Hi Bigcountry, Richie.

Thanks to you both for your posts.  I've been trying the breathing technique you suggested (when I can remember!) and the last few days it has been considerably better.  I seem to get it first thing in the morning in bed after I wake up then maybe a couple more times then at work it has sort of disappeared until later in the evening when it comes back?  Seems totally involuntary and really weird.

The back pain and arm pains have almost diminished and I only get them very occasionally now.  In myself I feel so much better than I did a few months ago.  Back then I have never felt so ill and was convinced that I had something really serious wrong with me.  I am now eating like a horse and have put nearly a stone in weight that I lost back on. Not that I wanted to do that!  I occasionally get the burning after eating but again not severe.  I am not taking any medication at all.

My boss is 55 but his father died from a heart attack at 38 and he has had to take statins for 20 years to keep his cholesterol down.  He has not been able to exercise for years as he had to have his left ankle fused to his leg due to a degenerative bone problem.  The scary bit is that he did not have really bad pain!  Just back pain a feeling of indigestion or trapped gas in his chest and pain in his throat, ear and right arm.  It has been such a shock to see him everyday normal and healthy and then this.

I've decided that I want to get on with my life and try to get back to exercising.  I just want this involuntary gasping to disappear and I want to feel fit again.  I'm not going to bother my doctor anymore as I think I've had nearly every test they can give me and still they have found nothing.  I still find it a complete mystery as to what has been going on for the last 3 months?  However I'm going to take each day as it comes and enjoy it.  

Thanks again for your input, concern and advice I really do appreciate it and I hope you both are feeling well right now.

Kind Regards

Rich