Going to the doctor to discuss chest pain. First time I’m nervous about a visit in a while

Are you sure it's not back related? Sometimes a back issue can radiate to your ribs/chest and even cause headaches. It's good you're targeting a heart issue to rule out the most serious possibility.

I know because my back has given me a lot of annoying issues, even effecting digestion.

Take a Prilosec every morning.

Gas pains will make you feel like you are dying

What’s your age? Are you exerting yourself in any way when the pain starts?

My chest pain was misdiagnosed as indigestion / GERD for two months by two different doctors. Request a referral to a cardiologist. I had the big one at 48, otherwise healthy and not overweight, etc. It’s nothing to take lightly. Glad you’re going to a doctor.

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Take a Prilosec every morning.

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Or you could wait and do what the doctor tells you to do?

I did the same several months ago. You need to see a cardiologist. You'll get an ekg, an echo, and maybe a stress test. They put a monitor on me for 48hrs as well (small and hardly knew it was there). I have an irregular heartbeat and it felt like it was jumping out of my chest sometimes. The monitor indicated it was in the range of needing meds so I got some and it has helped.

Glad you're getting it checked out. It's too easy not to and the answer might not be as bad as you think. Neglecting it on the other hand can be fatal.

Sounds like lupus

I had a chest thing that started in college and lasted for years. It was a tightness in my chest that didn't really hurt (like I would expect a heart attack to hurt) but was uncomfortable. My chest was always sensitive too, like if someone poked me (jokingly) in the chest in the right spot it felt like I'd been stabbed. Sometimes shirt collars or quarter zips or the like would really bother me.

Ended up getting EKGs and X-rays and other stuff. They never figured it out, but I think the theory was costochondritis.

The mental side was way worse than the physical side. I just always felt like my chest could seize up at any time. Gradually improved over the last 15 years or so, but still have it sometimes.

Congrats on doing the right thing! Suck up your pride, and go get it checked out. If something doesn't feel right, and you are concerned - go see your doc for an expert opinion.

I’m 34.

I started gaining weight once I hit my late 20’s. I was single, living alone, and my diet sucked. I still drink on weekends. My diet has improved since I’ve been married. I’ve started exercising by running over a mile three days of the week. I’m slowly trying to increase the distance. I’m a bit overweight, but trying to get back into shape before it becomes an issue.

There is no correlation between exercise/work and the pains. Sometimes my back will tense up, I’d say more upper than lower.

I also take anxiety meds. I had a neurologist give me an official diagnosis for that about 7-8 years ago. The meds contribute a little bit to weight gain, sluggishness, etc. Not sure if any of that could be related.

I sounds like reflux or horrible heart burn. Stop eating carbs, and it goes away. I’ve had heart burn since I was a kid. Low carb is the only thing that keeps it away.