Can anyone explain why this chest tightness usally comes in the evening? I might get it very briefly in the morning but I'm usually fine during the day. Then, around 7 P.M. it starts...not every night...but I've been bothered by this for months.

I've had EKGs, stress test - all is fine. I'ved had a flare of symptoms (anxiety, nausea, twitches,etc.) this past year but I'm doing much better on the whole right now. This chest tightness is my most persistent symptom. I've researched acid reflux, hyperventilation, costochondritis...yes, it could be any one of these...or just tight muscles due to anxiety.

Does anyone have any info on chest tightness...anything that helps or makes it worse? COuld you just share your experience with this symptom?

When I think it's gone and then it comes back, I cry. I'm sure that makes it worse. It's just discouraging.

Thanks,
Helen

HB: I've had chest tightness for years now. Been tested and retested and it's supposedly not my heart. Like you, I don't have it in the morning...but mine comes on in the afternoon, or early evening. I think it's muscle pain; from hunching my shoulders reflexively when I'm stressed (which is pretty much every day.)

I've used a heating pad on my chest; a hot bath; lots of ibuprofen. I even bought those heat-patch things for sore muscles and I'll put one on my chest and one on my back.

Hope you can find something for relief. Mine comes and goes and I can't seem to find a pattern. There will be days with truckloads of stress and I don't get the chest pain. Then it will be a lazy Sunday and by dinner I'm in tears. Oh yeah, one more thing: if my bra is too tight it can bring on the chest tightness. I'm used to hooking it on the tightest it can go (I'm large chested), but lately I've been hooking it in the middle. It seems to help a little bit...

Hope you feel better soon...

Helen, when I had my stress test two weeks ago, I asked the cardiologist what a palp feels like as opposed to an esophageal spasm. He described an esophageal spasm as a tightness in the chest. Just a suggestion, but that's what you could be feeling. Hope this helps.

Well, I was diagnosed with esophageal spasms in July (after an esophogram and endoscopy) but I thought they were always extremely painful. I couldn't say that what I'm feeling is extremely painful - but it does feel like a spasm or tightening of some sort.

Do you know anything about esophageal spasms? Maybe I'll start a thread to get some info.

Thanks!
Helen

I've been dx'd with esopheal spasms too. Don't know how painful they're supposed to be...

Robin, the fact that you have esophageal spasms, too, makes me feel better. (Sorry!) I knew I had this, but I was convinced that I wasn't really bothered too much by it.

Your mention of muscle tension, poor posture, etc. sure fits me. I'm constantly hunched over the computer and, worse than that, when I get home around 4 PM I'll walk around braless for quite a while before I change into an "at home" bra. When I read your response I immediately went for the Ben Gay patch and I'm wearing it now.

Thanks,
Helen

Helen: The computer is the smoking gun...I spend a great deal of time at one too, and I think it's bad for our posture...

Have you tried a really good, professional massage therapist? Over the past few years, when I've been at my wits end, I've seen one (they're expensive!) and it helped a LOT.

One more thing: About 5 years ago, I had daily chest pain...so bad I literally couldn't work. I'd start out okay in the morning, but by 1:00 it was there and it was bad. I went to an acupuncture clinic in a nearby town. The doctor there is also an M.D. We had our little interview and were about to set up a treatment schedule (the cost was $65 for the first visit, then $40 for every visit afterwards up to ten visits. He told me if you didn't feel better after 10 visits, you were wasting your time.) I was sitting there with tears in my eyes because my chest hurt so badly. He asked if I wanted to start right there and then. I said yes.

It was weird....laying there with these floppy needles sticking out of me. BUT-----> by the end of the session, the pain was gone! He told me the effect would last about an hour. And that the next time I came, the pain relief would last a little longer, then the next time longer, etc, etc. I'm not easily led or sold on anything (comes from a life in commission-only sales; I'm a tough sell!) but BOY was he spot-on. I went home and felt great for exactly one hour...and then, pain came back.

Long story-short, I kept seeing him, until I was virtually pain free for over 6 months. I never went back...many reasons...money, time, other symptoms took first place, etc. But I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Just food for thought...

So, doesn't it sound like this is more muscular than esophageal?

I also have back pain - I assumed the back pain and chest tightness were related. When I lie down my spine feels sore. When my husband rubs my back with BenGay, certain areas along the spine almost feel numb.

I'm going to see the chiropractor this week.

I'll keep the acupuncture in mind. I know many people have good results with it.

Thanks,
Helen

HB: I'm just guessing here...but esopheal spasms, for ME, were always very painful---as in a "10" on the 1-10 pain scale. It might be different for other people.

