posted
I don't like to complain so much anymore, but I had this symptom forever and it never stops.
I have chest pain in the morning around 7 AM. I ruled out anxiety and interdose withdrawal as a cause, because if I get up for a while, both the pain and the anxiety feeling going away without taking my psychotropics or meds. It's positional. I think the anxiety feeling is secondary to the chest pain, and many things have the ability to set off anxiety.
I thought if I kept prone, perhaps the pain would pass. I've tried that. It doesn't work. I literally have to get up.
I do think it's cardiac, but of course the cardiologist says everything is fine, bla bla bla. And then comes the peace of mind speech. I have told him in the past if he can't find anything, then I need something to block the pain, because there is no such thing as peace of mind.
I have a beta blocker, but it's a poor pain med.
I haven't seen the cardiologist in a while and I am debating on whether I should go back. If I hear the peace of mind speech once more, I'll probably just leave the room.
My CFS doctor obtained irrefutable evidence physical disability through a bike stress test and VO2 (oxygen) readings, so maybe a cardiologist would take me more seriously now instead of looking at my age.
Posts: 967 | From A deserted island without internet access | Registered: Sep 2009
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posted
I would get a new cardiologist !!! If you are a woman we are not taken seriously but heart disease is the number one killer of women. For all women to know that a stress echo only picks up 50% of women's blockages. The reason is women have microvascular disease. The spasms of the smaller vessels. Even when they go into an angiogram they can miss any blockages because the greater vessels are not blocked and the spasms are over. A Cardiac MRI is a very good test for women if you can handle the contrast dye. There is a new gene expression test that just came out called CardioDX that when they went through clinical trials it picked up 89% of blockages in men and women and it is just a blood test !!! Expensive but worth it if you don't want invasive procedures. The positional part is real !!! I have to sleep upright and if I slide down to prone I go into PVCs....Have you had a rhematologist check you for Chondrocondritis? It is the intercostal muscles in spasm and inflammation after being still all night. I hate this too. I sometimes get relief from an inhaler. Do you have any asthma at all? It is all about inflammation whether in your heart, lungs or tissue in the chest. It is very frustrating but don't keep going back to a cardio dr that is just doing nothing !!!! Ask for a Cardio MRI....
Posts: 871 | From orange county, ca. | Registered: Jan 2006
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steve1906
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16206
posted
I have read that people that exercise - lift weights can have this problem.
I've had this problem for three years, never had it befor lyme. My pain can be from 1/2 hour to all day.
-------------------- Everything I say is just my opinion! Posts: 3529 | From Massachusetts Boston Area | Registered: Jul 2008
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lymeinhell
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4622
posted
Have you tried sleeping on an air mattress rather than a regular one? The pressure points from the springs in a regular mattress might be part of the problem. It might not too, but worth throwing out there.
I've been using a Sleep Number bed for 6+ yrs now. When out of town I usually wake up with alot of sore spots from a regular mattress.
It's always scary when it's your chest that hurts, and I too have put myself in near panic attacks when it turns out that my sports bra was just too tight...
I'd find a new cardio that took you seriously. But don't forget to rule out 'chest muscle pain'.
-------------------- Julie _ _ ___ _ _ lymeinhell
Blessed are those who expect nothing, for they shall not be disappointed. Posts: 2258 | From a better place than I was 11 yrs ago | Registered: Sep 2003
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sutherngrl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16270
posted
I was thinking possible costocondritis. Is the pain where you rib cage comes together, right in the middle of your chest? Sometimes pain such as this can be worse in the morning.
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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Carol in PA
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 5338
posted
I get pain in the center of the chest when stomach contents wash up into the esophagus.
It eases when take Tums antacid, which neutralizes the stomach acid, or when I drink something.
Carol
Posts: 6947 | From Lancaster, PA | Registered: Feb 2004
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lululymemom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 26405
posted
Chest pain has been my most distressing symptom over the past 10 years. It started out occasionally and always worse in the morning. Now I have it most of the time.
I've had all the cardiac workups done, and was told it was many things.. Costochondritis, myofacial pain, esophogeal spasms.. you name it..
I've had 3 scopes that show chronic inflammation of the esophagus.. so I'm going with that one. When it got really bad, it would cause my heart to skip or jump into tachycardia mode.
I was told the gut had a nervous system all it's own and can affect the heart as well.
It's extremely painful at times, and I attribute it to Lyme because that is how it has manifested in me. I've lost my gallbladder due to inflammation as well.
I'm also being told that Bartonella causes chest pain, so hopefully treating that will help.
I would check out GI issues to see if that may be a cause.
posted
Yup, I second the inflammation in the chest area. Lyme being an inflammatory disease, if you're in a position that is conducive to the inflammation swelling or pushing against your lungs or esophagus, you can feel pain.
At my worst, I used to think it was pain in the heart, but it radiates to different areas of the chest. Do you notice it if you wake up in a different position?
Mine was so bad I was forced to sleep on my stomach, just so I could feel like I was breathing.
Try taking ibuprofen before you sleep, and see if you wake up with that pain.
Posts: 829 | From MD | Registered: Dec 2009
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momlyme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 27775
posted
My son has this pain. He says it's like his rib cage is tightening up, squeezing everything inside.
He says it's been happening ALL THE TIME, since he got sick, some days are worse than others. He says it's not worse in the morning, though... he feels it all the time... he's 11.
We contribute it to Bartonella.
-------------------- May health be with you!
Toxic mold was suppressing our immune systems, causing extreme pain, brain fog and magnifying symptoms. Four days after moving out, the healing began. Posts: 2007 | From NY/VT Border | Registered: Aug 2010
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posted
I second the reflux idea. I have found taking an antacid before I go to bed helps alot! The reflux seemed to radiate referred pain to other parts of my chest.
I don't like the idea of having to take Prevacid and company, but a short course of it helped tremendously. Also raise the headboard of the bed to address reflux too.
It's worth a try.
Good luck!
Posts: 273 | From Banks of the Hudson | Registered: Nov 2008
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