I want to start by saying I realize any advice/directions given here
are by in no way substitutes  for professional medical help and I am
merely using this information to supplement my understanding of my
"condition". I am more desperate than words can describe and I am
trying any and everything to bring resolution. Unfortunately I have
the payment set at a low $50 as I am low on funds, but if an answer
can lead me to a successful diagnosis, you have my word I will give an
additional tip of  $150.00

Here is the story. 
I am 26 years old, going on 5 years now I have been battling various
discomforts, after many hospital visits and extension testing my
physician has concluded and I quote "sometimes we just cannot
understand what causes certain conditions". Around the age of 21 I was
in top notch physical condition, I was an avid bike ride, I bicycled
commuted to work 1 hour each way, 5 days a week. Suddenly one day when
riding I felt a horrible pain in my chest/heart area, it felt like I
had been shot in the chest. I rested for a while at the stop light, I
got back up on my bike and discovered I couldn?t ride my bike,
whatever happened immediately crippled my aerobic ability, riding the
bike at even slow speeds was impossible due to pain and this hard to
describe sensation emitting from my chest that my heart couldn?t pump
properly, I ended up taking the bus home. I went to the doctor
explaining the situation, after a ECG, treadmill stress test, and
x-ray, and the typical vital sign test they concluded I had a "panic
attack". I didn?t feel the episode was panic attach related, but what
could I say, I wasn?t the expert. In the following weeks I tried to
resume bike riding but I couldn?t due to the chest pains and the same
eerie feeling that my heart was dysfunctioning. For the next year or
so the chest pain became more and more intense and frequent. The pains
can be dull, sharp, overwhelming, shooting, etc, these pains would
extend up to my neck along a very defined line to the base of my brain
and occasionally the jaw area. All doctors visits resulting in the
same conclusion, "your stressed out", see a psychiatrist. Although I
knew this was not the issue at hand I consented to psychiatric help
hoping it wouldn?t correct my problem in order the doctor could move
to the next round of trail and error experiments. I was prescribed
Paxil to relieve my "stress" after taking this medicine for 6 months,
the pain persisted as predicted. At this point almost 2 years had
pasted, I could no longer had the stamina to work full time and go to
school due to this issue so I quit school, my life was falling apart.
I got so disillusioned with the medical system I just gave up for a
while and decided to live with the pain... Fast forwarding 2 more
years brings us up to the latest developments, the chest pain is no
longer a pain, it is pain plus other things, it has evolved into this
extreme discomfort, sometime pain can be used to describe any feeling
on unwellness, along with the pain now I am losing strength, my heart
beat feels extremely weak, I cannot walk more than 25 feet or so
without the discomfort in my chest region, the discomfort is now
persistent in the right side of my neck, the pain in my neck is
aggravated when I turn my head to the extreme left. I am in the worst
condition of my life a I have this overwhelming feeling that I am
going to collapse and die any moment, the doctors insists there is
nothing wrong we me, I have been tested for everything practically,
blood disorders, cancer, EKG test, X-rays, infectious diseases,
treadmill stress tests, etc. all test come back as normal. I am
getting so weak and the chest/neck discomfort is so bad I won?t be
able to maintain my job very much longer, what is my job? im an
analyst I sit in a chair 8 hours a day, it is becoming difficult to
sit for 8 hours, even sitting is proving to be to strenuous of an
activity... Other issues, this problem is also decaying my mind, I
cant concentrate, my once amazing memory and cognitive ability are
close to non-existent, I suspect my brain isn?t getting proper oxygen.
Here is a summary of all my symptoms as of right now:

