I spent a very long day, today, in the ER and Cardiac unit.

[DemoTex]

I had excruciating chest pain at 4am. The ER was great. Got me back to the unit stat, and got the heart enzyme work done (X2), blood work, chest x-ray, and mid-afternoon, a stress EKG with Gamma camera before and after.
Good news: no heart problems found. Bad news, the severe chest and abdominal pain contines. More tests coming.
One of the worst nights/days of my life (70 years).

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. Oh, no! Get better, hang in there!

[unblock]

2. Feel better!

[Solly Mack]

3. Well, poo. Keep us posted.

Please let us know how you're doing.

[blueinredohio]

4. Sorry for your day in pain but glad there's no heart problems.

Make sure to let us know what you find out.

[Anon-C]

5. Hope you find some comfort and rest. Place your intentions squarely on

Your recovery as you feel better.

[Demovictory9]

6. .. Hope it is something that is easily resolved

[Aristus]

7. Get better soon, DemoTex.

It's not DU without you. I'm not kidding; I think we'd need to shut the whole thing down...

[handmade34]

8. please get better!!

no fun for you or us when you're not well

[TEB]

9. May you get well fast

[CaliforniaPeggy]

10. My dear DemoTex!

That sounds awful, and scary to boot.

I am relieved to hear that your heart is OK. But what on earth could be causing the chest/abdominal pain?

Hope they find out pronto and get you some good and lasting relief.

Take care!

[crazylikafox]

11. Did they check your gall bladder?

Same thing happened to me 10 years ago

[Tess49]

40. I was going to suggest that, too.The GB is famous for mimicking cardiac pain. n/t

[TexasBushwhacker]

47. I was gonna say

They checked my heart out first. Then they did an ultrasound of my GB and BINGO! Then some blessed morphine and a visit from the surgeon.

[Tess49]

67. I was an ultrasound technologist for over 30 years. I could not begin to count the number of times

I saw patients who came to the ER with chest pain, who were cleared of cardiac issues, and sent to me to scan for gallbladder disease. Very common to find gallstones if chest pain is present with an absence of cardiac involvement.

[Hortensis]

73. Very interesting, thanks. Kinda hope this is

DemoTex's problem.

My husband turned yellow over time, Demotex,and we were terribly afraid for a couple days for a serious liver problem, but it turned out to be "only" his gallbladder. He likes to joke that he misses his gallbladder, but that's mostly just because he thinks it's funny.

[Tess49]

82. Yes, the gallbladder can cause all kinds of pesky issues. Jaundice is one of them. Glad your

husband is okay.

[dixiegrrrrl]

91. Super helpful info. thanks. n/t

[Tess49]

93. You're welcome!

[Stonepounder]

65. 10 years ago for me.

Chest pain. (Note: I did have open heart surgery for a triple bypass and a Maze procedure for arrhythmia about 15 years ago). Ambulance to the ER. Again, they were great but couldn't find anything. Heart was fine. A friend suggested they take a look at the gall bladder. Had it checked, gall stones, had it yanked, been fine every since.

[H2O Man]

56. Good call!

Five years ago here.

[Different Drummer]

12. Sorry to hear this, DemoTex! Please keep us informed on your condition. n/t

[malaise]

13. Hope you pass all the tests

[MineralMan]

14. Hope they diagnose and resolve soon.

[lapfog_1]

15. I had something similar a few years ago

heart? nope. upset stomach? nope.

worst pain I've ever felt. Even riding to the ER was torture every time the car made a turn (centrifugal force would feel like knives carving into my diaphragm ).

Anyway, gave me super anti-acid... no effect. Finally gave me Vicodin. Didn't fix anything but the pain went away...

I rested for a night and the next day I was sore but otherwise OK. Doc thought it was maybe gall bladder and wanted to yank it... I said let's see what happens.

Had similar pains a couple of times in the last 8 years. Treated with pain meds and sleep. Still not sure what it is.

[livetohike]

16. Hope they quickly find out what the problem is and you

feel better soon.

[Laffy Kat]

17. Gosh, DemoTex, hang in there.

MRI or CT in your future?

