Is this a misdiagnosis?!
Question:
My cat scratched me in my chest accidentally when it was sitting in my lap but then suddenly lost it's balance. His claw dug into my chest really hard an inch to the left of center and about 2 inches to where the heart would be (so, below my left nipple, but much closer to the heart area).
Within a minute or so, I immediately felt dizzy, disoriented, lightheaded, and my breathing become more labored. A quick check of my pulse revealed it to be beating very fast but weakly. My hands were clammy.
After about 15 minutes of this, I went to the ER (after all, I had already been seen previously because the same cat bit my left hand and I had to be placed on antibiotics).
So I get to the ER, and I notice that walking is becoming increasingly difficult (it felt like I had consumed 7-8 beers). I had to stop in midsentence while describing my situation to the nurse in order to breathe. Also, my speech was confused.
Was this an allergic reaction? The doc said it was anxiety, but I disagree.
Answers:
I think the doctor was right. Whenever we get too nervous, we get in those states, and can have serious issues.
Other Answers:
An allergic reaction would have manifested as a rash, itching, sneezing and difficulty breathing. What you described is far more in line with the symptoms of a panic attack.
Most definitely does not sound like an allergic reaction. I would have to agree with the diagnosis of an anxiety attack. That was my first thought when I read your question. Anxiety attacks can be pretty horrible and scary, sometimes even feels like you're having a heart attacke. I get anxiety attacks. they're pretty crappy, but you'll survive them. Take it from someone who works in the emergency room :P I've seen many of both case scenarios. Our minds and bodies are some pretty amazing things, and the way they work, and the way we react to different things is just amazing. But it really does sound like you had an anxiety attack. Your words were VERy focused on the heart region, which in itself sends off alarms to all of us when we think of our hearts being effected in any way, and it sounds like you let your mind run with that thought to the point where you just freaked yourself out. I've seen someone freak herself out so bad, she actually threw herself into an asthma attack. I literally had to take her face in my hands, and make her look me in the eyes, and remind her to breathe in and let it out. Course I put the oxygen on her and had already given her some Ventolin and Atrovent (I thought of that *LOL* was a good thing too, because she did have an asthma attack on top of it all). But I sat there with her for a good 20 minutes and walked her through it. she kept telling me she was dying. :) It all worked out though.
there is many instances of ppl being allergic to cat's claws *snicker. no, its just a panic attack, I used to get them all the time
The doctor was right. Allergic reactions may involve hives(rash), swelling, redness, difficulty breathing. It depends on the severity of the reaction. Was you anxiety precipitated by thinking your cat's claw could go into your heart? A cat's claw is not long enough to go into the chest cavity. It would be physically impossible for the claw to reach your heart.
I have to go with the general consensus of panic/anxiety.
i agree with everyone else. what you describe sounds like a panic reaction rather than allergic reaction. the numbness in your legs was probably caused by hyperventilating, which also causes increased heart rate, and dizziness.
Answers: