[Wysteria]

I'm in the middle of my second episode of "chest wall pain" within 3 weeks. It is extremely painful and apparently has no real cause or explanation. It also comes with a swollen and painful Xiphoid process at the bottom tip of my sternum. Lots of Ultram and Advil seem to do very little to help and lying down to sleep is extremely painful. The whole sternum feels like it is cracked.

I know there are body and mind connections, but this just feels so "real" or just obvious. The need to try and explain it away and shove it down are exhausting. I'm so very tired from not being able to sleep well and just f-ing hurting 24/7.

I've been told it can continue or will just go away on its own eventually. I know it sounds kind of strange, but it's almost like my broken heart and emotional pain is manifesting itself in a very real and painful way. Like I'm splitting down the middle.

I've never felt like there was such a cause and effect from my mind. I've had the headaches, rises in blood pressure and heart rate, sick stomachs and just being depressed and worn down more apt to get flues and colds....but this feels like a blatant manifestation of my internal status.

Does anyone else see the direct links from your minds to your bodies and how the diseases of the mind come out in physical ways?? I see so many articles showing the links between depression and cardiac problems, neuropathy, aches and pains, etc....what is your experiences?

Wysteria

[pegasus]

Anxiety can cause very real physical symptoms, headaches, ulcers, high blood pressure etc but I am really concerned that you have chest pain like that. And really it needs to be completely checked out, go back and get a second opinion. Sometimes once a doctor knows you have a mental health problem, they immediately jump to the conclusion that is what it is instead of doing all the physical checks.

[Perna]

I would ask your doctor about costochondritis: Costochondritis Definition - Diseases and Conditions - Mayo Clinic

[guilloche]

Wysteria... I'm so sorry you're dealing with this, it sounds incredibly painful and frustrating.

I don't have any hard evidence, but I know I tend to get physically sick or pain when things aren't going well for me. Even simple things... like I'm stressed about big therapy things, so my sleep gets messed up, which means I had a killer headache all day today and spent most of the afternoon in bed with the blinds drawn trying to get my body to sort of "normalize". Not fun.

Is there really nothing your doctor can do to help? Saying, "it may go away on its own" doesn't seem helpful to me... Is there anyway to maybe get a consult with a different doctor? The whole things sounds so frustrating... I wish I had good advice for you!

I know that what you're experiencing is very scary. And upsetting. I definitely experience physical symptoms that are connected to mental illness. Head, stomach, chest. One of the reasons I take psych meds is because they lessen the physical symptoms incredibly.

Remember that mental illness is physical illness.

[Wysteria]

I'm hoping some blood work from last Thursday might help...

and contacted a doctor online and they told me to take a LOT of Advil on top of my pain meds...and is helping some...hope to finally maybe get a bit of sleep tonight... very blue at this point.

Maybe will get some answers. Thanks so much for the link to the Mayo Clinic..will mention it to doc when I call her tomorrow..

Thanks ya'll...yes, admit it is a bit scary.

Wysteria

[Wren_]

((((((((((Wysteria))))))))))))) I've been dealing with this for the last four years ... and it is scary and ... not much help is given; you are welcome to pm me if you like

[guilloche]

I hope that the bloodwork turns up something useful, and that the extra Advil can help with the pain. ((( Wysteria ))) - wish there was something I could do to help...

[rzback37]

Similar symptoms. Most likely costochondritis.

[Wysteria]

I know this sounds nuts, but B12 and D were really low last week.
Last week thyroid was fine.

Felt so bad and achy and sui last night ended up in ER. They also said hypothyroidism and put me on pills. Still wanted to admit me but convinced them not to.

I feel like my body is dead and I'm right behind it.
Too confusing and I can't stay awake.
No more answers to chest wall pain but it went away again.

Showed doc the lump in xyphoid process that is not inflamed anymore. no answers, just admit to psych ward is always the answer to any question.

Thanks for the replies.

WB

[Fuzzybear]

(((((((( Wysteria ))))))))

[truebliever]

Hi .I read what you said about your symptoms and I can relate 100%.I've been to the Er for the same thing.I was in the hospital for tests and they all came back fine.I know for a fact anxiety can and does cause physical symptoms. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't feel chest pain or shoulder pain, calf pain.you name it .My problem is I take blood thinner so I get hyped.I can take a ativan if I want to, but I'm afraid too get hooked on them.I'm trying therapy next week.See you are not alone with this stuff.I wish you well.

[kororain]

Hope you are ok, Wysteria.