Chest pains

[purupura]

Hello, everyone, I hope you're all doing well. i just wanted to see if I could get some advice.
i'm a 23yo female with no health issue that i know of rn, dont smoke and drink etc


i've been having chest pain for over a week now, they vary in location but mainly in the middle of my chest and upper chest, not localised, almost burning too. i can also feel it in my upper back, it's almost like the feeling of having food stuck in your throat/chest but it comes on randomly so im not sure its linked to eating, i've tried to see if exercising brings it on, but i really can't tell, i get some breathlessness with it sometimes but its hard to tell if its just my anxiety. the pain only lasts a few seconds and goes, like in small waves, then comes again at a diffrent random time even when im lying down.

i've somehow managed to speak to 4 different doctors about it in the last week, (not intentionally they just referred me to each other when i called 111) they all said that it doesn't sound like its coming from my heart, despite hearing this im still very worried and keep checking (surprise surprise lol)

i have been diagnosed with GAD and other anxieties and ive had chest pain in the past and had some ECGs done, but because that was a few years ago and the pain was a little different, it makes me worry what if it's different this time.

i'm not sure what i'm looking for here, but maybe some advice? i know i can just wait it out like i've done in the past but i fear that if i ignore it ill be overlooking something serious like heart problem or a heart attack??


thank you to anyone who reads or replies

 

[Bobnnat]

Hi Puru,

My guess is GERD (reflux) or muscular. I’ve had the type of pain you describe and when all was said and done it was muscular, from unconciously tensing the muscles constantly. At 23 and with the past testing it is highly unlikely heart related. At your age that would only be if you had some issue you were born with, and the testing would have showed that. I’m not medically trained, but i have a PhD in Health anxiety! As a patient, not medical schooling.

 

[bin_tenn]

At 23, especially without any underlying / congenital heart defects, your chances are next to zero for any sort of cardiac event. Trust your doctor(s), they know what they're doing. I know anxiety makes us doubt the professionals, but I assure you they know exactly what to look for. I agree with @Bobnnat that it is likely GERD or a musculo-skeletal issue.

 

[Guitarist41]

I have acid reflux, and it really causes a lot of issues, that can mimic many things. It could certainly be GERD (which is what it sounds like), could be simply anxiety, could be costocondritis, which is inflammation in the sternum area. This can be be helped with rest and normal OTC pain relievers.

 

[SelfReflective]

Hello, everyone, I hope you're all doing well. i just wanted to see if I could get some advice.
i'm a 23yo female with no health issue that i know of rn, dont smoke and drink etc


i've been having chest pain for over a week now, they vary in location but mainly in the middle of my chest and upper chest, not localised, almost burning too. i can also feel it in my upper back, it's almost like the feeling of having food stuck in your throat/chest but it comes on randomly so im not sure its linked to eating, i've tried to see if exercising brings it on, but i really can't tell, i get some breathlessness with it sometimes but its hard to tell if its just my anxiety. the pain only lasts a few seconds and goes, like in small waves, then comes again at a diffrent random time even when im lying down.

i've somehow managed to speak to 4 different doctors about it in the last week, (not intentionally they just referred me to each other when i called 111) they all said that it doesn't sound like its coming from my heart, despite hearing this im still very worried and keep checking (surprise surprise lol)

i have been diagnosed with GAD and other anxieties and ive had chest pain in the past and had some ECGs done, but because that was a few years ago and the pain was a little different, it makes me worry what if it's different this time.

i'm not sure what i'm looking for here, but maybe some advice? i know i can just wait it out like i've done in the past but i fear that if i ignore it ill be overlooking something serious like heart problem or a heart attack??


thank you to anyone who reads or replies

I have the same symptoms, I really started to think I had the virus and was on my deathbed with tight chest, strange dull pain in the middle of my back, sudden sharp pains here and there, warm butterfly sensation in my lungs and stomach... at one point I really did think I was having a heart attack, called my doctor, called the emergency unit, they all told me to take something to call me down (my first Xanax ever), and wait a while...I'm still alive.

I actually had some medical tests done few days ago, including my chest and heart, everything is normal and I believe I'm not infected. I've never had these symptoms before, but it's being going on since a week ago, so...all the objective evidence points to it being anxiety produced.

We have a little derelict place outside the city and when we climb the hill behind the house and sit on the grass and soak in the sun and experience nature in full spring...it's great, all the heaviness lifts. When I come back home and think of work and corona and when all this will end and my toddler needs constant attention, yes, it's difficult to stay sane.

 

[purupura]

Hello everyone @SelfReflective @Bobnnat @Guitarist41 @bin_tenn

im sorry for taking a while to reply to all of you, thank you so so much for the advice and the reassurance it has all been very helpful. i feel alot better now and the pains have improved a little, when i exercise or get my heart racing, i dont get the pain so i figured that means it isnt heart related hopefully?

anyways thank you all again and i hope youre all doing well