First off, I'm a 28-year-old female in generally good health. I started having anxiety attacks this year starting with chest pain. I first went to Urgent Care after sudden chest pain that lasted three days. The doctor chalked it up to anxiety. He said I'm young, my blood pressure was fine and I have no risk factors (though I later found out heart disease runs in my dad's family.) I was dealing with a lot of stress: I almost quit my job because it was too much and my relationship with my boyfriend who I live with was falling apart (we are better now). Because I don't yet have health insurance, he suggested I save my money and not bother with an EKG.
Fast forward a couple months. My uncle is found dead after drinking himself to death and my aunt suffers a heart attack. Month or so later, grandma dies of cancer, though I was able to see her in her final hours. I started getting chest pains again some time after. Different this time, starting with me waking up and getting a sharp pain in the middle of my chest, like I had been stabbed. Ended up in Urgent Care again a couple days later. Was prescribed Prednisone for chest pains, told it was still anxiety and perhaps my persistent cough and sent home.
Now here I am again, this time suffering nausea that lasts the first half of the day, chest pains and discomfort. Stabbing pain on the left of my chest and sometimes shoulder or neck, palpitations like my heart is fluttering or has a couple beats too hard, feeling like my heart stops for a moment and the breath is sucked out of me briefly, feeling like my lungs are sore... All kinds of symptoms. I went to meditate last night when those sharp pains came back strongly. I had a panic attack and took a long time to calm down and fall asleep. Still have nausea and pain today.
I have an appointment with a new primary care physician January 9th after my health insurance kicks in. Should I go to a different urgent care for a second opinion, or does it sound like I can hold off until January 9th to see my doctor? I keep telling myself it's anxiety and so does everyone else, but I keep fearing I'm about to die and won't make it until January.
I am by no means saying that your symptoms can’t all be linked to anxiety, but I don’t think getting a second opinion is a bad idea if it would help put your mind at ease. You know your body better than anyone else, and you deserve to know if something is actually wrong (again, NOT saying there is). Get whatever you need to get done to be convinced so you can stop worrying. Worrying is zero fun. Good luck!
Thank you for your reply! I will ask my doctor for blood tests and an EKG to prove there is nothing wrong, but I can't afford to pay it until January when I have insurance. I guess I just wanna know if it sounds like it is serious enough that I need treatment ASAP, or if it really is likely all anxiety related and I can wait until the 9th. It's expensive to be healthy.
No kidding, I talk about wanting to move to Canada all the time just for the free healthcare. I highly doubt your life is in immediate danger and that you won’t make it til January. The doctors you have seen would have a huge lawsuit on their hands for not referring you to the ER if something life-threatening was going on. Just do your best to relax til January. I know it’s easier said than done, I’m in a similar situation. Different symptoms, but I have a lot of things I need to get checked out and I am also waiting until January for my insurance to kick in. Hang in there, you’re not alone!
Hey Bethany - sorry to read of your problems. Def not something you want to be dealing with. Sounds like you had some serious stress in your life recently; doesn't surprise me that you have symptoms. I also don't think you're in immediate danger. But, I wouldn't be too reliant on Urgent Care. They don't know your family history. I woukd ask at your new doc for a full physical with blood work and EKG. Since you have a family history, they probably will want a baseline. Being afraid of heart issues is terrible - it's my main issue, too. Women are often overlooked / underheard regarding heart issues, so push until you get answers and tests that will put your mind to ease (without breaking the bank!). In the meanwhile, some meditation podcasts and deep breathing could help. When I'm feeling anxious, I can sometimes prevent a panic attack with that. Also, despite the holidays, it could be helpful to cut out or back on alcohol and caffeine. They are stimulants that both make you nervous and affect heart pace. Good luck to you!
You went through a great deal of sadness over the loss of family members and that would not have help you. It may have been a good idea to discuss your losses with the primary relative of each. To talk out your concerns would have helped your grief and moved you on.
With your Anxiety and stress that may have not helped your fears and anxiety.
Our system in the UK is different here they try and look for ways too help. You mention your health Insurance kicks in on the 9th Jan, talk to your Primary Care Doctor regards your Anxiety and see what can be suggested.
You are in an unfortunate position where you will be waiting over the Christmas and New Year before your plan goes into effect
I would myself feel you are suffering some depression and Anxiety, both can be treated well. Only you knows what the situation you find yourself in, we all need to be comfortable in our own skin. If you can have your second opinion before the New Year that may help you get through the holidays in peace although I feel you need some form of conclusion. The matter will be with you. You need to consider your health and needs and the cost of an appointment
That's a fair point...I didn't think about that. Usually doctors will have you do tests just in case, or even just for more money so he must have been confident I wasn't in danger. That's unfortunate that you are waiting as well... But January is close. Thank you, and good luck with whatever you need done!
Thank you. The doctor I'm going to was recommended by my family. They trust him a lot and said he was the only one who was totally honest about my grandmother's condition and how much time she had left. Everyone else basically told them they didn't know and had to do more tests. He doesn't have records of my dad's side of the family but at least he knows how my mom's side is doing!
I actually don't drink alcohol and rarely consume caffeine (no soda, no coffee, mostly herbal and green teas) so that isn't hard! Thank you for your reply and reassurance.
I am worried about anxiety messing up my holidays, but the replies on this thread have helped reassure me a bit. My family is also aware of my anxiety and is very supportive. I'm lucky to have such loving parents and a supportive partner. I am definitely going to look into treatment at my appointment. For now, I think I can wait. It will be tough, but as long as I'm not in danger of dying, I'll be alright. So far, everyone I've talked to thinks I'll be just fine, so I have to believe in that. Thank you for your reply and reassurance!
Just try to remember that worrying won’t change the result in January. Some don’t even make it out of the womb alive, some people don’t make it to their teens, some people die in some kind of freak accident that they didn’t see coming, some people live to be 100, and everything in between. All we can do is do our part in staying healthy and sticking around as long as possible. We only have control over so much. One of my Uncles has been homeless since he was a teenager, and he’s still going pretty strong despite the hell he has put his body through and never seeing a doctor. Yet I know TONS of people who went to the doctor religiously and did everything in their power to be healthy, but their lives were cut short. Like I said, there’s only so much we can do, and it sounds like you are doing all of the right things. We are all technically dying, and we could all also die tomorrow. Try to make the best of every day you’re here instead of worrying about what MIGHT happen or what MIGHT be wrong. Life’s too short, even if you do make it to 100
That's a good point. It's hard for me to think that way, but I will try. I never thought I was afraid of death until I thought I was going to die. My main fear right now is that I'm not preventing some disease that is indeed preventable, but as you mentioned before, the doctor had no reason to let me go if he suspected something might be wrong with me. I will try my best to let go of my worries. Thank you for all of the replies. Having somebody to talk to helps a lot.
So sorry to hear your going through this. I myself have been to 2 doctors and a urgent care. All have told me it was anxiety. It's hard to finally admit to yourself thats what it is. It wouldn't hurt to get a second option. Just remember that anxiety can't hurt you and that your mind is just playing games with you!
Thank you. It really is hard to believe, especially since the pain is what started it all! I don't wish anyone else to feel this way, but I'm glad I'm not alone.