# Damn elephant sitting on my chest **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 26, 2012, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-elephant-sitting-on-my-chest/635883 "2012-09-26T14:12:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![RedBloom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/dbc845/32.png) [@RedBloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedBloom)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2012, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-elephant-sitting-on-my-chest/635883/1 "2012-09-26T14:12:33Z")
I’m stopping off here before going to see a doctor. Don’t ask me why. Probably because I’m scared shitless. A year ago I got put on beta blockers for a pounding heart/heart palpitations/tight chest. After numerous cardiac tests, nothing came back abnormal. They stuck me on beta blockers and all of the symptoms went away. Voila. Why was it happening? Good question. Still don’t know (yes, I have an anxiety issue - we blame it on that). Now, time has passed… and guess what, it’s back bigger and badder than ever! Heart palps through the roof, HEAVY chest, pounding in my ears, tingly pain in my chest, I almost feel a suffocation feeling. I upped my beta blockers, and they aren’t helping. I called the dr. and she’s booked for 4 days. Do I keep popping anxiety pills or what? I don’t want to go to the ER. I’m stuck. I am SO busy at work I can’t just up and leave. This feeling is desperately uncomfortable though. Would anxiety _really_ cause these kinds of symptoms (feeling like you’re being squeezed by a boa constrictor)? ---
**Author:** ![PacifistPorcupine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@PacifistPorcupine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PacifistPorcupine)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2012, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-elephant-sitting-on-my-chest/635883/2 "2012-09-26T14:19:28Z")
Uhm sounds like you should go straight to the ER. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2012, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-elephant-sitting-on-my-chest/635883/3 "2012-09-26T14:21:57Z")
[Please see this thread.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=666630) Go to ER. Do not pass go, do not collect $200. Did you tell the doctor your symptoms when you called, or did you just ask if you could be seen? Because they really need to teat this seriously. StG ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2012, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-elephant-sitting-on-my-chest/635883/4 "2012-09-26T14:38:21Z")
> [@StGermain](#): > > [Please see this thread.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=666630) Go to ER. Do not pass go, do not collect $200. > > Did you tell the doctor your symptoms when you called, or did you just ask if you could be seen? Because they really need to teat this seriously. > > StG +1 It’s entirely possible this is just anxiety / stress. It’s also entirely possible that it’s something more serious. Phone the doctor’s office back. Now. Tell the receptionist that you are having frightening symptoms, and demand she put you through to someone medical, or have that same someone phone you back ASAP. Failing that, call your insurance company’s nurse-line (if they have one). ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2012, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-elephant-sitting-on-my-chest/635883/5 "2012-09-26T15:25:08Z")
And if you aren’t in the ER yet - Did you change your diet recently? Any way that a stimulant like caffeine could be finding its way into you now? Anything - guarana, energy drink, power tabs, anything that isn’t supposed to relax you? [I have found the small amount of caffeine analog in chocolate can cause palpitations in me … \*sob\*] Now, get ye hence to the ER. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2012, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-elephant-sitting-on-my-chest/635883/6 "2012-09-26T15:25:15Z")
It’s a heart attack in progress until proven otherwise. Call 911. And yes, I am a doctor. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2012, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-elephant-sitting-on-my-chest/635883/7 "2012-09-26T15:30:03Z")
Log off the fucking message board and get your ass to the ER. [Not later.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=14885754#post14885754) NOW. ---
**Author:** ![RedBloom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/dbc845/32.png) [@RedBloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedBloom)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2012, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-elephant-sitting-on-my-chest/635883/8 "2012-09-26T15:46:31Z")
Ok - I’m off to the QuickCare facility… ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2012, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-elephant-sitting-on-my-chest/635883/9 "2012-09-26T15:56:10Z")
Take an aspirin, and call an ambulance! ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2012, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-elephant-sitting-on-my-chest/635883/10 "2012-09-26T15:59:42Z")
> [@RedBloom](#): > > Ok - I’m off to the QuickCare facility… \<\\> Suboptimal, but better than not seeking care. Seriously, if it’s an MI in progress, time is of the essence, and early interventions can reduce/prevent actual heart damage. And QuickCare facilities **hate** to see acute chest pains which need ER evaluation come in through their doors. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2012, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-elephant-sitting-on-my-chest/635883/11 "2012-09-26T17:56:36Z")
