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Intimidated about seeing MD, advice?

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Heart & Cardiovascular Disease
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Posted 5/18/2013 7:32 AM (GMT 0)
My husband has talked me into agreeing to see a doctor. He thinks something happened with my heart today. I'm not sure... I'm scared the doctor is going to think I'm just attention seeking or something. I don't really know what I think - I just feel foolish.

What happened was: I was at work and started feeling overwhelmingly tired and anxious at the same time. It felt like my arms and hands were shaking, but they actually weren't. (I know that sounds goofy.) I felt like my heart was racing, but my chest didn't actually hurt or anything. My face went hot & flushed, I was sweating and a little dizzy/nauseous. Really, I could have probably worked through the rest, but I was just SO tired suddenly. Anyway, I just went to the break room and took a nap on the couch for a little while. (set my phone alarm) After I got up, the shaky/dizzy/nauseous feeling had gone away. I went back to the computer and got back to work. Tonight, I just feel a little groggy/slow and my chest does hurt a little but it isn't intense - kind of feels bruised.

The only reason I told him about it was a.) I had to work late since I had taken the nap. b.) he noticed me mixing up a few words, which is out of character for me since I'm a writer.

He's convinced I may have had a heart attack and wanted me to go to the ER. I don't think I could have just went back to work after a heart attack. I mean, I was freaked out for a few minutes and actually thought about going to the doctor, but I'm pretty much okay now.

Anyway, we compromised and I've agreed to see a doctor next week. I'm really scared to go, though. I just think maybe I'm a bit tired/stressed and got overwhelmed.

Do you guys think that a doctor will be aggravated? How do I broach the topic? I'd feel like a real idiot going in and saying, "So, maybe I had a heart attack..." (If it isn't obvious enough, I'm a little intimidated by seeing doctors. haha)

My cholesterol isn't bad and I'm only 30, but I am an obese smoker. (I know, I need to get away from putting bad things in my mouth. lol)
Posted 5/19/2013 6:39 PM (GMT 0)

BR,

Hello and welcome to HealingWell. 

My best advice re your episode =

Any new, severe, or persisting chest pain should be discussed with your doctor. This is particularly important if you are an adult and have a history of heart or lung disease. If the chest pain is particularly severe, especially if it is radiating to your arms or jaw, you feel sick, sweaty or breathless, then you should call 911 or present to the ER.  That being said, I think you would be wise to see your Dr. sooner to make sure you are not experiencing any heart problems.

Do not worry about your Dr. being aggravated.  If seeing patients aggravates him, he is in the wrong business and it woul be time to find one who is working for you not scaring you.

Good Luck,

Kitt

Posted 5/20/2013 1:14 AM (GMT 0)
I hope you went to the ER today. There is blood work that is best done sooner than later to help discern a heart attack. If you check out ok, then that's great, and there is no sense in feeling awkward. Whatever went on, your body/mind/life is speaking to you, right?
Posted 5/20/2013 5:43 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you guys for your encouragement. I haven't been to the doctor yet. The ER here won't take you if you can't pay your deductible unless you're currently bleeding, etc. My deductible is about $3,000 (more than our total income for a month. lol)

I'm trying to find somewhere that can get me in during lunch. Apparently, I made a lot of mistakes at work Friday, so I'm not sitting pretty as is.

I live in a rural area, so it's difficult to get in anywhere quickly. Still don't feel well, though. Just still a little sore and getting winded easy. Had to walk about 300 yards outside at work today and was sweating like I'd never seen the sun before.

The fun increased over the weekend, too. My husband got a letter saying he had abnormal labs from his last check-up about his cholesterol. I hope we don't both end up at cardiologist's offices before the end of the week. :/
Posted 5/24/2013 2:37 AM (GMT 0)
Saw the doctor today. She was really nice. Lots of tests but won't know anything until tomorrow. She actually thinks it's something else, but agreed with everyone else that I should have gone to the ER, because she said the symptoms were very similar to heart attack symptoms.

I have a shiny new bottle of nerve medicine (BOO), four tubes of blood at the lab, and possibly more tests tomorrow. She's trying to work with my insurance because some of the screening is not covered for people my age.

Anyway, she doesn't think it's cardiac - she kept throwing around another "c" word I choose not to acknowledge until the rest of the tests come back. :/

Thank you guys so much for support/encouragement. You're right - doctors don't bite. I tend to forget that.
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