Clenching chest pain, ache down the neck and arm - anything to worry about?

mellowsun

I've been getting some intermittent chest pains and some sort of nerve pain down my neck, shoulder, and arm over the past few days. Sometimes with pins and needles and numbness. 

Got a GP appointment tomorrow but feel like I am wasting his time.

Anyone else had similar?

HAL9000

Chest pains - ALWAYS see a doctor. You are not wasting his or her time.

relic245

Yep, for me it was stress but if it happens again before your appointment I'd be down at A and E sharpish. Or at the very least call NHS direct or whatever it's called these days When you call out doctors for an appointment you first get a recorded message that says is yiu have chest pains call 999 immediately. I hope everything is ok but you Can't be too careful.

rossyamaha

If you're having problems why on earth would you think you are wasting his time? Things like that you should always get checked. If it comes to nothing more than too much wanking then all is good. If there is a problem however, rather you find out and get it sorted before it gets any worse.

octatonic

Chest pain I would be going to A&E.

A GP appointment is the bare minimum.

Good luck mate.

mellowsun

Thanks, I thought it might be stress, but I don't feel stressed or anxious. Quite the opposite. Working quite long hours atm but enjoying the job and working with my colleagues. 

Nitefly

Well they sound like classic symptoms of a heart attack to me.  Ask @Emp_Fab ?

EricTheWeary

You should definitely go. Could be lots of things.

I had a heart attack like event which is like a bad version of all that. Many tests later I still don't know what it was ( well, I think I do - unwell with a virus topped off with a massive panic attack) but they can quickly eliminate some of the worst things with a few tests. 

TheMarlin

In particular, chest pain with numbness/ pins and needles/ pain in left arm, get straight to A&E.

thumpingrug

Sounds like you have had a heart attack.  Go to A&E now or pack a bag as your GP will probable send you there.

quarky

Go to hospital or an out of hours doctors. If your GP is like mine, you could well die of old age before actually seeing a competent doctor.

strumjoughlamps

No point phoning nhs direct they will say A&E pronto.

I had similar things and you instantly think heart attack, especially when you get the heavy weight crushing your chest feeling but I have had bloods done and cameras in all places and it turns out I have a hiatus hernia so that pain can be had and it be not too serious.

That aside if it is coming more than it is going you should have a wander to A&E

mellowsun

TheMarlin said:

In particular, chest pain with numbness/ pins and needles/ pain in left arm, get straight to A&E.

I had this on Saturday but it went away after about 15 mins. Came on again this morning, again went away. Now, just feel really tired. Slight feeling of heartburn/indigestion. My bet is that it is part of the ongoing GI problems I've been having, tests for which so far have drawn a blank!

TheMarlin

If I were you' I'd sacrifice a few hours waiting at A&E to be on the safe side.

TheBlueWolf

Get yourself up A & E dude, best be safe

fob

I thought this was going to be a joke thread - along the lines of 'I had my leg cut off, should I see a doctor?'

Agree with the 'A&E to be on the safe side' comments. Wish you well!

Alnico

When i went to A+E with exactly this a few years ago they didn't keep me waiting longer than 15 minutes before hooking me up to every test they could think of.

Triage is there to prioritise cases and they view your symptoms as one of the most serious.

You won't wait as long as you think if you tell them what you've told us.

Taxi, NOW.

Best of luck.

Maynehead

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Heart-attack/Pages/Symptoms.aspx

I don't want to cause alarm but the first 2 symptoms almost match your description exactly, and the advice on the page in bold is to

Dial 999 immediately

If I were in your situation I'd follow it. What's the worst that could happen? They'll tell you everything is fine and send you home. A lot better than the worst that could happen if you leave it too late!

(BTW if you go to A&E you won't need to wait, as they'll fast track you if they think it's anything to do with your heart. I would NOT drive yourself there though.)

guitarfishbay

999/A+E right away. Best wishes.

breakstuff

/\ Wot they said.Good luck.

richardhomer

Yep A & E is your friend.

The alarming part is they treat you as though you have had a heart attack - ECG done immediately, bloods taken, chest X-Ray, etc.

I went through this a few years ago and was given a clean bill of health.

Notwithstanding this - these are not symptoms you piss about with - waiting for them to pass may kill you. Unlikely - but pointless taking the chance...