What to do about pain

[Feasty]

I've been wondering what to do about myself, when I suddenly realised I'm not alone - I have the BCF experts to go to - more specifically, the medical BCF experts!

So, last Thurs (3 days ago) I was about to start work again the following day, after 5 weeks of furlough. Bit of a stressful time as I had an online meeting with work to find out their plans. I found out then I've been furloughed for another 7 weeks, but could be asked to go back at anytime in-between if they decided... It took me very much by surprise!

I've been getting anxious about all this the past week and on Thurs started getting uncomfortable pain/pressure feeling in the left side of my chest. It got quite sharp just as the meeting was about to start, but then calmed down again.
Since then, for the past 3 days I've had this uncomfortable feeling coming and going in the same place. Course that's now got me worried am I having heart problems, should I call 111, have I got the virus, I shouldn't go to A&E as I'm likely to catch the virus...etc, etc.

I have noticed when I occasionally manage to distract myself, the pain isn't there or I'm just not noticing it. But when I think about it, it's back again. I've tried taking indigestion medication but it doesn't have much effect.
I'm guessing it's down to anxiety causing me to have some sort of chest/stomach tightening leading to heartburn/acid indigestion going on.
I'm pretty overweight but I've not stopped doing my normal activities, taking the dog on long walks, playing football with my kid, eating meals - and I can do deep breathing. None of this makes the pain worse or seems to cause it or make it go away.

Any ideas? Anyone had anything similar before?

(Years ago I had chest pain for a long time and ended up in hospital for the day nil by mouth, but they never found anything - I hadn't had a heart attack and it was put down to indigestion - I do wonder if I just need to go through that again to put my mind at rest).
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Previous: Aprilia Habana Retro 50cc (beauty), Yamaha SR125 (fell apart), Honda XR125 (nippy little commuter), Honda SLR650 (Geewhizz), Yamaha Diversion 900S (Smoooooth) written off courtesy of a stupid escaped horse.
(7 year gap), BMW F650 (Relaxing ride). Aprilia Caponord ETV1000 (Big and bold). Yamaha FZS600 (got me in trouble too quick!).
Current: Yamaha TDM 900 (Comfy, light but big, power when needed).

[Freddyfruitba...]

[Riejufixing]

Could be all sorts of things. Think about how old you are, and whether you get any symptoms typical of heart problems other than a pain in the chest.

You said: "Years ago I had chest pain for a long time and ended up in hospital for the day nil by mouth, but they never found anything - I hadn't had a heart attack and it was put down to indigestion - I do wonder if I just need to go through that again to put my mind at rest", so that's encouraging in a way, since it's long-term and you have been investigated.

You might have a hiatus hernia, for instance, which can be pretty ghastly. Try having a small drink of water if you get pain. Accurate diagnosis is easy enough for that, but you will require what might be humourously called a "gargleoscopy" (endoscopy).

However, do get in touch with your quack to discuss the matter.

[Tracey Suntan-King]

Reflux, hiatus hernia, acid and other digestion problems tend to cause pain in the middle of the chest, behind the breastbone not on one side. Left side is particularly worrying.

My advice, echoed above is treat this as an emergency and get yourself to A&E.

The message has been that despite Covid, the NHS is open for business, there will be hygiene protocols in place........get yourself down there.

With your symptoms you're more than justified in doing a 999. In which case a paramedic will come out and do a basic ECG to rule out (or in) heart problem before moving you anywhere, then you'll be taken in for a 12 lead ECG. Once heart is ruled out, they'll check you for pulmonary problems like an embolism.

Get your head round this.....it is an EMERGENCY

XOXO Dr TSK
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Whether you think you can, or think you can't, you're probably right

[Polarbear]

Just pick up the phone.

I had problems breathing at night and put up with it for a while. In the end went to the walk in centre and was in hospital that evening with heart failure.

I'm not saying you have or haven't got anything wrong but don't be a stupid cvnt like I was. Phone the NHS. If nothings wrong your stress levels will drop, if it is, you get fixed.

It's a no brainer.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[Ste]

If you don't A&E today then on Monday morning you should phone your GP and say to them what you've said to us.

As you can look forward to having ECG sticky pads attached to your chest, the longer you leave them on the more the glue will have cemented itself and the more it hurts when you pull them off.

[pepperami]

We all get aches and pains, but when they are in your chest and won’t go away it might be time to talk to the doctor.
It could well be something quite trivial, but best not take a chance.
If it is trivial, the worst that can happen is the doctor has a moan at you, but I’m sure you can live with that.

