Chest Pains

[jknightuk]

Hiya all,

I'm normally about on here offering advice... but now it's me that's in need of advice! Crikey... ok... I'll try to be brief:

As of yesterday morning, I woke up at 04:40 with severe chest pains. Went downstairs had a cup of hot tea (no sugar) and listened to some classical music on my headset. I managed to relax... get tired and go back to bed. Only I woke up at 06:00 with another bout of pains.

Ok. I've been keeping myself busy, but now I find it's bugging me again. To describe the pain, it feels like someone is pressing their foot down on my chest heavily. I rang NHS Direct who helped me a bit, and my ex rushed me to the hospital. After a scan, they sent me home.

But.. I am still in pain. Any ideas?

 

[racer2438]

No Idea's but we are not doctors on here, so you should get more test's done and have full check up w/labs and see w/doctors say.

Never ignore pain always go to doctor.

 

[Horschallen]

What kind of scan did you have? Did they take EKG reading of your heart? See a cardiologist at ER? Are you not in the United States?

 

[jknightuk]

Hi Racer2438...

Thanks for that am going to book an appointment first thing in the morning as soon as the surgery opens. Guess I was panicking! lol. I've never had this sort of thing happen to me before... but I think it might be the stress I've been under taking it's toll on me.

Great advice, and thanks again

Horschallen: The scan I was referring to was just a Doctor looking over me my taking blood pressure readings, and had a feel of my chest. He pressed down at the top of my chest, and nearly had me yell at the top of my voice! LOL... oh.. I'm from the UK

 

[Horschallen]

I guess doctors here in the USA are more thorough with the examinations. They usually do EKG, blood works, etc. to help them determine what may be causing the pains.

Hope you feel better soon.

 

[guyfromNY]

You certainly need an EKG and probably an echo-cardiogram. Chest pains are something that you really don't wait to ignore (could it be gas???)

 

[onetwothreefour]

I wouldn't worry too much because hey you're still here; however, the tests you said they did do sound pretty skimpy for a hospital visit. I had tightness in my chest and shortness of breath once and went to the ER and they did a lot of bloodwork and an EKG. I followed up later with a cardiologist and had a holter monitor test and an echocardiogram, and everything seemed OK.

So, maybe they do too much testing in the US or not enough in the UK, not sure. It could really be anything--indigestion, etc. But you might want more tests done. Making a plan will make you feel better.

 

[jft245]

I agree that the tests they did don't seem complete, but that being said, I once had the same thing happen and it turned out to be acid reflux. Make the appointment with the doctor just to follow up and please let us know how it goes, best of luck.

 

[Deandbn]

Hi Racer2438...

Thanks for that am going to book an appointment first thing in the morning as soon as the surgery opens. Guess I was panicking! lol. I've never had this sort of thing happen to me before... but I think it might be the stress I've been under taking it's toll on me.
Great advice, and thanks again

Horschallen: The scan I was referring to was just a Doctor looking over me my taking blood pressure readings, and had a feel of my chest. He pressed down at the top of my chest, and nearly had me yell at the top of my voice! LOL... oh.. I'm from the UK

You can bet that they would not send you home if there was anything wrong with your breathing.

edit: However you should have asked what was wrong with you before leaving the hospital.


I am not a doctor but IMHO you were having a panic attack. They would probably only let you go home once your blood pressure had subsided.

 

[medic1]

Hey buddy
They should have done an ECG not an ekg and they should have carried out
some bloodwork before sending you home.
You defo did the right thing by going to casualty though i am really surprised
at the level of care you had.
You were probably seen by a junior house officer these are doctors who are
doing their years post-reg after just qualifying as doctors but they have to get
their diagnosis and treatment passed by a senior doctor.
Here in the UK there is a national protocal for patients presenting with moderate
to severe chest pain,but from your thread this does not seem to have been done.
A few of the other posters have gave very good advice see your own doctor ASAP
if the pains come back dont hesitate go straight back to casualty as you can never
be to safe when it comes to chest-pain,especially chest-pain that wakes you from
sleep. I hope it turns out to be Gastric Reflux or something as simple.
Keep us posted wishing you well.

 

[jknightuk]

Hiya Medic1...

Thanks for the kind words. I have an update for everyone:

I went back into hospital this morning... and was kept there for 4 hours whilst they tried to figure out what was wrong with me. I was unable to lie down on the bed without being in pain so they propped me up.

I was given a couple of paracetamol which... to note, did not help at all! lol. Mind you, at one point my ex had tears in his eyes.

Back home now, relaxing.... and wanted to pop onto JUB to let all know how it was going. Since being in the hospital, and coming back home... I am none the wiser as to what the heck the problem is! LOL.

Is there a doctor in the house?

 

[kallipolis]

^Do you live alone?

What is your age?

Do you have any over whelming worries/anxieties that are pressing you?

Are you a smoker? If so, how many cigarettes do you smoke per day?

Do you drink alcohol? If so what is your daily consumption, and what is your regular poison?

 

[jknightuk]

^Do you live alone?

What is your age?

Do you have any over whelming worries/anxieties that are pressing you?

Are you a smoker? If so, how many cigarettes do you smoke per day?

Do you drink alcohol? If so what is your daily consumption, and what is your regular poison?

Hi kallipolis

Hmm.. ok, let's see if I can answer your questions for you! lol.

