Stress causing severe chest pain?

I have been to the hospital and the doctor's. They have told me to take ibuprophen every day and prescribed me a steriod pill to take as well. I am asthmatic and about 3 months ago started having sharp, jabbing pains in my left chest, right near my heart. Then after about a month of that, the pain became a constant dull pain. Now I have a combination of both. I have a constant, dull pain, along with the sharp jabbing pain. I have had chest xrays and even a cat scan which showed nothing. I also have a history of heart disease in my family. So my question is, can stress cause this kind of pain? Is there anything else to help with the pain, the steriod did not help and neither does the ibuprophen. Also, about 3 days ago, I started having severe pressure on my chest like someone was sitting on it, which is now constant.

On an added note, I do go to the doctor again, tomorrow, but have been to see many doctors, though not a cardio, i will bring it up tomorrow.
I also will add I am in the middle of a very ugly custody case with a very shitty lawyer, so I am taking most of the work on myself, so I feel it is iimpossible to 'get rid' of the stress at least until this is settlled. But this did start before this custody issues, which makes me wonder.
thank you for your insight, I will talk to the doctor about a cardiologist tomorrow.

Yes stress and/or anxiety can cause chest pain much as you describe it. Ironically in the cases of anxiety the anxiety caused by the pain itself can exacerbate the pain making you think you have a heart attack, adding more stress and anxiety.

Considering that your symptoms are worsening It is highly possible that this is anxiety/stress related. However I warn this is not a diagnoses just a theory from an armchair theorist who has not seen you nor knows you medical condition and file.

My advice is rather simple, try to get the anxiety/stress treated and see if that works.

Although your doctor is attempting to treat the pain/symptoms she/he is not treating the cause. I would go back to my doctor and ask for a referral to a therapist or anxiety/stress clinic for a trial basis. Further you need to tell your doctor about the new symptoms and that the condition is not responding to treatment.

You need to see a cardiologist - and soon.

stress affects the heart, heart affects the chest thus causing chest pains.. it happens

I had a friend who had similar problems... her doctor perscribed her a heart medication (I don't know if it was a steroid), and Prozac (or some other type of anti-depressant drug because of stress). Why don't you ask your doctor about it, it can't hurt!

Hope you feel better soon!

Go to the hospital. Pressure on the chest like that is not good.

I get that to when I have anxiety attacks. I hold my breath and don't realize it until my chest starts to burn. When Im really stressed the burning doesnt go away until what ever it is thats bugging me goes away. I told the doctor I dont want medacine for it because I want to fight my own problems myself. Anxiety is all in your head.

shouldn't be taking ibuprofen if your asthmatic, can cause shortness of breath which sounds like the heaviness in your chest. must of prescribed them thinking you had muscle strain if they have not helped stop taking them, these pills can also cause stomach pain. i'd go back to gp, but stress can cause chest pain and can feel like what your describing.

usually stress can cause or make pain even more servere.
your chest pain could be cause due to stress, however it also depends on your diet, your lifestyle, do you stress more is your job stressful? do you need time and relax a little more, or this could be in the genes as you said heart disease runs in your family the symtoms are usually signs of an heart attackyou must get an ekg a testing of the heart rate, you are put on an treadmill to see if your heart is not irregular and that your beats are fine and that tou are not suspectiable to any heart problems please get an ekg for your self satisfaction. see an cardiologist an heart specialist.

I agree that you need to see a cardiologist, if for no other reason than to reassure you.

It could be as simple as a pinched nerve. Heavy exertions, such as you would have during an asthma attack or heavy exercise, cause you to breathe very deeply, expanding the rib cage further than normal. A nerve in the chest can get pinched in the process causing severe sharp pain. If left untreated, this pain will eventually dull, or change in some other way.

If a cardiologist gives you a clean bill of health, try seeing a chiropractor. While their specialty is the spine, your ribs are connected to your spine and an adjustment could help with your pain. Make sure you take your x-rays in with you, as well as your medical history. (If you can't take your x-rays, they'll be able to take more.)

Make sure you're stretching daily and getting enough exercise, as well as drinking lots of water and following your doctor's reccommendations for your asthma. That way, if it IS stress, you're working to combat it.

Good luck!

You need to start shopping specialists and specialty clinics. Think outside the box, look at causes that do not seem to fit your condition exactly. Have them test for every type of cancer that there is if you have to. There are many diseases that are uncommon but not rare. I don't know what condition you have but the medical help you are presently getting is not up to the task.

I myself was misdiagnosed over a period of months. My diseased had progressed so far that I was almost dead before they finally figure out what was wrong with me.

The sad part is that along the way they suspected minor back injury, infections, and even had me seeing a shrink. They forced physical therapy on me (which was the worst thing they could have done), they told me to find a new doctor because my orthopedic surgeon did not want me as a patient any more. At one time they tried to discharge me from the hospital against my will.

So don't let them tell you that your symptoms are minor or in your head. Your body produces pain to warn you that you have a problem.

It is not your fault that the medical staff is incompetent. Make them come up with a new diagnostic plan. Become your own advocate and get a family member to help you with this problem before it becomes a crisis.

Not every doctor knows everything. They do not call it "practicing medicine for nothing".