Yes…Young Women Can Have Heart Attacks!
Not too long ago I was told a terrifying tale about a young woman and a heart attack. The 40-year-old woman arrived at the emergency room of her local hospital displaying a multitude of symptoms that made it clear that a heart attack was in progress - at least it was obvious to a nurse in the ER.
After hooking the woman up to medications to help deal with the attack, the nurse alerted other doctors to the case and then went home at the end of her shift figuring all was well. When the nurse returned to work the next day, she was shocked to discover that doctors in the ER had stopped the medications, told the woman she was simply having a panic attack and sent her home. The woman suffered major damage to her heart.
Unfortunately, many doctors don’t suspect a heart attack when they see a young woman with chest pain. And, while it’s true that heart attacks are more common among young men than young women, women are not exempt . Figures from the National Center for Health Statistics show that in 1998, approximately 11,000 women under the age of 45 were hospitalized for heart attacks.
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When a heart attack strikes a young woman, she is likely to suffer debilitating damage or die. In a study that looked at gender differences among heart attack victims, researchers found that heart attacks were far more likely to be deadly if the victim was female. In fact, when Dr. Viola Vaccarino and her colleagues looked only at patients under age 50, they found that twice as many women as men died in the days following a heart attack.
Part of the explanation for this frightening statistic is that young women with heart attacks often get either no treatment or they receive delayed care. Sometimes women, and sometimes their doctors, miss the attack because they don’t realize that the symptoms of a heart attack may vary with the patient’s gender, says Vaccarino, an assistant professor of epidemiology at the Yale School of Medicine. Compared to men, during a heart attack women are much more likely to experience back pain, indigestion and nausea and/or vomiting, rather than chest pain, as their symptoms, according to an earlier study by Vaccarino.
And while the bigger teaching hospitals are beginning to catch on, it’s still not uncommon for doctors at smaller institutions to miss heart attacks in younger women, says Dr. Marianne Legato, founder and director of The Partnership for Women’s Health and a professor of clinical medicine at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City. Legato recently reviewed the records for a young woman in her 20s who showed up at a hospital complaining of nausea and vomiting, as well as chest pain. The possibility that the woman might be having a heart attack never occurred to the doctors examining her. She was dead within 48 hours.
When Vaccarino and her colleagues looked at death rates from heart attacks in young people, they found that misdiagnosis and delays in medical care could only explain part of the discrepancy between men and women. This is an area that needs further research, she says.
But, while doctors are at a loss to explain why heart attacks occur in otherwise healthy young women, they have pinpointed a group who are at an elevated risk. Women who smoke, are obese, have diabetes and/or high blood pressure are more likely than others to have a heart attack, Legato says. “And diabetes is a much more important risk factor for women than men,” she adds. “Once you have it, your risk for [heart disease] is four to six times higher.”
Ultimately, women need to know the signs of a heart attack and demand proper care if they think they may be having one. If you have risk factors for a heart attack, no matter whether you are in your 20s or 30s or 40s, and you feel you are experiencing a heart attack, don’t allow the doctor to dismiss your symptoms as indigestion or anxiety. Tell them you want to be tested. If you don’t, the consequences could be deadly.
The following symptoms could signal heart ills:
- Angina (chest pain). Can also include back pain or deep aching and throbbing in the left or right bicep or forearm.
- Breathlessness. Also may include waking up having difficulty catching one’s breath.
- Clammy perspiration.
- Dizziness. Unexplained lightheadedness, even blackouts.
- Edema. Swelling, particularly of the ankles or lower legs.
- Fluttering. Rapid heartbeats.
- Gastric upset (or nausea).
- Heavy fullness. Also may include pressure-like chest pain between breasts and radiating to left arm or shoulder.
If you are experiencing these symptoms please do not wait, contact a doctor immediately for your own safety.
Sources: ACOG/Medical Tribune News Service
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I am 22 years old. I was diagnosed with a mitral valve prolapse when I was about 12. ( forgive my spelling) For the past few years I have, at random times, experienced chest pains. I get sweaty, though I’m not hot, shortness of breath, I can feel my heart going like it’s trying to come out of.my chest.and get light headed or tunnel vision. I have been to the ER a couple different times but they give me the runaround because I am young. My family has a hystory of chroded artery disease and several of my family members have had triple or quadrouple bypass surgery. My blood pressure does run on the high side. But no doctor will put me on meds for that or really even listen to me about my heart. They dismiss it as anxiety. I was recently put on zoloft. I’m afraid that if I go in again they will simply dismiss me again. Any advice? Or am I simply being overly worrisome?
