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tightness in chest - when do I go to the doctor?

4 replies

IShallWearMidnight · 09/02/2011 19:04

OK, I have been to the hospital (via ambulance) and been checked out, with instructions to come back if it gets worse, but what I'm not sure about is:

woke up on Saturday feeling like someone was poking me in the chest, got steadily worse throughout the day till mid afternoon it felt like a fist pressing in, some pain in my back and shoulder, difficult to get a deep breath. Ambulance, hospital, lots of tests, all came back clear.

Since then it's felt about the same, no worse, no better. How long should I leave it till I go to the GP? I can get an ordinary appointment on Monday, but would need to claim an emergency to get one before then.

NHS direct are telling me (via the website) call 999 now you are having a heart attack (which if i was, I would be actually pretty ill, which I'm not) and having spoken to them on Saturday, the checklist of questions won't be any different. But it's not worse, which is when the hospital told me I should go back, so I'm reluctant (unless it changes) to go back to A&E.

I know you internet sprites are no substitute for proper medical advice, but as I managed to hyperventilate myself into a bit of a state last week (lost feeling in my hands, couldn't move my fingers at all), I can't really judge what is the best thing to do. Is this one of those times when I should risk looking like a prat if it turns out to be nothing (again)? (although I don't seem to mind looking like a prat on the internet, but ykwim)

OP posts:
PixieOnaLeaf · 09/02/2011 19:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

IShallWearMidnight · 09/02/2011 20:32

No wheezing, no cough, have had pleurisy before and this isn't the same.
Hmm, anxiety, not sure about that - nothing any more stressful than usual going on, although (sorry for drip feeding) I had foot surgery under GA last Monday, but I've spent the past 10 days sitting around MNing with my feet up while DH and the DDs do everything.

Hospital's concern was a blood clot which there was no sign of, as the breathing seems to be because of the chest tightness (round the breastbone) rather than anything wrong with the lungs per se

Will google and see what I can find out about anxiety and chests though, thanks

OP posts:
IShallWearMidnight · 12/02/2011 09:49

well, after 2 trips to A&E (a total of 12 hours there), 3 lots of blood taken from veins, two failed attempts to find a vein, two lots of blood from arteries, 3 ECGs, one chest X ray, and a LOT of lying on trolleys Wink, I've been diagnosed with.........

indigestion Shock. Well actually, the ibuprofen I've been taking they think has irritated the oesophagus, so I have a bottle of gaviscon to take four times a day [bleugh], and see if that helps.

OP posts:
Curiousmama · 12/02/2011 10:22

That's a relief. Have you tried bi carb in some water? Remegel are great too.

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