Earlier this week, I felt some chest discomfort in the afternoon while I was resting. I was alone and no one was able (or willing) to come over just to make sure I was alright. After having a heart attack in March, I confess that I get anxious.
Later that night the discomfort was still there. I phoned the dr but she was gone. Phoned Telehealth (a phone health service with RNs here in Ontario) and they weren't much help. My kids - no help with them. So I took a taxi to the ER and told them I thought I was having a heart attack. They did all the usual things - BP, pulse, etc. then put me one of three beds that were stuck in a corner. The person next to me was a young teenager who had hurt his knee. I was confused about this because when I had a heart attack they did everything so fast.
The young teenager had a paramedic talking to him and I tried to get out of bed to phone my daughter. The paramedic PUSHED me and knocked me back onto the bed. I got up and PUSHED him even harder. Guess that wasn't good behavior for a person thinking she was having a heart attack.
Anyway, they did and ECG, chest X-ray and blood test. The dr told me there was nothing wrong but they could do the tests over again if I didn't mind waiting another four hours. I didn't wait. They implied that it was anxiety or possibly gastric. The discomfort was in the upper part of the left part of my chest - near the ribs I think.
I feel extremely guilty writing this because of how good the drs and nurses were when I had a heart attack. This time I feel that I was dismissed because I didn't come in an ambulance and was alone. I'm not too embarrassed to say that maybe it was an anxiety based problem but I resented being pushed by a paramedic; dismissed by nurses and just overall feeling like a real loser.
How do we KNOW if we are having heart attacks? The dr did say it was better to be careful and to follow it up with my dr about the anxiety and possible gastric problems but when I came home, I was so depressed I haven't been online all week. Now I'm scared to say anything about chest discomfort.
After my heart attack in March, I really wanted to get into rehab, change my lifestyle and instead I've gotten nothing but "put offs" for rehab; no support system for lifestyle change - nothing. I feel like going out and eating a baconator from Wendy's.
Sorry for the rant.
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Am I Being Paranoid
- By lonewolf7
- Posted June 19, 2009 at 6:52 pm · 13 replies
- In Experiences with medical treatments
- Shared with the public
Explore topics in this discussion:
Heart disease Surgery Acid reflux GERD Bypass surgery Anxiety Angina Pain Heart attack Valium Stress
13 replies
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- Newest first
- By grace5
- Posted June 19, 2009 at 7:15 pm
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How do we know if we're having a heart attack? Now that's the big question, we don't know really, we have to rely on gut instinct, we all have moments when we stop and concentrate on a sudden twinge or an unusual pain and we know we must never ignore the symptoms, it's always better to be safe then sorry. Go to your doctor and tell him how you feel, your anxiety must be wearing you out. You were not treated kindly in the hospital, that's inexcusable, we all deserve respect.
You need to get help for whatever caused your symptoms, maybe write down what you wrote here and hand it to your doctor, don't give up, go to your doctor and get the help you need.
Hugs,
Lidia xx
- By Winglover
- Posted June 19, 2009 at 8:08 pm
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Yes Lonewolf7, You need to have a talk with your doctor. You were right in going to the ER. It is always best to be cautious. I agree with Lidia. You are under an enormous amount of stress. I myself have had panic attacks and they do seem like you are truly having what must be a heart attack. Your mind can really get your symptoms going out of control. Just explain to you doctor exactly how you wrote it here and I'm sure he can give you piece of mind.
Hang in there!
Lisa
- By Queen_E
- Posted June 19, 2009 at 9:36 pm
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You may have been alone that day, but you are not the only one with this experience of "what chest pain is a heart attack?"
I was back in urgent care about 10 days after my heart attack - just plain scared about the pain in my arm and my chest. Ended up in the hospital over night. Next morning the cardio reassured me that I was doing the right things in my self care.
Death anxiety is massive, can swallow up all your energy. I called my priest, and emailed with her to talk about it. After a few weeks I started therapy, which has also been a place to talk about these fears - I do not feel like I can burden my family with these fears.
