Chest pain

[Emma245 28]

Hi everyone. I’ve being having a pain in my chest for a few months now. I’m in my mid thirties, not overweight, eat fairly healthily and walk at least 30 minutes twice a day.

Most of me knows it’s anxiety because it only came on after a friends relative died after suddenly having chest pains. They started around the same time. I also had two colds back to back and both came with quite a nasty cough so I was constantly coughing for about 10 weeks. When I have a cough I get a bit ocd about getting the phlegm up (sorry TMI) and I do pull my chest. Before this worry I had a a worry I had C (at that time a friend had been diagnosed with that too) but had blood tests etc and was given all clear on that. It’s like I have to think there’s something wrong with me. I know from previous counselling that I don’t like not being in control of things. Why am I doing this to myself???

Sometimes the pain goes into my shoulder too or to the other side of my chest so again this makes me think it’s anxiety. Then other times it’s a distinct pain. It could also coincide with my time of the month.

My health Anxiety has been pretty bad for at least a year. I had some major life changes and since then it’s like this I can control almost if that makes sense. The other things I couldn’t. There are a few stressful things going on at the moment with work so maybe it’s that.

Someone tell me they have the same thing. I’ve had two ECG’s in my adult life and they never showed any issues. I keep telling myself it’s nothing and tbh when I forget about it there is no pain. I had a week off work and it was hardly there or not there for a few days, only coming back when I thought about it. I don’t have a particularly stressful job, it’s just much more relaxing being at home like most people feel.

Any support would be appreciated ?

Thank you.

[NervUs 140]

Yes, I am having chest pains. Mine have been there for about 5 weeks I guess. Right before they showed up, I had just been referred to the pulmonologist due to persistent cough and wheezing. Xray was normal, and  he diagnosed asthma, and I did improve with the meds...but....then the pleurisy showed up. 

Thy sucky thing is, I am not 100% sure if my lung pain is pleurisy. It could be my intercostals, since the symptoms are exactly the same. THe only difference is, with muscle strain, you are supposed to feel pain to the touch, which I don't. But, other times, my pain has gotten worse after mild use of my muscles, i.e. heavy cleaning. So, who knows??? My GP was not interested in investigating it since I had just had a clear xray. 

Like you, I wonder if thinking about it is exacerbating the problem. I inflate my lungs to check multiple times a day. Sometimes I don't feel it, sometimes I do. I am so afraid of the C word, as you say.

I have a pulonologist appointment, it is a follow up and had been scheduled before any of this happens. BUt, I will see what he says and report back!

 

 

[emmegee 5]

I had a HA episode about my heart a few years back. My chest felt "tight" with some pain for several weeks. I did go to the dr and they did an EKG. Said I was fine. I had also heard of an acquaintance having a massive heart attack a few months earlier. I was pretty worried about my heart seeing as heart disease is in my family and my cholesterol has always been a bit elevated. I started going to the gym more often I was so worried. (not a bad thing)

I think when we are anxious we hold a lot of tension in our bodies, and I think the tension in the chest creates a "tight" feeling. 

An EKG is a pretty quick and simple test. If it continues to concern you, I would see your primary care doc just to make sure... but it sounds like it could definitely be due to anxiety. Especially since you only notice it when you think about it.

[Emma245 28]

Yeah the pain was a general tightness which I think was the coughing. Now it’s more of a sharp pain and mostly when I think about it. I think I’ve developed it into this pain through anxiety. Will keep an eye on it. Thank you for your support x

[kay19801 10]

Hello 

I have the same issues - coughing since March this year - had chest xrays, bloods, lung function tests etc, (no chest ct scan as yet) but the right side of my chest pulls also when i sneeze, strain my chest and cough - when I take a deep breath it does not hurt - wish I now knew what on earth is going on with me - the respiratory consultant I saw 2 weeks ago says I might have sensitive upper airways & severe allergies to cats......

[NervUs 140]

JUst in case you're on the edge of your seat....I just got back from my pulmo appointment. He determined my chest pain is costochronditis, just as my GP did. He said he thinks that due to the position of where I am feeling my pain (to the right of my sternum, top part of breast). I am skeptical, since I can't reproduce pain when I touch my rib....except....if I really go around looking, there is this one spot that hurts to the touch. Maybe that is it. Won't lie...I am not 100% convinced I am not dying of lung cancer, but I guess that will be a problem for another day, right? lol

[Emma245 28]

Thank you all for your replies. It does help to know that I’m not alone in this! NervUs-glad it isn’t anything sinister. That does sound like a similar pain to mine. Maybe that’s what I have too. Makes sense from all the coughing! X

[kay19801 10]

22 hours ago, NervUs said:

JUst in case you're on the edge of your seat....I just got back from my pulmo appointment. He determined my chest pain is costochronditis, just as my GP did. He said he thinks that due to the position of where I am feeling my pain (to the right of my sternum, top part of breast). I am skeptical, since I can't reproduce pain when I touch my rib....except....if I really go around looking, there is this one spot that hurts to the touch. Maybe that is it. Won't lie...I am not 100% convinced I am not dying of lung cancer, but I guess that will be a problem for another day, right? lol

Glad it is nothing sinister, mine is the same behind my breast almost but only when I hunch over......grrr hate this feeling but glad you are OK