Sternum (Chest) Pain, Shortness of Breath, and 5 Hours at the ER

[Acadia 20]

So last night I was sitting working and suddenly felt this really tight dull pain in the center of my chest. I figured maybe it was temporary, so I walked around (sitting wasn't comfortable), then I tried to lay down, squat, bend over, any and every position and everything hurt (and I'm sure entertained my neighbors). Then I realized I wasn't breathing well. The pain was right behind the bottom of my sternum, prime area for all sorts of issues.

After 30 minutes it was getting worse, even after a GasX and two tums just in case it was indigestion (even though I hadn't eaten in 5 hours). When that didn't help I went to the ER. Heart attacks present differently in women and I wasn't going to take the risk.

So I got to the ER, said that I had chest pain, shortness of breath, and that I had a lapband. I got an EKG immediately, got registered about 10 minutes later, and the pain started to dissipate about 10 minutes after that.

Several nurses were interested that I had the lapband and wanted to know how well it was working for me, it was nice to get positive questions.

They inserted a large IV (big enough for contrast), took six vials of blood, then I went to the room and waited on the Dr. I was hooked up to a heart monitor, O2, etc. so I was fully monitored.

The Dr. came in, checked my heart, all was well, the EKG was fine (and was compared to my pre-surgery EKG). He asked for me to get a couple of meds to counteract the reaction I would have to the contrast and got me signed up for a CT.

When the Dr. and I talked about the band he said that the band sits right at that point so it was a concern that I had that pain and that it suddenly stopped. It could signify all sorts of things.

They called my Dr. (who works at the same hospital) and he agreed to have them check it to make sure it was positioned okay, so in I went for a CT with contrast. After that, they said everything was sitting fine, the lapband looked good, it hadn't moved, and there was no reason they could figure for the pain.

However, the doctor made a very big point to say that it was good I came in and didn't just assume it was nothing.

He has seen women come in too late after a heart attack, when they get there they talk about how it was so subtle, by that point their heart is almost totally dead. Same for the band, my Surgeon was concerned because you just never know what a foreign object is going to do.

So though I was fine, the ER was completely receptive to my situation, my concerns, and did not look down on me for having the lapband or for going in with chest pain that then went away shortly after I arrived. They still gave me exceptional care and were very open about the band and how it could be affecting my situation.

I made a point to tell them when I had it done, that there were no complications, how much of a fill I had, when I had my last fill, my ability to eat and drink, and with all of that they had no reason to do an unfill or exploration. They understand that you know your body and how it reacts.

If you have a band, be 100% honest with the ER, the doctors, the nurses, everyone. You never know who is going to treat you or how they will treat you and the more you tell, the more they know, and the better care you'll get. And if you have any chest pain, back pain, or abdominal pain that doesn't go away after 30 minutes - and begins to affect your breathing - go to the ER. Don't risk your life because you're embarrassed or think it's nothing.

[reverie 49]

Very helpful post. Everyone should keep this in mind, banded or not. Glad to see you're okay!

[mattie7632 24]

Wow that's scary! Really glad you are okay. It does have me thinking now back to the times I've sensed a brief short-lived pain right around my heart---and dismiss it as nothing. But I did have a normal EKG in December......do you suppose new heart problems could present in such a short time?

[Soon2besexynslim 1]

Acadia, the exact same thing happened with me. 2 days after I was discharged from the hospital after my lap band I had e same pains, couldn't breathe thought it was a pulmonary embolism. Fortunately it wasn't. They couldn't figure out the problem. But they told me I was s art to go in & get checked out.

[oceangirl6 0]

GREAT POST, GLAD YOU ARE OK!!

<br />So last night I was sitting working and suddenly felt this really tight dull pain in the center of my chest. I figured maybe it was temporary, so I walked around (sitting wasn't comfortable), then I tried to lay down, squat, bend over, any and every position and everything hurt (and I'm sure entertained my neighbors). Then I realized I wasn't breathing well. The pain was right behind the bottom of my sternum, prime area for all sorts of issues.<br /><br />After 30 minutes it was getting worse, even after a GasX and two tums just in case it was indigestion (even though I hadn't eaten in 5 hours). When that didn't help I went to the ER. Heart attacks present differently in women and I wasn't going to take the risk. <br /><br />So I got to the ER, said that I had chest pain, shortness of breath, and that I had a lapband. I got an EKG immediately, got registered about 10 minutes later, and the pain started to dissipate about 10 minutes after that.<br /><br />Several nurses were interested that I had the lapband and wanted to know how well it was working for me, it was nice to get positive questions.<br /><br />They inserted a large IV (big enough for contrast), took six vials of blood, then I went to the room and waited on the Dr. I was hooked up to a heart monitor, O2, etc. so I was fully monitored.<br /><br />The Dr. came in, checked my heart, all was well, the EKG was fine (and was compared to my pre-surgery EKG). He asked for me to get a couple of meds to counteract the reaction I would have to the contrast and got me signed up for a CT.<br /><br />When the Dr. and I talked about the band he said that the band sits right at that point so it was a concern that I had that pain and that it suddenly stopped. It could signify all sorts of things.<br /><br />They called my Dr. (who works at the same hospital) and he agreed to have them check it to make sure it was positioned okay, so in I went for a CT with contrast. After that, they said everything was sitting fine, the lapband looked good, it hadn't moved, and there was no reason they could figure for the pain.<br /><br /><b>However, the doctor made a very big point to say that it was good I came in and didn't just assume it was nothing. </b> <br /><br />He has seen women come in too late after a heart attack, when they get there they talk about how it was so subtle, by that point their heart is almost totally dead. Same for the band, my Surgeon was concerned because you just never know what a foreign object is going to do.<br /><br />So though I was fine, the ER was completely receptive to my situation, my concerns, and did not look down on me for having the lapband or for going in with chest pain that then went away shortly after I arrived. They still gave me exceptional care and were very open about the band and how it could be affecting my situation.<br /><br />I made a point to tell them when I had it done, that there were no complications, how much of a fill I had, when I had my last fill, my ability to eat and drink, and with all of that they had no reason to do an unfill or exploration. They understand that you know your body and how it reacts.<br /><br />If you have a band, be 100% honest with the ER, the doctors, the nurses, everyone. You never know who is going to treat you or how they will treat you and the more you tell, the more they know, and the better care you'll get. And if you have any chest pain, back pain, or abdominal pain that doesn't go away after 30 minutes - and begins to affect your breathing - go to the ER. Don't risk your life because you're embarrassed or think it's nothing.<br />

