Panic Attacks Support Group

A panic attack is a period of intense fear or discomfort, typically with an abrupt onset and usually lasting no more than thirty minutes. Symptoms include trembling, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, sweating, nausea, dizziness, hyperventilation, and sensations of choking or smothering. Panic attacks can be very sudden, appear to be unprovoked, and are often...

6,157 Members
6,394 Posts
1 Online
Anxiety Disorders
/ Panic Attacks Support Group

back pain, panic, help heart?

pgood
pgood
I have been experiencing muscle spasms in left lateral back area that runs around to left chest, it does not last long, goes away, but then I think I am having cardiac problems, panic and just wait for It to happen again, on pins and needles. One of the docs at work said may be rib out of place and gave me adjustment lol, still having a feeling of not sure what it is, but it makes me sooo nervous. anyone have thoughts.
southsamurai
southsamurai
wellll first off make sure you dont have any cardiac issues. it sucks but panic attacks can feel like heart attacks. if you are like me and have a family history of heart difficulties then that sensation will drive you bonkers with not knowing. i ended up having stress echos and angiograms and xrays.. oh my!... but at least when i got through with all the tests i had the surety that my ticker is almost timex steady on a structural level.

since i also have several back injuries and arthritis in my upper back the chest pain during a panic attack always radiates for me. as i understand things an actual heart attack can present in atypical ways with the pain being in weird places, but it is very very rare for it to do so. so in other words if yu cant tell for sure its not a heart attack then dont take the risk that it might be. as all the doctors and emts and nurses reassured me the 10 times i went to the ER it is far better to be sure than to be sorry
pgood
pgood
thank you, the back spasms finally went away and I was able to identify it as back spasms with help of physical therapist at work, however just when I though I was ok, it hit again same feeling but this time just in my chest cramps, like spasms that well sent me over the edge. I am seeing the doctor on Monday. I know you understand what I mean when I say i just wish I could respond to aches and pains normally, not freak out so much.
Community LeaderMid
Mid
Well, I have extreme startle response, so if I jump and twist or turn just a bit, I have the loaded back muscle spasm, and it took a bit of detective work to figure out exactly what triggers the whole episode.

Where the cause is not known, a trip to ER is the safest method.

Hopefully, your doctor is able to help you!
Posts You May Be Interested In
  • GreenEyes727

    Dummy Me

    Posted by: GreenEyes727
    Last Reply: MelT2020
    3
    I did the dumbest thing today.  I charged my earbuds, unplugged the block and put the block in my little bag instead of the earbuds.  I wasn't happy about that when I got to the gym.  What a dummy!
  • GreenEyes727

    Reality Check

    Posted by: GreenEyes727
    Last Reply: GreenEyes727
    6
    Years ago, I won a mirrored armoire from my job.  It's in my bedroom but I rarely stand in front of it.  Yesterday, I had to have a dexascan done so I had to change into a gown.  There was a full length mirror in the changing room.  I'm aware that I gained 5 to 7 pounds over the last year from cheating on Keto but I didn't know what it looked like.  It was a reality check.