Wierd chest pains.. anyonelse?

[Whyme??]

Hi un user in my 4th month, my pressure is on auto cpap from 5-9 average diagnosed with moderate OSA.. Ive been experiencing some wierd chest pains, and i get very scared... Was about to run to the ER but calmed down and thought it over, it would of been my 3 or 4 experience going there end already now the routine, EKG, and blood work and always docs say im OK has anyone else gone threw this, if so please give me an advice please....

[Sheriff Buford]

I had chest pains and it ended up being acid reflux (your stomach can handle the acid, but the food tube to the stomach gets the acid and starts to contract). The symptoms are similar to a heart attack. I just attended a heart health conference at work and I asked how the to tell from heart attack chest pains and acid reflux chest pains. The doctor said you can't and you must go to the emergency room because if it is a heart attack, every minute counts. You really don't know, and my question wasn't answered. Next time I get "the pains", I'll go to the emergency room.

Sheriff

[broccolihead]

it could be a combination of GERD and a Hiatal hernia. read this
http://www.wellsphere.com/complementary ... se/1150048

[Samba]

interesting article

[chunkyfrog]

I agree with the sheriff; go to the ER. Only a doctor can tell the difference.
Somewhere I've heard that if the pain (chest, arm, shoulder, or jaw) gets worse with exercise,
then it probably is a heart attack; but that, too is not reliable enough to trust your life to.
---Hie to a hospital; post-haste!

[M.D.Hosehead]

Acid reflux can be responsible for two different types of pain:

1. Heartburn that is temporarily relieved by antacids.

2. Esophageal spasm—like a charley-horse in the esophageal muscles. The pain of esophageal spasm can be indistinguishable from angina pain originating in the heart. The only absolutely reliable way to tell the difference is an EKG done while the pain is present. Obviously that can be difficult to arrange; by the time a person is connected to an EKG machine, the pain typically has ceased. If the pain started during exertion, if it radiates to arms or neck, and/or it's accompanied by sweating or faintness, it's more suggestive of angina. If swallowing warm liquid seems to relieve the pain, that suggests esophageal spasm.

Of course, there are many other possible causes of chest pain.

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

Anyone who has sudden onset of chest pain should go to an ER. Someone who has recurring chest pains should be evaluated to find the cause. It sounds like the OP has already taken the ER route more than once. If not already done, his/her physician should be made aware of the problem.

OP seems to be asking whether PAP can cause chest pains. My guess is that it's unlikely, but the sleep doc should be informed of the symptom.

[jonas3333]

I have also experienced some chest pain that I believe is a direct result from my cpap. I've been using the machine for about 9 months with little or no problem, some occasional soreness/tightness in my chest muscles, but that's about it.

About a month ago, I awoke to those chest muscle aches which spread completely across my chest and into my shoulders and throat. Naturally, being a 41 year-old male, I became alarmed enough to go to emergency as it was affecting my breathing as well. Got the full chest-pain treatment but refused an overnight stay as I was told it was "Wall Pain" and fairly common. Since then, the pain has continued daily but is usually considerably better than that initial occurrence, although there have been several days it bothered me substantially. I don't take Tylenol, aspirin or other pain-relieving meds for it which did help as they gave me that at the hospital. I just don't take 'em- blah blah blah.

I occasionally fall asleep without my mask on and sometimes remove it while sleeping. I never wake up from the apnea, although mine is rather severe. What I do experience is an extremely scary "heart stop" feeling as I'm going to sleep which causes a ripple of chest muscle activity when it occurs. I think this might have to do with my chest/wall pain.

I'm currently experimenting with altering power levels and apparently also experimenting with sleeping without the mask as the last two nights, I have fallen asleep before putting it on accidentally. I noticed today that my "now getting used to it" daily pain isn't there. Of course, without using the mask for two days I have the "gosh, I'm sleepy" thing goin' on as expected. Thank you, caffeine, for all the hard work you do!

At any rate, I think the forced air is certainly wreckin' havoc with my chest muscles. I just don't know why it got to the point that it did.

[BlackSpinner]

If everything has been checked out there is one other thing. You can have a virus in the chest wall. My daughter gets that infrequently.

