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Gloria wrote:I'm not getting any explanation from her about the cause.
Maybe she doesn't have an explanation about the cause, since she apparently doesn't know what's causing the pain. You may have to get a second opinion, in order to track down the cause. Probably, it's nothing serious, but pain is an indication that something is going on, and if the episodes are becoming more frequent, and more intense, then it would probably be a good idea to pursue this. Of course, there's a good chance that the second opinion may not offer any more insight than the first opinion. Sometimes it's hard to win.
I suppose you could ask her for a prescription for nitroglycerin pills, (or spray), to test out your theory. She might offer more explanation then, (especially if she doesn't want to prescribe them for you).
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Hi Gloria, sorry to hear about your chest pain. Others have made lot of suggestions what it could be, I don't have much to add to that. Only that I sometimes also have pain on the left side quite high up, above the stomach and bowels and it has always to do (in my case) with my digestive system. But that feels most of the time like a cramp. So my experience is, it is possible to have pain in your chest what has nothing to do with your chest but with the digestive system. But of course it also can be something else.
I thought the health system (read doctors) were different in the US as here in NL. But the more messages a read on this board the more my conclusion is, the are the same. In the way the threat patients and how people experience doctors. What works for me is be very clear in what you want of a doctor and why. Passive and thinking the doctor knows what is good for me does not work. Also an aggressive approach and just demand what you want does also not work very well. But an assertive way, with respect for the doctors knowledge and also be very clear what you want. Just ask for it and explain why. If they come up with a suggestion that is not good enough, do not agree and ask again or find another doctor. This is what discovered the last couple of years. An active approach and be your own doctor too. It found it quite shocking to find out that (at least here) it works this way, but it does.
And about your complaint, if it keeps on coming back and you don't what it is, check it out. If necessary see another doctor. Or at least you are very right to take is seriously. I say also this out of personal experience. Before I was diagnosed with MC I had bowel problems for 8 years and always thought IBS or stress or whatever. Another minor problem I struggle with for almost two years now is my left knee. General physician, physiotherapist, nothing helped. Until I asked for a referral to a specialist. I have a crack in my meniscus and need an operation in time. Just with this examples, pain means there is something wrong.
Gloria I hope you will find a good doctor and a solution for this problem.
Thank you for your responses. I think I will be a little more insistent that the cardiologist give me some nitroglycerin to take the next time. It would confirm or rule out angina, anyway.
Gloria
You never know what you can do until you have to do it.
A good idea about the nitro. Dr. should go along with it, I think.
As has been mentioned before....... Acid reflux (GERD) can feel exactly like heart attack symptoms. My husband went to the ER twice with it and I've had intense chest pain even to the point of my jaw hurting more than once. Just wanted to emphasize how much it can feel like a heart problem. I don't wish that on you either though.
Love, Shirley
When the eagles are silent, the parrots begin to jabber"
-- Winston Churchill
Try taking a antacid or something like Mylanta when you have the pains to see if it is just reflux. That is what the dr told my MIL and it was just reflux. For some people they only get chest pain with reflux. Glad you have had it all checked out. Chest pain is not something to ignore.
Read your recent experience with chest pain. Seem like you are getting great advice and good medical care. I have one more thought to add. You have said that the pain is always in the same spot, on the left side of your chest. I have another suggestion: costochondritis. It is most often seen in women over 40. It is inflammation of the attachment of upper ribs to the breastbone, usually, on the left side.. I have had it a few times. My PCP diagnosed it after my first stress test was negative. However, in order to diagnose it one must extensively examine and manipulate the upper left ribs. My experience with ALL MD's under the age of 50, is that they do not, or are afraid for legal reasons, to poke or prod our bodies. Instead they rely on tests and scans which don't identify this problem. Since you seem to have passed the cardiac tests with high scores, this may be the answer. I am not a medical professional, just another MC sufferer who hopes you get answers to this problem so you can get effective treatment. Good luck. Sheila
I have to agree with Shirley & Pat.
My acid reflux felt just like chest pain to the point that some nights when I went to bed, I'd shoot right up in a sitting position on the bed from the pain. My jaw would also hurt.
I now take 1 prescribed zantac a day and haven't had any further episodes of chest pain.
Sure wouldn't hurt to give that a try before asking for nitro.
Keep in mind that when a woman goes to the ER complaining of chest pain, most of the time, they are not treated the same as men are, so being persistant with the ER doc is very advisable to rule things out. A simple blood test can tell them alot..
Dee~~~
"What the heart gives away is never gone ... It is kept in the hearts of others."
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Sometimes it's hard to win.