What you're describing (especially with the back pain too---I'm assuming this is upper back pain, as in between your shoulder blades?) is classic muscular pain due to stress.

This is why I love this forum...because misery loves company! I have been at my wit's end for the last few days with exactly what is being described here. No amount of stretching, yoga, prayer, has been relaxing me, and I don't feel particularly tense about anything going on in my life.
But anyway, this morning I remembered some pills I bought a couple years ago when peri reared it's head. One is called NERVE TONIC and the other is CALMS FORTE. They were in with women's vitamins, etc. (Wal Mart)
So I took one of each, and bingo, within about a half hour I could take a deep breath again and the chest and between shoulder blade tightness was gone.

Hearmeroar: How could I forget to mention that when my chest is tight, I can't take a deep breath either! Yes, I have the same syndrome - whatever it is!! Like you, I'm not particularly anxious about anything. It has to be hormonal.

Calms Forte...I've heard of that before...read about it somewhere. I believe it's homeopathic. I'm going to Walmart this week and I'll look for it.

Thanks to everyone who has posted and calmed me a little.

Helen

Yes, both kinds (Calms Forte and Nerve Tonic) are homeopathic and in the same section at the store . Another thing that really helps overall is a walking regimen, as many days a week as you can go, but of course that is a big time commitment. In 2007 I walked almost daily from April until late October and my husband and I noticed in many areas where I was almost symptom free during that time. Specifically physical tension issues and stomach woes were greatly improved. Any week now the weather should cooperate and I can get started again. Hang in there every body!

Not sure where to ask but I thought I would try here since I now have the chest tightness for a few months.
Does anyone have tightness or numbness on the face, around the eyes which leaves really dark shadows under the
eyes? I find my vision is blurry when all this is happening, I have had all the tests for heart, thyroid etc. so any
reassuring that this may be harmonal will ease my mind. I appreciate your comments.
Thanks

Oh yes, Helpme, I definately know what you're talking about. The first time this happened to me I thought I was having a stroke or something. I freaked. Called my sister, the pharmacist, who couldn't explain it because she never experienced it. I had all the heart tests less than six months earlier--everything was fine. So I did some research, "talked" to my meno sisters on Power Surge, and tried to calm down. As the symptoms came and went that summer, I started to just accept them and get through the day in spite of them. They were really common for about 3 months, and then let up. That following fall they only bugged me occasionally--and I think in the last year I could count the times they've appeared on one hand.

Hang in there. It's scary, but I bet it's just hormonal. Get it checked out if you feel a need to--that's always a calming solution.

BJ

First time to post onn forum.I am 57 years old and have not had my period for several yrs.Have episodes pf chest pain and extreme panic.Trips to er and been told acid reflux.Need help and advise.Seen to Dr twice in three days and er.Takes time to fix.Panic in full mode!!!HELP

Hi,

The hospital ruled out all but the acid reflux? Okay....so being as you have seen a doctor about this then you need to follow these simple instructions.

Sit down and focus your attention on something in the room. Focus....do not let your mind wander to your chest tightness.

Brown bag: Purse up a brown paper bag...if you do not have one then use a sleeve.....pinch the wristband. Breathe in through your nose for a count of 10....slowly. Breathe out through your mouth to the count of 10......again slowly. Continue to do this unless you begin to feel dizzy.

You must settle yourself down. The chest pain yes can be attributed to the acid reflux. The tightness is your fear. Do you have a funny movie on DVD or video? Go get it and put it on NOW. Concentrate on the movie. Once you learn to distract you will discover that you have gone a full two hours and not noticed your chest tightness. Trust me honey......these tricks do work., If you have an anxiety medication I strongly suggest you take one. The more you give in to the panic the more difficult this is going to become.......tap your fingers......concentrate on tapping your fingers. You must distract from your breathing.......try this and come back in a bit and let us know how you are making out. We know what you are going through........lots of girls here will post up. You are NOT alone.

panic attacks/post menopauseHi. I am in my 50s. I have had the same experience. I had to do some research and discovered the root cause of the problem. Le me tell you my brief history. I am relatively healthy, and have always been so. In the 1980s I was diagnosed with a bleeding stomach ulcer. I was hospitalized for a week and put on a regimen of tagamet about 600mg per day. Worked absolutely fine!! I took them about a year. Towards the end of that year I began experiencing nightmarish panic attacks -- Constantly! I thought I was going crazy, and so did people around me, and so did some medical professionals. I would up taking anti depressants and sedatives, etc.!!

