"Spasm" feeling in chest, no pain involved - part 2

Hi 

I have the same problem. It feels loke a spasm and as if I have skipped breathe. Initially it occurred with the frequency of twice in a month. For last four days it has become more frequent i.e 5-6 times per day. It is very scary, it would be nice if somebody could tell me if it is normal or what causes such spas

It's so strange to read that others are experiencing the same, although a huge relief!

I'm a 35 year old woman and the first time I felt, what I call "a bubble" sensation, was three months ago. Although I am under a lot of pressure and probably higher levels of stress than usual as I've just started my own business, I feel completely in control and not like I'm unable to cope? Looking back I don't think there was any significant reason or event that might have caused this- if it was stress related?  

Anyway, after a few days it went away BUT the bubbles are back today! It honestly feels like a baby kicking. I've been so distressed by this 1) being pregnant right now is just unthinkable and 2) since when does a baby sit so high up under your ribcage?! I honestly thought I'm going to have to go to the Dr. and ask for a sonar of my ribs

I to have the same problems as other do on this site.and gas acid reflux.taking probiotics helps

And it helps to take potassium

I just want to say how impressed I am with you having the fortitude to figure our the "triggers". I don't think many ppl would have the strength/commitment to start sleeping in an empty room (or other rooms). I know I would have gone to a doctor myself! Nice work.

actually crying while reading these posts...what do we do...are there medical experts? Where?

Hi. I'm glad I found this! I'm slightly freaking out:/ I'm 40 years old and 20 weeks pregnant. Within the last week I've had this crazy spasm thing. Twice in the center of my chest and once a little more to my left chest/side. It's so strange! I'm glad to hear this isn't necessarily a heart issue....especially since I'm expecting! I've never had any heart issues up til now. Any thoughts

I have the same problem with the spasms.  Last night it woke me up almost every 5 minutes.  It is very scary and no matter how I lay it continues in 5 minute intervals.  I would love to hear whether someone has had a successful diagnosis.  Today I feel really shaky and jittery.  Sometimes I notice they seem to coincide with ovulation or the beginning of my menstral cycle.  As the people have posted above...I have found some relief with potassium and magnesium. 

Thanks. Your description is exactly what I feel. Like bubbles or chunks passing through the center of my body near my breast bone (diaphragm area) I will like to ad, although I still worry about it every time it happens, It started when I was about 17 and happened a couple of times a year. I am now 44 and it happens a couple of times a week. Point is I am still alive and have experienced it for almost 20 years. It is scary, but all it ever is, is that feeling then a little panic/anxiety. Over the years I do think I suffer from anxiety.

I am 42 years old. I started back in 2013 with this catch of breath/ breath taken away in a split second. Its right by my sternum on the right side close to the breast muscle. I can be relaxed and or talking and i feel like a hiccup/spasm and it takes my breath away for that split second. I have almost literally read everyones feed and some go way off to what some of us are really trying to figure out. I am a disabled veteran and i suffer from PTSD. Ive had a bout with anxiety and panic attacks and in the side effects with the Paxil really made me paranoid of meds all together. Well, as i have lived a stressful few years. I started with palpitations and what not and of course i did the whole work up. Nuclear Medicine, EKG, Echochardiogram, Stress Test where they saw one pvc and they decided i need a heart cath done. So, i had that done and my arteries are clean as a whistle and this was done back in 2007. Then in 2011 i was under complete stress and anxiety and started having the palpitations again. Did a Cat scan with contrast and again arteries clean as a whistle. So, the second cardiologist was upset about even having a heart cath done in the first place. Healthy heart. Told me i need to eat right and relax. So, he referred me to a family doctor and she tested me for H Pilori and i did have that so she put me on a zpack and took care of that. Everything subsided until 2013 and again under a lot of stress. I was driving with my son and i got this huge spasm, no pain, no chest constriction but it took my breath away for that split second. I felt like i was going to pass out and i just shook my head. I felt really anxious after that and of course my heart started racing. I was driving with my son at the time and he said if i was ok. That really freaked me out. So, of course i went to the doctors and asked them what it was and they said it was nothing and its not my heart. So, with all the PTSD, Anxiety, Panic Attack disorders. It really has overtaken me but hopeful. Ive only had these sudden events maybe a few times. It just feels right at my sternum a bit to the right side of my chest. I haven't felt a strong one until today and it caught my breath. I have been trying to meditate and do my breathing exercises. I will be seeing my therpist on Thursday so will be telling her about these spasms in my chest that take my breath away and sometimes i do feel a light tingly rush but i think that is just my anxiety kicking in. I am glad that i found this feed. Lot of you guys are describing what i am feeling. I thought i was the only one. 

