Hi contrarymary, I am so sorry. I am younger than you (early 30s) but have been dealing with chest pain on and off for almost 3 years. However the other physical symptoms I get are textbook anxiety and feed off each other. Since my first panic attack in late 2018 I have been to the ER 4-5 times and had a heap of tests. Holter, x-ray, bone scan, stress tests, numerous blood tests etc. My GP and numerous ER doctors had no real answers. At one point, I had benign ectopic beats for about 3 months until one day they just stopped.
Like you, once I also went to ER and sat there for hours, before realising that once again I would get the same answers so I just left. It is exhausting. I used to be an avid gym goer and my health anxiety has destroyed my fitness routine. I cannot lift weights anymore due to a rapid heartbeat and some weird chest sensations I get. Plus the shakes after any rigorous physical exercise. At one point, I did research and thought I had costochondritis (rib cartilage inflammation). I ended up going to a chiro that was also into mindfulness and he didn't necessarily think I had costochondritis but rather it was all anxiety. I tend to agree.
I've had months where I've been fine but the pains/sensations return when I feel more anxious. There was a great post I read on here once about just accepting your fate and not caring what will happen. To some extent I have moved on but I still get times when it is all-consuming and unfortunately I am going through one of those patches. I find walking helps and a nice routine at night helps, whether it's some relaxing music and a cup of tea or something to engage with. I cannot count the amount of times I laid there in pain (especially lockdown) and just hoped for the best, and yet I am still here after all those years of pain. Surely, surely, if something was really wrong, it would have got you after 5 years? Lastly, I cannot underestimate acceptance. Accept that for better or worse, it's part of you and you have nothing to fear. Only then can you move on.
It sucks and I'm so sorry that after 5 years you experience the same. Sending you my wishes.