Facebook Pixel
Q: 

I feel as if my dr is fobbing me off when i tell him about my chest pain.

By May 7, 2010 - 3:09am
 
Rate This

when i excercise i experience pain across my chest and down my left arm into my finger tips. I can also get this when walking although its not so acute. My left arm can also have a numb feeling when i am resting and my neck also aches. I don't know wether it is related but i also have short bursts of what i would call indigestion. I have also had palpitations whilst standing still. My father had a heart attack at the age of 41. I have had a tread mill test and then underwent a test where a catheter was put via my groin into my heart. The specialist was great and assured me after i was given a good result reguarding the test that he would get to the bottom of what was going on. I have heard nothing from him since. When i approach my dr about this or about the on going problems he just fobs me off telling me that the only thing he might think of doing would be to maybe use something that i could wear for 24hrs. He is not keen to do so, but i know that it would show something especially if i exercised at my normal rate whilst wearing it. I feel as if the dr just thinks i'm being paranoid and i really wish i was. I have no wish to cycle up hills and have to bend my left arm just to help me put up with the feeling that i get. cycling with one arm is not very safe, I have taken to riding up the hill on the pavement (its hardly ever used by pedestrians) so that i can stop safely and wait for the feeling to pass. What do you think, am i being paranoid or should i stand up to my dr?

Add a Comment3 Comments

Alimac,
I'm glad you're going to make an appointment and ask for the test. It sounds like you are a wonderful advocate for your children, and now you need to do that for yourself!

It may not be your heart at all. Perhaps you have compressed nerve in your back from a disc that's slightly out of place; that can also cause numbness and pain that radiates down the arm. But whatever the case is, you need to know and you need to know what could be done to treat it.

I'll look forward to hearing from you again. Hang in there!

May 10, 2010 - 8:35am

Thanks Diane, I am the most active of the family as i do not drive and I cycle and walk everywhere. It really does bother me to the fact that my dr, in my opinion, just can't be bothered! I know that sounds awful but I also had to push for help for 5 years for a diagnosis of aspergers for my eldest son and sort my 3 year old sons tonsilitus and adinoids( sorry about the spelling). Both cases have florished since i eventually gained the help that was needed:)
The test would be similar to a portible ecg. I WILL now be making another app to see my dr and i will ASK for the test. Thank you for your help, i will keep you posted. I truely hope i am wrong but i would rather be safe than sorry. If I can be of any help to anybody about how to seek help for parents at their wits end that are trying to get help for a child on the autistic spectrum or even just support a parent in the same situation as i have been in please pass my details on to them via your site. Thank you again.

May 7, 2010 - 10:44am

Alimac,

I don't think you're being paranoid. When we have recurrent pain, we need to know why it's happening. Clearly, you got some good results from the specialist, and that should ease your mind a little. But you say you haven't heard from him since. Have you called his office to follow up?
And in regards to your regular doctor and the 24-hour test, there's nothing wrong with telling him that you are still experiencing pain, that it concerns you and that you would like to do the test. Does he give you a reason for not wanting to do so? Is there a downside to taking the test that he sees?
At EmpowHer, we are quite used to seeing stories where patients knew there was something wrong and had to work hard to find out exactly what it was and how to treat it. We often tell people that they have to be their own advocates, pushing for their own care, especially when they think something is wrong. Don't be shy about doing so. Especially with your father having a heart attack at 41, heat health is clearly something that needs to be a priority with you.
Will you make another round of calls and/or appointments with your doctors, and let us know how it goes?

May 7, 2010 - 9:35am
Image CAPTCHA
Enter the characters shown in the image.
By submitting this form, you agree to EmpowHER's terms of service and privacy policy
Add a Comment

All user-generated information on this site is the opinion of its author only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. Members and guests are responsible for their own posts and the potential consequences of those posts detailed in our Terms of Service.

Tags:

Angina

Get Email Updates

Angina Guide

Have a question? We're here to help. Ask the Community.

ASK

Health Newsletter

Receive the latest and greatest in women's health and wellness from EmpowHER - for free!