Dealing with Heart Anxiety

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Haileyside

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Hi everybodyI've been dealing with a lot of anxiety about heart problems; that's because I tend to have scary PVC's from time to time (I give you a bit of an account of all this in ), I have some sharp (but mild) left chest and jaw pain also from time to time, and I have several people in my family who died from heart problems (including my mother with a sudden death at 67). I have made several tests (dozens of EKG's and two Echocardiograms, two stress EKG's and even a Holter EKG), I have been to the ER several times, and I have been diagnosed with... nothing! (appart from a false tendon in the left ventricle, which may explain the PVC's). So, I shouldn't be concerned, especially since I'm only 36, I usually have a 11/6 blood pressure and a cholesterol which is above 190. But still... There are the little pain spots, always on the left side...Anyway, this isn't a heart forum, nor even a "people with anxiety about heart conditions" forum. But, in the last week (or a bit more), I've experienced pain on the left hand (all over) and under my left arm; it comes and goes, it hits different spots on the hand and arm, but it may last for several minutes and even hours when it's there. I began to think that it could be again a new symptom of a possible heart attack; I went, after two or three days, to a doctor, who performed the basic tests and found everything was normal with the heart. And it's true that, after several more days, I'm still here, and the pain is not worse. And it also began to appear on the right hand, although much less and with less strength.So, I would like to ask:- could this be the famous cramps that many people refer and that I usually ignore and am happy not to have? How would you describe the cramps? Shouldn't it be something stronger but shorter, lasting for some seconds or minutes? Should it stay for days or weeks on the same spots? Or could this be something else? Could it be MS?Also, if someone else experiences chest pains (should they be called chest muscle cramps?) with no apparent heart problems, I would be grateful to know about it.Thanks for your supportCarlos
 
The cramps that I have are LEG calf cramps like those horrible "Charlie Horses". I'm sure you have had them. Also, on my same left leg, my foot gets a cramp that really hurts. I have to get up and walk on it and force it to bend...after walking for awhile, it will stop hurting. My toes will also at times cramp.
 
I have had muscle tension and twitching under my arms and along my rib cage since all this started for me two years ago. Pain is a hard thing to describe accurately since it is so subjective. I get visible twitching so the "pain" I get in places that twitch I attribute to the twitching problem whatever it is. If your pain is similar to the pain you get in the areas you know you twitch in, even if it is not identical, it may very well be related. Nerves produce different sensations depending on where they are in your body. I know this condtion that people here call bfs is very systemic and can effect any place you have muscle which would include the chest. I hope you get some clarification someone how.
 
Hi Carlos - You have posted on some of my concerns before when I posted under monicaclifton. I have had chest pains as well. I went to the dr. once ( I was sick with bronchitis ) but mentioned the chest pains along with the arm and hand pains I was having. The dr. did an EKG and it was abnormal so he sent me to a cardiologist. The cardiologist did a repeat EKG and it came back abnormal as well but he did an exam and asked all kinds of questions and said he doubts it's anything serious since I was not having any other symptoms. I told him about the twitching and tremors to which he basically said nothing. He did notfurther tests even though My primary doctor sent me there for an echo cardiogram. The cardiologist thought it was pointless. I do also have strange feelings in my heart and I have a very strong heat beat that I can visibly see through my shirt. It beats so hard that it actually makes me move back and forth to it's beat. I have a hard time deciding if I have a full body tremor or if it's just me moving to the beat of my heart! It's very frustrating because when I'm still..... I can feel it along with my hands, head, and abdomen throbbing. I recently went to my neurologist and I mentioned the strong heart beat and she suggested I try a beta blocker. She said it helps with internal tremors and to try it and see if it helps. She said she saw no sign of outward tremors on me though. Anyhow...... The cramping I would describe as a dull ache. Almost like what you might thing arthritis might feel like. It's not like extreme pain or anything. It seems like with this bfs thing there's the potential for new symptoms to constantly be popping up and when they do the anxiety starts all over again!
 
Carlos, I have had similar issues. I've had loads of left-sided chest pain, I have a heart murmur (PVC), have experienced terrible fullness in the chest, skipped heart beats, and from time to time, left arm pain. I had all the tests, just like you, and the doctors said the same thing...my heart is in great working order. These symptoms predate my bfs. I think, those of us who are susceptible to bfs, are also susceptible to feeling other odd things. It IS all one body, after all. Personally, I think the heart concerns are (not to be gross) a build up of gas in the intestines. This in turn creates force on other things that make us feel pain in the chest.At any rate, I've had those pains since I was 20 years old, and I'm now 50, and last week climbed a mountain. I think we're good. :D) Basso
 
If an EMG is 'not clean' so what does this mean? What is the next step? My neuro so far or my GP, neither have suggested an EMG, so am curious.
 
Emg's are used by the doctors to assuage our anxiety. If any of us had anything wrong the emg would be used just to confirm what was already painfully and horribly obvious. I've never had an emg and I would never go for one. In fact, having an emg, in most cases, means you are actually fostering your anxiety.When our bfs began, why did we all jump to the crazy conclusion that we had something terminal? IMO, this question is more important than any other.Basso
 
Carlos,This can be associated with simple muscle spasms, BFS, anxiety, overuse and postural issues, GI as Basso stated as well as refux. Of course left sided chest pain should never EVER be taken lightly - this is my PSA and should be investigated. So...when you have had the tests for the heart and they are unremarkable then we look to the others. Do you have heartburn, hoarseness, phlegmy throat, dry cough? IF so then this may be reflux. Otherwise I would chalk it up to this if you are twitchy and crampy or just yet another example of not only how sensitive our nerves are but how hypersensitive WE are once we have a tendency to spiral:)Great to see you Basso...big big smooches sweetie I have missed you!Smooches,Kit
 

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