There are some things that allow you to walk through the crowds of people waiting in the emergency room and see a doctor immediately - crushing chest pain is pretty close to the top of that list. Extreme anxiety can cause some of the symptoms the OP is having, but I don’t think any healthcare professional would say, “Just take an Ativan and call it good.” People with anxiety disorders have heart attacks, too. This is a case where I really, REALLY hope the OP checks back in with us! ---
**Author:** ![RedBloom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/dbc845/32.png) [@RedBloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedBloom)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2012, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-elephant-sitting-on-my-chest/635883/12 "2012-09-26T18:14:25Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > \<\\> > > Suboptimal, but better than not seeking care. > > Seriously, if it’s an MI in progress, time is of the essence, and early interventions can reduce/prevent actual heart damage. > > And QuickCare facilities **hate** to see acute chest pains which need ER evaluation come in through their doors. Ok ok, you were right. They could do nothing but tell me to go to the ER. All my vitals were excellent, heart sounded good, they weren’t even terribly concerned. They mentioned the word “angina” - but said even that was unlikely (I’m a 38 year old healthy woman). Soooo, the pressure has eased up a bit now… and I’m debating on what to do next. Back at work and feeling more normal again. God I must be losing my mind. ---
**Author:** ![Lust4Life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecc23a/32.png) [@Lust4Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lust4Life)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2012, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-elephant-sitting-on-my-chest/635883/13 "2012-09-26T18:18:37Z")
Now that the results have come back, and you’re all clear, drop the pill habit and start taking exercise. That will sort it out. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2012, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-elephant-sitting-on-my-chest/635883/14 "2012-09-26T18:32:16Z")
> [@RedBloom](#): > > Ok ok, you were right. They could do nothing but tell me to go to the ER. All my vitals were excellent, heart sounded good, they weren’t even terribly concerned. They mentioned the word “angina” - but said even that was unlikely (I’m a 38 year old healthy woman). Soooo, the pressure has eased up a bit now… and I’m debating on what to do next. Back at work and feeling more normal again. God I must be losing my mind. Good, I’m glad it wasn’t health or life-threatening acutely. Now you can explore at a more relaxed pace what needs to be done. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2012, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-elephant-sitting-on-my-chest/635883/15 "2012-09-26T19:22:10Z")
> [@RedBloom](#): > > Ok ok, you were right. They could do nothing but tell me to go to the ER. All my vitals were excellent, heart sounded good, they weren’t even terribly concerned. They mentioned the word “angina” - but said even that was unlikely (I’m a 38 year old healthy woman). Soooo, the pressure has eased up a bit now… and I’m debating on what to do next. Back at work and feeling more normal again. God I must be losing my mind. You are NOT losing your mind. And speaking of minds, bear in mind that ER’s often do not take women’s heart symptoms seriously. Women’s heart attack symptoms are a little different from men’s and some women practically have to cause a scene at the ER to have someone thoroughly check them out. If you really want to scare the pants off yourself, google “women’s heart attack symptoms.” You are not losing your mind. When something weird is going on in your body, you want to know what it is-- that’s perfectly reasonable. Go back to your primary care doc and talk about this (I know you won’t, but I had to tell you). If you think you are having a heart attack CHEW one or two regular-sized aspirins. Don’t just swallow them because they have to go through your digestive system. Chew them (they are a bit sour) and hold the particles under your tongue. Aspirin is an anti-coagulant and it can enter your bloodstream under your tongue. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2012, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-elephant-sitting-on-my-chest/635883/16 "2012-09-26T19:40:37Z")
> [@RedBloom](#): > > Ok ok, you were right. They could do nothing but tell me to go to the ER. All my vitals were excellent, heart sounded good, they weren’t even terribly concerned. They mentioned the word “angina” - but said even that was unlikely (I’m a 38 year old healthy woman). Soooo, the pressure has eased up a bit now… and I’m debating on what to do next. Back at work and feeling more normal again. God I must be losing my mind. You’re not losing your mind - I volunteer with a support group for people with anxiety disorders, and one of the most common stories is going to the ER repeatedly, thinking you’re having a heart attack. Like I said earlier, a lot of the symptoms of high anxiety _do_ mimic a heart attack, and I would never tell a person with anxiety not to go to the ER. Part of your journey will probably be figuring out which symptoms your heightened anxiety are creating (and it can create just about anything you can imagine) and which ones really do need a medical professional. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) really helps a lot with that (I recommend it for everyone who is dealing with anxiety issues). ---
