Hi- I am a 37 year old female, hoping I am not having a heart attack or heart problems. I am a fairly heavy smoker (pack or more daily) and I am under a LOT of stress. I do not get indigestion often but know what it feels like... what are the chances of it only being on the left anyway? I suppose there's a chance it could be a panick attack? But again does that only happen on your left? But this is the third time in one week, so wahtever it is it isn't a major attack because there have been 3 and I'm guessing it would probably only happen once? Just before this I tried 1800aska nurse with my cell phone and it says its out of my call area... wierd.

Right now, feels like someone is sqeezing inside my left under my breast... I thought the heart was more in the middle though, this is not in the mioddle of my chest, but I have a weird sensation going up the left side of my neck, up through left jaw to my ear and slight tingling down my arm. Last night was different (the 2nd time) I had some of the above but also had somewhat intense burning radiateing feeling in my back between my shoulder blades. The first time, I received very sharp, stabbing feelings and a general sense of being disoriented and arms (both) lost feeling down to fingers.

As I am writing this, the squeezing feeling has not subsided, my skin feels really strange on my arm but mostly the feeling in my left ear/neck burning throbbing is the oddest thing... I know my age group and being a woman its unlikely I am having a heart attack but I also know they are the ones that are most likely to get misdiagnosed. I don't want to feel stupid going to the emergency room unecessarily- what do you suggest?

Would you rather feel stupid lying in the morgue?

Go to the ER!!

Yes, get medical attention, may be nothing, but it can be.

Have a friend drive you or call the ambulance. It doesn't sound like you should be driving.

Thanks - It's a tough call- its mostly just a light pressure right now and seems to be subsiding- My 10 year old is sleeping upstairs- Im a newly single mom and no friends around to watch him or to take me- hense some of my stress- I just drank apple juice and soda water thinking if this is indigestion of some sort it would make me burp- almost emediately after drinking it, I got a little of that burning sensation back between my shoulder blades- but it still doesn't explain the feeling that went up my neck & into my jaw earlier. Wish it wasn't so late, after midnight here, I would still go to be safe... I'll go first thing in the morning.. wish me luck. Ill check in later

Yes, be sure to post here again and let us know.

I'm also thinking gallbladder.

Who knows- so many things going on with me, one being a UTI treating with cranberry pills- seems to be working well- Felt like I had the flu yesterday and all last night, 4 days of nausea on top of everything I described before. I will be so happy to finally be getting some answers. Almost sounds like signs of pregnancy, lol... that's gone through my mind. If it weren't for this back thing, burning sensation, I would be going to bed without worrying... chest feels better... again. Ttyt