Chest pain..

[HeyhoOffWeGo88]

I don’t know if it’s a strained muscle or what as it’s been going on for hours - i’m talking almost half a day. It’s hurting my back now though. Do we think if it was serious I’d know? I don’t want to waste anyone’s time by going to A&E.

I know that no one can truly know, but I guess I want some reassurance that I’m being silly and there’s nothing wrong. Not experienced this before.

Or maybe really bad reflux?

Call NHS 111. If they think it's serious they will get an ambulance to you

No one will tell you not to go/call someone out. There's plenty of benign things more likely but without tests you dont know. Not wasting anyone's time. The staff are already there and hopefully theyll check you out and give you reassurance and send you on your way. Im case its something serious they'd definitely rather treat you than the worse alternative!
Don't drive though.

Thank you both for replying. It’s just doesn’t feel ‘severe’ enough for it to be a heart attack, so that’s why I’m second guessing. Almost feels like an injury somehow.

Please dial 999. A heart attack comes in many forms. You will be wasting no one’s time . Please do it, this is what they are there for. Good luck

mine didn’t feel like anything like I expected a heart attack to feel either . Please make that call.

My dad's heart attack felt like a bit of indigestion but it was severe enough to land him in hospital for two weeks.

My mum had a "sore muscle" that was actually plursery and she needed strong antibiotics.

You're much better getting checked out than letting it turn into a proper emergency.

Just go to A&E, chest pain is a totally excellent reason to go. Just go. Don't wait for 111 to tell you to go.

ETA - you're not being silly. You'd be being silly to not get it checked out.

As PPs have said, a heart attack isn't always somebody clutching their chest and collapsing.

I'm not saying you're having a heart attack, but I really hope you have already called 999 or at least 111 to let them advise you.

Okay it’s moved from my front to my back now. Very painful. Time to call 111.

They’re sending an ambulance to check me over.

Chest pain could also potentially be a clot in your lung. Dd had severe chest pain and an ecg was fine, her obs were fine and they told she was anxious. She had massive bilateral pulmonary embolisms. Please ask for a d dimer blood test if they rule out cardiac issues.

@HeyhoOffWeGo88 how you doing?

For anyone reading this chest pain always requires 999 not 111 especially pain that radiates to another area such as back/arm/jaw. Hope your ok OP

Fingers crossed its nothing but im glad your getting checked. Not worth the risk

I was going to say if you call 111 they will send an ambulance.

Ambulance will very likely do an ecg and (assuming it’s not indicating a heart attack) advise hospital for blood tests as a final check.

Hope you're OK

ask medical professionals not armchair doctors on social media

I’ve just read through your thread OP and I’m glad you decided to reach out for some professional medical advice in the end. It’s always best to be safe with this sort of thing.
I hope you’re doing well now, I’m thinking of you.

How did you get on OP?

OP, please let us know how it was and that you are okay?

Hi, sorry I haven’t replied until now. I spent half a day in A&E. I didn’t realise how bad it was. I’ve seen it on the news - packed out A&E room and people in beds In corridors but to see it with my own eyes was a real shocker.

I had the best doctor and I hope I praised him enough while I was there. He ordered all tests he felt I needed. ECG, blood test (to check on heart) CT scan and chest X-Ray. All came back fine. No indication of any infections. Thank goodness.

My doctor said he wanted to rule out all of the scary stuff first but upon arrival he didn’t think it was anything to do with my heart. He said chest pain (like a heart attack) usually starts when you’re on the move/exercising and the pain goes away when you sit down. I was sat down when the pain came on for me.

So after all tests, he concluded the chest pain (which had gone when I woke that morning anyway) was acid reflux. Which now makes a lot of sense. And the back pain was muscular. He said that I need to take Omeprazole to help with my reflux. He didn’t suggest anything for my back but when I got home, I realised I had a box of Naproxen. So I’ve had three of those so far (2 a day) and I feel better already.

Thank you all for convincing me that hospital was the best place.

Thank you for letting us know, OP - we were all thinking about you!
V. glad you went in - it was absolutely the right thing to do.
Great that you're OK!
(But I will say that I hope you're taking the Naproxen with food, especially since you have reflux).

Yes I definitely am. Thank you @ShrubRose

Thanks for the update
Delighted that all is well.
my HA started when I was in bed asleep so it can happen when you are inactive, and was nothing like the classic symptoms ,please never ignore chest pains .
Good luck