Hi all this is a medical Q. i suffer with anxiety / dep but i always get tummy and chest pain iv been to the d

Question

by the doctor keeps telling me its not cardio its chest wall pain does anyone else get this and could offer any way of releaving
the pain or stress iam 46 male thankyou in advance. i hope you can make sense of this i messed it up a bit sorry

Answer 1

It sounds like indigestion to me, coupled with muscular tension caused by stress. Here is a possible cure:-

1. Believe your doctor - they know what they are about. Chest pain can be "referred" from other organs in the torso, particularly the stomach. Chest pain does not neccessarily indicate heart disease.

2. Kill the stomach problems by eating regularly, in small amounts. Avoid an excess of red meat - the digestion of such releases hydrochloric acid which will irritate the stomach - if you are anxious, your stomach will already be inflamed as a result of the release of adrenalin by your internal system. Eat every two-three hours; try bread, with butter (not margarine - full of antagonists) - rice (boiled), custard, semolina, vegetables. Cook your own food - do not rely on take-aways or packeted food, which can be full of additives such as Monosodiumglutamate (MSG) - a flavour enhancer that can disguise the taste of bad meat.

3. If you wish to smoke, do so. Smoke a pipe, do not inhale, and limit yourself to 10 fills per day. Avoid cigarettes - the crap that is added to them to make them burn will really bugger your guts, not to mention your lungs. However, so many people drive themselves bonkers having withdrawn reluctantly from smoking, that the Medical profession should be looking at a balance between benefit and harm for smokers and ex-smokers.

4. If you drink alcohol, avoid gassy lager and cheap white wine. Try real ale, if you live in the UK.

5. Avoid medicines that are not prescribed by your doctor.

6. Keep a diary. Note your worst experiences, try to think of a cause for these experiences, and what you did to make things feel better. Do not feel guilty if you took a smoke, or a whisky, or went out and bought sex from a sex-industry worker, or whatever. As long as you do no harm to others. Be prepared to show your diary to your doctor - it will give him or her a valuable insight in to what makes you tick, and what sods you up. Admit everything in the diary - even thoughts that you have that may be vile to you - for example, having homosexual thoughts if you are heterosexual, wanting to get drunk, feeling that you wish to kill the guy next door because he makes a noise when you are trying to sleep.Jot it down, when it happens, no matter how bizarre (or even illegal) it seems. If you fantasize about killing your ex-wife, or the teenager up the road who plays music too loud, write it down. You can only be arrested if you actually commit the crime!

7. Do not be ashamed of having anxiety and depression. Mental illness is as valid an illness as cancer or influenza.
Contact me through Yahoo if my answer has helped.

Answer 2

I get chest pain when I get stressed. It's genetic, from my mother, and at least one other of my siblings gets it as well. It feels like a sharp, driving pain in the center of my chest over the breastbone. There's muscle there, though not much, and they tighten up when you freak out over stuff. Stomach problems is also a sign of stress and depression (which I also have and am being medicated for). Breathing hurts when you're having them. I found the only thing that really helped was to hang out with someone I knew could make me laugh and take my mind off things. If I'm calm, I don't have to worry about it, and laughter makes me happy. Muscle relaxers can also help, and my doctor has prescribed those to me when it gets really, intolerably bad. You can also try music that you know calms you, going to a nice, quiet spot in the woods and just blanking your mind, or exercise. Good luck!

Answer 3

Please note - I've got no medical experience or knowledge at all - I'm speaking only from personal experience as I have also been through anxiety linked depression (through stress), and recently came off a course of drugs intended to treat this.

I used to get occasional chest pain (center/left, sort of semi-burning, poking sensation), which I have tackled moderately successfully in two ways:

1. Through a chiropractor (after consulting GP, who believed it was NOT a cardio problem, but possibly severe indigestion). Apparently sometimes muscle manipulation (stomach muscles) can help with this!

2. Change of diet to include a lot more fibre, less processed foods, etc - all common sense stuff.

I've also changed jobs, which has made a massive different in other areas!

Hope you feel better in the near future!

Answer 4

How old are you? If you are young, below 35, I would say you are having panic attacks. It seems so because of your heart rate and blood pressure. But, you should make a note of what precipitates it. I have a cousin who is undergoing similar thing. Every single test is normal and she's only 32 also. She just panics for no reason at all actually. She will be walking and I think the thoughts that come to her mind trigger her panic (it is not actually happening). So try to get rid of any thoughts like that, meditate a little bit, and keep your mind clear. Exercise, to keep your body and mind fit.

Answer 5

Once the pain is there it's real and even if it was caused by tension, it still hurts. Modern pain relieving gels, anti inflamatory, bought over the counter without presciption, can be very helpful. Massage in when the pain is there, you'll feel a lot better.

Answer 6

Welcome to the anxiety/depression club, you're in the very best of company. ahem.
I don't think your gp is being very helpful, these physical symptoms aren't uncommon. Relaxation techniques work fine for me - when I'm not that stressed; in a stressful situation telling me to relax is useless. They sound daft but really are worth a try, every evening when you're relaxing at home.
And do as much as you can to make your environment less stressful, even if it means changing jobs. And while you're at it, try looking for a more sympathetic and clued up gp!

Answer 7

Dear anxiety, What you are suffering is called a panic attack,,feels like it could be a heart attack, and the nerves are also taking over in your stomach,, I take it you are on an antidepressant? But when the panic attack comes you need diazapam, or something in the family to get that to settle down...I suffer the same thing, I know your feelings.. Regards

Answer 8

I have been having chest pain also ...I found some thing called ANGINA I think I spelled it right... Pull it up and see if it sounds like what you are talking about....I 'm going to Dr. in a week & going to ask more about it then ...I'm 47 female...Better safe than sorry. You take care of yourself.....Thanks

Answer 9

Hi there, I just laugh about my past 3 years of panic now. I was not able to go anywhere without carrying xanax. Fear of having another attack was the most important subject of my days.When i first found joe barry's web site i started to cry because of my happiness.

Free audio to end anxiety and panic attacks fast?

Answer 10

Anxiety and depression can cause all sorts of physical symptoms. Are you on an anti-anxiety/anti-depressant medication? If not, then I suggest you get on something. If you are unhappy with the answers your current doctor is giving you then seek a second opinion elsewhere.