I have chronic chest pain since I stopped smoking. All my tests came back normal (my chest pain starts in the middle and radiates up and out). I discovered by accident that my problem was acid reflux. I was put on pepcid twice a day, but it is not strong enough becuz I only get relief for a few hours. I go back to the doctor in a few weeks and I just need something stronger. I've ruled out heart problems (for now) as all my tests are normal and reflux was the only other thing it MIGHT be. My doctor and I keep a close eye on what is going on.
However, my chest pain sounds a bit different than yours. Maybe for peace of mind, you could have a stress test and a chest xray. If they come back normal.....you can chaulk it up to anxiety.

Hi
My chest pain turned out to be combo avid reflux and nasal drip

Kids leaving is a big stressor

Thank you both. Polly, I have been experiencing the nasal drip also. Maybe there is something to that. I thought it was just summer allergies.

Scarlet, I'm not sure how old you, nor do I know your other risk factors for heart disease, but if you are having new symptoms of chest pain I think you should have more than an EKG to work it up. of course if you are 40yo with no risk factors that is a whole lot different than if you are older, overweight, high BP etc.....

so I guess bottom line is of course it can be anxiety, but it can also be heart disease, reflux, musculoskeletal pain, and probably lots of other things....

It could be the positioning of your body and all of the quilting that you are doing, but if it persists then I would go back to your MD just to be safe.

And by the way, I get lots of chest pain which seems to be muscle related as I've had every heart and lung test under the sun.

Good luck and I hope you feel better soon.

Josie

Financial decisions for college is a big anxiety trigger.

Hand-quilting, if it is a hobby for you, is being overwhelming at the moment because of the stress of financial decisions and time limits.

Having been through this nerve-wracking experience twice, I will say this to help your manage the stress to get it back in boundaries of comfort. First, give yourself a set time each day to look at the worries that pop up during the day. Second, set aside a time to quilt for comfort (if it is a hobby, you're doing it for you-and this may help you relax and enjoy the quilting). Third, do a stick drawing of the pain, time, dates, locations, and see if there is a pattern to the pain.

This will help you when you go to the doctor's again, as it will show what's happening, so then you can see what else it might be.

Best wishes, and enjoy the experience!

I get chest pain from anxiety. I had an EKG, ecko cardiogram, and wore a heart monitor for a month. They really thought i had a problem with my heart because i was having palpiations, chest pain, shortness of breath, dizzy and lightheadedness. All the tests came back normal, my dr said i have anxiety. Plus i do have bad heartburn, but i'm to afraid of taking pills, so i eat tums all the time.

Im new here:)
No one around me really knows about anxiety or how to help me cope. I would like to hear from people who also know what Im going through :)