1. < Depression & Anxiety

Feeling Alone w/ Anxiety, Depression + Unexplained Chest Pain

Posted by kaitlynottum @kaitlynottum, Mar 14, 2021

Hi, my name is Kaitlyn, I'm 27 years old and lately it's been feeling like I've been struggling, I have a therapist I talk to and I have some support from my family but sometimes my symptoms are too much. I've been having a lot of chest pain, it goes to my back and in my arm and I've been to the ER several times this month alone feeling like I'm going to have a heart attack or some kind of heart thing happen. Every single test they've done, they find nothing at all and of course that's reassuring but then I got home and the pain came back and came on worse, I've tried talking to my aunt about it but she gets angry with me when I bring up my chest pain and my palpitations because I've been to the hospital so much for it and they've never found anything.

I had my first cardiac cath done when I was eighteen and it's been an on going problem since then. I have had CT's, scopes done on my esophagus, a few echos, a ton of EKG's, event monitors, holter monitors, lots of blood work ups and a lot of x-rays as well. Every time I go to the ER they always come back normal, nothing is ever wrong which don't get me wrong I'm thankful for but then again it's frustrating not to know why I'm in constant pain every single day and why sometimes it gets worse and why it changes. Cardiologists always tell me I'm too young, I have risk facts like obesity, HBP, diabetes but they continue to tell me they think I'm too young. I've been on several pain medications that don't help with this pain and I'm on several medications now to help with the HBP, cholesterol and my anxiety, have been on so many different ones since I was 13. I don't know if this pain is my anxiety manifesting itself like people have told me but I'm scared and I feel like I have nobody right now. I have been diagnosed with chronic anxiety, severe depression, panic disorder and a few other things.

Sorry if this post was triggering for some, I just feel like I could use people who can relate.

Thank you.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Depression & Anxiety Support Group.

doorman | @doorman | Jul 16, 2022
In reply to @kaitlynottum "I honestly feel like I'm going crazy sometimes with anxiety and panic attacks, nothing feels like..." + (show)
@kaitlynottum

I honestly feel like I'm going crazy sometimes with anxiety and panic attacks, nothing feels like it's helping and no matter what advice I take from my therapist I still constantly have fear. I have chest pain constantly and have had many, many, many trips to the ER and cardiologist and several tests done and things to rule out my heart but no matter what I always feel like it is my heart and I have these impending doom thoughts and sometimes I get so scared of the pain that I can't sleep or am afraid to sleep and it's getting to the point when I go to ER with these symptoms, they do an EKG and tell me I'm fine, sending me home, sometimes blood work is done but not always. I've been to several ER departments trying to find out if there is any cause but any of them tell me everything is normal and to follow up with my PCP but they can't even tell me what it could be. I feel like a lost cause sometimes. I just have no idea what to do anymore with these feelings. I just wish I could go one day without feeling this pain or feeling like something awful is going to happen to me. I really hope I don't sound like a maniac.

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You probably have “health anxiety disorder” which used to be called Hypochondria.” It can be a very scary disorder. There are several good meds for your anxiety. Please see your Dr. and don’t go to the emergency room. You can overcome this feeling….you are in good health…really.

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mattie | @mattie | Jul 16, 2022
In reply to @dianecostella "Have you tried anti depressants that help anxiety?Also have they prescribed Klonopin or Xanax for to..." + (show)
@dianecostella

Have you tried anti depressants that help anxiety?Also have they prescribed Klonopin or Xanax for to use only in a panic attack. My psychiatrist prescribes Zoloft and Klonopin. The Klonpin is a small strength to get me through.

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I use the same 2 to help me.

