Strange Sensation and Thud in Throat and Upper Chest
 

Well I've been threw the ringer trying to figure out what is causing my symptoms! Maybe someone here will have another idea that I haven't had tested yet.

I'm 31, female, relatively good health but for the past year I have had these spasms, palpitations, thuds, weird sensations in my throat and upper chest. It almost feels like something is tightening in my throat and chest quickly and hard for a moment and then it releases. I thought I was having heart palpitations but the cardio said my heart is perfectly normal (had 30-day monitor, ekgs, adrenal, thyroid, tests and typical blood work ran).

Nothing has come up abnormal so far!!! I am starting to go crazy because I'm not feeling well and none of the doctors have had any answers for me. I'm tired a lot and have strong PMS.

Please, please if anyone has a similar experience or thinks my doctors are missing something let me know. I am feeling really helpless, I know there is something wrong but I just don't know what it is!

Anxiety maybe???
It can cause some strong sensations.

Were you stressed or worried about anything at all when these feelings happened?

Is it only in your throat & chest, nothing noticeable in the neck or shoulders?

There is a nerve that goes around the ribcage.... now I recall the name of it -inter coastal.
I and some others with thoracic outlet syndrome {TOS} have had severe spasms that affected our breathing/chest, felt like our hearts were palpating strangely, and some other oddball things.

Some also went to ER to be checked for heart problems.
I would have but I had read about others experiencing the same symptoms only to find out is was spasms & nerve related.

I realized mine was muscle related as dh & I had just finished doing a week of concrete work.

we have an anxiety forum here if you would like to read up on it -
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum50.html

our TOS forum is here if you want to read more about it-
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum24.html

I have considered anxiety but they don't seem to be specifically linked to stress. They are always in the same area behind the sternum and in the throat area. All of the tests that I have had from the cardiologist indicate that they are not heart palpitations. I haven't heard of any nerve related things that could cause these symptoms but that's a good idea to check into.

I also feel really strange whenever they happen, my neck muscles seem to tighten up or something. I get kind of dizzy and sick feeling. It is so strange. I have really low blood pressure as well which none of my doctors seem to be concerned about. All of my symptoms seem to have started around the time I went off Birth Control pills after being on them for many years. I have no idea if that is related at all.

Thanks for your input! It's very much appreciated!

I have a strange thing that happens sometimes (not frequently).

It feels like a fish is flopping over in my chest. It starts with a tickle at the back of my throat, and thump, and it makes me cough. It comes and goes depending on some mysterious thing inside.

My doctor thinks it might be my hiatal hernia... which I have from a GI birth defect. My stomach is rotated 90 degrees to my back and doctor thinks the upper portion of the stomach is moving up into the chest and when I cough it goes back down.

Here is a diagram:
http://www.medicinenet.com/hiatal_hernia/article.htm

Mine always happens when I am lying down, too. Never sitting up.

I can go months without it acting up.

I think large meals, spicey food, alot of gassy foods (I can't drink carbonated beverages anymore), bending at the waist alot working (gardening/housework) may trigger mine.

It is a really strange feeling but I know it is not my heart.

Try taking your pulse when this happens. If it is normal, then that can quell your anxiety some.

Have you found out what the problem is? I have been having the same issues as you it sounds like - for me about the past 3 or 4 months or so. I haven;t a clue what is causing this!

Yes me too... I feel it go down into my chest I get light headed and it almost feels like my blood pressure rased and then it goes away... I don't know what it could be as my doc did all the test and said I was healthy now I'm like really cuz it feels like I'm about to blow a vein! I'm am over weight but my weight has never did anything to hurt me. Now I'm kind of scared I'm only 33 I don't drink don't smoke and never did drugs. I don't take any medicin so something is going on with my body that has changed on its own. I have noticed like you that my time of the month I have been a little meaner as well... I'm wondering if it has anything to do with my Thyrod. Help did you find out what it was??? Let us all know please!:grouphug:

Jannamay17
 

I have been experiencing the same exact symptoms as you and am wondering if u have made any progress in your search for answers. My symptoms also started after stopping birth control. I have undergone most of the cardiac testing you have as well. I have been having them for aprox 1 year now and desperately want an answer. I'm not sure where else to turn. Let me know if you have gotten any answers! Thank you

Hi

Did you find out the cause to your problem? I have the same problem and doctor is not able to identify the cause. All he tells me is its anxiety and that's not an convincing answer for me.


Thanks
Rajat

Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
 

I am 26, thin, in good health, I don't snore, I am tired all the time, severe heart palpitations, all tests and bloodwork came back normal and then I got married and husband caught me not breathing in my sleep. Severe sleep apnea. I stop breathing 35 times an hour! So many people have this and have no clue because they don't fit the stereotype. I never even remember waking up in my sleep. A sleep study is worth a try!

Bkgould, welcome to NeuroTalk :).

Have you got your doctor to refer you to a sleep apnoea specialist?