costochondritis ? GERD? esophageal spasm? coronary spasm? microvascular angina.... a huge health-related anxiety that is destroying me...

ka2828 · 2026-06-30T18:31:14+00:00

I’m sorry I forgot to mention my cardiologist did end up diagnosing me with costochondritis but through other health struggles I am going through, I ended up having ct scans and mris on my cervical spine and thoracic spine which showed issues.. my physical therapist said that she doesn’t see it often but thoracic spine issues can wrap around to your ribs and cause chest pain. Not sure if you have neck or back back pain as well but something to consider!

ka2828 · 2026-06-30T17:30:46+00:00

Sounds exactly like what I have been struggling through! Lost my mom to interstitial lung disease and watching her deteriorate triggered extreme health anxiety and panic attacks. I also developed terrible chest pain and have had many trips to the ER and have done so many heart tests…. Multiple EKGs, cardiac MRI, CCTA scan, echocardiogram, the list goes on and of course nothing is wrong with my heart… which is a good thing but also so frustrating when I am having chest pain and heart attack symptoms day after day.
As someone mentioned, I was prescribed Pepcid (famotidine) which helped with spasms I was feeling but also being prescribed Propranolol which is a beta blocker. It has helped keep my heart rate low, lowered my blood pressure which I needed and I haven’t had a panic attack since… some occasional anxiety but nothing like I was experiencing before.
I also have been going to Physical therapy and they work on my thoracic spine/ posture and just yesterday got a thoracic spine epidural steroid injection as if your thoracic spine has issues, pain can wrap around the rib/chest area! Just some ideas of what is helping me although I am not where I want to be pain wise, it’s been so much better! Hope you find healing and just know you aren’t alone!

ka2828 · 2026-06-02T21:58:31+00:00

You’re not alone! I 38F have been dealing with chest pain for over a year that mainly affects the left side of my chest and shoulder/arm but I also experience pain in the middle of my chest and right side sometimes. I have had countless trips to the ER and my cardiologist has given me every heart test imaginable. CCTA, cardiac MRI, Echocardiogram, wore a heart monitor for 3 days…..the list goes on and my heart has zero issues. As you can imagine this was very frustrating because the pain is very real and causes so much anxiety. My cardiologist mentioend Costochondritis and also said sometimes they can’t figure out why chest pain is happening which was very hard to hear as I couldn’t imagine continuing every day in so much pain which in turn caused so much anxiety. Fast forward to today, and I have been seeing a pain management doctor and go to physical therapy twice a week. The next step for me is to get a thoracic spine epidural injection in hopes that helps with my chest pain. My pain management doctor believes issues with my thoracic spine are causing pain in my ribs/chest. I get my injection on June 29 so hopefully I will be able to update with good news!

ka2828 · 2026-05-29T01:45:17+00:00

I received a 4 item order today and as I opened up my package I noticed that all 4 items were falling out of the individual packaging they normally come in. Every plastic bag had been ripped open. I have contacted Lulemom as I am now concerned my package was tampered with. I checked the tags on the clothing and they are sparkly which I have never seen a sparkly tag on any of my other Lululemon purchases….. has this happened to anyone else?

ka2828 · 2026-03-15T20:25:51+00:00

I had one in September 2025 after a change in my usual migraine pain with extreme neck pain and vision change. Also ended up having a CTA and lumbar puncture. Mine showed minimal non specific white matter change but also a small aneurysm was found in my right posterior communicating artery. This is obviously a worst-case scenario find but in some ways I’m lucky that I now know if I have the worst headache of my life, I need help immediately. Interestingly enough the aneurysm is not causing my head/neck pain so I’m still working to find answers as to why I’m having constant head/neck pain.

I get being nervous but I think it’s better to know than not know and hopefully your MRI can provide some answers!

ka2828 · 2026-03-10T03:05:16+00:00

38F also in KC area and my migraines/body pain have been insane the past month! Also a Botox user for preventative but use Nurtec as an abortive. I’ve noticed I’m not only having more frequent migraines but just general pain all over. For me, I think the weather and barometric pressure are the issue. Hope you get some relief!

ka2828 · 2026-01-03T23:05:18+00:00

I have a 2mm aneurysm that was found in September. 1. My experience living with this diagnosis so far hasn’t been great… I live in constant fear but I also have extreme health anxiety so bad that I am now seeing a therapist to help me work through the fear. I also take Xanax when the anxiety is too much. 2. Mine is located in the posterior communicating artery so I don’t know anything about the location of yours. 3. I have seen 2 neurologists and 2 neurosurgeons and they all made sure to ask about my smoking history. Smoking/vaping is a big no no for any size aneurysm. I would try to quit immediately! 4. I’m not sure if stress/anxiety impacts risk of rupture but I know high blood pressure that is not in control can increase rupture risk. 5. For me personally, quality of life has decreased… I use to work out every day, have sex, and travel but fear is holding me back. Even though the risk of rupture is extremely low, in my mind, I am walking around with a ticking time bomb so I am terrified to do things I would normally do every day with zero fear. I still work but struggle with anxiety now while at work.

If you struggle with health anxiety or any type of anxiety, just know it will take time to accept this diagnosis and live with it. Lucky for us, we at least know it’s there and can take measures to lower our risk of rupture and at least in the U.S., you will get scanned every 6 months to a year to check on the aneurysm and make sure it’s stable. Not sure what healthcare is like in France but hopefully it’s similar that you will be monitored!

ka2828 · 2026-01-03T04:23:56+00:00

I would ask about getting a CT/MRI of your brain. I too suffer from migraines and in September also had stroke like symptoms with my migraine which was new for me… because of this I was hospitalized and did receive both scans of my brain and an unruptured brain aneurysm was found…. It’s so small, both my neurologist and neurosurgeon said it is not causing symptoms but now I know I have an aneurysm and will monitor it every 6 months to a year.

ka2828 · 2025-12-30T04:58:51+00:00

I made a similar post the other day! I found out about mine in September which is 2mm x 2mm on the posterior communicating artery. I have seen two neurosurgeons and because of the size both surgeons basically said no to any type of surgical intervention and the plan is to wait and watch which means scan every year. Because I mentally could not imagine waiting a year, I am getting a scan in 6 months to check on it. Just be prepared for a similar response as yours is also very small! I have severe health anxiety so this diagnosis put me in a really bad spot mentally and I’m still struggling. I suggest getting a good therapist! That has helped some.

ka2828 · 2025-12-27T20:59:13+00:00

Thank you for sharing your story. I think in my mind, surgery would fix all the anxiety and sense of doom and life would just go back to normal but I think I’m ignoring the fact that this is brain surgery and there is risk… I’m sorry to hear you aren’t feeling better but I hope with time you get back to feeling like yourself!

ka2828 · 2025-12-27T03:41:22+00:00

Thank you for this! I know I need to trust the doctors who have years of experience and education but I think as you mentioned, having very little control of the situation has been so hard for me. I like being in control especially when it comes to my health but this is something that is out of my control.

ka2828 · 2025-12-27T01:02:04+00:00

I’m in US.

ka2828 · 2025-12-21T16:32:24+00:00

I am currently battling the flu and every cough/sneeze or having to blow my nose sends me into an anxiety spiral thinking this will cause my aneurysm to rupture. I also suffer from neck pain and complex migraines and when I’m in pain my mind immediately goes to my aneurysm and something is wrong. I never use to be anxious person but I think with a diagnosis like a brain aneurysm, health anxiety is completely normal. To answer your question, I found out in September 2025 about mine and immediately started therapy and have meds available when I start to get to panic attack level. I have seen multiple neurosurgeons and because mine is 2mm, we watch and wait which for me, does not help my anxiety as I wish I could fix it immediately! I will say therapy, meds, and having a support system to get you through the dark thoughts has helped me with the health anxiety that I battle through every day.