Hi Ariel, Only a trained physician can accurately diagnose health issues. If you have concerns, the safest option is to go to see your doctor. It sounds like your symptoms have been strong enough that you’ve noticed and kept track of them. Take that information with you when you go to see your doctor and he or she will be able to advise you on how to proceed.
I am 29, I have had a pain in the left side of my chest that comes and goes. I have not been able to track exactly when it comes and goes but it seems to be once or twice a month. Sometimes I get dizzy spells and even partially black out, but they are less often and do not accompany the chest pain. The black outs or dizziness usually happen a few times a year. I have gained a lot of weight in a little amount of time (30-60 days). I gained at least 20 pounds, mostly in my breasts and stomach area. I have not weighed my self to be sure, but everyone notices the weight gain because I was slim and I cannot fit into any of my clothes now. With my age I never suspected a heart attack, but reading this article and the comments, I’m just not sure.
: God bless you, Jean, for sharing this with us! Someone will benefit from your info about having Lime, baby-talk as a symptom for women having a heart attack, and women not treated will by male doctors. I pray that many readers will stand up for themselves……. I also lift up M’s mum in prayer, that the pain in her left fore-arm will be something the doctor will take seriously! Jesus is our Great Physician, and Healer. I am on my knees for you now. Blessings as you trust Him in all things.
I am 39. On April 22 2013 I suffered a heart attack on the right side of my heart (RCA). I went to my local ER with classic signs of a heart attack. Nausea, shortness of breath, cold sweat, passing out, chest pain, left arm pain. I was treated for GI, made to walk to my CT scan, and walk to give a urine sample. The attending ER physician was adamant I was having a spasm of some sort and I was told on several different occasions by the DR I was not having a heart attack. The physician was rude and condescending. At one point she was in my face, with a smug look and ask me if I was having an anxiety attack. She was so close that I could smell her breath. After 3 hours or so I was given three nitro pills. This only alleviated my pain to a 5 and morphine that gave me minimal relief. Still the Dr ignored any relief I received from the nitro and expressed I was not having a heart attack again. Finally my heart enzymes were checked. The Dr walked in the room with a mouth full of food and said, ” you’re having a heart attack. We are arranging for transport to OHH.” Then disappeared never to be seen again. Frightened, I began to sob and the RN tried to comfort me. Once at Oklahoma Heart Hospital they started me on a nitro drip and pain killer. The next morning at 10:30 I had a stent placed in my RCA and thru an angiogram they discovered this was my second heart attack that the left side of me heart (LAD) was clogged and could not place a stent. I have 4 collateral veins already one of which is my circumflex to my LAD. My ramus was trying to supply my entire hearts blood supply. My husband would not allow the ER Dr to ignore my symptoms and this probably saved my life. I have two contributing factors. I smoked and my biological father had his first heart attack at 32. His heart disease was attributed to his lifestyle. Alcoholic, drug abuse, and smoking were all factors for him. He died at the age of 50. While my smoking was most certainly a large factor of my heart attack, my genetics put me at higher risk. I work out regularly and eat healthy. Last year I completed the insanity program with only partial heart function. My injection fraction is now 35%. I have been told by everyone I don’t look like a heart attack patient. I have an appointment with a cardiologist to schedule a bypass. Yes, anyone can have a heart attack!
Dear Father God.
Lord ilift up both jean and her husband and ask for a complete healing upon there body as You have designed that body to work the way You set it up too. I pray for a miracle in both of them. In Jesus Mightyname amen
Hi, my mum recently had a heart attack and had 2 stents put in. She has recovered but is experiencing extreme pain in her left fore arm. The doctor who fitted the stents said she is imagining it. I no this isn’t the case but my mum has a very high threshold for pain. I cant find any information about forearm pain after a heart attack. Thank you
PS I had Lyme for 12 years before I was diagnosed- and then my LLMD disappeared- and all my records with him. Now I can’t work and I can’t get SS or medicare because of it. I’m screwed.
