I am undergoing lots of stress. My grandmother just died, my dad is sick from it emotionally many more stressful situations in my life right now. I drink casually but also engage in binge drinking every other weekend. I am overweight (not severly though). I smoke cigarettes. Lately while sitting at work or just thinking about stressful things my heart begins to beat a very fast rate. I try to calm down and I just want to cry. I don't have health insurance so I can not see a doctor without the costs of an arm and a leg. I get heartburn as well but that is different than what I am describing. (also under stressful situations). Sometimes I also experience pain in my chest but it has become almost like a ritual every so often. I know I need to seek medical attention but can someone please help me on yahoo.
2007-02-08 06:10:17 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
If you are having chest pain, then you need to see a physician. From the information you have given, it sounds like you may be having an anxiety attack. My father and brother have those and have described their symptoms the same way. Please go see a doctor to be sure.
2007-02-08 06:16:03 · answer #1 · answered by ? 7 · 6⤊ 0⤋
Well, obviously everyone including me is going to say get to a hospital even if you don't have insurance. You will not have to pay all at once and they will help you. Any time your chest hurts you should go to the ER. But it sounds like you might be having panic attacks when you feel that way. I get them too, but they are not accompanied by chest pain (which is a very typical symptom of panic attacks). A lot of people that have panic attacks experience dizziness, feeling faint, very fast heart rate, numbness in hands or arms, and some even think they are having a heart attack or are going to die. panic attacks are very common and sometimes they only last for a few minutes, other times they can last for hours. If you are under stress, that is what would be triggering those attacks. You need to find a way to relax and calm down, and no, smoking is not a good way. I'm sorry, but I think you should really get to the ER so that they can do some tests to see if it is anything more serious. Good luck!
2007-02-08 06:18:58 · answer #2 · answered by tmac 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
GO AND SEE A DOCTOR.
Don't be silly enough to presume that anyone on here can diagnose you by reading your little paragraph about what's wrong.
No-one is going to be able to tell you, apart from a doctor. It may cost a bit of money if (like you said), you have no health insurance. But even if someone does correctly diagnose you with a disease or ailment, you're still going to have to go to the doctors and get the prescribed treatment. Especially if it is something to do with your chest and heart.
Don't be so lazy and immature about your health that you would jepordise your life for the sake of a few dollars.
2007-02-08 06:23:04 · answer #3 · answered by Adam L 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I'm sorry but seeking medical advice on Yahoo answers isn't wise although I do work with heart patients on an every day basis.
I don't think it is good to give out advice unless there is an actually MD here and that might not be true. All I'll say is that it sounds like a lot of stress. Go to an ER and work out a payment program with them. They'll work with you.
2007-02-08 06:18:23 · answer #4 · answered by greylady 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
I had the exact same symptoms and I was skeptical when they said it could be GERD/ulcer. I mean, the pain was in my LUNGS, especially when I took deep breaths. But lo and behold, they gave me these acid pills and I took them for a few weeks and it went away. They did GIVE me the pills, by the way. Free samples, they called them- didn't cost me a dime
It does sound like you are under a lot of stress so I'm not saying you're not having panic attacks. But if you do see a doctor, explain your insurance situation to them- you might be able to get free samples just to 'rule out' an upper GI thing and maybe it will work as well for you as it did for me. Then all you're out is the cost of the doctor visit.
Either way, once you know what's really going on you'll feel better and be of much more help to your dad.
Good luck.
2007-02-08 06:57:45 · answer #5 · answered by natteringnabob 1 · 0⤊ 4⤋
Hon, it sounds like a panic or anxiety attack.
I struggled with them for years in my late teens and twenties.
Symptoms of panic attacks include: sweaty palms, tightness or in your chest, difficulty breathing or hyperventalating, nausea, heart palpitaions (those jumps or breaks in your hearts rythm that you feel).
In the bookstore, or online, you will find lots of helpful infor on panic and anxiety disorder. You can start to do some things to help yourself through it, but you really should talk to someone about what you are going through.
The difference between panic and anxiety disorders is basically just tha panic is more intense, and comes on in a few seconds, while anxiety is more slow to build up.
When you start to feel like that, stop and take 10-20 very very deep and slow breaths. Count them. Focus on controlling your breathing and slowing it down, as that will automatically slow your heartrate and lower your blood pressure. Also, exercising is a great stress releiver - sounds like not much fun, but really heps to be focused on your muscles instead of your poor overstressed brain! Talka quick walk around the block if you feel bad at work. Even if it's just walking somewhere, swimming, hiking on the weekend, doing a 20 minute exercise video in the morning, anything helps. And you know that cigarettes can fu@k you up. Cut down, and don't smoke one in response to your feeling crappy because it will just raise your heartrate and make you feel crazier.
I found it really helpful to read books on it - it felt great to recognize my symptoms and realize that maybe, just maybe, i wasn't about to die. i had it pretty bad - before i knew what was hapening it got to the point where i took myself to the ER a few times thinking I was really sick. I figured it out on my own, but it took a long time.
If you can't do it on your own, a doctor can help you. Start putting away a few dollars a day for an emergency fund so if you have to you can go see a doctor to talk to them about it.
it will be ok. You can handle it. Take control of what you can, and the rest of you will catch up soon enough!
2007-02-08 06:23:50 · answer #6 · answered by imnotachickenyoureaturkey 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
The symptoms you are describing are serious. Go to the emergency room and do what every illegal alien does. They will diagnose you, treat you, and prescribe the medication you need. That will get you past worrying about your self. Then take the time to evaluate where you in life and why the things which you describe as stressful (even though traumatic, are normal life events), cause you so much agony. Do you expect everything to be easy? The money you spend on cigarettes and binge drinking would buy you health insurance. You have life's priority's all mixed up and you do not seem to have a clear vision in life. Get some counseling, even if it means that you have to go to AA or Church to get it.
2007-02-08 06:50:28 · answer #7 · answered by yes_its_me 7 · 0⤊ 4⤋
Could be an anxiety attack but to make sure you are not suffering a heart attack, which can effect even young woman, go see a doctor quickly.
2007-02-08 08:51:11 · answer #8 · answered by Rosey 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
See a doctor now, It doesn't matter if it costs and arm and a leg, not doing it could cost a life,
2007-02-08 06:19:12 · answer #9 · answered by bob shark 7 · 6⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like you are having anxiety attacks. I would suggest trying valerian root/ passion flower before bedtime to help. You may want to take it more frequently, but it may make you sleepy. Also, it would be advisable not to drink when you take it. Give it a try. Check wholehealthmd.com for other anxiety supplements.
2007-02-08 06:20:54 · answer #10 · answered by RK 1 · 0⤊ 5⤋