[steve2470]

18. hope you feel better soon, glad your heart is ok ! nt

[gademocrat7]

19. Hope you will be feeling better soon.

Take care.

[kentuck]

20. Hope you get this figured out soon, DemoTex.

Take care of yourself.

[jmbar2]

21. The $10,000 beans

A few years ago, a friend came down from Oregon to visit me in Houston. She loved southern cooking, so I made a pot of beans and a skillet of cornbread and we dug in.

In the middle of the night, I heard her moaning and checked in on her. She said she was in the most extreme pain she had ever experienced. I took her to the emergency room where they did all the tests, and kept her overnight for observation. They gave her a super anti-gas medicine, and her symptoms subsided.

She was released the next day, with no obvious problems.

Weeks later, she got a bill for $10,000! Fortunately, she was from Oregon and had full coverage, so she didn't have to pay it. If it had been me, a Texas resident, I would have been bankrupted by it. I later decided to move to Oregon.

We have since laughed so much about it. And now that I am in the same city as her, we periodically share a pot of $10,000 beans and cornbread. If it puts us in the hospital we are covered.

Get well soon!

[PinkTiger]

87. Neat story.

I’ve had similar issues, been to ER twice in 15 years, but it was inconclusive.

[woodsprite]

22. Hope you're feeling better soon and that they figure out what's going on.

My hubby thought he was having a heart attack at one point. They found out it was a kidney stone lodged high in his kidney. I've had both kidney stones, gall stones, and an umbilical hernia. Kidney stones were by far the worst pain, with gall stones running a close second.

Sending healing thoughts your way.

[MFM008]

44. Yup

Ive had kidney, bladder and gall bladder stones.
Yes excruciating pain.
They will find it/ them if they are there.
Also look up costochondritis.
Feel better.

[Alethia Merritt]

23. Get well soon.

Check for aneurysm or hernia?

[Greybnk48]

24. Feel better, DemoTex! n/t

[a kennedy]

25. Damn DemoTex......

hope you survive, heal and live a very long life.

[colorado_ufo]

26. Possibilities they should check for:

Gallstones
Aortic aneurysm
Pancreatitis
Esophageal hernia
Dislocated rib(s)
Pleurisy
Intestinal obstruction
Kidney stones

Be sure to get follow-up beyond the ER. They will check for the obvious cause of chest pain, but you definitely need more in-depth diagnostics.

[Jane Austin]

30. And don't forget heartburn.

I've been to the ER for this in the past, and once I even had an episode while in the hospital for another reason.

Crashcart and every doc and nurse available came running and stayed with me for a very painful hour - on Thanksgiving Day!

Cardiologist ordered an angiogram for the following day which was great because it showed that my arteries were crystal clear and no plaque was visible anywhere.

My cardiologist thought it might be an electrical storm in my blood vessels possibly caused by Sudaphed.

The only thing the two episodes had in common was drinking black coffee and then lying flat on my back.

Both times I had jaw pain, chest tightening, left arm pain, left ebow pain (excruciating) - the works.

Whatever it was, it wasn't a heart attack., thank God.

Best to you.

[Jane Austin]

32. BTW, I don't have to take antacids.

I just have to remember to remain upright after I eat or drink - especially coffee.

[Pepsidog]

37. Ventricular Tachycardia- my heart was beating at 270 for 2 hours. Very painful.

I was getting bouts of V-Tach. Had to shock me 8 times over 2 days. Finally after 10 days in hospital and ablation fit as a fiddle. Hard to diagnose cause only occurred randomly

[elleng]

27. We're with you, DemoTex.

Glad for the good news, and that the 'remainder' is being attended to.

I'm 'working' on vertigo, newly sprung up yesterday, so consider us 'together.'

[LiberalArkie]

28. Have upper GI done

[onecent]

29. My prayers are with you and your family!!

[ismnotwasm]

31. I hope you feel better soon

Glad you got good care

[sinkingfeeling]

33. Hope they find the problem soon and resolve it. Hang in there.

[raven mad]

34. Good Karma headed your way!

Consider yourself hugged.

[williesgirl]

35. So sorry to hear this. Hopefully, tomorrow will be much better day.

[Blue_true]

36. Best wishes. Hope something is found soon so that it can be fixed. Take care. nt

[lunatica]

38. I hope it is no more than a scare

From the responses here it doesn’t seem to be that uncommon. Take care.