I have lyme also- and it does damage all your orgnas- not just your heart. My mom had lyme and it was never diagnosed until after death. She had a mini stroke- a major stroke – and then a heart attack and died. I wish I had known that “baby talk” was a symptom of stroke. I was 17 and they didn’t go into detail in health class. Women don’t have the same symptoms- and men get taken seriously when in the ER- women get sent home wiht a psych eval by ignorant male doctors. Don’t let them release you until they have treated you like a MAN- I know countless women that died because 24 yr old doctors sent them home to die – BECAUSE THEY WERE WOMEN. And we women are just as bad when needing help and not getting it. We make every excuse in the book- no sitter- the dishes aren’t done- I don’t have a ride- I have to work….ect. My husband has had 3 heart attacks and he’s only 43. GET HELP. No one wants to call 911 and make a fuss-bu this is your life- and don’t ler some piss ant dcotor tell you that your life isn’t worth it because you’re a woman- I actually had that happen- he looked me straight in the eye and told me that it doesn’t matter if I die- “I”m just a woman and I don’t matter”…… This was an ER doc and I was down to 72 pounds and on my death bed from lyme.
Hi guys, well thank you for this sharing page, now i have power to tell everything to my family, i’m sure you know the first reaction of them, they feel really bad, but finally they can accept what was actually happen to me.. we’ve call my dad’s specialist doctor, they’ve heard everything from him. now i feel better, even i still have to face this disease.. well my live is actually in HIS hands.. it was really nice to know you all guys.. Thank you very much. GOD Bless you all.
Dear Patty, thank you for sharing with our readers regarding your own experience in having a heart attack. You mentioned that both of your parents battle with heart disease. Had you been taking precaution in taking proper care of your heart and body knowing that heart disease runs in your family? Often people fail to neglect to take proper care of their bodies until something tragic takes place.
When I had my heart attack, I typically ate a well balanced diet, always stayed at a healthy weight, and exercised daily. However, the one thing I failed to take care of was “stress” in my life and it ultimately was a leading cause to my heart attack. Be aware that after having a heart attack, the first year is always frightening. Each time I experienced the slightest bit of pain in my chest I though I was having another heart attack and was going to die. However, I had to overcome this way of thinking and rest assure that as I continued to take good care of my over all health I would be fine and my heart would continue to heal.
Do you have a good support team now in your efforts of taking better care of your overall health? Are there certain things you are doing now to take better care of your heart? This is so important for your recovery.
this past few months i suffered chest pain a lot..until last January i decided to Conduct ECG…the result were i have a poor “R” wave and my intraventricular conduction delay…it is alarming?is it a sign that i have a heart diseases.cos until now i didnt see a doctor to read the result for e to have proper medication cos im afraid to…
I would like to add to this post, that I am a 36 yr old female, with no previous health history of my own…both my parents have heart disease and has basically left me genetically screwed …..March 12 2013 I suffered a 95% blockage heart attack…they placed a stent in my right coronary artery and said that I have heart disease as well as my parents …I’m scared to death of this reoccurring, as I was so panicky when it all happened…..had pain in my right shoulder blade, was really sweaty, pale as a ghost, I couldn’t breath that well, and I wanted to vomit, but couldn’t….my friend stuck her finger in my face and told me she was taking my stubborn butt to the hospital….I had no idea I was having a heart attack….the cardiologist said I might not have made it through the night ……ALWAYS KNOW THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS ……it could save your life.
Hi Kayleigh, how are you doing today? There are a number of things that fit with those symptoms and it is best to talk about them with your doctor.
Last night I had pains down my left breast and ribs, I also then stated to have a very dull aching pain going through my left arm, shoulder, neck and jawline also with really bad sweating. Today I feel really tired and my arm is still aching. Can anybody help and say what this might be. Thank you
I just turned 45 a few weeks ago. This past Tuesday I was literally sitting at my desk. My chest began to hurt. Within minutes the pain went into my left breast and then spread to my left shoulder and shoulder blade…. they both felt like they were on fire. Thank God, I run a nursing home and had nurses and doctors there asap. I was given a nitro and baby aspirin and immediately taken to the ER. I was then informed I was having a heart attack. I am five days into a heart stent being placed, a complete change in what I eat, not one cigarette and walking daily! I had been feeling for months that burning sensation in my back and just assumed b/c I have to bad disc in my back that was the problem. It can happen to someone my age! Watch all warning signs they talk about and insist good medical care!