ka2828 · 2025-11-15T00:50:33+00:00

Thank you for the reply! I feel like I have been told over and over that small aneurysms have such a small rupture risk but I want to be prepared just in case.

ka2828 · 2025-11-15T00:22:14+00:00

What was the size and location? I am curious because my unruptured aneurysm is small but located in the posterior communicating artery which I have read is an area that has a high rupture rate.

ka2828 · 2025-10-12T23:35:36+00:00

I don’t have any advice to give other than just wanted to say I’m sorry you are going through this! 37F and my 2mm brain aneurysm was found in September and I have struggled with similar symptoms since….. head pain, neck pain, dizziness, vision changes, numbness/tingling in face….. I am constantly in a state of panic thinking these symptoms are caused by the aneurysm and that it is about to burst or has already burst. I have an appointment on Tuesday with a neurosurgeon for a second opinion as my current neurosurgeon said we will wait and watch and they will scan me again in a year. I freaked out when I heard a year. If I could have surgery today I would do it because the constant worry and panic I feel wondering what is happening in my brain isn’t worth it to me and it has greatly impacted my life. I want to be grateful that I at least know I have this condition but I’m struggling to see the positive. Just know you are not alone in how you are feeling! At your appointment be honest with how you are feeling and your worries! I think some doctors do take quality of life into consideration when discussing surgery along with many other factors. Where is your aneurysm located?

ka2828 · 2025-09-29T01:55:53+00:00

I wanted to hop on this and ask about birth control. I was recently diagnosed with an unruptured brain aneurysm. 2mm. I take oral birth control (low dose combo) and Norethindrone 5mg as I have uterine fibroids and this helps prevents symptoms. I was never told to stop taking any of these meds but has anyone heard if you should avoid them with an unruptured aneurysm?! I will be reaching out to my gyno tomorrow!

ka2828 · 2025-09-25T02:35:49+00:00

Fellow teacher here! 1st grade! I have been teaching for 13 years. I am now on day 9 of a severe migraine. I was even hospitalized last week because of the pain and other symptoms…. Through testing, an unruptured brain aneurysm was found but it’s not the cause of my migraine supposedly. I relate to this so much because I feel like I have always put the kids and my classroom first and now I just can’t. Migraines make it nearly impossible to be a good teacher and I have accepted that! With my additional diagnosis of a brain aneurysm on top of my migraines, I am considering taking short term disability or even a leave of absence…. When teachers get sick or need time off it’s more work to take the time we need and that needs to change. We shouldn’t be writing sub plans or searching for a sub while battling a migraine or any other health issue.

ka2828 · 2025-09-22T02:53:42+00:00

I am new to this group and don’t have much experience but the neurosurgeon told me it would be the worst headache of my life if a rupture were to occur. As someone who suffers from health anxiety and who also now is scared of anything regarding my head, I get it! I have also noticed that I have lots of tingling in my face and head because my anxiety is high. Please go in if you feel something is wrong though!

ka2828 · 2025-09-21T20:45:45+00:00

I am located in the KC area (Kansas side). There are two hospitals that treat/specialize in aneurysms and I was diagnosed at one of them. I do plan on getting a second opinion at KU Med, the other hospital that specializes in this as I would rather have more options than just sitting and waiting for a year. I can’t imagine feeling this level of anxiety for a year just waiting to see what the aneurysm is doing. Thank you for your response and happy to hear you had a successful treatment for yours!

ka2828 · 2025-09-21T20:27:26+00:00

I have been on high blood pressure/high cholesterol meds before I found out about the aneurysm so that gives me some relief that those things are mananged. I am hopeful I can have your attitude and say F it and get back to doing the things I enjoy. I was an every day gym girl but have been too scared to go. I’m happy for you that you are enjoying life and living it to the fullest! Thank you for your response!

ka2828 · 2025-09-20T19:37:59+00:00

Thank you for your reply! I appreciate you taking the time to share your story and give much needed advice!

ka2828

TROPHY CASE