I had similar spasm in the past but usually it goes away. Last year I had it again, and as it was frequent throughout the day, I decided to pay the doctor a visit. Doc wanted me to do SKG but also did blood test on me. Turned out I had H Pylori. Went on Antibiotics for one week, felt good and spasm went away.

Started taking Kefir milk after getting all clear that the H Pylori is gone. Found that it created gas, but continued to take it. Now after 2 months of getting the clear, spasms are back and frequent again. Not sure due to gas build from kefir or perhaps I caught H Pylori again as it's contagious and easily caught within family. Will try stopping or reducing kefir and see whether it gets better. If not will go on antibiotics again and see whether that clears it.

Its just a split second this spasm happens. No pain, no constrictions just that flop feeling or like a twitch feeling that catches my breath. Hate the feeling but i will look into the H Pilori again.

Ah yes. Anxiety. Lovely, isn't it?

I've had stomach anxiety (and the subsequent tummy troubles) for most of my life. When my wife was pregnant with our first, all that stuff kicked into high gear. It sucked, plain and simple. It more than sucked. It was hell on earth for short while, honestly, but after cognitive therapy, breathing meditations, lots of exercise, a better diet, and a little getting used to being called "dad," my anxiety has decreased.

But then we went and bought a new apartment. So that added stress, and once again, my anxiety is reaching new heights...even though we're moving right next door! Hahhaah! (Sigh. I hate you, anxiety.) The other day, after putting together 8 huge reams of papers for the co-op board, these "esophageal spasms"--which only happened rarely before--starting happening more, around the time when I was eating or drinking something that gives me slight indigestion. (I'm Jewish, my wife's Presbyterian: Manischewitz and chocolate for Passover and Easter respectively.) The increase in "esophageal spasms" were also accompanied by a raw feeling in my chest in the mornings. I just read another thread where the professional feedback said the raw chest is most likely due to acid in the stomach building up overnight.

And it definitel feels like acid, and of course, like anxiety.

Rest easy, fellow anxious friends--you're not gonna die. (Even Web MD, which usually tells you YOU'RE DYING, says it's prolly anxiety and/or acid reflux.) Breathing meditations, peppermint tea, exercise, a low-acid diet and some cognitive chit chats is the answer.

Happy holidays, happy breathing, and love, peace and tranquility to you all!

I saw a cardiologist, but couldn't make it happen in 24hr halter monitor either. He said it was probably pvc and wasn't worried. I still am! It's a bad feeling.

I had this several years ago and now in the last week I have had like 20-30 a day. I have anxiety and panic attacks but went off meds when had children in 2007. I just work through the attacks and it has helped since 2007. Now getting back to these Spasms/Flutters it like right unserneath my ribcage in the middle and it can happen when I am walking, sitting or laying in bed. I cam sometimes feel them coming on as well. Feels like a big thump or flop like and I feel like I am not breathing and my heart stops for a split 2 seconds and I feel a little lightheaded and then I feel the need to cough to the "Restart" my heartbeat. Its so odd. But it all came on after alot of stress and worrying and muscle spasm under ribacage area. Teh lightheaededness for a split second and thump or flop in chest are scary as heck. But like I said I had this a few years back. I had mentioned it to my doctor and he chalked uit up to be anxiety and possible acid reflux.

It is just nice to be able to vent and talk on these forums about this