Sudden chest pain

Hi JenW 

I’ve just spotted this post and saw you hadn’t had an answer. I had the same thing, and didn’t want to call an ambulance, but my partner insisted. The paramedics could see nothing immediately wrong but said I should go to hospital, so I did.

I don’t want to alarm you, but it turns out I’d had a pulmonary embolism and did need to be in hospital. Having cancer puts you at higher risk of a dvt or embolism, so please don’t ignore this if you get this kind of pain again. I’m hoping it’s nothing like that for you-I had the tightness in my chest and also a feeling of heaviness in my legs. The clot travelled to my lung and then sort of exploded (I saw the scan picture) and damaged my heart. I was lucky to survive that time, and so glad I got checked out. Hope it’s nothing like this for you, but just wanted to make you aware that things can be more serious than you might imagine-always report tightness in your chest or breathlessness. I hope you’re ok.

Sarah xx

Thanks for your reply.... blimey. Good job you got medical help when you did! Did your pain come and go away again like mine has? Or did it just stay until they figured it out? Xx

It went…which is why I hesitated about the ambulance. My legs still felt heavy but there was no longer pain in my chest. When I got to hospital I had a ct which found it. I’d never ignore something like that again though-I did get a scare.

Sarah xx

Hello JenW

Just as I was about to tell you it could be stress I read Sarah's answer (and Sarah is a mine of useful and extremely relevant accurate information) and it stopped me in my tracks.  It must have been so frightening -  have you followed it up?  And I am so sorry you are hanging about waiting for a call.  I saw a youtube video of a cancer nurse who had herself been diagnosed with cancer.  She found herself in the shoes of many of the patients she had cared for and spent the entire video apologising for not 'getting it' when they used to ring constantly for results.

Please let us know how you are.

Big hug

Irene xx 

Hi Irene,

Yes, it really did scare me as I've never experienced anything like that before. I'm OK now. It's not happened again since, but if it does I'll be sure to go get checked out. I felt pretty embarrassed tbh as my food shopping delivery arrived just as the pain suddenly started, so the driver was there asking if I was OK etc... the ambulance was going to be up 40 mins they said, which kind of panicked me, but after about 15/20 mins it eased off without any intervention. I was just hanging washing when it started, so wasn't feeling anxious or stressed or anything. I'm just left wondering what caused it and a bit worried in case it's a symptom of something potentially serious, like Sarah had.

The nurse did finally call and I told her about this. She asked a few questions and said she thought it was unlikely to be related to the cancer, that perhaps it might be muscular and hopefully a one off, but to get checked if it happens again. She also updated me in my recent MRI and confirmed slight growth of the tumour (which is now around 4.5cm) and further enlargement of the affected lymph nodes, but did reassure me that it would all still be targeted by the radiotherapy. Having a second CT on Saturday. Pre chemo appointment tomorrow, blood test Friday, treatment starting Monday...! It's all go all of a sudden! 

Jenna xx

Hi Jen,  That sounds like a very frightening experience for you and hope that you’re as ok as possible.
I’m glad that your team called you back to talk it through with you and that have been updated and that things are now moving in terms of tests and treatment. 

Good luck with all of the appointments and hopefully they will be keeping a very close eye on you now. Xx

Thanks Peb x I guess it's full steam ahead now! Xx

Hi Jenna

I have to say I’m a little surprised at the response from your nurse. A sudden acute event/pain like chest pain can be something which really should need checking out. It seems strange that a muscular strain would wear off so quickly. However, chest pain can ease with an embolism but the clot can still be there. 

After my pulmonary embolism you’d think I’d have learnt to trust my instincts more and call for an ambulance…but I’ve had 2 further “events” where I was still reluctant to do that. On both occasions I should have. One resulted in a 9 day hospital stay where I was actually seriously ill, and the other was in fact a stroke. 

Will your ct scan involve more than your pelvis? Good luck with your appointments! 

Sarah xx

Hi Jen,

I was about 4 weeks into treatment of radiotherapy and chemo, when the same thing happened to me! I was actually in bed when the pain started, so bad everyone thought it was a heart attack and called 999! The ambulance arrived within 20 mins but by then, no pain! I felt stupid but they did their tests and it turned out that my heart had been having spasms! The consultant said they were stopping the chemo medication immediately because this was the likely cause! I wasn't happy, to say the least but I only had another 6 tablets to go and she was adamant! Never once had another twinge and that was over 4 years ago! Please insist that your team check you over, it can be so many things!

Good luck,

Moira x

I was in bed too when mine happened Moira! You’re right, it could be many things but my first thought was also heart attack. My discharge from the hospital said it was a chemo induced PE, and my chemo had by then just been stopped due to low bloods. 

Sarah xx