<br /><br /><br />

[Phranp 46]

Wow, that must have been scary, Acadia. So glad you are all right. I will heed your warnings should this, or something similar, happen to me. Thanks.

~Fran

[peacequeen 434]

Good information! Glad you're ok, Acadia! Congrats on your success with the band. You're doing fantastic

[trish151 33]

I am so thankful you are ok. You know (giggle) God works in mysterious ways. Maybe someone there was needing to have a band and you showing up with some answers will help them make a decision.. I have had so many positive remakrs about mine and a lot of questions. So far, Ihave only heard positive remarks and no negative ones.

[k-baby 0]

Hope you feel better now. If it happens again ask them to check your Gall Bladder - sounds similar to my gall bladder pain - I thought I was having a heart attack initially and then it bacame more localised and intense.

[k-baby 0]

Hope you feel better now. If it happens again ask them to check your Gall Bladder - sounds similar to my gall bladder pain - I thought I was having a heart attack initially and then it bacame more localised and intense.

[k-baby 0]

Hope you feel better now. If it happens again ask them to check your Gall Bladder - sounds similar to my gall bladder pain - I thought I was having a heart attack initially and then it bacame more localised and intense.

[Acadia 20]

reverie

-

Thank you. It was not pleasant but the hospital staff were great.

mattie7632

do you suppose new heart problems could present in such a short time?

-

Heart problems can happen at any time. Even with a normal EKG you can actually actively be having a heart attack.

It's rare, but it can happen. You can also throw a blood clot or a piece of plaque can become lose and cause a stroke or heart attack - with no notice.

Since a 'normal' EKG is slightly different for everyone, and unless you have something to compare it to a Doctor won't be able to tell if yours truly is normal, you can't always rely on a normal EKG meaning that you're not having heart issues.

These days there are rapid blood tests that can be done to detect cardiac enzymes and Proteins that indicate heart damage. These enzymes ebb and flow during heart damage and these tests can detect them as they're rising (usually about six hours after the start of the heart attack) and even up to 36 hours after a heart attack. Some Proteins that indicate heart damage can be detected for up to two weeks after damage.

There is also a blood test for pulmonary embolism (D-dimer) that is done when you present with chest or back pain if PE isn't obvious.

This is why, even though the pain went away, the testing continued to ensure that it wasn't minor heart damage that was simply masking itself.

Considering we're all in the process of losing weight, and due to being overweight we are more prone to having high cholesterol and high blood pressure, we're all at a greater risk for plaque and its release into the blood, which can lead to a stroke or heart attack.

Soon2besexynslim

--

It's great that you went in. There is one member on the boards here who just a few weeks ago had chest/back pain and went in and she had a PE in both lungs. If she had ignored her pain she likely wouldn't be here today.

Oceangirl6

--

Thank you.

Phranp

--

Thank you. It was quite scary, but I knew that it was the right thing to go in. Women often won't go to the hospital if they have chest pain or problems breathing because they think they're going to be an inconvenience and they're embarrassed. We're taught to ignore our pain and brush it off, and especially with us, where we have a foreign object in us, and we're at higher risk for issues to begin with, it's so important to heed our body's warnings.

PeaceQueen

--

Thank you. I'm working on it. Taking it very slow. It's definitely a long journey!

Trish151

--

You know, I thought about that as well. The nurses were really interested and thought it was great that I'd already lost and that other than that episode of chest pain I hadn't had any issues. I think at least one of them, who was more keen to ask questions, will look more into it. Fortunately she's at one of the better hospitals that offers it.

k-baby

--

I do feel better, thank you. I asked about my gall bladder and my Dr. said that it could be the issue, and if it happens again that they'll check more into that, but everything was fine with the blood tests they did and the CT showed that there were no stones.

That said, the things that cause an increase in gall stones include: being female, being on birth control, being over weight, losing weight too quickly (catch 22 isn't it?), if you're on drugs that lower cholesterol, and diabetes.

It's surprising more of us don't have gall bladder issues with all of those things against us!

[peacequeen 434]

You don't have to respond.lol But I thought it was really awesome how you responded to each post individually. I've never seen anyone do that and I thought it was really nice

[kshallow 9]

Thanks for posting your experience! I think w/ having the band, it's easy to attribute any kind of chest pain to food stuck or gas or some other band related issue and just wait it out. Thanks for giving us all a smart reminder! Our overall health encompasses more than just our bands!

[Jack 855]

Great post and great news Acadia. Good heads up response. Cheers on your journey