Chest Pain: Should I Worry?

dearest karen....as always you are keeping us informed abut things we should know....i, appreciate EVERY post you share...thank you ...cindi...

I have chest spasms which can cause pain very similiar to major gall bladder attacks. I have had to be admitted several times.  I'm always embarassed to go to the ER; however, one of my most understanding and caring doctors told me to always get to the ER when it happened even though Nitro glycerin can sometimes relieve it.  He said just to concentrate on the one time that I might not go and really should have gone. He said that being on the safe side is so much better than worrying about a the fact of how the ER staff will react.  I have been treated with kindness on each visit because they can see the visible pain and discomfort. Like you, I had to have my gall bladder removed. The very day that I came home from the hospital, I had to go back and was readmitted because the chest spasms had started up. At that time, no one knew what was happening.  They thought that possibly a stone had been missed somehow or was maybe in the duct.  I still have the same thoughts, but my husband was present when the physician gave that advice. He doesn't want us to miss that one time that something else may be presenting rather than the chest spasms. Karen's advice was exactly along the same lines. Thank you for your posting and I hope that your comments will be taken.  He told me he had rather me go 9 or 10 times and it be the chest spasms than to miss that one chance.  I am in the high risk group , and I have tried everything that I can do to try to decrease my risk.  My body just doesn't seem to want to cooperate with me. Also, my entire family has had problems when they were in their 40's and 50's and most have no warnings.  My brother had 5 by passes at 54 and he had no risk factors at all. After his heart cath, they would not even let me get out of bed until after his surgery. My youngest cousin just had 5 also and he was only 41. One can never tell. So please err on the side of caution.