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Chronic chest pain: How do you manage anxiety and cardiac issues?
Hello everyone-I'm almost 52, female, and I have chronic left sided chest pain. I have a history of a left bundle branch block, SVT, implanted loop monitor, resolved non ischemic cardiomyopathy, and chronic chest pain. And I have an anxiety disorder which has become a convienient catch all for my complaints by the medical field. I've had chronic left sided chest pain, shortness of breath, and back pain for 10 years. Every cardiac test I have had has come back normal, but I still feel awful. It's very frustrating and my cardiologist suggested I go to Mayo. It's hard because I am also a cardiac nurse and I know all the scary things that can go wrong. Most days I fight the urge to go the ER to get checked out because my chest hurts so much. Does anyone else live with chronic chest pain that isn't due to a blockage or blood flow problem? How do you deal with it?
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@babyblues262 where does one go for that?
Your outlook on life sounds like depression talking.
If so, depression, can cause and even mimic many physical symptoms that largely arise from the brain, not the body.
I have experienced depression on and off my whole life which spurned a multitude of physical complaints, none of which were able to be diagnosed. I’ve come to the realization (along with my doctors) that this is psychogenic pain – essentially neuropathies within the body that that unfortunately replicate whatwe are all afraid of such as heart, disease, cancer, etc.
I hope you can find some relief.
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2 ReactionsI have chronic stable angina. I am taking 3 meds for it…Ranexa, Imdur and Metoprolol. Been doing the 3 for 5 years now…scary at first but now just a part of life. Metoprolol also helps with anxiety…I use Nitro tabs when I have breakthrough angina. I head to the ER when 3 tabs don’t do the trick.
Hang in there and take some deep breaths. I hope you find someone willing to help. Anxiety makes angina worse… Keep the faith and try to stay in the present. To find the present, look around and take in the sights. When you see that there is not any threat…then you are in the present, a gift.
All the best to you and hugs!
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4 ReactionsMy history includes a CABG and then a stent when a graft failed a year later. It has been a year since the stent. I'm 68, male and was in generally strong condition when all this started. I lost 40 pounds along the way and still haven't regained the physical conditioning. The weight I can live without.
I also spend a lot of time worrying about chest pains. I have them almost constantly and the only explanation I've been given is that I have a lot of scar tissue and hence chest pains. It is scary, particularly because I also have routine shortness of breath and light headedness. I'm hoping these are side effects of medication and they don't impact my daily functions. The worst episodes over the past year seem to be anxiety related and I've recently started EMDR therapy. I think the EMDR process has real potential as it forces a deep dive into the traumas that are at the root of the anxiety issues. It seems more helpful than traditional talk therapy, which didn't do a lot of real good for me.
Best of luck and thanks for the post.
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4 ReactionsI sincerely hope things improve greatly for you.
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2 ReactionsI have a very strong fear of death I also have anxiety and I found out that I have a heart blockage of 50% lad
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