Shannon be persistent with the ER. Don’t take no for an answer. Insist that you won’t leave the ER until you get the EKG. If they are refusing to help. Make an appointment with a regular doctor and beg to please be referred to a cardiologist in order to wear a heart monitor and also ask for blood tests. Tell the doctor to please give you the proper tests and heart monitor so that you can personally feel relieved knowing that everything is all good and nothing is wrong with your heart because you have children to worry about. Write down all your symptoms and times that your heart starts doing this squeezing. Write down what activity you were doing at the time and also foods that you were eating that day (you never know). I am just saying document, document, document. You have to be proactive and make the doctor listen. Good luck and hope all is well.
Editor’s note: Hi Megan, I have removed your comment because you indicated that you are underage. This is part of our commenting policy and done for your own protection. If you are experiencing health issues, please talk to a parent or guardian so that they can take you to a doctor if needed.
Hi Shannon, if you are not happy with the care you received from the cardiologist go back to your primary care doctor and discuss the reaction you got from the cardiologist. Request a referral to another cardiologist. Don’t be embarrassed to go to the ER. Explain clearly what has happened and get them to refer you to a different cardiologist.
Please help me. I am a 38 year old single mother of two babies. I have been experiencing squeezing chest pain (like someone is holding my heart and squeezing it) shortness of breath and extreme exhaustion. chest pain radiates if im upset and it comes and goes. made appt with a primary care doctor for what i thought was stress induced difficulty falling and staying asleep. primary care dr did ekg. ekg said left ventricular hypertrophy consider anterior infarction. referred me to cardiologist for echo and stress test. Insurance only approved another ekg. went to cardiologist today. he spoke with me for two minutes said i am too young and too pretty to have a heart problem (he actually said that??!!) he refused to listen to anything i said and DID NONE OF THE TESTS MY DR. ORDERED. he didnt even do the ekg medical approved! also my dad died young of congestive heart failure. i am continuing to have sqeezing pain but am too embarrassed to go to er when the cardiologist refused to help me. how can i get the er to do something??
Thanks for this great article. I’m 48 years old and in pretty good health but just drove myself to the ER two nights ago with a weird pain that started suddenly in my shoulder and progressed down my left arm. Because I’m aware of women’s often atypical symptoms, I took aspirin and drove myself to the emergency room. After a somewhat puzzled triage nurse looked at my EKG (comparing it with an earlier one from years ago), and after 1/2 hour in the waiting room I was finally taken back and spent the next 6 hours in the ER. In addition to the blood draws and monitoring I was given 3 nitroglycerin tablets and finally felt the pain go away. Since I’m nearing 50 I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised, but I’m glad to say that no one ignored my symptoms or thought I was being hysterical in spite of the fact that it’s in my records that I have a form of Bipolar disorder. Perhaps things are getting better and hospitals are being more aware of women’s heart issues. I should ad that this was in Anchorage Alaska, and I think we’re lucky to have very good hospitals here.
I am sorry Katie, I don’t know enough to give you any definitive answer. Have you asked your doctor or the cardiologists that you have seen? They should be able to let you know if there is a link.
I had a minor heart attack at 24. I woke up out of a dead sleep with severe chest pain and my let arm felt heavy and numb. I told myself “I think I’m having a heartattack” then I though “no that’s not possible” I tried to relax myself and lauds down for about 30 more seconds and woke up my husband and said take me to the hospital “I’m having a heart attack”. The entire way to the hospital I held my chest to distract from the pressure I felt while perspirating profusely. When I checked in and complaint of chest pain, no one took it serious. I told the doctor my thought about having a heart attack and he didn’t seem convinced until he began testing and then the seriousness kicked into full force. Within 15 minutes I was prepped and ready to be taken to the cardiac care unit at the hospital. The cardiologist gathered his team of several cardiologist and they all studied my case and were all completely dumbfounded. I had perfect blood pressure, great cholesterol, and a very low pulse rate. I was very physically fit and was in great health before this occurred. They could never find reasoning as to why I had this heart attack. I have also suffered from severe headaches that come daily for 2-3 months and then disappear completely for 2-3 months. Does anyone know if these could be linked in anyway?
Thanks C for the information and the link. Being armed with quality information can be such a huge help.
Let me please remind you all that this is not a medical site and is not monitored by any professional medical personnel. If you are having problems with your health you need to talk to your doctor. If you are not satisfied with the information your doctor is giving go get a second opinion. There is no one more motivated than you to find solutions to your health and you are often the best one to assess if things are not right, so keep on asking questions if you don’t feel like you are being taken seriously.
