In one of last month’s blog, “Wanting to Exhale” (9/29/10), I describe a condition I refer to as ‘chest hurt.’
‘Chest hurt’ is a discomfort or tightness in the chest and throat. I experience it after repeatedly taking deep breaths or constantly holding my breath over a period of time. For example, recently I had a series of medical test indicating a serious matter. After passing the results on to specialists, I began pacing while waiting for their recommendation. Because of the complications and the need for multiple reviews, the wait took weeks causing the discomfort to build up. Each time the phone rang or the mail was delivered, I held my breath anticipating their decision.
Knowing this pain is real and caused by the emotional stresses of my illness due to fears and the unknown, I began to wonder if it had a name or had the potential of becoming serious. Out of curiosity, I e-mailed my blog link to a few physicians asking a series of questions.
From what I’ve gathered, the symptoms are caused by emotions rather than a serious physical condition. Speculating, one doctor stated, “Anxiety associated with not knowing (and the dread of “is it serious?”) could easily cause muscle tightness of the chest muscles, muscles of the throat and even spasm of the esophagus muscles.”
Being intrigued by the blog topic, he also gave a doctor’s perspective of properly interpreting test results. He explained the importance of allowing the doctors to use their knowledge to diagnose – they have the ability to know what’s important and what’s not. In addition, time is a factor (patients aren’t the only ones waiting). Doctors have to wait for all of the tests results before reviewing and deciding on a course of treatment based specifically on each patient’s medical history and needs.
As a patient, I (sometimes) lack patience immediately following tests and expect answers without consideration to the channels of gathering information/results to properly diagnose. I also have a tendency to value my own time and health with no regard to doctor’s schedules or their other patients. And while I do get frustrated by the length of time, I do not believe doctors intentionally ignore or want to prolong contacting their patients.
Have you experienced ‘chest hurt’ or anxiety while waiting for medical test results? Are your physicians sensitive to the points made in both blogs? Do they report in a timely manner or add to the problem by not communicating? What is the solution to obtaining test results or medical opinions?
Leave a Comment