1. Chest Pains- chest pains concentrated on my right side of chest
extending into my upper neck persistent nearly %100 of the time, level
of pain is anywhere from noticeable to excruciating.
2. Hard to describe discomfort feeling in chest region- When the pain
at its low peaks, I still experience this general discomfort feeling
in the chest/neck region, I cant describe it to well, other than it
being a weak/dysfunctional feeling
3. Extreme lack of aerobic ability - I over the past 4 years my
tolerance level of activity has been getting worse, Ive degraded to
the point in which I spend most of my time in the bed, shopping for
food and doing laundry are a struggle for me. If I tried to engage in
strenuous activity such as swift walking, the results are disastrous,
no pain is felt during activity, but as soon as activity is finished,
I am engulfed with the chest pain/chest discomfort feeling.
My doctor suggested my problem is being unconditioned from the past 4
years of inactivity, so I took his advise and started a light exercise
program of bike riding, the results immediately point to my issue
being exacerbated by exercise and activity, after riding my bike for
10 minutes I returned to my house, after sitting for about 30 minutes
I was again overwhelmed with slight pains in my chest/neck area and
the extreme general feeling of discomfort in the chest/neck area.
4. Gradual lost of mental functions. I suspect my brain isn?t getting
adequate oxygen, my once amazing mental prowess has diminished, I am
assuming this is due to a blood supply oxygen issue, I notice when I
lie down I can think better, probably due to the horizontal position
facilitating blood flow to my head, exercising the gives the opposite
resulting, it makes me light headed and I feel less mentally alert, as
if I am being feed a tube of carbon monoxide.
5. Intolerance to food. I have developed an aversion to food; a full
plate of food intensifies the chest discomforts
6. Intolerance to cold, I am becoming sensitive to cold temperatures,
I am usually the coldest person in a room. Being exposed to cold
increases the unusually chest discomfort unwell feeling.

Can someone please shed light onto what could be responsible for what
going on, I am desperate as I mentioned I will not be able to sustain
employment very much longer with these issues, I am at the end of my
rope and I am getting tired of fantasizing about death to relieve my
suffering and this merry go round of doctor visits resulting in
nothing. If you are familiar with my symptoms please advice as to what
you believe this issue is so I can relay this information to my
doctor, Also If you could recommend a doctor who may know what I am
describing, please pass his information along to me, I live in the
Sacramento, CA area. I am trying to keep suicide off my mind, but it
increasingly seems like the best possible remedy, I cannot take this
pain and loss of ability to do and run around much longer. Thank for
reading.

---

Clarification of Question by shaphanhawks-ga on 04 Feb 2006 14:24 PST

I failed to mention, i have never used illicit drugs in my life, nor
do I smoke, drink, or even use caffiene.

---

Request for Question Clarification by sublime1-ga on 04 Feb 2006 14:31 PST

shaphanhawks...

I noted no reference to chiropractic assessment and intervention.
Given the symptoms you describe, I have to wonder if you don't
have a serious misalignment of one or more vertebrae which can
be self-reinforcing, so that the misalignment can negatively
impact circulation and create muscle tension which results in
pain which creates more tension, and so on.

Have you considered chiropractic intervention?

---

Clarification of Question by shaphanhawks-ga on 05 Feb 2006 09:04 PST

thanks for the post, but i do not believe my issues can be alleviated
with chiropratic help, due to the wide array of symptoms, thanks
again.

---

Clarification of Question by shaphanhawks-ga on 07 Feb 2006 08:52 PST

hello stormnight82-ga, I do experience another symptom, i ommitted, i
have also had the uncomfortable sensation in my right arm, not as
often as the chest area, but often, the pain in my arm is focused in
one area, the opposite side of my elbow, or you could say the area
where your biceps and forearms are joined.

---

Request for Question Clarification by tutuzdad-ga on 07 Feb 2006 18:50 PST

Again, if you examine the links I have provided below you will also
see that pain radiating or "spreading" to the arms is yet another
symptom of pinched nerves. In fact, practically everything you've
mentioned thus far are also symptoms of this problem. Let me know if
you have totally ruled this possibility out and I'll move on. If not,
I'd welcome your feedback on the links I have provided.

tutuzdad-ga

About twenty years ago I had chest pains that were similar to those
you've described. After many heart-related tests provided no useful
information, it was finally discovered that I suffered from
xiphoiditis, the inflammation of a cartilaginous structure called the
"xiphoid process." Injections of cortisone directly into the xiphoid
process provided me with symptomatic relief. The injections were
rather painful, but the pain was brief, and the subsequent relief was
immediate and dramatic.

I cannot, of course, know whether your condition is at all similar to
mine. But xiphoiditis might be worth mentioning to your physician.

thanks for the information, i believe the issues isnt skelatal due the
other symptoms that accompny this issues, such as weakness, loss of
alertness, etc. thanks

When dealing with a variety of symptoms, it is easy to assume that
they have a common cause, when, in fact, it is possible that they may
have multiple, unrelated causes. In any case, it seems likely that you
might benefit from antidepressant medication. Please don't rule out
antidepressants just because you tried Paxil without obtaining relief.
There are many other medications, and each individual responds in a
different manner. Sometimes the right medication can make a world of
difference.

