That was scary, but I'm fine!

It all started Thursday evening at work. Chest pain like I've never had before. The pain was so tight and started moving up my neck to my jaw, my whole body felt like it was throbbing and I could hardly breathe at times.

I'd felt some tightness around my chest earlier in the week and thought I might have strained or pulled a muscle. I couldn't remember doing any heavy work so it didn't make sense.

The pain was so bad that my husband decided it was nothing to be fooled with so off to the hospital we went.

They don't mess around in the ER! I was whisked away to a triage room, monitored with an EKG, given Nitroglycerin 3 times. I was also given 4 baby aspirin. I passed out after the 3rd nitro, low blood pressure they said. Fierce headache followed.

They took no chances and admitted me. Long story short I spent almost 24 hours in the hospital.

EKG, Echo-cardiogram and lots of blood work show NO hear attack-thank God!

They were thinking Pericarditis but there was no fluid build up around the pericardium so they think it's just some viral inflammation in the chest.
I've got anti-inflammatory medication (ibuprophen) for the pain and I'm to be active "as tolerated"

I'm SO thankful for my husband and his caring concern. It could have been a lot worse.

I'm fine, no heart problems. I still have a bit of pain, but I'm truly fine and that's what's important.

They said we did the right thing in going to the hospital. I guess we did too, now to pay the bill.


:)
aA
kesha

You did the right thing by going to the hospital.

Hope you feel better.

I'm glad you're ok aA.

I had a similar situation several years ago. Three days in the hospital and a heart cath later, they still had no idea what caused all that pain.

I call them my chest cramp and still get mild ones occasionally.

Are you going to follow up with your regular Dr?

The headache is still there although no where near as awful as it was.

I still have the pain but again, it's not near as bad either.

The blood pressure drop was really frightening. But I guess if I had to pass out at least I was sitting on a gurney in the hospital and had medical people around me.

They did an echo-cardiogram stress test where they raise your heartbeat with a drug via the IV line. Dr says I have a good strong heart. :)



thanks
aA
kesha

Glad you have a good strong heart. :hug:

I wonder if the nitro caused your blood pressure to drop. IIRC that can cause it in some people. Did they tell you anything about that?

Take care kesha. Let us know what your Dr. says.

that sometimes in some people the nitro causes that and the accompanying nausea.

thanks Diadem.

:hug:

kesha

:hug: :hug: :hug:

:hug: right back atcha.


kesha.

The pain, the nitro, passing out, headache, tests.
I was fine in four days-I wish you the very best! Give your husband a huge kiss and hug for his pro-activeness.

My husband isn't one to over react so when he put his foot down and said 'hospital' I knew he was really concerned for me.

I'm sure I'll feel better in a few days. For now I'm not doing a whole lot. I'm glad Monday is a holiday, no work till Tuesday.

:)

aA
kesha

and I wonder what that bill is going to look like

pay the first 1500.00 and then they cover 80% after that :(

Thank goodness I have a flexible spending account that will cover about 1/2. It's deducted from my pay cheque and will pay out when I submit the bill. It's still a LOT of money though.


I don't know what I'd have done if I didn't have insurance.


aA

weekend :hug:. What a horrible scare aA. It sounds like the ER people were thorough in checking everything. I hope it never happens again. Take care of yourself :-).

There were nurses and techs everywhere. The Dr was constantly checking things.

I too hope for a quiet weekend. I'm just puttering around. Had a nap earlier.

I didn't get much, if any sleep at all while I was there so I'm feeling sort of worn out.

:hug:

aA
kesha

one of the cardiac nurses told me that the best malady you can have in this country is a heart problem; they can do so much now.

And when you present at a hospital with heart symptoms, they go into high gear.

:hug:

:hug:

you're very kind.

aA

:cry: I know you're okay but reading this scared me.

:hug: :loveya:

I did NOT want to go to the hospital in case it WAS a heart attack!! DENIAL. STUPID.

I don't know what I thought, if I ignored it it would go away.

I wonder how many people stay home and die because NO ONE made them go to the hospital.

I'm so glad I have a take charge husband. No nonsense with him.

I am ok K. thanks for the :hug: and :loveya: too.


kesha

the bill is no Fun, but heart attacks in women are not easy to detect. I am glad you did not take a chance with your life. It is better to be safe than sorry. You can make money, but there will never be another aA. :hug:

a lot of women miss the signs and aren't as lucky. (fortunately for me it wasn't a heart attack:))

aA
kesha
:hug:

:hug:

all I could think of was what if ....

yup scary, but I'm fine :) :) :)


pain is lessening, I'm still a tad tired, but I'm fine.

:hug:

kesha

:hug:

I'm so glad you're ok. :hug:

wow, that's quite a story. :hug: Sending good vibes for continued healing and protection....

:hug:

your loving husband.

I'm glad he wouldn't take no for an answer. He'll have to put up with me for a long long time :)


thank you.

aA
kesha

:hi:

I just wanted to be home though :)

:hi:

Chest pains are definitely something to cause worry!

Hope the pain is gone soon!

in case it was something serious. :shrug: How stupid is that. Denial I guess.

:hi:

Ray, a guy I used to fly with when I was a copilot, had an experience similar to yours. A great guy (EVERYBODY loved to fly with Ray). He started getting chest pains one weekend, along with difficulty breathing. He would not let his wife take him to the ER, because he was worried about keeping his medical qualifications for flying. By the time he was actually taken to the hospital, it was too late. Ray died on a slab in a trauma room at the ER. The Dr. said that had he come in when he first experienced the pains, they would have given him some blood thinners and an angioplasty a few days later, and he would still be alive and flying today.

Next time (hopefully there won't be one) GET TO THE ER!!!!

OK, I'm done nagging.

I hope too that there is no next time. Thank you for sharing Ray's story. Knowing that they get you right in and do what they can to quickly ascertain what the problem is will make it easier next time, or never :)

:hug:

I thank you for your 'nagging'

kesha

I'm so happy that you are going to be alright!

:hug:




Joani

I'm thankful that you're okay....:hug:
You are truly blessed to have someone who loves you so...
You've been through a lot...
Please rest, and take care of yourself...
You're golden...





peace~

Take it very easy....:hug:

Hooray for your hubby! :)

Please get lots of rest. :hug: :loveya:

I'm so glad you're okay. Those nitro doses are wicked. I had a headache for days afterwards.

:hug:

Oh, and a :hug: for your husband.

I'm so glad you're okay. :pals:

thanks lizziegrace.

:hug:
kesha

:hug:

These symptoms must be taken seriously.

:hug:

think it's important that people know to go to the hospital if they have ANY chest pain.

I was really fortunate.

:)

aA
kesha