Dr Pepperami says: talk to your gp

Of course it could be , ebloa gay monkey aids!
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I am the sum total of my own existence, what went before makes me who I am now!

[Polarbear]

[Bhud]

You need medical advice, sharpish.

I've been in a private hospital in another country where they ran me (unnecessarily) through an ECG and pin-prick blood test, probably with a view to racking up charges for my insurer. It was a fast and simple procedure. I have no idea if they did it properly, but I don't think it took longer than about half an hour, tops, to do the tests and get the results.

I have no medical knowledge, but even I know that if you've had a minor heart attack, you need to be apprised of the fact, fast, because it's like a warning. They can put you on a course of medication to avoid something more serious.

The local NHS trust published a message in the local papers saying that people should not avoid the hospital for fear of contagion, that they still have capacity to treat patients, etc. You should call the NHS - they will ask questions about your symptoms and will be able to advise.

[Riejufixing]

[Feasty]

Thanks for your replies, I get it - I'll contact 111, or the GP tomorrow. It's difficult making the decision when I think it's very likely to be anxiety or indigestion related.
I'd say it's been better today than the past few days, but there's only one way I'll know for sure if there's anything more serious behind it all 👍
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Previous: Aprilia Habana Retro 50cc (beauty), Yamaha SR125 (fell apart), Honda XR125 (nippy little commuter), Honda SLR650 (Geewhizz), Yamaha Diversion 900S (Smoooooth) written off courtesy of a stupid escaped horse.
(7 year gap), BMW F650 (Relaxing ride). Aprilia Caponord ETV1000 (Big and bold). Yamaha FZS600 (got me in trouble too quick!).
Current: Yamaha TDM 900 (Comfy, light but big, power when needed).

[Tracey Suntan-King]

[RhynoCZ]

[Feasty]

Thanks for the tips RhynoCZ, I'll try those 😁

So, I've been in touch with 111 this morning and after going through the 50 questions routine they told me to call my GP.
I've spoken to them and been advised it's probably nothing to worry about, but if I get worse pains again to let them know straight away. It was mentioned I'd be safer staying at home than going into A&E and getting tests done etc due to the current circumstances.
3 years ago I was in A&E with chest pain that turned out to be nothing, I think the GP had this in mind too - maybe I'm just a sensitive soul eh! 😆

I'm a bit surprised tbh, but I guess if they thought anything was looking worrying I'd have had blue lights.
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Previous: Aprilia Habana Retro 50cc (beauty), Yamaha SR125 (fell apart), Honda XR125 (nippy little commuter), Honda SLR650 (Geewhizz), Yamaha Diversion 900S (Smoooooth) written off courtesy of a stupid escaped horse.
(7 year gap), BMW F650 (Relaxing ride). Aprilia Caponord ETV1000 (Big and bold). Yamaha FZS600 (got me in trouble too quick!).
Current: Yamaha TDM 900 (Comfy, light but big, power when needed).

[pepperami]

[Freddyfruitba...]

[RhynoCZ]

[hellkat]

Tetris would make me more anxious
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Not nearly as interesting in real life.

[bhinso]

I suffer from occasional panic attacks, and the symptoms are very similar, palpitations, shortness of breath, feeling like you're going to die.

They're terrifying at first, but bearable once you know them for what they are - a chemical misfire in your brain.

[MCN]

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/angina/

FFS, don't inconvenience your family and friends by dropping dead and causing a funeral during lock-down.
Get your erse down ton A&E prontolero.

You'll look a bigger dick in an open coffin than in a hospital bed.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[Clanger]

Panic Attack?
Angina?
Did the doctor advise you to suck an aspirin?

Anyway, dialling 111 doesn't mean you end up in hospital. And anyway the covid wards are sealed off from the rest of the hospital.
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss

[Skudd]

My cure for all illnesses and pain was a pint of milk and man up.
To my cost, it wasn't the best thing to do, doctors and a visit to the hospital was a much better course of action.
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Famous last words of Humpty Dumpty. " Stop pushing me "
Petty Anarchists look at "1984".............. The Visionary looks at "Animal Farm".

[sickpup]

Funny story. When I was young I was incredibly fit especially around the age of 16/17/18 or so. I started having chest pains when I exercised hard so my school arranged an appointment for me and I saw a nurse practitioner type who said I had nothing to worry about.
Years later I was diagnosed with a heart murmer after an ECG so that first examination was a bit useless.

Moral of the story, sometimes health professionals are wrong.

[Polarbear]

[Freddyfruitba...]