Thanks for the information,stormnight82-ga, if you can produce a
larger list of other possible issues that may be responsible for my
symptoms, that shall qualify as a sufficient answer for now, im
defiantly not expecting a conclusive diagnosis but rather just a few
"leads", I truly appreciate it. Also the latter problem you mention
"congenital malformation" how is this diagnosed and treated? Thanks I
sincerely appreciate it.

This may be of interest to you:

http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/sym/chest_pain.htm#possible

Contrary to what you might think, you may very well have a pinched
never in your spine. Consider this:
-Your pain episodes began during strenuous excersize
-You have discomfort during or after a bike ride
-You get relief from lying down
-You experience pain when turning your head to one side
-Your pain is sometimes sharp, sometimes dull and infrequent
-Your pain no radiates to other areas
-Your doctor has found no evidence of clots, infection, cardia problems, etc.

I'm no a physician but from what I gather these are all quite typical
symptoms of a pinched or damaged nerve. I suggest you see a pain
specialist (Neurologist, etc) and have an MRI done. In the absence of
other discoveries to date, my guess is that a nerve problem or a
damaged or compressed spinal problem is exactly what he or she will
find.

tutuzdad-ga

Sorry for the typo: "pinched never in your spine" should have been "pinched
nerve in your spine". But I'm sure you got the intended message.

tutuzdad-ga

If your doctors cannot find a physical cause, such as those already
described, it may be time to consider Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue
Syndrome. These syndromes can present just as you have described.
There are some tests which may be useful like certain CMV
(Cytomegalovirus)tests. A simple antibiotic can be trialled for this,
and in some cases can provide almost instant relief. However, this
happy result is not common.
If this is the cause, your pain is very real. These syndromes are very
hard to treat by any means and those treatments that do provide relief
take effort and determination. Many people with these problems are so
weary, it makes it really hard to summon up the necessary
determination to even start a long treatment process. However it can
be done.
There is a lot of information on the web regarding these disorders and
a lot of quacks trying to make a buck out of unfortunate sufferers. So
please choose your information wisely and preferably seek out
specialists (rheumatologist, immunologist, psychiatrists etc) with an
interest in these syndromes for advice. Psychiatrists and some
antidepressants can assist some people break the pain cycle.
Good Luck

More about pinched nerves:  Chest pain can apparently be of the many
symptoms of a pinched nerve. I encourage you to read the information
in these sources and at least consider this as a plausible cause.

WRONG DIAGNOSIS
http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/p/pinched_nerve/intro.htm

WIKIPEDIA
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chest_pain

BC HEALTH GUIDE
http://www.bchealthguide.org/kbase/topic/symptom/necpn/overview.htm

Esophogeal spams can also cause this same type of pain. If the spasm
has passed at the time you see your doctor it can go undiagnosed.

CNN
http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/DS/00016.html

tutuzdad-ga

Here you can see how esophageal spasms and hiatial hernias can both be
easily thought of as chest pain, heart attack and other conditions
when in fact the actual cause of the pain goes undiagnosed. Chest pain
from hiatal hernia and/or esophageal spasms may be extremely difficult
to distinguish from chest pain of cardiac origin. The symptoms of pain
spreading or radiating from the chest to other areas (some people even
report pain below the sternum (breastbone) to the neck, jaw, and arms)
can mimic the symptoms of coronary artery disease. Obviously your
doctor would not find artery disease as the problem even though you
insist that something ?seems wrong? with your heart.

In some cases patients report symptoms of Chest pain or pressure,
heartburn, difficulty swallowing, coughing, belching, and hiccups but
bear in mind that one must not experience ALL of these symptoms. In
the case of a strangulated haitial hernia for example, one might only
experience severe chest or abdominal pain that might worsen or become
more severe upon moving around. A strangulated hernia is when a
portion of the stomach is cut off from the normal blood supply and
this can also lead to fatigue, lethargy and in extreme cases ? if left
undiagnosed or if improperly diagnosed - even death.

WEB MD
http://www.webmd.com/content/article/45/1815_50331

EMEDICINE HEALTH
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/articles/10553-3.asp

Please consider being examined for these problems and let me know if
my research helps.

tutuzdad-ga

Dear friend,

I've been trying to do some more research, tho right now I don't have
all the resources at hand. When I mention a congenital problem I only
mean that you've had it since you were born. I insist (so far) on the
theory that it is a metabolic problem (possibly with fatty acids) due
to a mitochondrial problem; I haven't found an exact disease that
would explain all your symptoms, but you can have a look at one of the
webs I've been reading:
http://www.neuro.wustl.edu/neuromuscular/msys/cardiac.html
The diagnosis of these disease is done in a heart biopsy (microscopic).