GG I would recommend that you continue to either help your parents understand the concerns you have or connect with your doctor directly.
Hello there, I am a 19 year old, my family has had expirenced heart decieses, my maternal grandmother died of a heart attack in her mid 40′s and my paternal grandfather died of a heart attack at age 43, my mother has high blood pressure and so does my father. I have ostroartrytist which is artrytis all over your boder with disconfort and cracking of the joints, I am a little on the heavy side but not by alot… and lately during the last past days I have being expirenced back pain (like my back is burning) heartburn, a thighning feeling under my rib cage, and a horrible pain on the left side of my head, including my throath, both of my legs becamed numb at somepoint and so did my arms, I nearly passed out on the spot once while talking on the phone with my lover. I take painkillers but the pain never seizers, and is horrible when I lay down, it lastes for what feels for hours sometimes… my parents won’t lisent to me… WHAT DO I DO? even if is not a heart attack or anything this is not normal and is affecting me, it hurts so much when I move I feel like crying… please someone let me what to do… I’m way too young to be having problems at all… ;n;
Prinzmetal angina, also known as variant angina or angina inversa, is a syndrome typically consisting of angina (cardiac chest pain) at rest that occurs in cycles. It is caused by vasospasm, a narrowing of the coronary arteries caused by contraction of the smooth muscle tissue in the vessel walls rather than directly by atherosclerosis (buildup of fatty plaque and hardening of the arteries). It occurs more in younger women.
Guys, this what i got.. if u want to know more just check out this link http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prinzmetal's_angina#section_2
Since 8 years i’ve experience the pain that i’ve mention before, finally i found what is it. I hope it could help u guys to find out what kind of disease that u’ve got, instead going to a doctor and got nothing.. God bless..
I have had heart problems since I was a kid. I have tachycardia and take inderal to control it. My heartrate has been as high 200 beats a minute. I have chest pains when I breath in and it feels like someone is stabbing a knife into my cheat. And I also have heart flutters where it feels like my heart is in my throat. It makes it difficult to breathe. Am I having a stroke or something. I have these symptoms all the time and doctors dont know what is causing it. Someone please help me. Thank you.
l am 29 and just experienced this last night i rushed to the Dr.they run some test but was nothing,was told am too young to have heart Attack its frustrating am feeling so weak right now.
Doctors don’t suspect a heart attack when they see a young woman with chest pain. And, while it’s true that heart attacks are more common among young men than young women, women are not exempt . Figures from the National Center for Health Statistics show that in 1998, approximately 11,000 women under the age of 45 were hospitalized for heart attacks.
Hi Yo Yo, I can imagine how scary it must be for you but part of that fear is the unknown. Having a Dr identify what is causing your pain will help take away some of that unknown. But for your child/children you need to take care of yourself and make sure you are around to love and care for them. I absolutely agree that you need to put this in God’s hands and He will guide you to the best path to deal with this. He will help you talk with your doctor and work through the diagnosis process. He will help you have the courage to work through treatment options and He will be the one who helps you care for your children.
Lord God, I pray for Yo Yo and her children. Help her to walk through this uncertainty and discover what the issues are. Heal her body so that she is able to continue to provide a godly example to her children and help them grow into godly men and women. Provide for her needs out of the abundance of Your resources both materially and spiritually. Amen.
Yo Yo, are you a part of a church? I totally recommend that you find some Christian brothers and sisters who can help you and your family walk this path together. The Bible encourages us to bear one another’s burdens and I am sure there are people around you who God has called to help you through this.
I’m 44 years old and scared to death, i have these pains and more, im a single mom having to wk 2jobs in order to make it out here, i just don’t know what to do. do i just stop wking trying to make it are just put this is gods hands..
Dear C, it is not normal for your body to be experiencing pain as you have mentioned. Just the worry alone must be hard to deal with. It would be wise for you to talk with you mom and perhaps get in to see your doctor who could run some simple test to find out the cause of your discomfort. Surely, you would not want to live the rest of your life with this problem going unsolved. Have you not brought the issue up to your parents because of lack of health insurance or family finances?
hi, i’m hum, just call me C. i am 21 years old.since I was 12, I began to feel a strange pain in my left chest, the pain penetrates to the back left and even now feels up to my neck and left arm. but I never told anyone. until now I have almost every day feel the same pain. the pain did not come when I do physical activity, but when I was stopped on the move or at rest. pain was felt roughly to 10 or even up to 20 minutes and if it is too long, then I will start breathing difficulty. what should I do? but I do not want to tell anyone about it, even my family. I do not want them to worry. thank you.
