I don't know if I am posting this in the right place, but I need some advice. I am both physically disabled as well as having a mental illness. Over two weeks ago, I started with joint pain, fatigue, headache and a few episodes of heart palpitations. I went to my regular doctor and she couldn't find anything wrong in the blood tests she ran. It was then she decided I needed to be put on a holter monitor to record my heart over a period of 24 hours. I just had that done this past weekend and turned it in for evaluation/results this past Monday (2/7). I felt really awful both Monday and Tuesday. I had no relief from the headache that had been plaguing me for the past couple of weeks. Plus my chest felt really heavy and tight. I called my cardiologist because I thought I needed to get in to see him. With the office computer down on Wednesday morning, I was transferred to the nurse. When I described my symptoms, she suggested I go to the ER. My Mom said I was just obsessing over my symptoms. She got very mad when I told her that I had to go the ER. I had to find my own way there. I called for an ambulance. They basically ran a battery of tests and couldn't find the cause of my symptoms. I was discharged to home and just told to wait for the holter monitor results. My Mom is now rubbing it in because she said none of this would have happened if I had just relaxed and waited for the test results. Is it wrong to want pain relief and answers? Am I too fixated on my physical issues? Sorry for the long post, but I am just puzzled.

[Leed]

it doesn't sound like you were too fixated. Feeling "heavy & tight" can be a symptom of heart attack. Your mother needs to know that women don't have the same symptoms of heart attack as men do. In fact *I* just had a heart attack and i had NO SYMPTOMS at all. I had NO PAIN, and NO tightness. I didn't have ANY idea i was having a heart attack. It was caught on the EKG. I had that done because of shortness of breath. So, no -- you aren't fixating. You COULD have been having a heart attack. I'm very glad you didn't!

As far as wanting pain relief -- I've been a chronic pain patient for 26 years -- and not ONCE have I been comfortable in that length of time. The doctors are too afraid of the DEA to give patients the appropriate pain medication. Oh sure, they'll give you something to take the edge off -- but you sure won't be comfortable. My spine is falling apart - it won't be long til I'm in a wheelchair. I've had surgeries upon surgeries, but I have to beg, borrow, steal to be pain medication out of the doc. It doesn't matter who you go to - it's the same old story. So good luck in trying to get pain relief. Take care. Hugs, Lee

Thanks Leed I needed those words of comfort! I am so sorry to hear that you had a heart attack, but glad you caught it before any major damage was done. I want to wish you the best because boy do I understand pain. My isn't like yours, although I have some periods of time where I am in pain for long periods of time. Kinda like now with my joints and the stupid fatigue. I have been in a wheelchair for over 30 years, so I know what it is like to be in a wheelchair. I hope that you will be able to walk for a little bit longer because my life in a wheelchair hasn't all been a picnic. I don't mean to sound like a gloomy gus, but I want to be truthful about my experiences. It was especially hard for me when I was diagnosed as mentally ill. It wasn't till almost two years ago that I finally got the correct diagnosis - bipolar disorder. I had been diagnosed as just major depressive disorder. Please hang in there and thanks for giving me that MUCH needed support! I don't feel so crazy (right now). Take care!

[madisgram]

no absolutely not obsessing. i'm actually surprised your mom reacted the way she did. glad they used the halter monitor. it's excellent in determining palpitations which may be caused by mitral valve prolapse. glad u took the courage to do what u had to do to get checked out. hope you're doing ok.

Thank you so much madisgram! I am still am not doing very well. Still having palpitations in my heart, but my Mom says that if something was really wrong they would have gotten the Holter monitor results to me last week. I did call my doctor (my GP) on Friday and they said they should have the results by Wednesday of next week. I am not going to wait that long. I plan on calling my cardiologist tomorrow (Monday) and seeing if I can get in with him very soon. My Dad is even siding with my Mom and saying that his joint ache all because it is winter. I am just getting so frustrated that I can't get people - especially my family to understand that something is wrong with me. I am so glad that you all on the PC forum understand what I am going through and support me as well. Thank you again!