What Causes Shortness Of Breath, Chest Tightness And Pain In Left Arm?
Question: Something (not good) is going on with my husband. He is a fairly healthy guy of 50, decent shape, very strong, no meds. Medical conditions: we would not know. He does not go to the doctor. Earlier tonight, everything was fine. He felt great. He is a musician. Invited a friend over to play guitars and record. He took a hit of pot (something he does once in a blue moon - months in between) and he started shaking, as if convulsing, and was not making sense. His friend came upstairs to tell me. Told me not to freak out. When I got downstairs, he was in his chair, asking me what I wanted. I told him I wanted to know how he was feeling because he may have had a seizure, stroke, heart attack, etc. I needed to know if we should call 911 or get in the car to bring him to hospital. He told me he didn't know, but if I called I would be in trouble. As I was asking, "Short of breath?" "A little.": Chest feel tight? "Maybe". Left arm or shoulder hurt? "No." Do you feel sick to your stomach? "Maybe".... I put my hands on his knees and he freaked out. Might have high sensitivity. Then his eyes starting darting to the back of his head & starting shaking again! I said, "I'm calling, You are going" And he snapped out of it. Coherent, yet definitely not himself..Another one hit. Probably 3 episodes within 20 minutes. What should I do? Give him aspirin? He says he is NOT going. I can't lose him! Right now, he is taking a nap with his friend watching over him while I write. THANK YOU for any!
Brief Answer:
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
From your description those episodes look like seizures. Any new seizure event in an adult must be evaluated in the hospital. That is both to check and prevent seizure complications (aspiration and respiratory infections, muscle damage from convulsions etc), as well as to search for the cause which could be a stroke, metabolic abnormalities, infection etc so it must be searched to treat.
So whether he wants to go to a hospital or not he should be taken there. Call for an ambulance, the paramedics will know what to do, if necessary sedate him.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
From your description those episodes look like seizures. Any new seizure event in an adult must be evaluated in the hospital. That is both to check and prevent seizure complications (aspiration and respiratory infections, muscle damage from convulsions etc), as well as to search for the cause which could be a stroke, metabolic abnormalities, infection etc so it must be searched to treat.
So whether he wants to go to a hospital or not he should be taken there. Call for an ambulance, the paramedics will know what to do, if necessary sedate him.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar