[Brokenfriend]

I keep getting this pain in the middle of my chest because of anxiety. It's not my heart,or any other physical condition.

I've had this pain off, and on for years. I've worn out t-shirts,and sweaters right in the middle of them,from rubbing the center of my chest.

Is this rare with anxiety? Am I the only one? What is this? BF

[Brokenfriend]

No one? BF

[Idealist]

I've been getting a very sharp pain in my chest for years. For some reason it gives me the impression of a bubble of air where it shouldn't be, and if I take very small sips of water for about fifteen or twenty minutes, the pain will work away. Not sure if that's anything like what you feel. Good luck in finding the cause, and feeling better!

[mrsD]

pains in the chest can be from gas.

As we age we don't digest milk products well, and they can cause gas.

Also, people who are anxious often swallow air, without realizing it. Then they get gas pains if the gas gets trapped.

Gas-X is a simple remedy and works well. Most places have it, commonly in groceries and drugstores, etc.

If you have been worked up by a doctor when you have the pains, and heart issues are ruled out, then think gas. You should always have chest pain evaluated to rule out heart issues.

Some people do get inflammation of the cartilage in the ribs.
This is called costochondritis. It often responds to anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen. This type of pain does not go away with Gas-X treatment.

[Brokenfriend]

Originally Posted by mrsd

pains in the chest can be from gas.

As we age we don't digest milk products well, and they can cause gas.

Also, people who are anxious often swallow air, without realizing it. Then they get gas pains if the gas gets trapped.

Gas-X is a simple remedy and works well. Most places have it, commonly in groceries and drugstores, etc.

If you have been worked up by a doctor when you have the pains, and heart issues are ruled out, then think gas. You should always have chest pain evaluated to rule out heart issues.

Some people do get inflammation of the cartilage in the ribs.
This is called costochondritis. It often responds to anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen. This type of pain does not go away with Gas-X treatment.

Thanks. This is different. The pain is in the middle of my chest,and goes to the left under my left ribs,and sometimes goes to the left part of my back. One time I thought I was having a heart attack,and the doctor gave me a very high dose of Xanax for several days,and that brought it under control.I sometimes pull those muscles around,and that relieves it a little. It's not from heart burn,though I do get heart burn from time,to time.

If I do something that causes anxiety,the pain will come,and sometimes get worse,and worse until I cease what I'm doing. To much reading causes it right now. But thanks for the possible cause. BF

[megveg]

Originally Posted by Brokenfriend

Thanks. This is different. The pain is in the middle of my chest,and goes to the left under my left ribs,and sometimes goes to the left part of my back. One time I thought I was having a heart attack,and the doctor gave me a very high dose of Xanax for several days,and that brought it under control.I sometimes pull those muscles around,and that relieves it a little. It's not from heart burn,though I do get heart burn from time,to time.

If I do something that causes anxiety,the pain will come,and sometimes get worse,and worse until I cease what I'm doing. To much reading causes it right now. But thanks for the possible cause. BF

when i have a panic attack its usually in 2 phases.
the pre-panic which is like really bad dizzying anxiety, and i start to hyperventilate, and then i get this feeling like ive been punched in the sternum, and its terrible it effects my breathing and motion, and then i just have a full out panic attack but that sternum pain stays until long after my panic attack is over.

[Brokenfriend]

I can relate to that. I use to get full blown panic attacks that where so bad that I would have to lie down on my bed. It was like a dark cloud would move over me when I was a teenager. These events frightened me out of my wits,and I would be incompasitated for a short time. They left for years,and then they came back,and then they left again.

Then I had these pains in my chest after they left. My doctors either don't know whats going on,or they keep silent about it. I'm going to see a new therapist within the next two weeks. I'm going to tell the therapist about these pains in my chest. The panic attacks are dormant,but the acute anxiety,and pain are still happening.

I get a tightness in my forehead,throat,and chest with a pain in my chest. The anxiety goes up,and down during the day. The pain comes,and goes according to how my anxiety level is.

Sometimes I have a strange feeling like I'm going to die,with a strange feeling in my chest. I think that's a mild panic attack. I don't have the full blown ones at this time.

I've had different anxiety manifestations that have frightened me out of my wits all my life.

I've told my doctors about these things,but I realize at this point in my life that they have never really known whats going on. Some sit there and act like they do. When they make a medicine mistake,I once again suffer the consequences.

I go in, and out of these upsetting worried states of mind. Sometimes I get depressed. Sometimes things last for months ,or years. Then I feel better after awhile. Then suddenly I'll take a nose dive out of the blue. Then my life is shaken up again.

I also have the OCD traits. I have them bad sometimes. These thoughts sort of explode in my head,and I cannot get these thoughts out of my head.

When people say things, they trigger some of my worse fears. They don't know what they have done to me. I think some people think it's a discipline situation. They don't know that I've just freaked out. They misinterpret whats happening in me.

People just don't understand whats going on,and sometimes they get angry. This causes rejection,and all kinds of pain. They have no clue that they are hurting,and damaging my life even more. Some people are sadistic,and they enjoy throwing me into a head trip. I never understood people like that. Some people have been very mean to me,knowing that I was somewhat fragile. Some people have been rude,and abrupt,and It's hurt me. They just cannot fathom whats going on. They think that I can just snap out of it. They have no clue what they are dealing with. I've been hurt deeply on top of all of this. BF

[dorrie]

I get pain in my chest sometimes. I find that it hits fast when the anxiety producing situation occurs....not always but if the stress is bad it comes...I hate it. At times I experience anticipitory anxiety.....if I get that worked up the pain can be intense.....I belly breathe calmly for a while and stay focused on the breathing. I am aware now why I get the pain and that helps me to deal with it as I know it will pass.

[Brokenfriend]

I have not found to many people who have that pain. The breathing does help,and it does go away,but it comes back. I use to get very tense in my neck area,but it's gone to my chest. I don't know why. Thank you for your reply. Does it ever go to your back? I hope that you feel better,and I hope that your pain stops. Thank you for your input. BF

[gambit82]

Back in June I had my first panic attack. It left me with gas in the chest and acid as well. I can't stop rubbing my chest as well. It's black and blue in the middle now and my shirts all have wrinkle marks in the middle. Have you found any info on how we can stop this habit or any info that has helped / relieved you? Please share your thoughts.