[Demonaut]

39. hang in!

[tavernier]

41. Mmm-hmmm

You had those Elvis fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches again, right?

No, I know you didn’t, lol.

Laugh a bit. Breathe. Move out of Texas. *wink*

[Nac Mac Feegle]

42. Sort of the same thing about 20 years ago

Drove to the hospital myself and checked in to the E.R. with massive upper right abdomen pain.
From the pain, they were thinking kidney stones.
Heaving up bile, hard.
They took me in to x-ray. As I was getting moved around into position,
I asked "Which shoulder is it that hurts when you're having a heart attack?"
They got REALLY concerned looks on their faces, and said "The left one".

I said "That's good, my right one is where the pain is."
They looked at each other and almost in unison said "Gall bladder".

They moved the x-ray to the appropriate area and found them.

I soon discovered the wonders of Morphine. That is some Really Good Shit!!!!

Next day in Surgery, just after they gave me the initial dose of anasthetic, the pain suddenly goes away. I couldn't say anything, but the next day when the Surgeon was doing his rounds with the students, I hear him telling them that "Just before, or just as we were going in, the gall bladder burst, he had 4 very large stones jammed in the duct."

Just my war story.

[mahina]

43. Jesus, DemoTex. Talk about good news/bad news.

Hoping you never have that again. Hugs and lots of aloha.

[badhair77]

45. Hope you find some relief and answers soon.

Sending good thoughts your way.

[spanone]

46. K&R...

Good Wishes....

[smirkymonkey]

48. I hope you feel better soon and that they find it's nothing

serious. Take care DemoTex!

[saidsimplesimon]

49. Stay with US

We need you. I am a year older. Let's do this together, take a deep breath, relax. If this is the worst, it can only get better.

[barbtries]

50. eek. glad your heart is okay

hope the source of your pain is soon diagnosed and relieved.

[MRDAWG]

51. Get A Heart Cath. Same thing happeded to me.............

Cath was well worth the peace of mind. I was 70 at the time. You will continue to worry until you get that Gold Standard of heart tests.
Peace of mind is worth gold.

[pdxflyboy]

52. Healing wishes from me to you, Demotex

[cilla4progress]

53. Sorry to hear.

Glad you’re ok!

[H2O Man]

54. Get better!

Positive vibrations.

[Lifelong Protester]

55. So sorry to hear this.

I hope you are at a good hospital and they can quickly diagnose the 'problem'.

[sprinkleeninow]

57. In my 💙. Will continue to think of you. 🕯

[FuzzyRabbit]

58. Get well soon.

I know it's hard to remember when you are in extreme pain, but remember, the pain is temporary and will end soon.

[oasis]

59. Hopefully you will conquer what ails you soon.

[drray23]

60. Same thing happened to me last monday.

Blood tests, EKG, the works and they ruled out a heart attack. I'm scheduled for a stress test and an echo cardiogram.

[AnotherDreamWeaver]

61. Best Wishes.

[appal_jack]

62. Rest & Recovery to you, my friend!

I hope that the rest is healing, and that the healing is quick and complete!

-app

[calimary]

63. Sheesh, DemoTex. Get better!

So sorry to hear that! Glad you got help right away. Keep us posted, cuz otherwise we're gonna worry.

[rocktivity]

64. You're welcome.

Last edited Mon Apr 22, 2024, 04:03 PM - Edit history (2)

And may you be diagnosed soon.


rocktivity

[FailureToCommunicate]

78. Wow! That is a great graphic! Thanks!

[DemoTex]

94. Great graphic!

Headed in for RUQ ultrasound and CT scan on Tuesday. The severe pain abated somewhat, and the remaining symtoms suggest gallstones. I have slept most of the last 24 hours.

[cstanleytech]

66. I wish you better luck than I have been having on figuring out why I have been having severe pain in

my abdomen and chest since I hurt a nerve on the left side of my neck a few months ago as so far the doctors cannot figure out whats causing the pain.

[Hekate]

68. 100th Rec. Hope there's relief and resolution tomorrow. Hang in there ...

