To go to a & e?

[dontrunwithscissors]

I've had heart palpitations over the last few weeks and numerous ECGs. They've all been OK, but I was not having palpitations at the time. I take a medication (quetiapine) the can cause heart problems. My brother died of long QT syndrome (heart arythmia). I've been told things seem OK. Over the last few days, I've had chest pain and feeling breathless. I now have tingling down my left arm. I thought it might be anxiety so took diazepam, but it hasn't helped really.

I'm currently away at a conference in Notthingham (from Scotland). WIBU to abandons the conference and take myself to a and e here/now, or wait until I can see a doctor at home on Monday?

Or do they still have NHS 24 in England?

[dontrunwithscissors]

Sorry, that wasn't clear---whenever I've had ECGs, I've not been experiencing palpitations when they were done.

My psychiatrist thinks this might just be anxiety.

[WickedWax]

For chest pain, breathlessness and tingling in the left arm, yes you should go to A&E.

[Titsywoo]

Go now. With your family history and current symptoms it is the best thing to do.

[viciousknid]

I would ring nhs 24 and I'm almost certain they'll tell you to head to a&e with those combined symptoms

[AliceScarlett]

With breathlessness and chest pain no one can say don't go to a and e (I don't think).

[ExitPursuedByABear]

Yes go.

[dontrunwithscissors]

Psychiatrist and Gp haven't been that bothered. They think it's anxiety, but I don't feel anxious. Currently typing this while sat on a conference panel. Hence poor spelling.

[OneBreathAfterAnother]

Call 111. They will talk you through some questions and then decide where the best place for you is - with your symptoms, it's likely to be A&E, but I don't know Nottingham well enough to know if there's somewhere you're likely to be seen faster.

[BikeRunSki]

Go!!!!

[Welshmaenad]

Yes, go.

I had a period of experiencing palpitations and chest pain (was eventually diagnosed as post-viral and resolved on its own) and took myself to a&he at the end of a night shift where they'd been especially bad. The staff were eager to reassure me that I had done the right thing.

Go, now please.

[gobbynorthernbird]

Go. My heart problem was first diagnosed in A&E after months of my body behaving for scheduled tests.

[Bunnyjo]

Go, please. It may be the arrhythmia is only seen during the palpitations or that doctors have missed it on previous ECG examinations. I am also surprised, given your family history of Long QT that they prescribed quetiapine as that medication has been known to cause Long QT.

It is known that some genes are responsible for Long QT, I would be pushing for testing, given your family history. Disclaimer, I am not a doctor or healthcare practitioner; I am a 3rd year biomedical sciences student and we studied the molecular biology underpinning Long QT in seminars

[ArendelleQueen]

Yes, of course you must go but I'd also push to be referred for some more detailed tests.

[BlackeyedSusan]

call 111. and go.

[specialsubject]

A and E NOW. Massive list of red flags there. Make sure they know your history.

and it is life, not Holby City, so once initial problems hopefully ruled out make sure you get further tests referred as URGENT.

more hopefully; atrial fibrillation is a possible, we've had a case in the family so I know about it. Treatable but needs treating and other medication. But I'm not there and I'm not a doctor.

still in the conference? Hope not!!

[leghoul]

Just go, I wouldn't bother calling 111. You're not being silly or overreacting your family and personal history are significant and you're on medication - your symptoms are hopefully nothing but because they could be very serious you need to get checked.

[IsabellaofFrance]

Get ye to the QMC sharpish!

[leghoul]

& you need ECG while symptomatic or you could have undetected problems that won't be noticeable in ECG at other times. Inform them of fam hx/ medication. Also conferences mainly suck and have inadequate supplies of coffee so I think you're making the right call all round.

[TheBunnyOfDoom]

If you're in Nottingham, go to the A&E at the QMC just outside the city centre. Please don't leave it until Monday.

[RachelZoe]

Go to A&E

Yes those symptoms can be caused by anxiety, I had the left arm stabbing and chest pain and blurred vision/shortness of breath when I had anxiety.


I went to A&E every single time I got that combination just in case and they always said I did the right thing. Better safe than sorry. Don't leave it, just go.

[dontrunwithscissors]

Thanks. I'm stuck on the uni campus until a taxi can get here about 4.15. I'll go back to the hotel first and get my meds. I've got a stinking headache that just won't shift. I really just want to curl up and go to sleep. I feel like it's a bit drama queenish to go to a & e--my GP just shrugged her shoulders when I saw her on Monday and said about the chest pain so I felt like i as making a mountain out of a mole hill.
I do feel really quite yucky.

[CustardOmlet]

Which uni campus are you in? QMC is across the road from Nottingham university

[WhoTheFIsJeff]

QMC is across the road!

[AlbertHerbertHawkins]

Why would you be on a drug that cab prolong your QT with your family history? I think that needs querying

[RachelZoe]

It's not across the road if she is at Trent.


Yes OP, some GP's do do that sometimes, especially if you have a history of anxiety/MH problems, some think you're just being hysterical . I hope you feel better soon!