How can I get medical care?

Question

I am a 17 year old male. Recently I started getting chest pain in my upper chest and sometimes near my heart.

...I told my parents about it, but they said that it's just heartburn and to stop being hypochondriac. It keeps recurring.

I am worried because it can be intense/stabbing at times, and I am starting cross country (long distance running) in about a week. It usually worsens when I get emotional or exercise.

I don't want something to happen to me...But my parents just aren't going to do anything about it. Persistent mentioning of my chest pain to my parents is useless. Whenever I mention it they just get angry.

I have a walk in center near my house, do you think I could go there? Is there anything I can do to get medical care on my own? Call a hotline or something?

I am living in NY. If anyone has any advice on what I could do, please tell me. I appreciate it greatly.

Answer 1

If you are 17 then you should be in high school.  If you are not then you should be in college.  Since you are starting to run in a week ask the school to give you a pre sports physical exam and tell the doctor all of this.  

If this doesn't apply then simply walk into the nearest ER and tell them you are having chest pains and you will get an EKG, blood work and possibly an echo as well as pulse oxygen level.

You say it worsens when you get emotional or exercise.  Maybe some of it is in your head and you need to chill out.

Also you can simply fall down (pretend to anyway) in public and the ambulance will take you away.  Only do this if you are having your symptoms.

Good Luck

Answer 2

in such case U take deep breath.Well, I m not a doc. U should also

join YOGA.If no relaxe,U should go to Specialist  

Answer 3

It sounds like Panic attacks but DO NOT EVER TAKE BENZODIAZAPEINES...(Klonopin,Zanaax And Ativan) If you get hooked your be sorry. I'm not a doctor so go see one for the head.Good Luck...

Answer 4

Contact your local Health Dept. and they should be able to give you some advice. If school has already started in your area, go talk to your guidance councilor, make sure you let them know that you are seriously concerned and that your parents are aware and not conserned.  As a minor I'm not sure you can go to a walk in clinic, but you may have to go see for yourself and then you may end up with a bill, but you can always give them a few dollars at a time to pay it off and they will be ok with that.

Good Luck!

Answer 5

go see the doctor

Answer 6

If it's aggravated by exercise, it could be asthma, or a related issue, or you may have pulled a muscle. It's never a good idea to ignore chest pain, regardless of the cause, however.  If you have insurance, go to the walk-in center, or call your family provider. Have you had your sports physical? If not, mention it during the physical.

Be sure to keep track of your physical and emotional state when it occurs, and call your doctor. Yes, it may be nothing, but better safe than sorry.

Answer 7

It does sound like indigestion or possibly a hiatal hernia. If it were your heart you would know.

Answer 8

Yes you can walk into the clinic. Also you should have a complete physical before beginning cross country. If you are doing this in school  NYS mandates this be done. You can also go to your school nurse and explain the situation. She must mandate your parents to get you medical help if they do not it is then medical neglect and reportable to CPS. It may sound drastic but it is  better then seeing you in a coffin ! Age does not play a role in cardiac issues and plenty of young adult athletes pass away every year due to undiagnosed cardiac issues. Please, please take this into your own hands right away.

Answer 9

You most certainly can go to the walk-in-clinic but you must be covered under your parents insurance, or you will have to pay for the services you receive.

Look on-line or in the phone book and see if you can find a "community health centre" in your area.  Usually these clinics provided services cheaper or even for free.  At the very least they should help you be able to figure out how to access the services you need.

Your parents should be taking this seriously.  Even if it is just heartburn, recurrent heartburn can do damage to the esophagus, causing ulcers, not to mention a great deal of discomfort.  Try talking to them again, and tell them you are going to seek medical attention whether they help you or not.

Answer 10

Have one of your friends drive you to the ER. They cannot refuse you! Good luck and hope you feel better

Answer 11

Try all the answers above.

Good luck.

Take good care of yourself.

Its good to be good to your own body.

God bless you.