MKLowTone
09-04-2006, 12:13 PM
OK I should say at the outset that I do suffer from anxiety and understand how that works. But to me this doesn't feel like an anxiety-related thing...
Basically I'm having chest discomfort, some mild shoulder pain and the same in my neck. My breathing often feels a bit restricted (as if I can't quite get in a proper deep breath) and my fingers tingle ever so slightly sometimes
Over time I've had many tests, ECGs (one a couple of months back), echo test (a year ago now - it was June 2005), stress ECG (same day as the echo test), blood tests (thyroid, liver, blood sugar - all twice - both times 100% fine). The only thing that has ever been found out of the normal was my white count, once (and even then it was at 11 I think, which I was told by the doctor was only really at the higher end of normal anyway, and if there really was something wrong it wouldn't be the only 'bad' reading anyway).
I'll start with the neck pain. It's only milde (say 2 or 3 out of 10) and passes very quickly. It's further back than the glands but not as far back as the visible neck muscle that joins with the shoulders. It's also closer to the jaw than it is to the shoulders (about 1/3 of the way from the jaw down).
the shoulder pain is the same low intensity and short duration as the neck pain, seems to be more on the outside of the ball joint than in the shoulder blade. It's felt on the top of the shoulder rather than the front or back.
The chest discomfort and restricted breathing seem to be more focussed on the upper chest (nipple level and above), though occasionally the lower chest also (roughly down to the bottom of the ribcage). It's very rarely felt as any pain, and even when it is it's the same low intensity and short duration again. The restricted breathing is a lot more often and longer duration, but does not feel like a pressure on the chest. If anything I'd say that feels like a pressure from the inside trying to get out. Also I'd say it feel like if I vomited it would purge something but I feel no need to do so (I'm not nauseaous, but feel like there's possibly an obstruction somewhere)
I also feel week and tired quite often
My doctor has now referred me to a neurologist to see if there's anything wrong with the muscles themselves in that sense
What's really got me worried is that I've been seeing an acupuncturist and having chiropractic treatment and both of them say that I'm getting much better (and I can feel that it's true) and time between visits is increasing, yet I'm still experiencing these debilitating symptoms.
My heart rate is fine, my blood pressure is ok (usually about 135/85, a little high but nothing to actually worry about) and my diet is pretty much impeccible (thanks to a nutritionist taking me off processed food and putting me onto oily fish, soup and fresh veg)
I ballooned 3 stone in about 6 months and have lost most of it in about the same time, thanks to the nutritionist (but that weightloss has slowed down a lot now)
Can anybody suggest anything else that could be going on? Has anybody experienced anything similar? I'm at my wits' end. I feel like my body is conspiring against me to just get on and live my life. I find it hard to even do daily tasks like the laundry or the dishes because I can't ignore the fact that I have some or other symptoms nearly constantly.
Basically I'm having chest discomfort, some mild shoulder pain and the same in my neck. My breathing often feels a bit restricted (as if I can't quite get in a proper deep breath) and my fingers tingle ever so slightly sometimes
Over time I've had many tests, ECGs (one a couple of months back), echo test (a year ago now - it was June 2005), stress ECG (same day as the echo test), blood tests (thyroid, liver, blood sugar - all twice - both times 100% fine). The only thing that has ever been found out of the normal was my white count, once (and even then it was at 11 I think, which I was told by the doctor was only really at the higher end of normal anyway, and if there really was something wrong it wouldn't be the only 'bad' reading anyway).
I'll start with the neck pain. It's only milde (say 2 or 3 out of 10) and passes very quickly. It's further back than the glands but not as far back as the visible neck muscle that joins with the shoulders. It's also closer to the jaw than it is to the shoulders (about 1/3 of the way from the jaw down).
the shoulder pain is the same low intensity and short duration as the neck pain, seems to be more on the outside of the ball joint than in the shoulder blade. It's felt on the top of the shoulder rather than the front or back.
The chest discomfort and restricted breathing seem to be more focussed on the upper chest (nipple level and above), though occasionally the lower chest also (roughly down to the bottom of the ribcage). It's very rarely felt as any pain, and even when it is it's the same low intensity and short duration again. The restricted breathing is a lot more often and longer duration, but does not feel like a pressure on the chest. If anything I'd say that feels like a pressure from the inside trying to get out. Also I'd say it feel like if I vomited it would purge something but I feel no need to do so (I'm not nauseaous, but feel like there's possibly an obstruction somewhere)
I also feel week and tired quite often
My doctor has now referred me to a neurologist to see if there's anything wrong with the muscles themselves in that sense
What's really got me worried is that I've been seeing an acupuncturist and having chiropractic treatment and both of them say that I'm getting much better (and I can feel that it's true) and time between visits is increasing, yet I'm still experiencing these debilitating symptoms.
My heart rate is fine, my blood pressure is ok (usually about 135/85, a little high but nothing to actually worry about) and my diet is pretty much impeccible (thanks to a nutritionist taking me off processed food and putting me onto oily fish, soup and fresh veg)
I ballooned 3 stone in about 6 months and have lost most of it in about the same time, thanks to the nutritionist (but that weightloss has slowed down a lot now)
Can anybody suggest anything else that could be going on? Has anybody experienced anything similar? I'm at my wits' end. I feel like my body is conspiring against me to just get on and live my life. I find it hard to even do daily tasks like the laundry or the dishes because I can't ignore the fact that I have some or other symptoms nearly constantly.
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midwest1
09-04-2006, 01:25 PM
Make sure someone tests your thyroid. I had neck/shoulder/upper back pain for many years. Finally, I started having chest pressure and breathing problems during exercise. After the cardiac workup showed nothing, and doctors wanted to focus solely on treatment for gastric trouble which didn't completely fix the problems, I went searching the internet to find what else it might be. It was indeed my thyroid.
Low thyroid causes generalized muscle weakness, which accounted for the breathing trouble and chest pressure. In your case, it also may account for the anxiety, tiredness, and weight gain, as well. The thyroid gland plays a role in every single bodily and mental thought process that occurs, so it may present symptoms in any of them.
Be aware that many doctors will perform only one thyroid test - the TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone). They will look at that one result and pronounce your thyroid fit and well, even when it may be far from well. If that happens, don't feel silly seeking another opinion. The interpretation of thyroid tests is an art, not a science.
If I'm wrong, I hope you will find the real cause very soon.
Low thyroid causes generalized muscle weakness, which accounted for the breathing trouble and chest pressure. In your case, it also may account for the anxiety, tiredness, and weight gain, as well. The thyroid gland plays a role in every single bodily and mental thought process that occurs, so it may present symptoms in any of them.
Be aware that many doctors will perform only one thyroid test - the TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone). They will look at that one result and pronounce your thyroid fit and well, even when it may be far from well. If that happens, don't feel silly seeking another opinion. The interpretation of thyroid tests is an art, not a science.
If I'm wrong, I hope you will find the real cause very soon.
MKLowTone
09-04-2006, 03:02 PM
Well to be honest the weight gain was my own fault - I came back from university and sat around the house eating too much :)
But yeah I'll bring up the thyroid again, since it was a year ago I had it tested and the results came back fine, but I wasn't feeling like this then (it was just one of the tests they ran to rule it out as a cause of anxiety at the time)
But yeah I'll bring up the thyroid again, since it was a year ago I had it tested and the results came back fine, but I wasn't feeling like this then (it was just one of the tests they ran to rule it out as a cause of anxiety at the time)
thegardener
09-13-2006, 09:51 AM
If you are stressed you can tighten your chest which then restricts your breathing and causes pain. When these symptoms start, take slow deep breathes by pushing out your tummy when you breathe. This is called abdominal breathing and it works because you are assisting your diaphragm. Also, try to calm yourself. The breathing can be calming also. Good luck.