had it myself!) could you try some wind relief medicine as well?

In case your Dad is right try a guardium tablet once a day for a week.
They aren't very cheap but if it is an acid problem ( which can build pressure in your stomach as well as giving an excruciating pain under your breastbone) then the guardium should prevent it and give you good justification to push for a prescription.
Good luck.

I suffer from costochondritis, and flare ups can last months. It's absolutely horrendous and I seriously thought I was dying the 1st attack I had. However my GP was very good at ruling out anything cardiac related first, and I was sent to a chest pain clinic for tests. When they all came back OK, then they went down the costochondritis route.

No, really really common, infact I'm surprised the gp didn't give you a script for something like omeprazole to try, silent reflux and gas have a similar presentation to cardiac symptoms.

I’ve had Omeprazole already and they haven’t done anything for me. I was under the impression they are more for stomach acid and heartburn (I’ve only ever had heartburn during pregnancy, I never get it otherwise) and not trapped has pain?

Given the family history, try the meds! You can buy omeprazole in Home Bargains and supermarkets these days. Have a glug of Gaviscon, chew a few of the tablets, whatever - it's an easy thing to try. Have you any indigestion stuff in the house? If not, can your Dad or anyone drop some off? A neighbour got some in the house?

I’ve tried prescription Omeprazole before and it hasn’t worked. I never suffer with heartburn, I only ever had that during pregnancy. It doesn’t feel like indigestion, more like a trapped air bubble in the stomach.

Thank you - I have mentioned this to them already, especially as my mother has this (but her pain presents more in her ribs and never in the chest area) but I was ignored. Perhaps it’s a case of requesting a different DR at this point.

H Pylori?

Thank you. I’ve already tried Omeprazole and they haven’t worked - I was under the impression these were for stomach acid and heartburn, which I never get. It’s more like a trapped gas.

I get a crushing chest pain from trapped wind sometimes and a glass of good old fashioned Andrews and a good burp gets rid of it quickly. The first time it happened I was sure I was going to die.