minihorses As a retired ER nurse...I can tell you that it is very unlikely that you would have to wait four hours to be seen with your symptoms. They would likely put you on a monitor and oxygen and do some blood work on you to see if there are increases in what are called cardiac enzymes. They may or may not take a chest xray. No one can tell you what to do...I certainly cannot confidently advise you. I understand the $500 deductible being a huge deterrent but I have to say, if this gets worse or does not improve, you really need to be seen. The pain may or may not radiate down your arm or up to your jaw, you may feel increased anxiety and shortness of breath. If the pain is relieved at all with changing position, it is likely not your heart. Somehow, you really need to take some deep breaths to get some extra oxygen to your heart. You might try putting either an ice pack or a heating pad on the area that hurts to see if anything changes. If it's muscular or skeletal, it might help. If you have any aspirin, it is not going to hurt to take one and stay in a somewhat elevated position. Do you have urgent care where you are? They are a little cheaper but if they think it is cardiac, they are going to send you to an ER anyways. Wish I could offer more advice but it's impossible to evaluate someone without some testing. Can you take your pulse? Does it seem strong and regular? Are you sweating a lot? Has your color changed...i.e. are you paler than usual or do you notice any change in the color of your lips or nailbeds? I have probably just sent you into orbit. Take it easy and do what you feel that you need to do, whatever that may be.
Ellen