I am so sorry Brenda for your loss. What a terrible shock for you and your family. I don’t know if those treatments could have been responsible for her heart attack but I can totally understand your desire to find the cause. How long ago did your daughter have her heart attack? Do you have strong supports in your life as you grieve?
My 44 year old daughter died of a heart attack. She was diabetic but no heart problems. No signs of heart problems. She had a sore on her foot that requiring her to have 36 visits to the hyperbaric chamber and had just finished treatments and the next week she died just sitting in her chair. Could this treatment have had anything to do with it?
Thank you, Wendy, for responding to Kristi. I could not agree more that it is vitally important to err on the side of caution. Without being checked out medically, there is absolutely no way to tell if one is having an anxiety attack, indigestion, or a more serious health problem, such as a heart attack or aneurism. Kristi, your life is definitely worth the time and the medical attention necessary to find out the source of your intense pain. I pray that you have received the care you need and that you are now okay.
@Kristi, are you still having pain? If you’ve never experienced this pain before, I would error on the side of caution and go to the ER or call a nurses line. I would at the very, very least call someone to come stay with you until pain subsides and make an urgent appointment with your Dr or go to an urgent care tomorrow. An aortic aneurysm presents with back or chest pain also.
Please help!! Seriously think I could be suffering with early signs of a heart attack! Really bad back, inbetween shoulders to middle of back! Also right breast and armpit! Been like it since early hours this morning. I am only 20 and I have never felt this before, thought it was indstion until now! Cheat was hurting but now its mainly back! Do I contact hospital now? I do not want to go in to a+e if I only do have indigestion! Thank you
What more can I add, except to encourage all young women who are concerned about this to copy down the list of symptoms and keep them where you can refer to them on short notice. If you suspect a heart attack, make sure you insist on a proper set of tests. There is also the ounce of prevention by eating healthy and getting adequate sleep and exercise. Good health to you (and I mean physical, emotional, mental and Spiritual health)! In addition I’d say: Thank God for GOOD HEALTH, rather than thinking too much about illnesses. By that I mean “focus on the positive”.
Re-reading your letters, I need to respond to Ashley: I would suspect that you have an allergy to peanuts, so you may do well to avoid them. To Alexandra I could mention that there is a condition called sensitivity to electromagnetic waves. If you are ever on vacation, away from Wi-Fi, from a cell phone and from the computer, and actually feel better, than that may be the case.
Praying again for you, I get the feeling that God has plans for you that are beyond your wildest dreams! Keep looking up, for God is there!
hi, im just wondering if anyone can help, as the doctors arent really doing anything all i get is that your too young for chest pains.
i just turned 22 in october, i have been receiving chest paind shortness of breathe sometimes even numness (goes down from my neck all the way to my hand (only one side)
my chest pains used to sometimes feel like electric shocks (doctor said that was something normal)
most the time it would feel like tightening pain as if someone is squashing you to death, and i get shortening of breathe with it (doctors said im too young for chest pains, and get shortening of breathe because i get nervous)
but now the pain is getting extremely painfull if feels like a have 100kg sitting on my chest, especially when i sleep on my side than turn on my back, the pain is at worst. however its now happening 10-15times a day. i cant sleep anymore due to the pain, and really dont want to waste my time going to the doctors, as its always same answer.
am i just exaggerating or may there be something
thanks
Alexandra, I am 18 and have experienced all of what you are talking about. They ran every test on me and found nothing. I went to a psychiatrist because the doctors finally told me I was crazy.. Well, come to find out, through a web of people that I know God set up, I have Lyme Disease. I had it for 10 years and no doctor ever found it. Lyme Disease is very hard to diagnose though and most doctors don’t run the right test. The most accurate test is done in a lab in CA, it’s called the Igenix test. Also, only certain doctors know how to read the results correctly. Only a LLMD, or Lyme Disease doctor, will know how. Anyway, it’s just something to look into. I know how frustrating it is when nobody can figure out what’s wrong.