Calling all doctors, i need help!?

Question

Ive been to the doctor and had blood work done, x-ray, and been hooked up to a heart rate machine and the answer i get is everything is normal and i should be put on depressants for fatigue.

my symptoms: i have this pain in my upper left chest, which feels like its in my heart and this pain then radiates to my left arm and my shoulder, arm, and hand get this numb pain in it. it hurts even worse if i sneeze or laugh hard, or breathe deep. the pain can last anywhere from 2 hrs- 2 days. i cant seem to get any answers to what this could possibly be, everyone just thinks I'm crazy and throw anti-depressants at me.

the only way i can describe this pain is it feels like what i would think a heart attack would feel like but it comes and goes so much and all the tests at the doctors came back normal. i just want answers! I'm about to go to urgent care but i don't want to sit there for 3 hours if its something stupid?

PLEASE HELP!

Answer 1

Could it be possibly a panic attack?

Answer 2

I don't know really what to tell you. I'm having the same problem But my doctocr hasn't given me anything yet. He wants a M R I done to see what is going on. If you find out something please let me know. I would like to know thanks & that was a good question to ask. Good luck

Answer 3

Does your neck/back hurt too? Sometimes neck problems (ie cervical spondylosis or a pinched nerve) can cause such symptoms. You can ask your doctor about this. Good luck!

Answer 4

I feel really bad for you. Your symptoms definitely sound like myocardial infarction but if your doctor is performing tests and saying it's not one then try getting a second opinion as to what it could be. Do you have shortness of breath or any nausea and sweating? You can even look up heart specialist around the United States and e-mail them what's going on and see what they say.

It could really be a number of things but the next time you feel the pain coming on go to a local hospital right away and tell them your symptoms. Don't tell them you've had it for days or weeks (until you've gone back) just tell them that it's just came on and they should take you right back because if your having a heart attack they take it very seriously..(trust me they don't want you dying in their ER)..

Good luck and I hope you get to feeling better!

Answer 5

Has your physician checked your carotid arteries.  If you have a narrowing due to plague, etc. in the carotid artery (you have one on each side of the neck) you can experience the symptoms you describe.  Since the left side is affected, you should probably have the right carotid looked at.  This is easily done with an ultrasound to measure pressure and flow rate.  If the pressures are high and flow rates abnormal, then usually they will order an arterial angiogram to see just how occluded the artery is.  It can either be treated with medication, a stent, or surgery.  Again, mention the carotid artery to him/her.  Don't just let a doctor prescribe anti-depressants for a medical condition.  An occluded artery can cause a stroke and death.  One other thing, if you are a female, recent studies show that many women suffer from problems with the microvessels in the heart.  Many doctors are not aware of these issues, so if you are not seeing a cardiologist, then maybe you need to be.  You should also be checked for an atrial septal defect.  This is done with a small device that is sent down your throat and then sends back ultrasound images of the back of the heart.  A stress test might be a good idea as well.  

The long and short of this is you probably need a referral to a heart doctor.  If you are seeing a heart doctor, mention these things to him/her.  If this is just a GP, then ask for a referral.  Sorry you are feeling poorly.  Don't give up.