I asked about chest pain again at my recent 6 mo checkup - if the pain feels different when you move or change positions, then not your heart. If it comes and goes quick - not your heart. If it last for hours with no change - not your heart. Such helpful advice. My co-worker (5 yr out) said his rule is to climb up three flights of stairs, and if he can do that it's not his heart!
So, trust your instinct and seek care, physical and for your soul. If the hospital where you were treated has rehab, you may be able to enroll directly in their program? Not sure how it works "up there". Rehab made me feel like a patient but I did find out that I could work out pretty hard and do just fine. Good luck!
- By lonewolf7
- Posted June 20, 2009 at 12:16 am
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QueenE, Winglover and Grace5 - your responses were so helpful. QueenE - you're right - I was at the hospital alone but not alone with the fears. When you asked about chest pains, was your dr giving you real advice or was he/she joking? I can't believe that if the pain lasts for hours that it isn't heart related but I'm not an expert.
I begin rehab soon. The stress is awful and I do go to a therapist for it. Would be nice to have a supportive family but they think I'm just looking for attention. Who wants that kind of attention? I'd want attention for being incredibly gorgeous, intelligent, rich, famous, etc. = ) Maybe I should change my hair to look like Donald Trump lol
- By gracie62
- Posted June 20, 2009 at 1:20 am
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Oh - how I can relate to this. When I went to the ER before my bypass surgery, I knew how sick I was. I went in there desperate for help. I was checked into the cardio observation unit due to my symptoms. Despite 2 stents, however, they did not take me seriously. I remember distinctly hearing the nurse on the unit telling someone on the phone that I was the "one that was there for preventative cardiac care" because I said I needed a cath. They had written me off to anxiety or gastric issues when I walked in the door due to being female and my age. I felt like a bother - I felt like I was wasting their time and taking up a bed. But I listened to my inner voice and stayed strong and got my cath. That preventative cardic care I was there for saved my life when they found those 3 blockages in the cath I demanded.
Never, ever have regrets for going in and getting checked out. I'd have pushed that paramedic back harder. No one knows like we do. No one else gets it.
Dianna
- By Lynnedz56
- Posted June 20, 2009 at 8:00 am
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I too can relate. I live alone and have gone to the ER alone in my car. One time I was told it was all in head. And the ER doctor told me I needed a psychiatrist. I also had blood clots in my lungs and I was told to go back if I had pain. The next time I went to the ER I told them I was afraid to come because of the last doctor. He had been let go by the way. I kept going and a month ago they found that I did have blockage...so it was NOT in my head. I was put in the corner one night at the ER and thankfully, I have another ER about 4 miles down the road. I left....and I was admitted...and that is when they found the blockage. Yes, it is scary. And I too can have anxiety attacks and am learning to deal with that. I also am working with a good therapist. This is very scary. And I know about NO family support. My kids try, but they have their own lives. And the rest of my family is sadly, self-centered and really not caring people. So, a lot of the time I am alone. That is why I come here and have found loving and supportive friends. I too will be starting rehab next week and I made the decision that I am not going to die. I am going to do whatever I have to do to continue to live.
- By Kennarina
- Posted June 20, 2009 at 3:54 pm
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Hi Queenie, just want to comment on what your doc said:
<< ".. if the pain feels different when you move or change positions, then not your heart. If it comes and goes quick - not your heart. If it last for hours with no change - not your heart...." >>
ABSOLUTELY WRONG on all counts. While chest pain is still the most common symptom for both men and women, for over 40% of women, there is NO chest pain or discomfort at all, none whatsoever. Crushing fatigue or shortness of breath are more likely the key warning signs for many women, and these symptoms can come and go, change when you change positions, etc. and still be cardiac-related.
That advice I think stems from the good old days when heart disease was considered a man's disease only, and thus all heart attack symptoms had to look like textbook male symptoms e.g. chest pain - not necessarily true for women.
By the way, even it symptoms do point to anxiety instead of heart, then women should be offered treatment for the anxiety, not patted on the head and dismissed. Take Lynne's advice and find a good therapist (and meds if required). If the symptoms point to acid reflux, treatment for that should be offered. Whatever the symptoms point to, we must demand appropriate treatment and not be apologetic if/when it doesn't turn out to be our hearts!