Your friends need you here.

[MrModerate]

69. Same thing happened to me a week ago, except . . .

I was on vacation in Germany at the time. (Actually fell over with similar symptoms while Visiting San
Souci palace outside Berlin.) Received excellent care, although translation was imperfect. They didn't charge me a nickel, due to a reciprocity deal with my insurer.

At least I hope that's the case. I'll check in with my regular doc when I return to the States tomorrow.

[DFW]

70. If you were at Sans Souci, then you were in Potsdam

It's a great place to visit, but that's the old East Germany. You might have had better luck with the language problem in Berlin itself.

[MrModerate]

97. Berlin's only about 40 km away . . .

Potsdam's pretty much part of the Berlin conurbation.

[DFW]

98. I know. I've been there enough.

But from an administrative point of view, Potsdam is in Brandenburg, which is part of the old East Germany, whereas Berlin is another administrative district entirely. It's just a 4 hour train trip, and we run over there a couple of times a year.

[MrModerate]

99. My German friend, who grew up in West Germany . . .

and spent some of her adult years in former East Germany, was convinced the hospital in Potsdam would want to keep me for days and days, just because of some compulsion to overdeliver that was buried in their past. I am no judge.

[DFW]

71. Let us know what it really was.

Last time I got driven to the ER, it WAS a heart attack, although it was so mild, my enzyme count took 10 hours to go up.

[mnhtnbb]

72. Oh, no! Hope they figure out what is causing the pain and fix it SOON!

While you're waiting, stay away from news channels and any sight/sound of the orange one on TV because you don't need any more anxiety
or stress, right?

Let us know when they figure it out.

[BumRushDaShow]

74. Wow. Sending many healing thoughts!!!

Hope you can get this resolved and recover quickly!

[Demsrule86]

75. I had a horrible pain just below my shoulder blade on the left and my left arm...it comes back

every once in a while...hurts like hell. The doctor has order a test for blockage which don't alway show up on traditional tests...there is heart disease in my family. Hope you feel better.

[Pobeka]

76. I also had a pain under my shoulder blade, lasted for months, it was an impinged nerve.

The pain was getting chronic, and I finally went back to see the chiropractor (not the normal type, this is an "advanced orthogonal" who can precisely adjust the atlas with a sound wave). Long story short the pain was referred because my vertebra in my neck where messed up enough to impinge the nerve. Cost for xrays and treatments was very minimal compared to a normal doc, and it worked beautifully. Maybe it's not your problem, but maybe it is?

[Demsrule86]

80. Thanks for the suggestion...it was agonizing last night...and I feel a hint of it even now waiting

to pounce!

[cpamomfromtexas]

77. Have you been exposed to Toxic mold?

It gave me many wierd symptoms, including chest pain. Took several doctors before anyone tested for it.
An 80 year old Dr from Greece found it.

[FailureToCommunicate]

79. Could be gall stone blockage? Maybe you ruled that out, but docs thought heart attack when

I had it. I opted not to have the surgery and have been okay for years since. Moral of the story for me was don't have three large, greasy meals in a row (vacation!)

Hope they figure it out and you feel better soon!

[greatauntoftriplets]

81. I hope that they figure out what's going on with you quickly.

May the pain go away soon. Be well.

[LuckyCharms]

83. Please feel better soon. n/t

[kanda]

84. Get better soon

Sending you many good healing vibes.

[ollie10]

85. Could be pancreatitis

Which in turn could be caused by a stone blocking the shared duct that originated in gall bladder.

There are blood tests, as well as imaging that can check for causes of pain. Untrasound, mri, etc. I am assuming they will want to do more tests on you,

[peacebuzzard]

86. Hope the pain subsides soon, well wishes

A definitive diagnosis and speedy recovery.
Keep us posted.

[47of74]

88. Sorry to hear that! Get well soon!

[alfredo]

89. That sucks.

Glad you are well enough to let us know of your scare.

[trof]

90. NO NO NO NO NO

Man?
Keep us posted, OK?

[DemoTex]

95. See my update at #94

Thanks trof!

[Blue_true]

92. Any update? nt

[DemoTex]

96. See update at #94

Thanks Blue_true!