starbright

I spent the better part of today in the emergency ward. I had lingering pain under my left breast this morning, that progressed significantly by 11. Eventually, and reluctantly, my husband nagged me into going to the ER. After many hours and much investigation, I turn out to be fine.

Despite my absolute conviction that this would turn out to be nothing, every professional I encountered today said it was the right thing to do. I am a reluctant patient, and I'm not a fan of wasting my time nor medical resources in ER. I had fully expected them to send me home immediately when I arrived (and being able to say to my husband "I told you so!").

But I was stunned to discover they were so concerned about my symptoms (in my case sharp chest pain on the left side, radiating into my neck, and back) that they immediately ran me to the front of the ER line, gave me an IV and an ECG. This, despite being a very fit woman in my mid 40s with no risk factors (I am not overweight, I don't smoke, no high BP, and no family history). They said women often do not show the same expected symptoms and traditionally have been overlooked with heart symptoms (but not anymore, apparently).

After xrays, multiple ECGs and blood tests (which can provide evidence you've had a heart attack), I was able to confidently go home. They think it was a muscle spasm, but not one related to my heart or lungs.

Needless to say I'm quite enjoying a very big couple of glasses of wine this evening. What a day.

aibarr

So glad you're okay, starbright! And SO glad you went to the hospital. Good for your husband, for nagging you into going, and good for you, for realizing how serious those sorts of symptoms are and agreeing to have them checked out.

Enjoy those glasses of wine!!

momlove

Thanks for a spot of good news! There's been too much bad news lately making me so sad

So glad you went to the E.R. and had this checked out. It's a hassle I know, but in the end the great news is that you're fine!

My husband once fainted at work (probably was about 45 at the time) for no apparent reason. He ended up in the E.R. for hours being checked out. They never could figure out why he fainted and he checked out fine. Sometimes it's just so hard to know what's serious and what's not. But, that's what the professionals are there for.

cnp55

On the other hand, my husband insisted he just had an upset stomach and it was the meatloaf from the night before. Which didn't upset mine -- the more sensitive one of the two.

I eventually was able to convince him to go to the ER ... where he just about fell off the table when the doc told him he was having a heart attack *right now*.

Those wierd little chest pain things simply cannot be ignored -- and you are *supposed* to call 911 because they can do the EKG in your *driveway* and then start livesaving, clotbusting drugs (if indicated) right there while communicating with the docs in the ER.

lje62

Glad to hear that you are okay starbright. As an asthmatic who has had more than my share of trips to the ER, my experience has always been that people with breathing problems and chest pains always move to the head of the line.

Karen Colleges

Thanks for sharing... I'm hoping your story will give some of the rest of us a kick in the butt if/when we have similar symptoms and 'don't want to be a bother.'

poetgrl

Wow! Long day.....but I'm really glad that's all that it was. Cnp55, Sorry bout your H.

toledo

You're not alone, starbright. My husband and I have each made a trip to the hospital. Both times, it turned out to be nothing more than severe indigestion. It was still the right thing to do.

Batllo

toledo-What could you be eating that causes severe indigestion?

toledo

In my case it was an Arby's burger. In H's case, it was a Mexican dish at a large Canadian chain restaurant. H's was really severe, while my case wasn't severe, but lasted several hours. Both were unusual, hence the trips to the emergency room.

A plug for Canadian healthcare...H's ambulance trip and emergency room visit with tests was under $200. Our health insurance co. called me and asked, "Where's the rest of the bill?" There was no "rest of the bill".

Marian

For this particular category of symptoms, they want you to go to the ER because in the event that the problem is heart-related, there are useful things they can do, and the sooner the better.

So yes, it's a nuisance, and it takes up most of the day, but it makes sense to dutifully show up and go through the routine.

woody

My sister had "an episode" just this week and had to be STRONGLY convinced to go to the hospital and again, STRONGLY convinced to stay. She was admitted, a battery of tests done - all negative thankfully, but her symptoms were taken very seriously. She is the picture of health, athlete, but a Type A personality which came shining through as she argued that her work place could not function without her. (It did.)

toneranger

starbright...I know exactly how you feel. Same thing happened to me about 4 years ago.
They kept me overnight for observation! And it turned out to be nothing. I had chest pain, radiating into my arm and some nausea. My H an S went with me to the ER. What a night!

To this day, I don't know what it was. It was a stressful period in my life and I was experiencing heart palpitations earlier that year (still get them now occasionally). Actual wore one of those heart monitors for three days a few years ago.

I hate wasting time too but I understand that they need to rule things out before I get a free pass. Hang in there...the wine should help!

notre dame AL

Similar issue occurred last Dec-as it turned out, severe case of heartburn, although Dr called it something else. Was prescribed medication that has helped esp when an attack ensues. Spouse was insistent to visit an ER saying that an ER would have all of the necessary equipment should it be a heart attack. Was also rushed to the front of the line--very grateful for the care. The shock was the nearly $5,000 bill that insurance company received! Don't get me wrong--I am very grateful for the care, was shocked at the bill. It has been a very long time since anyone in our family has visited an ER, much less for heart issues. I was only in the ER for a couple of hours, as well. But, the moral to this saga is to go to the ER with any type of heart/chest pain. Never mind the cost!

toneranger

ndal...yeah my bill was high too. Unfortunately, we have a high deductible policy so we had to pay a large amount out of pocket. Didn't think about that though...and shouldn't.
It did surprise me how much it cost...way over what I thought it would be.