**Author:** ![RedBloom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/dbc845/32.png) [@RedBloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedBloom)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2012, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-elephant-sitting-on-my-chest/635883/17 "2012-09-26T20:43:42Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > You’re not losing your mind - I volunteer with a support group for people with anxiety disorders, and one of the most common stories is going to the ER repeatedly, thinking you’re having a heart attack. Like I said earlier, a lot of the symptoms of high anxiety _do_ mimic a heart attack, and I would never tell a person with anxiety not to go to the ER. Part of your journey will probably be figuring out which symptoms your heightened anxiety are creating (and it can create just about anything you can imagine) and which ones really do need a medical professional. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) really helps a lot with that (I recommend it for everyone who is dealing with anxiety issues). CBT is a big helper for me, as I do struggle with anxiety. I exercise on a regular basis too! I’m a healthy weight with an excellent CBC. (problems: I smoke about 7 cigs/day and I’m anxiety prone… and I probably take too many pills of varying sorts). Anxiety is awful, truly awful. I guess i didn’t mention an old, dear friend of mine died 10 days ago at age 38 of a heart attack in her home. The only thing the doc’s told her was to take Xanax (they thought it was anxiety). Clearly not. SO - I will get my arse back to my family doctor and have her help me sort this out again. Appreciating all of the feedback here today… ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2012, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-elephant-sitting-on-my-chest/635883/18 "2012-09-26T21:10:43Z")
Oh, Honey, come over here and let me give you a great big hug! (Do we do that on the SDMB?) I’m so so sorry about your friend. ☹ After my husband died, I was plagued with anxiety attacks for years, and took myself to the ER on three different occasions thinking _I_ was having a heart attack. I even wore a heart monitor for a month. That helped allay my anxiety, but I still keep xanax on hand for when I feel a panic attack coming on. BTW, don’t EVER be worried about going to the ER if you think you’re having a heart attack. No one ever made me feel stupid or like a hysterical female or anything. They’re GLAD when it turns out not to be an emergency. When you go to your doc, sort out those pills. Do you need all of them? And I don’t need to say what I’m going to say about the ciggies, right? (Maybe you can cut down to half of that. One in the morning and one after dinner and one more during the day?) Check [this](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marlo-thomas/what-rosie-taught-us-plus_b_1909090.html)out. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2012, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-elephant-sitting-on-my-chest/635883/19 "2012-09-26T21:54:28Z")
> [@RedBloom](#): > > I’m stopping off here before going to see a doctor. Don’t ask me why. Probably because I’m scared shitless. A year ago I got put on beta blockers for a pounding heart/heart palpitations/tight chest. After numerous cardiac tests, nothing came back abnormal. They stuck me on beta blockers and all of the symptoms went away. Voila. Why was it happening? Good question. Still don’t know (yes, I have an anxiety issue - we blame it on that). > > Now, time has passed… and guess what, it’s back bigger and badder than ever! Heart palps through the roof, HEAVY chest, pounding in my ears, tingly pain in my chest, I almost feel a suffocation feeling. I upped my beta blockers, and they aren’t helping. I called the dr. and she’s booked for 4 days. Do I keep popping anxiety pills or what? I don’t want to go to the ER. I’m stuck. I am SO busy at work I can’t just up and leave. This feeling is desperately uncomfortable though. Would anxiety _really_ cause these kinds of symptoms (feeling like you’re being squeezed by a boa constrictor)? I am not a medical professional, but if you were a member of my family, I would use whatever level of coercion (including physical force) it took to get your rear end to ER ASAP!!! Possible heart problems are NOT something to mess around with! ETA: very glad it wasn’t a heart attack, but DO follow up on this with your primary doctor, PLEASE. ---
**Author:** ![PandaBear77](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@PandaBear77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PandaBear77)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2012, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-elephant-sitting-on-my-chest/635883/20 "2012-09-27T00:28:02Z")
Shit that’s terrible about your friend, I’m so sorry ☹ Please don’t dick around with this!! Get checked out ASAP, don’t put it off and don’t let yourself talk yourself out of it! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/damn-elephant-sitting-on-my-chest/635883.md?page=2)