whats wrong with my hubby?

[sweetpea]

I was wondering if anyone had any idea of whats wrong with my husband.I dont think there are any docs on the site,but maybe someone has had or knows someone whos had the same problems as him.
About 4 month ago,he came down very ill with chest pains,pains in his left arm and neck.We rushed him to hospital and they said he had very high blood pressure.They put him on tablets,and a few days later we were back in.They kept him in for a week,because the beta blockers they had given him was causeing his heart to stop.
Since then,one minute he feels ok,the next hes ill again.He says he has pain in the left side of his chest,hes constantly belching,his neck hurts and he feels hot and clammy.
We went to the docs the other week,and they say hes fine and fit for work (although hes retired).Hes been feeling that ill,that oftern just lately that we didnt go on our honeymoon the other week.But as the docs say hes fine,we cant get our money back off it.
Im having to have more time off work than a little just lately and i think there getting abit p**** off with it,but i dont want to leave him on his own when hes like this,especially as i dont know whats wrong with him.

[redd_angel55]

Well, I am no doctor, just a radiographer, but from what you are saying there is definately something wrong with your husband! The symptoms do sound cardiac related in some way. Don't just take what your GP said, be pushy, go again and again until you get the tests ect you are entitled to!
If need be, change your GP or get a second opinion. Sometime you have to make things sound worse then they are to get results!

[sweetpea]

Thankyou so much for your quick reply and advice redd.
He definatly going back to the doctors monday,even if we have to sit and wait there all day,and i'll make sure he sees a different doc.
Its a shame when you have to try and convince a doctor your ill.They just sit there,nodding,and then try and make you feel as though your making it all up .
I will sertainly do as you say,and thank you again

[perchy]

If your husband has another bout of pain and feeling unwell, ring for an ambulance, you are obviously very worried, it may sound a bit drastic and you may be of the nature not to want to make a fuss, but to be honest, he will get the tests he requires at A + E. Do you have an out of hours walk in service locally? just a thought.

[p.penn]

Hi Sweetpea. To be honest, I am quite concerned about this and think he ought to be getting medical attention asap. I think Perchy is right - if he gets bad again - get him to A&E urgently.

[sweetpea]

Thankyou for your concern guys.Your right,i am very worried,and i think not knowing whats wrong with him for so long,is making it worse.
He was ill again last night,thats why i was on line and not at work.I told him that we should go to the hospital at least ring the NHS direct up,but he wouldnt have it,he said that he didnt want to spend another night in hopsital.
He seems ok again this morning (so far anyway,its early yet),but im going to have agood talk with him later,cos like it or not,the hospital will be called next time,i dont care how much he moans at me.

[lizziedoggarden]

Hi Sweetpea, your hubby sounds like he has what my mum has, By no means am I medical person but the symptons are virtually the same as my mums and she has angina.
When it happens agains again, which it will because you have to take certain tablets and sometimes have an op, ring for an ambalance straight away because like Perchy said, you,ll get the tests done that needs to be done.

I love my mum dearly but she can be the most awful person, (think Blanche on coronation street ) bitter and nasty about people and she moans and shouts at me when I phone for docs or ambalance at the time but better she is here to drive me up the wall than not.

[Steve the Gas]

Hi Sweetpea,
Doing nothing much (the Drs,not you) is 'cos they are jack of all trades and....................
Next time it happens call 999/112
The only people that can read ECGs properly is a cardiac specialsist- nurse/Doctor
I found out this the hard way in Feb this year and the paramedic said 'good news is you're not having a heary attack................wrong!!
Lizzie sounds about bang on with our amateur assessment - Angina _ comes and goes. Thing is he needs the dr-ugs - NOW.
Insist on an ECG - has he had one carried out??
Things that may need to be done -
Just dr-ugs to control it- GTN spray/tablet, BP tabs, b blockers etc.
Angiogram - to find out whats going on
Angioplasty - to widen the coronary arteries using stents etc (I had 6 in)
Heart Bypass

Or find out its sommat else, but please act immediately next time.
If it is mini/minor MIs - then this will damage the organ

[Grannyof4]

You MUST get him to A & E next time.

[Mad Chick]

I agree, he needs to get to A&E as soon as the pain starts again - you can't be too careful

One other thing to maybe consider - could it be a hiatus hernia? My step dad had one of these and the symptoms when it flared were very similar to heart symptoms. So much so that when he went to the docs with terrible pain in his chest and left arm, the doc said "Sorry, it's your hernia again". Two days later he died of a massive heart attack It's probably not this as your hubs's heart has already been checked but worth considering...

Lucy x

[lizziedoggarden]

I agree, he needs to get to A&E as soon as the pain starts again - you can't be too careful

One other thing to maybe consider - could it be a hiatus hernia? My step dad had one of these and the symptoms when it flared were very similar to heart symptoms. So much so that when he went to the docs with terrible pain in his chest and left arm, the doc said "Sorry, it's your hernia again". Two days later he died of a massive heart attack It's probably not this as your hubs's heart has already been checked but worth considering...

Lucy x

Thats awful Lucy, really sorry x

[Sara]

I agree that the next time you must call an ambulance....

When mum was taken into hospital in england they found all sorts of problems that her gp here hadnt picked up on. I dont want to scare you but you really must get him to a heart specialist and usually the easiest way is if he is admitted to hospital.........
Both my parents were extremly difficult about going into hospital...... prehaps put it to him, what would you prefer..... a few nights in hospital get it all sorted out or be 6 foot under ? sounds harsh i know but sometimes its the only way.

Mum complained of chest pains before we left for england, and then before she was due to come home he had shortness of breath........ wouldnt see a doctor...... she died the eve of her return trip home..... get him to a specialist.

I really hope you manage to get the care you need,and your husband feels better soon, It is very worrying for you and must be for him too

[sweetpea]

They can be sssoooo stubern cant they .
Im so sorry to hear about your mum Sara.
My grandma could be like that to.She complained of not feeling well,but wouldnt go to see anyone about it.She ended up having a huge strock and died a few weeks later in hospital,not being able to move or talk.It brock my heart,especially as i grew up with my grandparents.
I thought by seeing the result of her stubeness my hubby might have learnt something from it,but he hasnt.
I,however am different,and am listening to the advice given here.Doctors next week (again).And next time...hospital straight away,no matter how far down the bottom lip goes.
He was given a GTn spray Steve,when he first went into hospial,but when he went to the consultant they told him he didnt need it,although ive made him hang onto it.

[bluebell]

Hi Sweetpea, I can only agree with what others have already told you.

A few years ago I had episodes of feeling weird, pain down left arm, tightness in chest, etc. I made an appointment to see my doctor that afternoon, fitted me up to an ECG machine which didn't really indicate much, she did say however that heart condition could not be ruled out - I think it was due to the fact I was in a very stressful job at the time

My doctor told me not to ignore signs, I said that I would make an appointment to see her straight away next time to which she said "No, I mean go straight to A&E, no good coming to see me 10 minutes after you've had a fatal heart attack". I think what she was trying to say is don't mess about, take these sort of things a bit more serious than I was.

[anbu2020]

He needs to see a Dr. - not the ER - ER's are for life-threatening emergencies - and other cases are dealt with symptoms only - and not really diagnosed --
A hernia is not red on the skin - it is when the intestine pokes through a "hole" in the abdomen muscle -- and you sound like this lump is red or infected -- (could it be a spider bite?) -
Anyway - I suggest that you ask around about a community clinic that charges according to income - and that he see a Dr. there if he has no insurance -- (the health Dept may be able to give you info)