Today I took the brave decision to book an appointment with my GP for this Wednesday afternoon. The reason for the appointment is that I suffer from occasional stabbing pains under my left ***, over my ribs in the side. I have had these occasional pains for a very long time - at least 6 years. They sometimes happen when I laugh, change position, or breath in deeply. They rarely happen when I exercise, and mainly occur at rest or during gentle movement.
Last year I went to the GP about aches in my sturnum, which I also sometimes get, and she reassurred me there was nothing wrong with my heart. My blood pressure was healthy, and while she noticed my heart was beating fast ( I get palpitations when anxious, which I did tell her), the beats were regular. I left feeling as though a great weight had been lifted because I was worrying that I was going to have a heart attack.
My anxiety is mainly health related, but I also get anxious about social situations, the general stresses of life, and a multitude of things going wrong. I often hyperventilate or breath too fast, and I aware that all my bodily tension can create aches and pains. But my anxious half worries that there could be something wrong with me, however unlikely.
I am hoping the GP visit will confirm that the occasional stabbing pain in a localised part of my rib cage is simply anxiety. It is not always there, comes and goes, but sometimes I go days or weeks with no such pain, and then I have a few days where it happens with some frequency. I do not have any other worrying symptoms other than a fast heart rate.
I have read about something called precordial catch syndrome, and reckon that this is what I might have. It is the most common cause of pain caused by anxiety, and occurs beneath the left ***.
I am going with my support worker. I have a fear of doctors. I think I will explain that I have Asperger's - I told the receptionist this - because information has to be very concrete and precise.
I welcome your words of reassurance. Please say something that calms my nerves 