Question:
Hi. The subject line is a little weird, I know. I was just getting concerned about my problem. For the last few weeks I have had different pains in my chest: sharp and short, then a brusing feeling. It started on my left side and then went to all over my chest and lower neck. I got an ekg and cat scan and the nuclear heart test thing and the docs are saying it could be costochondritis and anxiety. Lately I have been getting spells of tightness in my upper chest and sometimes I have a feeling like something is blocking my throat(yet I seem to breathe normally and eat normally). I also had a real tender pain in a bone near my throat for a day. I have been prescribed paxil and a muscle relaxer/tranquilizer. Does it sound like I have anxiety issues(I tend to worry some, yes, but these have been very weird pains and tightness feelings)? Could this be a virus or something or should I just relax and start taking the paxil and advil more? I'm just really confused and, yes, a bit worried.
Thanks

Answer:
It sounds to me like your CT, EKG and Echocardiogram all came back normal since they are suggesting it to be anxiety or costochondritis. Anxiety can cause many, many symptoms - including the ones you describe. However, if these symptoms are ones that you have never dealt with before in your life, then you very well could have a viral or bacterial infection. Did your doctor prescribe an antibiotic? I would think he would since you have had these same symptoms for three weeks now. I think that if this is a type of respiratory infection, your symptoms would increase and worsen over time. If they are stress-related, then your symptoms would remain as they are, without worsening or increasing in intensity. Cut out the caffeine, take the Paxil as directed and use the muscle relaxer only when needed9like at bedtime). The Paxil is safe to take for extended use where the muscle relaxer/tranquilizer is a medication that can become addictive. You don't want the muscles in your body to become so accustom to the relaxer that you can't relax without it, you know? It takes a good 2+ weeks for the Paxil to kick in and it really seems to help a lot of people. I still think you should have been given an antibiotic though - it certainly wouldn't hurt.

Answer:
Thank you so much for responding and for your advice. The last couple of days I have felt pretty good except for a continuing weird feeling of something poking the front of my neck/throat. Sometimes when I burp it goes away for a short time. It does feel though like something is hitting my neck(sore breastbone that bruised neck?/) or is it something else. Well, anyway, I am scheduled to go to the doctor in 3 days. I really appreciate your advice.