Chest pain/cough/white frothy sputum....family does not take this serious...

[MommaSam]

I am a 37yr old female.  I have had a chronic cough for the last month at least maybe more.  I have been wheezing, find it hard to sleep flat without feeling like I am strangling.  Last night I started having chest, left arm, and neck pain.  I was scared of a heart attack....which my husband laughed off and said I was too young.  Today it has not gone away and now I have a burning pain just underneath my left shoulder blade.  We have no insurance and I don't want to burden our family with more medical bills...but this is really starting to scare me.  I know I need to go to ER...how do I convince my husband of this.  HELP!

[Carol in PA]

The chronic cough, wheeze, and unable to sleep flat sound like congestive heart failure.

When the heart cannot beat strongly enough, the blood backs up in the lungs.  This lung congestion causes a wet cough.

People with congestive heart failure often have to sleep propped up on several pillows.
There are medications to help this.

I REALLY think you need to see your family doctor.
You need a physical evaluation to figure out what is wrong.

Call the hospital and see if they have clinics for low income families, or for people without insurance.

If your husband is so emotionally abusive that he laughs off your symptoms, then you should just call a friend to take you.

Good luck.
Carol

[izamom2]

Who gives a rip about what your husband thinks, if he loves you he will support you and your feelings and take you the the ER at no matter what cost.  Better to be safe than sorry!

[myproblem]

Heart disease is actually more common in women than in men. Few people realize this though because women are usually tougher when they are not feeling well, and put other's needs before their own. Money or no money, you need to take care of your health.