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Francine Hardaway | @fhardaway1 | Jul 18, 2022
In reply to @kaitlynottum "I honestly feel like I'm going crazy sometimes with anxiety and panic attacks, nothing feels like..." + (show)
@kaitlynottum

I honestly feel like I'm going crazy sometimes with anxiety and panic attacks, nothing feels like it's helping and no matter what advice I take from my therapist I still constantly have fear. I have chest pain constantly and have had many, many, many trips to the ER and cardiologist and several tests done and things to rule out my heart but no matter what I always feel like it is my heart and I have these impending doom thoughts and sometimes I get so scared of the pain that I can't sleep or am afraid to sleep and it's getting to the point when I go to ER with these symptoms, they do an EKG and tell me I'm fine, sending me home, sometimes blood work is done but not always. I've been to several ER departments trying to find out if there is any cause but any of them tell me everything is normal and to follow up with my PCP but they can't even tell me what it could be. I feel like a lost cause sometimes. I just have no idea what to do anymore with these feelings. I just wish I could go one day without feeling this pain or feeling like something awful is going to happen to me. I really hope I don't sound like a maniac.

Jump to this post

I have had health anxiety my entire life. I have your same symptoms. However, I am now 81 so it has been good for one thing: I sleep well, exercise, eat clean, and don't try drugs. That being said, I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy because it interferes with my enjoying the time I have left. I am already on an antidepressant that is supposed to be good for this but it isn't working.
I feel like I am under stress, but it is stress I give myself.

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1 reply
Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Jul 19, 2022
In reply to @fhardaway1 "I have had health anxiety my entire life. I have your same symptoms. However, I am..." + (show)
@fhardaway1

I have had health anxiety my entire life. I have your same symptoms. However, I am now 81 so it has been good for one thing: I sleep well, exercise, eat clean, and don't try drugs. That being said, I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy because it interferes with my enjoying the time I have left. I am already on an antidepressant that is supposed to be good for this but it isn't working.
I feel like I am under stress, but it is stress I give myself.

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@fhardaway Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. For me, recognizing that certain factors are under my control has helped a lot! It goes a long way to make a situation less overwhelming, and when I can get out of my own way to address it, that mountain doesn't seem so high. I applaud you for working on understanding what is causing anxiety in your life.

Writing down what is rattling around in my head has been beneficial for me. Sometimes all it does is leave more room for more negativity, but over time I can definitely see the spaces fill in with better thoughts! Have you tried doing any journaling? We have a discussion for that! https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/journaling-the-write-stuff-for-you/
Ginger

REPLY
linh | @linh | Jul 20, 2022
In reply to @kaitlynottum "I honestly feel like I'm going crazy sometimes with anxiety and panic attacks, nothing feels like..." + (show)
@kaitlynottum

I honestly feel like I'm going crazy sometimes with anxiety and panic attacks, nothing feels like it's helping and no matter what advice I take from my therapist I still constantly have fear. I have chest pain constantly and have had many, many, many trips to the ER and cardiologist and several tests done and things to rule out my heart but no matter what I always feel like it is my heart and I have these impending doom thoughts and sometimes I get so scared of the pain that I can't sleep or am afraid to sleep and it's getting to the point when I go to ER with these symptoms, they do an EKG and tell me I'm fine, sending me home, sometimes blood work is done but not always. I've been to several ER departments trying to find out if there is any cause but any of them tell me everything is normal and to follow up with my PCP but they can't even tell me what it could be. I feel like a lost cause sometimes. I just have no idea what to do anymore with these feelings. I just wish I could go one day without feeling this pain or feeling like something awful is going to happen to me. I really hope I don't sound like a maniac.

Jump to this post

In my personal experience and observations fear of a body part can be passed down through family. For example my maternal grandmother had breast cancer and underwent a "radical mastectomy". She thought her surgeon had maimed her. Needless to say my mother developed fear about this and her fear has been passed down to her daughters. My mother really carried it to the extreme by not allowing my sister to pursue becoming a physician, and avoiding doctors altogether herself. This leads me to wonder if you have any family history of heart related issues? If by chance you do it might be of help airing them with your therapist if you haven't done so already.

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angieb16 | @angieb16 | Jan 21, 2023

I know it’s been a little over a year but how have you been feeling? I am getting the same symptoms as you chest pain fast heart rate and having anxiety cuz I am scared as well

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