XOXO
http://www.myheartsisters.org
- By Annette_Bernadette
- Posted June 20, 2009 at 4:20 pm
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So sorry about your experience, are men treated in such a cavalier manner? From what I know they aren't. When I had my first heart procedure Mar '08 I had to drive 2 hours to medical help but a friend of mine, a man, had fewer symptoms than I did and was life flighted out. We had stents within 24 hrs. of each other without knowing was occuring with each other. Amazing. He also had a wife advocating for him, I am single. Makes me a hypochonriac I guess. We are suppose to be proactive yet when we are and things can't be found right away then we have tied up valuable medical facilities. Or at least some would have us believe that. It took me forever to finally convince people at work that I was truly ill until the day I collapsed at my desk and the paramedics came. Oh well, the postings I read give me much to think about and how others are living with this disease. Thank-you
- By Great-gram
- Posted June 20, 2009 at 10:29 pm
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HI! My primary has told me if I have any pain go right to the hospital. A month before I was diagnosed with supraventricular tachycardia and afib, but had a diagnosis of left bundle branch block, which is usually indicative of heart disease my heart doctor told me there was nothing wrong with me - I just was not physically fit. A month later I was in the Cardiac Care Unit. When they did the first nuclear stress test, I fell out - I was only on 25 mgm of moprolol at the time - then I was forgotten so the test that was supposed to be done in 15 minutes was done over an hour later, so the results did not show what was really going on. I was having serious afib almost all day every day.
I also have GERD and can have really bad mid sternum pain. I asked the primary about how I can tell if it is my heart. She said to take the mylanta; if there is no improvement in 15 to 20 minutes go to the hospital. Otherwise I look for different kinds of pain, the intensity, and some wisdom from God. When my mother would complain about chest pain, I called an ambulance to take her to the ER - they always checked her out thoroughly. It was always reflux. When her Ahlzhiemers adavanced, I drove her to the hospital, because at that time we had a do not resuscitate order. Her first heart attack was towards the end, and she pulled through it nicely. I've had a silent heart attack, so I know I have to be careful. The atria is also slightly enlarged now. When I am anxious about anything I take a low dose medication. God bless and keep you strong. Great-Gram
- By NewAllie
- Posted June 21, 2009 at 10:27 am
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Lonewolf,
I agree with everone! There is no cookie cutter description of what it should or shouldn't feel like and anxiety in women, especially with heart disease is serious in itself. While I was in early diagnosis stage, one of the docs wrote me a rx for valium. I'd never taken anything like that before. In fact, when I had a child stillborn many years ago, the doctor wrote me a script for valium that I never filled, I still have it. Anyway, I have no doubt that taking the occassional valium may very well have saved my life, especially before the bypass. I still take one occassionaly and make no apology for it. I have unstable angina which has so far manifested as about two dozen different types of pain and other symptoms.
How dare they treat you that way. It should be considered criminal.
Blessings, Allie
- By artiste
- Posted June 25, 2009 at 12:24 pm
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I want to second this view of heart symptoms. My pain lasted for hours, all day in fact. It felt like a burning sensation in my lungs, but there was no pressure, or arm pain, or any other classic symptom. The key is to know your own body and when something doesn't feel right.
- By tarashane
- Posted June 25, 2009 at 2:51 pm
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I understand how you feel, i have gone to the er in the past, complaining of chest pain, & they would give me this look like what in the world are you doing here, you are to young.I did'nt care though, i know my body & when i'm getting chest pain, i know theres something not right!Don't ever feel like your over reacting when it comes to your health.
- By lonewolf7
- Posted June 30, 2009 at 7:48 am
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I do think a lot of what happened was because I am female and live in the ghetto and am also Native American/Canadian. Would this happen to a man? I doubt it. However, even if I appear to be a complete psycho and "imagining" chest discomfort, I don't want some dr's dismissive behavior to determine whether or not I go to the hospital. If I don't look after myself who will? After I had my heart attack, all the information I got from the cardiologist, dr, etc. was to go to the ER if I thought I had any chest discomfort or even thought something was happening. Better to be safe - that was the logic behind it. They weren't there when I went to the ER that time and was perceived as being in need of therapy. I AM in therapy. Thank you for all the comments and advice.
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