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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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@dougajoi I understand what you mean but....we can't change our physiological differences I guess (don't know enough to make a judgement) but life experiences don't need to rule our lives. Once we realize what our issues are we can work at changing the way we think about and handle them. I did not have a great childhood and for a while it affected how I reacted, how I thought about issues etc and at some point realized I didn't 'have' to accept that; that I could make my own decisions and not let whatever happened get in the way. It takes a while and even today, at age 85, I find myself fighting my negative reactions, thoughts and aiming at making things easier for myself. This reduces my anxiety as then I am in control There are some things that I have no control, or little control over but I try my best.
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2 ReactionsHaving worked in the medical field in several different positions I recall the 'old ways' and I am saddened by todays conditions. Many doctors out there who do not seem to care like they used to - brushing off or ignoring what a patient tells them (making up their minds without enough information), being rushed through an appointment, office staff who seem to rush through their duties as if they don't care one way or the other. Not all, mind you, but I've certainly met up with some of them. The ER problem is really terrible - on my last visit to ER I was not triaged until TWO hours after arrival. After going through triage I waited another FOUR hours and finally left. Ended up having to find someone to drive me almost 30 miles to the next close st ER. Completely different - triaged immediately and after 10 minutes wait was taken to treatment area. Was kept overnight anfor treatment and discharged next day. The first hospital has spent millions of dollars in past three years making modifications in the building but the hands=on areas like ER, laboratory, radiology, etc have been ignored - limited seating, low staff, etc. Bah, humbug.
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1 ReactionI am a bit anxious but I'm worried either way because I've had some pulsing in and out chest pain? What causes this.. it's not a heart thing right?
That comes from muscle tension and anxiety, not the heart.
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1 ReactionIf you've had recent workups including ECG and Echo, and you don't have serious ischemia or valve problems, your organs seem find, blood chemistry is 'normal', it's something else. Spasms, normal aging ligament stiffness, maybe some neuropathy. If you haven't been assessed in a couple of years, it's time.
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3 ReactionsI have Some of your symptoms & my cardiologist says the same thing. My chest hurts regularly