My doctor probably thinks I am crazy

[LuckyTheDog]

The follow-up to this incident has been inconclusive so far:

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/LuckyTheDog/502

My doctor had me go in for a chest X-ray and a thallium stress test -- both of which proved to be totally normal. I also have not had any abnormal EKGs. So, the good news is that my heart is probably fine.

The bad news is that I still have no idea what happened.

I am starting to feel foolish. Did I put myself -- and my family -- through this ordeal for nothing?

[usregimechange]

1. always good to have things checked out

[buzzycrumbhunger]

2. Nope

You had THE classic signs of an MI. I'm not sure why they let you go without a cardiac cath first thing, but your cardiac enzymes were apparently okay and they didn't think it was worthwhile.

I wonder if you had an episode of reflux. Do you notice hot belching, especially in bed? That can be really serious if not treated (ongoing reflux eventually can lead to throat cancer), so you might try altering your eating and sleeping habits (no food for 4 hours before bed, make sure your head is higher than your stomach) and maybe try taking ranitidine once a day (or something stronger, like Prilosec) and see if that doesn't help.

When you're talking about your health--unless you're a hypochondriac who's always got something--there is no such thing as overreacting. If you'd shrugged it off as nothing and then croaked on your family, I'm sure that would have ruined the holiday more than a trip to the ER did.

[LuckyTheDog]

3. First, what is "an MI"?

Also... I have not noticed any "hot belching." And the pain was definitely in my left shoulder, arm, shoulder blade and upper chest, not in my throat. So, I am pretty sure this was not an acid reflux thing.

Before I had the stress test done, I made an appointment to see a cardiologist. My doctor thinks I should keep that appointment, even though he's pretty sure my heart is OK. I suppose I'l go, but I wonder if I'll be wasting my time.

[buzzycrumbhunger]

4. MI=myocardial infarction

i.e. "heart attack"

I think you should see a cardiologist, if only to settle your mind that you're okay. If not reflux, the only other thing I can think of that would radiate to your back would be gallbladder pain, which can be brought on by fatty foods and alcohol--perhaps a Thanksgiving dinner, but I don't think would appear out of the blue like that. The left arm pain is classic for heart pain (women's heart attack pain is often much more nebulous, BTW), so I hope they sort it all out. The fact that nothing more has happened is undoubtedly the best sign, but who needs to worry about "what if?" when you can just get a clean bill of health and be done with it? :)

[LuckyTheDog]

5. I'll keep the appointment

But, while I really do want to rule out heart problems, I also really would like to find out what DID happen.

[OhioChick]

6. Never feel foolish when it comes to your health.

Either keep your appt. or get a second opinion.

[hippywife]

7. Whoa!

I did the same thing a few months back. Had the thallium stress test and there was nothing showing for me, either. Don't know what it was but I'm not letting it worry me. I've also had a constriction on a tendon in my left shoulder so that could have triggered the other pain up my neck, into my jaw and down my arm. Just keeping a close eye on any other signs.

Hope you continue to do well. :hi: