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Was at ER again tonight..EKG abnormality..anyone else had this?

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Posted 11/20/2014 2:40 AM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone...30/f here..so I went to the ER today....for about the 4th time in the last 4 months because i've been having a lot of jaw pain, worst chest pains and just not feeling right. Well I got the typical EKG, chest x-ray, and blood work..and everything came back normal except for the EKG...the doctor said there was an 'unspecified' abnormality (not sure if abnormality was the word, but it was unspecified 'something'. Health anxiety through the roof??!? Uh Yeah! He said it could be nothing and wanted to order a stress echo test...told him I had one at the ER last month when I went..so he basically was like Ok great well you don't need one then and you're fine! I sat and asked him many many questions (he probably hated me) He said even if I got a stress test a year ago he wouldn't re-order it and he thinks i'm fine and have no heart issue. Well....what if the cardiologist missed something on the echo? I'm just freaking out now. This was the 5th EKG i've had in about the last 5 months and every other one came back normal but this one didn't..but the doctor seemed fine with it. Has anyone else had this? I'm very worried still though. I asked him what the worst possible outcome of what showed up on the EKG be, and he said nothing. But that doesn't make me feel better...obviously something showed up because there's some kind of issue..am I right?
Posted 11/20/2014 2:47 AM (GMT 0)
Breathe ........ :)

I'm sure it is nothing, just as the Dr said. You sound like you've had a lot of test, to test your heart and they all were normal so I'm sure it is nothing. I just went thru this a few months ago, was having alot of chest pain and pain in my left arm and my blood pressure was super high. Went to the Dr and she called 911 to have an ambulance take me to the ER. Had all the test done, all came back fine. I still get chest pains and it still scares me something is wrong (heart disease runs in my family) but I try not to let it over take me and chalk it up as my anxiety. Anxiety/panic attacks can cause chest pain. Try to breathe and not worry yourself to death, there are some helpful tips in the thread pinned at the top of the page, try reading some of those and know you are not alone.
Posted 11/20/2014 2:52 AM (GMT 0)
Hello GMoon,

I am sorry that you are going through a hard time. I have had this happen to me and while in an anxious or panic state. The abnormality is because of the extra beats that your heart beating. My doctor told me the same thing and I broke out in tears and he then explained that with my heart beating over time due to my panic and anxiety that will show up on their. I hope that this will help easy your fears.
Posted 11/20/2014 3:04 AM (GMT 0)
:(

Tough night Gmoon. But rest assured the docs would not have let you leave if there was something life threatening happening. It's hard to trust our docs when the symptoms are SO REAL, but they are highly trained and they really want the best for you.

I'm a 32/f, so we are close in age. I faced all of the symptoms that you currently face too, and if your interested I can let you know how I finally got those symptoms to "disappear." Might work for you, might not, but hey!! Figure I'd offer! :)

Try to get some rest if you can...
Posted 11/20/2014 3:17 AM (GMT 0)
thank you for the answers everyone..I just don't like that something electrical in my heart showed up. jessieD I asked him if it could of been because I was so anxious and he said no. Which I kinda felt like maybe it could be from that. And toomuchanxiety I would love to know!! anything to help me stop this
Posted 11/20/2014 3:19 AM (GMT 0)
I'm sorry you're having a rough night!! I agree with the others.. There's no way they would have let you leave. I went to the ER a few months ago with the most horrible chest pain. The nurse did an EKG and actually ran out of the room to get a dr. Of course I was already anxious but her doing that scared me more. They did an entire heart work up on me and everything was good. The dr said the reason why the EKG came out abnormal was because my heart rate was 125+ from being anxious. I know it's easier said then done but please try not to panic and rest assure that if the dr had the tiniest thought that something was wrong, he would have kept you!
Posted 11/20/2014 3:24 AM (GMT 0)
thank you Bambiebear!! did they tell u that some unspecified abnormality came up on the EKG?
Posted 11/20/2014 3:27 AM (GMT 0)
Gmoon there is something you need to know EKG irregularities
they can be "normal for you", everyone does not fit into the normal
catagories.

I have had an abnormal ST segment drop since i was 35 i am now
72 all hearts are not wired up the same but it doesnt mean you
are in any danger. Peace
Larry ***
Posted 11/20/2014 3:52 AM (GMT 0)
thank you lgm1942..I just don't know why 4 of them would come out normal but this one should something abnormal in the electrical activity. I'm trying to keep thinking that if something was wrong they would of kept me for more testing..but then the anxious part of me thinks how doctors miss stuff all the time & dismisses things as anxiety and then something happens. But you guys all have put my mind at ease a bit..thank you
Posted 11/20/2014 1:37 PM (GMT 0)
Gmoon, yes my EKG said unspecified abnormality and the nurse ran and got the dr. I was a nervous wreck! I did find out my horrible chest pain was from my gallbladder. It was only functioning at 6%
Anyway I also get a lot of pvc's but all the drs say it's normal. I hope you're feeling a little better today!
Posted 11/20/2014 1:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hey GMoon, yes I have had different issues with every EKG I've had before. Every time I go to dr I get nervous because as soon as they listen to my heart rate, they order EKG. I am use to it because I have a faster heart rate but that doesn't mean anything.
In addition to my anxiety, during EKG they are not able to see results easily because they say I am so anxious and muscles shake unintentionally. Though in the end they get to see results.

So changes can happen and it doesn't really mean anything bad.
I hope you feel better soon <3
Posted 11/20/2014 2:09 PM (GMT 0)
thank you so much for all the answers everyone..I really appreciate you taking the time to try to make me feel better. I don't mean to keep beating this horse to death but I have one last question that I didn't ask the ER doctor and I wish I did..I had a stress test done about 2 months ago..which is why the doctor last night doesn't see the need for another. But is there any chance that something has happened in m heart since then and maybe I should request another one?
Posted 11/20/2014 2:18 PM (GMT 0)
I am pretty sure it wouldn't happen that fast Gmoon, because first of all you are very young so in a short time like this, there is no reason. My father had heart issues (lazy muscles and all) and even he didn't get to have controls every 2-3 months. His dr didn't ask him to do so.

I had a smilar worry before but I managed to think rational over it and beat it by thinking it wouldn't happen so fast like this. We tend to think the worst and stop thinking logical :)
Posted 11/20/2014 4:54 PM (GMT 0)
GM.,

Great advice above...:)

I am sorry that you are currently worrying about this. I know how that feels.

However, remember to look at the BIG picture when considering test results.

You have had good EKG's, (4!) blood tests and a stress echo. Out of all of these...only one came back as inconclusive.

...first of all inconclusive is just that...it does not equate to there being something wrong...

An EKG is a small slice of the long running rhythm of your heart throughout your lifetime! There are going to be small anomalies along the way...because we are organic creatures...not machines.:)

The bigger picture all points towards your good health.

Try not to take one small piece of the whole situation...and make it into the entire picture.

Choose to trust your doctor. Sometimes we just have to conscioulsly make ourselves do this...tough, but it can be done.

Shift your focus on learning and using coping skills, and you will have the easiest time with this.:)

Keep posting...we understand and are here to support!

S.C.
Posted 11/21/2014 3:38 AM (GMT 0)
Oh my goodness, Gmoon, I almost forgot to respond to this. I have just a minute here, but like I said earlier I had those same symptoms---and a ton more. The trick that really seemed to make my physical symptoms disappear was to ignore them when they happened and go about my business like they didn't even bother me.

It was over the course of around a month that I completely ignored my symptoms. EVEN the heart palps while I was laying in bed. And the extreme chest pain I was experiencing while I was just living my daily life. Well---after I ignored them, I couldn't believe it, but they went away. Every now and then I'll get a chest pain here and there or chest tightness ---- but it's like a blip on the screen and fades away really fast.

Maybe try ignoring them. It's not the easiest at first, because if you're like me you're used to worrying about them as soon as they arrive....! But when you start "ignoring them," it's more forced than not. Hope this might help! Best wishes! And good night!
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