To start, I'm 38... (with a mind of 18+ ) I do have a lot of stress at the moment what with being self employed, and just split up with my partner. Although he wants me to sit down later this evening for a man-2-man chat (yikes!). I live in my ex-partners home.

I hold my hand up to being a smoker. I used to smoke 30+ per day, but cut right down after a health scare. I only smoke 5 to 10 per day now as I am trying to quit.

I don't drink alcohol at all... got drunk once and never done it since LOL

Mind you, saying that... I used to drink bacardi with coca-cola.

 

[jknightuk]

You certainly need an EKG and probably an echo-cardiogram. Chest pains are something that you really don't wait to ignore (could it be gas???)

Definate pass on the gas part hehehe. But, I know what you mean. Sometimes when people get chest pains it often turns out to be gas. I have a cure for that tho: Drink a glass of Dr.Pepper... that'll do it! LOL

 

[kallipolis]

Thanks, for your prompt reply.

I rather believe that your symptoms indicate heightened anxiety rather than anything that should cause you to be overtly concerned.

Having said that I believe that there is a real need to spend more time with people, friends, acquaintances and thus reduce your time alone.

You may wish to consider eating more vegetables, fresh fruit on a daily basis, and I recommend consuming three bananas per day to improve your sense of well being.

Today you may wish to visit your chemist and purchase a 30 day supply of multi vitamins. I am concerned that your daily vitamin intake should include the B-complex vitamin group.

Eliminate coffee, or other stimulants from your daily diet.
Drink a mug of camomile tea about one hour before sleep.

When you have that meeting this evening, try and be a good listener, and be much less obsessive in your responses.

My own opinion is that with a willingness to exercise control over your heightened emotional responses to your current challenges you will discover that your chest pains will subside, even disappear.

 

[jknightuk]

Hi Kallipolis,

Wow.. that was fast! Thanks for posting back on this thread.

To cut a long story short, my ex has a history of causing greif towards me. But, I am one of the forgiving type of people! lol. In 8 years, the first year was ok and it all went downhill from there, but I was determined to put things right and gave him so many chances.

I would move out, but it's difficult to explain. I do care for him a great deal still... and I know deep down he does too, so there's something there Good job I am a good listener! LOL.

As for fruit, consider it done! I am having a healthy salad today, and since this morning have not smoked at all in case I make it the pain worse.

As for friends... it was my main reason for signing up here on JUB. I have no family to speak of (they told me face-to-face I was dead to them) and no real friends either that I can go to. But I feel at home here with everyone.

Thanks again

 

[kallipolis]

^Well noted. My advice on spending more time with people is highly recommended as a means to minimise your sense of isolation.

Socialising with other people is an essential ingredient in assisting the human person deal with our daily anxieties. Speak openly with your acquaintances on those issues that are causing you so much stress.

A healthy diet also contributes to combating the anxieties that contribute to your chest pains.

I recommend bananas as the ideal medicine in assisting you to destress.

Here's an article on bananas from a site that I contribute too:

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=7

I quote:

The effectiveness of potassium-rich foods such as bananas in lowering blood pressure has been demonstrated by a number of studies. For example, researchers tracked over 40,000 American male health professionals over four years to determine the effects of diet on blood pressure. Men who ate diets higher in potassium-rich foods, as well as foods high in magnesium and cereal fiber, had a substantially reduced risk of stroke.

 

[jknightuk]

You're good... thanks for the advice

Made a note on my shopping list for later.. will be picking up some bananas! lol. I used to put banana slices in my cereal in the mornings... might start doing that again.

As for friends on JUB... I am going to take the plunge next week and become a JUB supporter. This site has helped me out on many a quiet night

 

[jknightuk]

Persistent severe chest pain and you were discharged from the hospital? That is not right. Do you have a history of asthma or bronchitis? Acid reflux? Were you having difficulty breathing? From what you described, it sounds like you had a heart attack but I would imagine that the doctors would've been able to determine that easily. You certainly shouldn't have been discharged so quickly. Perhaps, you should see a cardiologist. If it happens again, don't wait to get medical treatment! Call the emergency right away or have someone take you to hospital.

I agree with you, Travisevian. They could have kept me in for longer... mind you, since losing my Mom, I am terrified of being in those places lol. I was having trouble breathing, yes... Im back home again now after being rushed back to hospital for a second time today. I am due to go back in the morning for tests

If it gets worse again, the ex has agreed to take me in right away... if I can put up with the grumbles!! LOL

 

[kallipolis]

Persistent severe chest pain and you were discharged from the hospital? That is not right. Do you have a history of asthma or bronchitis? Acid reflux? Were you having difficulty breathing? From what you described, it sounds like you had a heart attack but I would imagine that the doctors would've been able to determine that easily. You certainly shouldn't have been discharged so quickly. Perhaps, you should see a cardiologist. If it happens again, don't wait to get medical treatment! Call the emergency right away or have someone take you to hospital.

I am a consultant cardiologist in private practice.

Our friend is suffering from typical symptoms of high anxiety.

The hospital undertook the standard tests relevant to his symptoms.

In the United States as a result of malpractice suit issues the medical profession regularly carry out more tests than is necessary. Costs are consequently much higher for the patient, and the insurance cover for malpractice suits is also an enormous burden which in turn is passed on to the patient.

From what I can understand from our friend he will be returning to hospital for further tests.

Unless there are other symptoms that our friend has neglected to draw to our attention I see no reason to worry him.