Chest Pain... what could be causing it?

iamonback

New member
Hi everyone. I have frequent chest pain, especially lately after having been diagnosed with Bronchitis. Anyway, I also have Asthma. I have no history of heart problems though I have never really been tested for them other than standard blood tests and EKGs. I had a chest x-ray done on Monday the 26th of July. It revealed the Bronchitis but nothing was said about my heart or anything.

Anyway, I also suffer from severe Anxiety (previously diagnosed but not currently), Borderline Personality Disorder, and Major Depression. I may also have Rheumatoid Arthritis or Fibromyalgia. I am going to be seeing a Rheumatologist soon to get tested for those as my C-Reactive Protein level was abnormal the last time I got checked for all of that.

I have been known in the past to have panic attacks but these do not happen very frequently. I do have an almost constant shrugging of my shoulders which I consider to be a nervous twitch or something. I do take two anti-anxiety medications though but they don't help much at all.

Heart disease does run in my family. My Grandma on my Dad's side of the family had a completely clogged Aorta a couple of years ago and my Grandpa on my Dad's side of the family has had at least 3 heart attacks. My sister who was 3 years older than me died of Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, a condition in which only half of the heart is growing. My Grandpa on my Dad's side of the family and my Dad both have high blood pressure. My Grandma and Grandpa on my Dad's side of the family have Diabetes (type 2 I think). My Dad also has Diabetes. My youngest sister has a heart murmur.

I had some blood work done a month or so ago and they tested my Triglycerides which were up by 1 point. This could have been due to a medicine known as Risperdal that I was taking though as I read that it can raise your Triglyceride levels.

As far as I know, my cholesterol levels are all normal. I can't remember though. I will ask my doctor when I go to see her this afternoon.

Anyway, my Medicaid care manager told me that I need to see a Pulmonologist for my breathing problems. She also recommended some sort of test which I can't think of right now and a dental exam/cleaning which is routine of course.

So anyway, I am strongly considering seeing if I can be referred to a Cardiologist as well as a Pulmonologist. I want to get tested for various heart problems just to make sure I am not at risk for anything serious like a heart attack. The idea that I could have heart problems is almost a constant worry for me.

So, what is your opinion? What do you think could be causing the frequent chest pain? Is it more than likely the Asthma or Bronchitis or could it be heart problems?
 
You know it is hard to dx chest pain sometimes. But coughing a lot could tear chest wall muscles.
I lived with them all my life, started at 21 and I went to everyone. They all said I was too young to have heart problems. But it ruined many a day and time for me. Then they said I had costo condritus which I did at times. I moved my furniture around weekly so my chest would hurt but not the same as the pains I got.
Now I am old enough to have heart problems and I do. But now I realize a lot of the pain I had and have now is from eating or after I eat. I never had heartburn, but I have a reflux. I used to live in the er and felt like I had my own room there for years. I had wonderful Docs who put up with my fears and anxiety attacks due to this pain.
With your family history I would certainly see a cardio man, a good one and have him rule out anything. It will make you feel better I think.

I remember having a stress and they said I was good. But the pains I got in my chest were killing me,no other signs, no sweating or squeezing. Just like my left side was so sore and then into my jaw. I insisted on a cath which I was scared to death of but guess what, they found two blockages so now I have two stents!!! Ive spent a life time with chest pain and it is no picnic to live with no matter what is causing them. But most times it is not your heart.
Now I am in my 60's and guess I have graduated to heart probelms but I feel great.
Just don't let people tell you your fine when you know your not. Change your diet if they tell you your heart is fine. With diabetes and heart attacks in the family you should be watching what you eat anyway. I wish you the best and try not to worry...if you had something wrong they would have seen it most times. But do have a thalium stress...if possible.
 
Hey Sunshine. Thanks for the reply. I see my doctor on Monday so I will definitely see about being referred to a Cardiologist. My Medicaid care manager wants me to get referred to a Pulmonologist for my lung problems. I hate having all of these health problems. I am only 27 but I will be 28 in 2 days and I feel like I'm in my 40s or 50s. :( I have this constant fear of dying which bothers me a lot also.

Anyway, thanks! Also, I have been checking my blood sugar regularly now. I just got my glucose meter the other day and I have tested it twice so far within 24 hours. My average glucose level is 140 but that is within 2-4 hours after eating too.
 
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