Scared: I have been having symptoms... - British Heart Fou...

British Heart Foundation

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Scared

Chipmonks profile image
18 Replies

I have been having symptoms similar to what I had when I had my heart attack . I used my Nitro spray and it has helped relieve the burning in my chest . Is it good to use Nitro often if it helps.

I have night sweats do not always seep well often awake at 3 or 4 am.

I work full time in the care field in congregate care which is busy and often heavey.

I have sought help from counselor who said to quit my job if I find it to much or stressful which is wonderful for her to say this. I need sick benifit to do this and my doctor tells me I am just great and healthy and can go to work. I am stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Stuck

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Chipmonks profile image
Chipmonks
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18 Replies

Dear Chipmonks

First you have to remember that I am not medically trained, but how can your Dr tell you that you are “ great and healthy “ when you are suffering so.

You need to see your Dr/heart team and explain how you feel and the outcome of your counselling.

As for the spray, I was told to use it whenever I needed it as long as it gave me relief.

Take care you are in my thoughts

Chipmonks profile image
Chipmonks in reply to

Thank you

ChoochSiesta profile image
ChoochSiesta

Has your GP supplied you with evidence that you are "great and healthy"?

Chipmonks profile image
Chipmonks in reply to ChoochSiesta

I had an ecocardiogram almost a year ago, and the result.was no damage at all to heart after the heart attack and stent .

ChoochSiesta profile image
ChoochSiesta

Firstly, a year could be considered to be a long time. Secondly, your heart may not be the problem, it could be that your arteries that supply your heart that are getting blocked. Its your arteries that need investigating.

Hello :-)

I am sorry you are going through all this but without your Doctors backing or a Consultants saying you are not fit for work if you left your job then you would really struggle to get any benefits

If your job let you go then you could get benefits but again without back up you would end up on ESA which you would have to keep proving you were looking for work ( you may know all this already )

Does the job where you are at have lighter duties ?

It could be worth asking and telling them how you are struggling with the heavy duty part of the job

If all that fails you could start looking at jobs advertised that are not strenuous and hopefully get interviews and maybe get lucky and offered a better job that suits your needs

I am sorry that you find yourself in this position it must be stressful but look at all your options maybe even contact you Local Citizens Advice Bureau they may know of ways to get round this always worth asking you have nothing to lose

It amazes me sometimes though as we know our own bodies better than anyone yet Doctors seem to know our bodies and that we are not struggling even though we are better than we do !

Yes they are clever but they also make mistakes and I think sometimes they should take on board what we are telling them rather than dismiss it

Good Luck I hope you get somewhere with it all and let us know how you get on :-) x

Chipmonks profile image
Chipmonks in reply to

Thank you so very much for all the advice ❤

in reply to Chipmonks

Hope everything works out for you :-) x

Chipmonks profile image
Chipmonks in reply to

Yes this is so true

in reply to Chipmonks

:-) x

Chipmonks profile image
Chipmonks in reply to

I am shall seek doctor advice. Thank you

in reply to Chipmonks

:-) x

Chipmonks profile image
Chipmonks

Thank you

CyclingPops profile image
CyclingPops

Dear Chipmonk, next time it happens I would check into A&E (bypass the GP) the hospital will usually do ECG and scan etc to identify the problem if any. May sound a drastic solution but if GP is wrong it’s saving a lot of wasted time. It’s what I did and I’m now being seen by a Cardiologist not GP. All the Best.

Clerkenweller profile image
Clerkenweller

Great comments from others. My contribution is that I had 2 panic attacks where I thought I was having a heart attack and ended up in A&E. There are many others here who have experienced the same. Similarly my wife had night sweats associated with menopause. With a higg pressure job it might be that you need some counselling help. Good luck.

Chipmonks profile image
Chipmonks in reply to Clerkenweller

True I truly agree with you. thanks sweets

Yogi1950s profile image
Yogi1950s

Hi Chipmonks

Like many others on here I have no medical training nor any particular expertise other than having had a heart attack!. That said I also work in social care do I have an insight into your world.

Re the Nitro spray - definitely keep using it but if you need more than 2 puffs to alleviate the pains then you 100% need an ambulance no matter what . If it turns out to be a false call sobeit, but at least you will have a new, updated ECG added to your records and you will have been checked over.

Re work - how big is the company that you work for? Do you have union recognition/reps available? Is there an Occupationat health unit or Employee Support programme for you to contact without involving your employer directly? These are all avenues worth exploring. I know from experience that where I work they would rather Support an experienced, existing employee rather that lose them and have to start from scratch with a newbie! It is worth looking around or checking your staff handbook etc.

Re your doctor and the "great and healthy" comment. Is this via a telephone appointment from somebody who is so risk averse that they won't see you face-to-face? Either way you need a second opinion and if you can't get one elsewhere then I would go back to the cardiac unit where you ended up when you had your original problem. They won't fob you off and at least you will get some good advice and reassurance.

Finally - WHAT/WHO DOES YOUR COUNSELLOR THINK THEY ARE? Definitely ignore the current advice and go elsewhere!!

Good luck and hope all works out

Chipmonks profile image
Chipmonks in reply to Yogi1950s

I was shocked by the counselor reply, she was so cold. I did with chat to a nurse and he was lovely and understanding he was the one whom set up the appointment with the counselor. Actually I would not talk to her again. To bad indeed

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