I have been having chest pain in the middle of my chest for three days. The episodes of heaviness, tightening, and squeezing in the center of my chest are becoming more frequent (every five hours) and lasting between five minutes to an hour. I had a severe allergic reaction to something unknown five days ago that resulted in hives and was prescribed prednisone, Atarax, Pepcid, and received a steroid injection. I ve never had this feeling before and I m determined it s not heartburn or indigestion. It wakes me up at night and doesn t get better by lying down. It makes no difference what I eat or drink. I also don t believe it s panic attacks, as I have no stress right now- other than this unknown pain in my chest. What else can it be? It feels like my esophagus is closing and it s hard to swallow.
Thanks for your question on Chat Doctor. I can understand your situation and problem. In my opinion we should first rule out cardiac cause for your symptoms. So get done ECG. If ECG is normal than no need to worry much for cardiac cause. Since you are having central chest pain with difficulty in swallowing and feeling of closing esophagus, we need to rule out esophageal spasm and motility disorders. So get done upper GIS copy by gastroenterologist. Also get done esophageal manometry to rule out motility disorders. If all are normal than your symptoms are mostly due to anxiety. So avoid stress and tension. Be relax and calm.