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.

If OP has health anxiety (not saying she does or doesn't as I don't know) but how does being unkind help her in any way?

Anxiety in any form is debilitating and a little empathy for what OP is suffering wouldn't go amiss.

@TheShellBeach She may just want reassurance and the fact she is having no answers from the GP must be frustrating.

OP is not well. No need to be unkind.

OP, I'm not medically trained but have you thought about mentioning fibromyalgia to your doctor?

Paramedic told me that the pain of heart attack and severe heartburn are pretty much identical. If Gaviscon helps them it wasn't a heart attack.
I thought heartburn was just like when you feel the bile rising but apparently not.
(I was bluelighted to A&E for it and hideously fucking embarrassed when the Gaviscon worked).

@TheShellBeach That amount of pain is not caused by anxiety alone. Further investigations are required.

For what it's worth I respond in general to cardiac posts because 2 of my children have CHD one very much is a rare and complicated defect. I'm not a medical professional but have learnt over the past 15yrs bits and pieces about heart health, usual and unusual signs of a heart problem.
I like to reassure or advise on pathways people can ask for based on experience.

I don't take note of who posts what, but you rang a bell.

If you have a problem with your GP ask for a different one and perhaps take a list of other possible conditions beside a heart attack that you feel fit the symptoms, oh and Obviously inform them about your fathers history as well.

Also OP, anti anxiety medications tend to make you more anxious at first but then once you get through that part, they start to really work.

I got scary chest pains when my acid reflux got to the point I ended up having to sleep propped up in bed on a low residue diet. Still can't sleep lying flat I ignored it that long.

Hope you get to the bottom of it. If you've had all the heart checks, it'll be something else.

So sorry you're feeling this was OP, I could have written the same post a year or so ago. Another vote for B12 deficiency / anaemia and a second opinion from another GP and a blood test.

I was diagnosed with low iron in 2019 at the end of my pregnancy, was on tablets for about 9 months, then around a year and a bit later after another pregnancy I was back on tablets for low iron again. I finished those and thought all was fine, then before Christmas last year I had crushing chest pains, I felt like I didn't need to breathe, also like there was no air for my to breathe, that the pain in my chest was getting worse and worse, but also because I was so anxious about it and worrying this didn't help at all, and I would be crying my eyes out because I was terrified something awful was going to happen to me. Went back to the GP and after a blood test my B12 was low, so was put on tablets for 6 months, 3 tablets a day, and they made the complete world of difference.

Please try and see another GP in your surgery if you can

OP, I feel exactly as you describe when I have low iron levels, I was preparing for bad news about an heart or lung condition, but I was ‘just’ anaemic - chest pain, breathlessness, feeling generally awful. I remember having to crawl up the stairs on all fours, stopping to gasp for air at least twice. Iron tablets alone aren’t very good at correcting anaemia. What are your levels like now, have you had it checked recently, and how long has it been going on?

I had horrific chest pain once I honestly thought I was having a heart attack. It turned out to be my gallbladder, it was described as having sludge in it which was moving slowly into the bile duct causing spasms. It went on for weeks until it cleared itself.

OP - I have these kinds of pains with gas and silent reflux - almost like a sharp knife pain and it goes into my shoulders and my back. Try not to panic.

Not read the thread but sounds like anxiety/panic attack but I’m not a medic.

Heart attacks are caused by blood clots, so if you are worried about that take Aspirin to thin your blood.

@EdinaCrump heart attacks are caused by blood clots created when a plaque inside an artery ruptures. Taking aspirin does not prevent heart attacks. It might help, but it isn’t a cure all.

It seems like the OP wants it to be cardiac, despite everyone telling her it’s not (including numerous HCPs)

Probably heartburn/ reflux that is made worse by your health anxiety.

Why don't you try the SSRI's recommended by your doctor?

OP I have had this kind of anxiety about chest pain for years, and it always came down to digestion.

Buy some liquid gaviscon and take some, see if that makes a difference.
I get the same thing, pain in chest, arm and between shoulder blades. You can feel the gaviscon actually passing over the sore spot and you feel better.

Then when you're feeling reassured, you won't be panicking and anxious and the whole thing won't escalate.

An A&E doctor suggested that to me once and said that they often give it to patients reporting chest pain because the symptoms are so similar to cardiac issues.

I had horrific chest pain a few years ago, saw OOH GP, long story short - she said it was heartburn. Gave me a prescription for Gaviscon or equivalent. I felt absolutely embarrassed as I thought it was something very serious. The pain was excruciating. Not a surprise so many genuinely feel like they are having a heart attack.

I don’t imagine my response will offer any reassurance but I had 6 months of unusual burning chest pain, arm numbness and pressure in my ears - I had bloods, spirometry, ECG and an eventual diagnosis of gastric issues. I was (am!) very slim, non smoker, healthy eater and regular runner with <1% risk of heart problems according to the GP yet had a heart attack. Ended up being blue lighted straight into the cath lab and had a stent inserted. An ECG will not show a heart attack unless it is happening. In hindsight I wish I’d persisted with my GP - if you feel like it’s cardiac, nobody will dismiss you - the paramedics assured me of that whilst I was apologising for wasting their time. Not that I want to be the harbinger of doom but it can happen and it should never be dismissed or diminished.

Referred pain is definiteltly a thing. I had it after having a drain put in my chest, the anaesthetic wore off. I had crushing pain all over my chest into my shoulder like I had been hit by a bus, I was trying to get the nurses for pain meds and they were all on a break. I reached the point of screaming off the bed in pain, then they came running with a cocktail of meds. The problem with referred pain is that the pain escalates, the nerve endings get very sensitive. I hope you get it sorted - reflux can also make you feel like you are dying, the only time I had close to the lung pain was once when I had terrible reflux. If thats What it turns out to be please dont be embarrassed, its positive if that is what it is and nothing more serious.