The panic attacks went away eventually and I thought no more about them. In 2003 I discovered I had a colon fistula -- a very small but very serious opening in the lower colon which caused an adhesion. It was a colo-vaginal fistula. A week after diagnosis I underwent surgery which was unsuccesful and I wound up with a ileostomy (an external stomach pouch from the small intestine). While in the hospital, I was given Pepcid (famotodine) intraveneously for one week, and also given daily injections of Reglan to combat nausea (from the surgery and the constant stomach upsets). I was on Pepcid, 40mg twice a day and Reglan in small amounts, and Phenergan occasionally for nausea almost a year after my surgery. Then I only needed the phenergan very occasionally(which is perfect for immediately stopping onset vomitting). I no longer needed the Reglan (which worked fine, but caused a drowsy effect). But, I continued to take Pepcid about 40 mg per day for about another year. I really worked in keeping me free of acid reflux and upset stomach. I had noticed from time to time I had small episodes of anxiety which were reminiscent of what I had gone through in the 1980s, but milder versions.

Then one evening I was driving home from work when out of no where I had the worst PANIC ATTACK OF MY LIFE!!! I thought I was having a heart attack. I could barely breathe. My heart rate went through the roof -- pounding so hard I could feel and hear it in my head!!! The PANIC ATTACKS GOT WORSE!! I went to the emergency room about 4 times a month and would receive medication to slow my heart rate -- medications to relieve the intense headaches I experienced because of the increased heart rate and blood pressure! AND ONCE AGAIN, IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT I MAY BE SUFFERING FROM DEPRESSION OR STRESS!!!! I was always asked "are you taking any medications?" I responded, "yes, pepcid and occasional over the counter medicines for upset stomach"

A friend suggested a website for me to read. I went online and read a site called "ASK A PATIENT.COM" I typed in Pepcid, and I was horrified to see that there were people who described the same terrifying incidents of Panic and Anxiety attacks that I had suffered!!! Then I went to a pharmacy and asked for all information packets available for Pepcid (famotodine)(sp). Right in my face, listed in the rare side effects was the statement "may cause anxiety disorder"!! I then searched tagamet and found the same thing. After further research, I now know that apparently, several of the antacid, acid blocking medications on the market have a serious side effect (although rare) of anxiety and panic disorder.

This was about 4 years ago. I immediately stopped taking pepcid and any prescription or OTC acid blockers. I only use simple Mylanta or liquid antacids (which just coat the stomach and neutralize acids) for stomach symptoms. The attacks are far far fewer than before. For very occasional bouts wth vomitting or nausea, I take phenergan which is mild and has never caused me any side effects. I was prescribed Celexa 20mg daily, but I take one-half tablet of Celexa about once every week (which is a preventative to anxiety attacks) and works wonderfully! My doctor also prescribed Xanax for onset panic attacks. I researched Xanax , and found it is very addictive, so I only take one-half of a 0.25 mg tablet at the first sign of chest tightness or panic. It takes the symptoms away in minutes. If it doesn't, then I take the other half. My panic attacks are very rare. Talk to your doctor if you are taking acid blockers and experiencing panic attacks. I hope this information is helpful. Panic Attacks, Anxiety Disorder and Acid Blockers, My Story

Hi,

I am new to this site and by reading through the post, I think this is home for me.

I had a major panic attack this past Tuesday. The first bad one in quite a whilw. I am 56 and post. About 8 years ago I started going through menopause. Had no idea what was wrong. I was out of work for a wek. Emergency room 3 times. Then I started researching (since I didn't have the strength to work). Of course the doctors had NO IDEA!. Blood test came back fine. I did not drive for a year because I was lightheaded. Finally I changed gyno. She gave me xanex. Worked wonders. I could drive, I was calm. After 3 months, she took me off. Something about her not being my primary doctor. Fortunatley, I made out ok....until last Tuesday. I am driving to work and I get lightheaded, chest is sooo tight and I feel like I'm going to pass out or having a heart attack. I pull over, call one of my co workers. She comes, takes me to the hospital. Family comes. They want to keep me there and do test. PROBLEM! My only phobia.....needles and iv's. Anyway, I leave the hospital and I have been home all week. The chest tightness is gone but the fatigue, although getting better, is the same as it was when I started menopause. I have been stressed lately and sometimes feel depressed about a couple of things. No one in my family understands about menopause so it is difficult because they cannot relate.

I can relate to the chest tightness. And when I mentioned it to my doctor he sent me for a 2D-EKG. I don't think my chest tightness was related to what they found, which is 2 leaking heart valves. But I do tend to stress more easily in the past 2 yrs. Most of the time when I feel the tightness its been at a time of some pretty good stress going on. So I chalk it up to that!
I also deal with the depression and am taking an AD.

There's a lot of ladies here that can relate with you on many things. So don't feel as if you are still alone.

jes