! Burning chest and arms ?!

**Little.Chuck** · 07-13-2010 07:40 AM

Ive had a burning feeling across my collarbone area for at least 20 mins now. Every now and again it travels down both arms and my sternum and becomes more intense along my collar bone. My heart rate is a little fast considering I have taken a propranolol tablet (40MG) about 1 hour ago. I dont think ive got chest pains just the burning and a slight tight feeling along the underneath of my collar bone. I did get 2-3 flutters/spasms in my chest earlier. This is scaring the death out of me and making me get that nervous butterfly feeling in my stomach. Does anyone know what on earth this is?!? I had an anxiety attack last night (i think) could that have caused it? But I didnt have it when I got up. Ive tried looking online and cant find anything it could be. I have been checked for diabeties ect I beleive. I am also a little clammy, hands, and feel a bit sweaty although im not hot. Its really scaring me. Has anyone else experienced this?!?!?

**ItsASecret** · 07-13-2010 05:23 PM

I would avoid the internet, it will only give you several extreme diagnoses. It can be another anxiety attack to be honest. When you are nervous or anxious your blood pressure, body temperature, and heart rate will increase, clammy hands and sweating often happen as well. The propanolol wouldn't have anything to do with it since you have been on it for awhile. Sometimes the burning feeling is literally because you are internally hot as well even if you do not actually feel that way. I would not worry unless you get very strong chest pains, as in ready to call the medics.

**Little.Chuck** · 07-14-2010 11:14 AM

Thankyou x

**Jayla2251** · 07-16-2010 01:28 PM

sounds like flushing that is just like if you take a niacin pill.

**Jayla2251** · 07-16-2010 01:30 PM

you said you weren't hot, but was your skin hot to the touch? when you described it, sounds just like what i said. i tried to do a google search to find if maybe niacin is in that and couldnt really find anything. i seen one study tho.

**Little.Chuck** · 07-18-2010 11:13 AM

how odd... maybe it was the medication, first time and last time it has happened though, it must have been the anxiety.

**kira** · 07-18-2010 01:00 PM

I wouldn't find those uncommon side effects to a beta blocker. I had similar when I took one along with a cough that eventually turned to asthma attacks. I also got frost burn on my face and other exposed skin that winter. Beta blockers make it so your heart cannot react to blood pressure changes or sometimes even temperature changes. If you have low blood pressure you'll get that clammy feeling because the arteries have constricted to help counter the low blood pressure and so less blood is going to your skin and extremities. Normally your heart rate increases to also help counter low blood pressure but a beta blocker prevents that which can lead to all sorts of other weird effects. The results can also be inconsistent. Diet and environmental conditions can change how your body reacts from day to day or even minute to minute.

Personally I will never take a beta blocker again. The human body reacts certain ways for a reason. It needs to be able to perform it's function and handle changes in your environment. Beta blockers stop it from being able to do what it needs to. They do warn you that you can get light headed upon standing or have other symptoms of low blood pressure while taking beta blockers. It's stopping your body from adjusting to even just the difference between laying down and standing up.

**Little.Chuck** · 07-18-2010 01:17 PM

however, its also controlling my heart rate, which at the time being is necessary. I dont have much of a choice at the moment, so until my health problems are resolved, im stuck with propranolol.