[imtired]

I have been getting chest pains for the las month, but i dont believe it has anything to do with my cpap. going to dme today to have my data looked at and make sure. i also went to the er thinking it might be a heart attack and weeks of bloodwork and other tests have not yet found the problem. for everyone who posted ideas in my other thread about this thank you.

[Hotdog Neck]

I have actually been battling random, sharp chest pains for well over a year now. I am in my low 30's - so heart attack is unlikely. But, the first time the pain got persistent, I did all kinds of research and everything pointed to heart issue. That caused my bp to shoot up because I started freaking out. Went to the E.R. and they ran an EKG, took chest x-rays, and said their only concern was my initial bp reading. (which went way back down after being cared for and knowing I was at a hospital so if I did have a heart attack, I would be in good hands).

2 months later, I had a full stress test done at a good heart doctor. He nearly laughed me out of the office after seeing my results. Not really, but he assured me my heart was in good shape and as far as he could tell I am good to go for many more years. That knowledge was helpful, but like the E.R. visit, it was expensive.

The first thing that my regular doctor put me on that helped (after I asked about acid reflux) was Omeprazole. But, after a few more months the chest pains started returning again! I went back to my regular doctor a few months later and asked if stress would be a cause? She said 'possibly' and nearly refused to script a med for stress. After insisting I was put on something entry level, but it basically put me on a cloud every day and I couldn't handle the foggy feeling. I was then put on possibly the tiniest dose of Citalopram. The chest pains ceased, and I have since been able to relax much more. For months and months I was convinced doctors didn't know, and that I was about to have a heart attack. I am very thankful to have had several months in a row without any severe chest pains at all! The combo of Omeprazole and Citalopram has helped me.

I will definitely be asking my doctor about the possibility of having one of those hernias in that article. Thanks to who posted that!

It may be expensive and even not necessary, but if you don't know the cause of your chest pain, you should go to the E.R. - you simply can't know and with heart attacks, minutes are so crucial. Good luck to others with this same issue!

[PaJoe]

I was getting cramp like pains in my chest for a long time , mostly after laying down ( working under car etc) and getting up - adding a 3 1/2 inch memory foam topper to my mattress may be helping it. I also have less problems with my arms and hands going to "sleep" I have carpel tunnel in both hands, and tarpal tunnel syndrome in both feet. I am morbidly obese. The doctors did the usual tests, gall bladder, liver etc. but never found medical cause for the chest pains. I am now guessing it has more to do with my size, the way I sleep and the mattress I have than anything else as it does seem to be getting better. I am not saying the memory foam has done miracles but after several weeks I do believe it has helped.

[Sam27]

PaJoe, the way you describe your pains sounds similar to me. I suffered an injury to my left shoulder 4 years ago and developed chest pains and cramp like feelings on my right side, I developed numbness and tingling in my hand. The orthopedic M.D. didn't know. Several P.T.s didn't know. Finally after several years my primary doctor caught it as a cervical nerve compression. I went to back to the P.T. clinic and was refered to an outstanding PT that only worked with those issues. It took several sessions, but we were ble to pinpoint the location and the altered body mechanics that were causing it. I was altering upper body movements to compensate for my injury, putting ever so slight twists to my spine, pinching a nerve. I can manage it now, but I am prone to falling into old habits.

[PaulyRT]

Feeling chest should never be taken lightly and get medical attention quickly. I would suggest a motility study for esophageal spasms which can mimic chest pain. Severe cases are known as "nutcracker esophagus" where the mid or distal end of the esophagus spasms incredibly hard. So incredibly hard that it can be extremely painful and wake you from your sleep (this was me). Some GI physicians say CPAP can actually activate these spasms ebs and flows of air pressures used. Its said to be reduced within time.
"

[Julie]

This thread is way out of date and shouldn't have been replied to today... probably best to start a new thread if you have current questions.

[DavidCarolina]

It could be a number of things. A cardiologist can rule out heart issues.

Adrenal insufficiency can cause muscle spasms. Google it, some people use magnesium malate and other things.

Sleeping position can cause pains in various places. I have shoulder problems but i dont mind because i need to sleep there and not
on my back.

Gerd can be prevented with OTC stuff, and sleeping with your head elevated and dont eat after a certain time.

eliminating cofffee can help. Caffeine can cause palpitations.

Also, tummy breathing rather than chest breathing is important. Most of us breathe up high very shallowly. It causes stress and tension,
maybe ssometimes in our chest area.