Hello! I have been experiencing different things, and I don't know what it is that is causing them. If you have any ideas of what it could be, please let me know! I know there will be atleast 1 post on here that says "go to the doctor". Believe me, I know that is a choice that I have. I just want opinions of possible things it could be first. I also do not have insurance, so if I don't have to spend a fortune at the doctor, I'd rather not.
Ok, for the record, I am 27 years old. I am sure someone will ask how old I am, as it may give insight of what the issue is. This started about a week or 2 ago. Out of nowhere, I all of sudden felt out of breath and was having heart palpitations. It was bad enough to be annoying, but it wasn't so bad that I couldn't function. So, I experience that off and on. I get it, it lasts for a little while, and then it goes away. Another thing that I have been having off and on is the feeling that my stomach is full of air....but not like gas or anything. It just feels like I could stick a tube in there and let all the air out. It makes me have not really a nauseous feeling but a "gaggy" feeling, if that makes sense. If I press on my stomach while I am experiencing that, it makes me feel like I am going to throw up (sorry - I know that is gross). If I eat while feeling this, it feels like I am suffocating while eating. I have not thrown-up and I have not really had any pains, except that when I am having the breathing issue, it sometimes feels like I have a light pressure on my chest (like someone pressing on it). It's not an unbearable pain or anything, but if I feel it, I feel it inbetween the breasts, except above that point. In other words, I don't feel it inbetween the breasts but if I were to put my hand there and go up a few inches, that is where I feel that "pressing" feeling. Sometimes, my body will feel weird - almost shakey, but more like....mush, a little bit. I will also sometimes feel lightheaded, but that could be allergies or something.
I know of possible things it could be...anxiety/panic attacks, stress, low blood sugar (although I really don't think it's that), etc...but what do all of you think? Any insight and information is appreciated!
Thank You, AnimalAngel
Posts: 324 | Location: Texas USA | Registered: 06-28-02
That could be anxiety, indigestion or heart problems. You know we have to tell you to check with your Doc. It would be irresponsible of us to do otherwise.
But it doesn't take a lot of tests to answer the big question: is it heart disease? If you make the appointment telling them up front that your main concern is to make sure it isn't heart disease, they can set up those tests.
If it is, you must proceed with treatment.
But if it isn't, and if the symptoms still persist you can check out your eating habits. Indigestion, acid reflux and other digestive disturbances can cause some of the sensations you describe.
If it's not indigestion (that is, if you eat right and the symptoms continue) you can take a chance and treat yourself for anxiety using a number of good natural measures.
By the way, both indigestion and anxiety can be dramatically helped by eating simple low-fat low-sugar natural food (no Hamburger Helper! No alcohol, which disturbs sleeping patterns. ) and by normalizing your sleeping and exercising behavior.
After you've tried some self-help, if the symptoms still persist, you need to see a Doc again.
Posts: 6538 | Location: British Columbia, Canada | Registered: 06-11-02
The only thing I would add to what babthrower said is this: I have almost the exact symptons you describe from time to time. When I do, I take a nitroglycerine tablet under the tongue, if the symptoms go away I know that it was angina. If you don't have nitro, or a doctor's prescription or diagnosis, I would head to the nearest hospital emergency room. They have to treat you, insured or not. That's the law in this country. It may be just an electrocardiogram, followed by a prescription. But at least you may live to report back to AnswerPool someday in the future. Otherwise, it's a crap shoot and unavoidable anxiety.
Yeah yeah I know this is a choice you have. Sure, however there is no way you have listed all of the things that a doctor needs to now in order to diagnose this issue.
It could be a sugar crash - it could be anxiety - it could also be diabetes, heart disease, or even a tumor growing somewhere getting ready to throw off a blood clot that will cause you a heart attack, or cause a lung to collapse, or cause you to stroke out.
I'm not one for running to the doctor for just any old ache or pain but I do go to a doctor if I get heart palpitations, pressure in the chest, and other potential signs of something dreadfully wrong.
These are 'serious symptoms' ones that should not be taken lightly, ones that should send you off to a doctor ASAP.
Posts: 3995 | Location: Leaving land, heading for the ocean | Registered: 06-03-02