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HardcoreWillNeverDie

Updated 10mo ago

Dealing with Frequent Chest Pain and Shortness of Breath

This is gonna be a big post. I deal with pretty frequent chest pain, chest pressure, shortness of breath, shortness of breath, circulation issues (cold knees, feet), lightheadedness, among the plethora of others. I started experiencing these around late 2020, maybe a little earlier in the year. They are all pretty predictable, sleep deprivation brings them out more often, certain substances almost always bring them out (my ADD meds always give me shortness of breath, and sometimes lightheadedness associated with that shortness of breath state. Coffee gives me the circulation stuff). Things like changing position after being in one for a long time, such as waking up in the morning, always make my heart feel really weird, no pain, but just this indescribable feeling in my chest that something is not quite working right, pain in my left arm that'll linger for a few seconds and then go away, pins and needles in my back for some reason. The chest pain is usually pretty random, and I don't get it nearly as much anymore, but it does still happen from time to time. I tolerate exercise just fine, these things hardly ever occur with exercise. It's actually when it seems like my ticker is working the least I tend to get these things. Anyway, with all these things, you'd expect to just be able to go to a doctor or cardiologist and have a clear diagnosis, right? ... unfortunately not. I have been through the ringer why cardiologists, I have done holters, stress tests, echocardiograms, and nothing. I was told I just have anxiety. God I wish it was just anxiety... I have zero problems with anxiety. I don't deal with panic attacks, when my symptoms happen, I'm not panicking or scared, just annoyed. I'm pretty much the opposite of anxious with most things. When my symptoms happen, there was no build up or thought that led to it. They're pretty predictable in other ways. Had coffee, chest pressure, no sleep, chest pressure, took my Vyvanse, shortness of breath, get up from my bed, my chest feeling weird is this bizarre nonspecific way I can't really describe. It's just not anxiety. But, I did go through and try the SSRIs, maybe it was some weird subconscious anxiety... nope, same thing but now I have a med I have to take everyday or I get dizzy. lol. It's been coming up on two years since it all started. I still have no answers. I have gone to a few cardiologists, just hand waved as anxiety. My GP has tried helping but she's kinda at a loss too. Am I looking in the wrong area? Is it circulation related? I dunno. All of these have gotten better over time though, it's not as life impairing as it used to be, back when it was all unpredictable and much more frequent. But, as I've started taking my ADD meds again, it's become very apparent the issues still need to be dealt with, I just can't take it without experiencing symptoms. But I just don't know what to do. I have my first appointment with my GP in quite a number of months, and I'm gonna bring this up. But, I'm just scared, I'm going down this rabbit hole once again to be spat out the other end with hundreds of dollars in bills, and still no answers. I don't know what approach to take. Though I doubt anyone will actually read all this, much less have any clue what exactly my problem is, I'm gonna ask, do you guys experience anything like this? What is your diagnosis? How did you obtain it? Any suggestions or ideas for me? I very much appreciate it!

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UnluckyUnicorn

2y

I have POTS and experience circulation issues, chest pain, shortness of breath, chest pressure, fatigue, and dizziness. I feel like that would’ve been caught already though. I agree it’s definitely not “just anxiety”, ugh I hate when doctors use that excuse because they’re unsure. It might be circulation but I don’t know. Have you had your adrenals checked? Sometimes that causes some similar issues. Though I’m leaning more towards circulation since it gets better with movement and worse with lack of movement it sounds like. Have you had a brain MRI? I really hope you get some answers because I know how not fun going through this process is.
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KristaP

2y

The same thing with me . They say it’s just anxiety but sometimes it brings me to tears. I’m supposed to see a cardiologist again but i wish I had answers as well. Best of luck

The content in this post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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