The other possibility I mentioned is the "thoracic outlet syndrome",
and there are dozens of causes that might obstruct blood flow. It does
not seem too probable to me, since you do not express symptoms in your
arm or arms, but I have read refference to it as presenting only
inespecific anterior chest pain. The diagnosis of this process is
difficult, and the treatment depends on the cause of the arterial
compression. Have a deep look through http://tos-syndrome.com/        
 specially this part
http://tos-syndrome.com/chest.htm

I intend to do further search and contact some of my professors, in
case you want to keep in touch.

By the way, INITIALLY I would not think of fibromyalgia causing your
disease, all the fibromyalgia patients I've seen have fatigue, feel
very tired, and have general "soft" pain, not in a specific place like
you have. About hiatial hernias, it's quite uncommon that they show up
without digestive symptoms, and even so, they can be seen in the
X-rays (even more if the symptoms are as acute as yours). I repeat,
this is only my opinion.

Yours sincerely, David.

P.S.: I don't expect nor want any payment. All I want is to offer help
within my possibilities.

kde...

Google Answers policies prohibit personal contact between
customers and researchers, and your comment will likely
be removed since it contains your personal email address.

I appreciate that, by referring to Florida, you probably
mean to indicate that you participated in the course I
recommended in the answer to which you refer, and I 
share the joy I'm sure you felt in participating and
completing the course.

If there's something beyond that which you wish to convey,
I'd suggest you contact the GA editors at:
answers-editors@google.com

They may agree to pass on information to me in a way that
doesn't compromise their policies.

Best regards...

sublime1-ga

Just so you know, I have Fibromyalgia (which I can rarely spell
correctly), but not fatigue.  It sounds like this might be a
possiblity.  You should at least see a rumetologist.  Good luck.

I would like to share my insights for myself and how I solved my chest
pain and weakness.

My symptoms before:
?	10 years of not being able to swim more than once a week without getting sick.
?	2 weeks of chest pain, tingling in the arms, legs and face. This was
triggered by anxiety. It let into a self perpetuation feedback loop,
where I worried about the symptoms, which in turn made them worse. I
was lucky because I could talk thru the symptoms with my dad who is a
psychologist and he taught me how to break out of that vicious circle.
?	Occasional muscle spasm in the neck when I laugh
?	A sense of urgency or desire to be efficient in everything I do ?
even preparing a meal or writing an email.
?	Blood test results always showed I am in very good health

Initial belief: immune system compromised. Final result: anxiety caused it all.

What I did to solve it: Pulse exercise, practice deep calm.

Now I am swimming 3-4 times a week and my energy levels are souring. I
am still uptight and irritable but I continue to practice deep calm to
improve this.

If you want to investigate this for your self do the following

?	Blow in to a paper bag for 10-15 minutes. You will be able to see it
inflate and deflate. Do the symptoms reduce?
?	Talk with a psychologist about how anxiety might contribute to your
symptoms. Conclude for yourself if anxiety was the trigger for all of
this. I suspect this will seem like a pathetic suggestion, because of
course you are stressed now. Also if someone was to ask me was I
anxious I would have said no ? I just got used to it. Were you
stressed just before the chest pain started? What was going on in your
life?  If you come to an understanding that anxiety is contributing,
break out. To break out takes two things: to realize it is anxiety and
to repeat something like ?Bah! These symptoms recursively triggered
and is no longer linked to the original event. My blood test result
says I?m healthy!? Say it with contempt for the symptoms. Talk to your
psychologist for more info.
?	Read Calm For Life by Paul Wilson. Do what he tells you including
practice deep calm once each day. Use deep calm to get in touch with
your intuition to help you discover what it is your body wants you to
do to get better.
?	Borrow books on the topic of chronic fatigue. I am not suggesting
you have chronic fatigue, but these books are useful because they deal
with how to get more energy ? which you need. Read the sections on
stress and ?pulse exercise?.
?	Try pulse exercise. It means exercising hard for a minute or two
then recovering completely. It retrains your body?s recovery systems.
Don?t do it without reading exactly how it is done from the chronic
fatigue books. It will be scary doing it because you fear getting
worse. It has worked miracles for me. I swam gently in the past but my
body interpreted it as just more stress, so I got sick a few days
later. Pulse exercise taught my body how to release stress and
recover.

I hope at the very least this is a general enough path that it will
lead you to your own insights. Good luck.