To go to A&E whilst on holiday about my chest pains?

[Albadross]

I had an ECG this morning, booked by my GP because I've been having chest pains for a while on and off, and I have a benign arrhythmia diagnosed a few years ago. I also have anorexia and have had some symptoms of low potassium (weird bruises and cramps).

I've had loads of ECGs in the past and they've always told me at the time that it's all normal, but this time she kept asking me if I was relaxed (I was as relaxed as I can be whilst semi-naked in a room full of people, albeit inside a curtained cubicle) and then she took the result to consult with her colleague before coming back and handing it to me in an envelope. Of course I opened it and it said 'abnormal ECG', but I was allowed to leave and nothing more was said about it. She might have been a trainee or something, I had heard someone outside the curtain mention needing to check another person's analysis and it sounded like that was because they were still learning. There was also a letter in the envelope with the results telling the gp that the machine is really sensitive and so abnormals come out a lot.

I then had to drive 3 hours to see family, and had quite severe pains during the journey, which made me feel I couldn't breathe well, but my DP told me it was probably anxiety because of the ECG. I've now arrived and had some painkillers, but I still have this pain accompanied by a funny cold feeling in the left side of my chest. My lips are a little blue looking too.

So would IBU to drive myself to A&E really early tomorrow to get checked out again?

[LammilyDoll]

Usually by a blood test. Damaged heart muscle releases a specific protein which peaks in the blood after 12 hours.

But don't get stressed by googling various conditions, or you'll find you have all sorts of things, including athlete's foot and AIDS . Just get yourself checked, and start to get healthy again.

[milkandmarmite]

Hello - i can relate as have had similar myself in the past. The ECG may have said abnormal as it was most likely slow. The person doing it always has to consult with another doctor after an abnormal reading. People with low bmi usually have low heart rate.

Blue lips are a common feature of anorexia too - as are all the other symptoms you have mentioned. Are you getting help OP? It is a terrible thing to be battling with and I talk from personal experience.

Presumably you are having regular bloods if you know you potassium can be a bit low? Always seek A&E help if you are really concerned, they can give you intravenous potassium if necessary.

Best of luck

[Albadross]

Lamilly - thank you, I have tried not to Google after answering thew questions in that NHS link a pp gave me and it telling me to call 999... I feel like heart problems should have more than just pain and a 'funny feeling' and all the stories I've read have talked of such a huge range of symptoms! I do get that weird cold feeling in the left of my chest and it just sort of feels like it's a bit squeezed but not so much I can't function.

Milk I've been in therapy since last October and I was first diagnosed at 21 (I'm now 35), but I've only managed to get proper treatment now because I have health insurance from work. I also have BPD, and because they were treating that and my 'target behaviours' stopped, the anorexia sort of got free reign. Apparently having both conditions is quite rare. For some unknown reason my psychiatrist has taken my word that I'll maintain my weight (4lbs ago) to fit into my wedding dress, but I'm seeing him week after next and he'll definitely notice. Thing is I'm terrified of being an inpatient because i'm not certain the insurance would pay for it, plus DP is freelance and would have to take time off work to care for DS.

[Albadross]

Milk - I'm not having regular anything at the moment btw, I told my GP about my chest pains and she ordered bloods/ECG but as far as I know they haven't even looked at the bit of my record which says I have 'anorexic behaviours'

[Blayden]

Are you in the UK, Alba?

[Albadross]

Yes, currently in darkest Somerset and driving back to London tomorrow afternoon.