Dix, I am so sorry to hear about this. I absolutely don't have any ideas for you because I know nothing about it. I just wanted to let you know that I am thinking about you. I hope you can figure it out with the help of the group. (((((HUGS)))))

Think about what you said...'I can't do that to my family'. If this happens to be something that needs treatment and you ignored it, think about what THAT would do to your family!!!!

Payment plans can always be set up for whatever amount you can pay. It makes me so mad that you don't have insurance...grrrrr.

My first thought was a panic attac. That feeling of doom is very familiar to me. Years ago I had a disabling panic disorder and that's how it started. I was also sure it was my heart as it did a jig.

There are some tests that can be done right in the doc's office. Please get an appt....please.

It sounds to me like what is referred to as "heart palpitations". Google it and see if this is what it might be. Heart palpitations are fairly common and can be totally benign. There can be some serous reasons for having them, however. Another possibility is Mitral Valve Prolapse. Also common.

Hate to say it, but you are probably going to have to see your doctor. If it is either of these two conditions, your doctor can likely dx it himself and won't refer you on to a cardiologist.

Try not to worry too much. Go see the doctor.

I have had two kinds of doom.......one something is going to happen to child and with that one a sinking feeling in pit of stomach. I can't breath and my emotions run wild and won't settle. I imagine the worse. Reality gives me no reason to worry it is just there that feeling and it won't leave until they are safe in front of me and I know all is well.

The second is like you are talking about. My heart races, my chest tightens, I am clammy, and certain I will die.The first time I call after hours on call. My doctor called me back and talked to me. She told me to continue to prepare for work and start to work and to give it a half hour. She said if I was not better to go to ER. It turned out that as I continued my normal routinue my symptoms lessened. By the time I arrived at work they were gone. I reported back to her and she said I had experienced a panic attack. This all occurred after I got off treadmill and I was certain it was heart attack.

i think that if this is really concerning you insurance or no that you should go get it checked out. There are some ways to check against panic vs heart. One is to walk with intention gently to clear your mind and calm your breathing. Another is to stop activity and sit down and see if the symptoms stop. Of course if you have anti anxiety med taking one should help if it is anxiety attack.

just thoughts.

love and peace
hippy

I know its easy for me to say, but see the doctor and worry about the money later!
What cherry said is bang on.
Isn't life more important than money itself?
I'm not sure if palpitations would cause you to cough, they don't do that to me and I've never read anything about coughing being a symptom of panic attacks, which as you know i have experience of.
That said, the cough could just as easily be a nervous reaction to the feeling you get.

i agree with cherry on worrying about payments or find a place with a sliding scale...it could be any of the things mentioned...that happens to me with anxiety attacks, but rosie o'donnall just had a heart attack and it brought to light, yet again but not enough, that woman have entirely different symptoms...

please follow up on this!

First thought was panic attacks too, from experience. I don't want to down play seeing a doctor, because that is damn good advise. But, you can try a health food store too and ask if they have something you can try for panic attacks. Don't spend lots of money though. Just a bottle of herbs and vitamins to try for a few weeks and see if that settles you down. Maybe a concoction of st'johns wort and black cohosh and magnesium comes to mind. These things do take about a month to show some progress.

But if you have it bad and constant, see the doctor.

Sounds like panic attacks to me.
I had them in the past and still worry that i may have them again and that makes me panic.
Not good.
I was told to think of the worst thing that could happen and examine that and it will pass. As the worst won't happen.
If that makes sense!
Please talk to a Dr. Payments are always an option.
Hugs

Hi guys, thanks for all the advice and suggestions. I really didn't think it was anxiety but I guess it could be. I've had anxiety attacks since I was 13 or so. I'll mention it to my dr. Next time I go.
Thanks a bunch for caring and your support,
Dixie

And when is your next appt.?

I aren't you the clever one.....ok, so I don't know. I'm sure something else will come up soon:(

Well...somebody has to ride your ass about this! Are you surprised it's me? (snicker)

i had to go to the heart hospital, then to a cardiologist, endocrinologist, multiple eeg's an echo, 24 hour urine collection and many co-pays (back in the insurance days...)

just to find out that i was having panic attacks again and i didn't know it...

i had plenty of reasons to panic, but i didn't have that DOOM NOW sensation or any other fear. the body is amazing.

ativan took away the heart palpitations, the brach and tach, the really low blood pressure(?). i eventually, with some therapy, got a little more in touch with myself again and could sense an attack coming.

it's daily now for me.

i hope that there's nothing more behind it than panic.
not that panic is fun,
love you.

after actually reading the whole of the replies.

i understand that insurance problem all too well. i can just barely afford the doctors i have to go to. if what had happened to me then happened now.... there isn't anyway i would go see about it.

i'll tell you what,
i'm really happy to know it's not my heart.

i think you'd better get an appointment as well.

Dixie i had those feelings and sharps pains sometimes, my primary set me up for an eeg test, echo and a heart stress test. i didn't have ins then and talked to the hospital admin. and they took care of the bill for me. it turned out that i was having spasms in my chest wall, along with the spasms in the rest of my body. get this checked out please.

love n hugs