Hello all! I am new to this board and found it by googling "left arm pain 30 year old". Well, anyways I am 30 (soon to be 31) and I have a 2 year old (soon to be 3) son. While I was pregnant with my son in 2006 I kept having episodes of left arm pain and chest pressure/tightness/discomfort (never pain), and dizziness. I went for a lot of tests to r/o heart problems/blood clots. My son was finally delivered via c-section 13 days late. Still no relief...
Fast forward now almost 3 years. I still have left arm pain/discomfort, still have chest discomfort, still have dizziness, the left arm pain feels like it is in my bicep and tip of my elbow primarily. My chest discomfort is dead center of my chest above my breasts. I also get the sensation that something is stuck in my throat from time to time. I have been to 3 cardiologists since giving birth to my son. All 3 agree that my symptoms are "atypical". I have had numerous EKG's, numerous echoes, all 3 types of stress tests, CT scans of my chest, SO MUCH bloodwork. The only thing I haven't had was a cardiac cath, because all my other tests were unremarkable no one will do it.
I don't know what to do!! I've been dealing with this for 3 years and no one knows why. I do have a hiatal hernia and thoracic outlet syndrome on my left side, but everytime I google my symptoms it comes up HEART ATTACK! I know that I am not too young. I do not have a family history, I'm not overweight, my BP and cholesterol are great, but I did just recently quit smoking.
My symptoms: left arm discomfort, chest discomfort, abdominal pain, dizziness, pain in middle of my back, shoulder pain, sharp head pains, fatigue, muscle weakness, and overall not feeling well.
Like I said I have had so many tests (heart related and not heart related) and the only thing they found was a hiatal hernia and thoracic outlet syndrome, which from reading both of these "could" mimic heart problems. Does anyone have any insight? The fact that I have been to 3 different cardiologists and had all these tests is it safe to rule out a heart problem? Thank you all and I'm sorry this is so long!
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Disturbing Symptoms, insight please!
- By shell1925
- Posted June 22, 2009 at 11:15 am · 37 replies
- In Younger women with heart disease
- Shared with the public
Explore topics in this discussion:
Exercise Surgery Back pain Bypass surgery Pregnancy Plavix Anxiety Angina Hernia Prozac Lupus Stent Fibromyalgia Norvasc Thoracic outlet syndrome Stress Hiatal hernia Asthma Dizziness Cardizem Protonix Cardiac syndrome X GERD Ativan Stroke Physical therapy Weakness Pain Heart attack
37 replies
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- By 1funmeme
- Posted October 28, 2009 at 10:29 am
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has anyone mentioned CArdiac Syndrome X to you??
read up on it...........microvascular disease also.
may be the direction you need to head in???
- By acadia
- Posted October 6, 2009 at 2:48 pm
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Are you by chance on any medications the cardiologists are not aware of? Any birth control? No, you are never too young. I was 36. Mine was genetic. No high BP or cholesterol for me either. I actually had a dissected LAD though.
Let me tell you, way to go on not ignoring your symptoms and by following up with not one, but 3 cardiologists. You must be frustrated. Does your primary physician know of your symptoms? Perhaps you have a pinched nerve or nerve damage or even a carpal tunnel in your arm causing the numbness. I hope you can find some peace in your search for a diagnosis. Good luck and God Bless!
- By shell1925
- Posted September 26, 2009 at 12:41 pm
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Hello all! I went to my follow up appointment with my cardiologist. The 64 slice CT scan showed no abnormalities at all and for that reason he will not send me for cath. The only problem is that I am still experiencing symptoms of chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and left arm pain with exertion such as walking up the steps or walking uphill. I'm not sure what to do at this point. It has been 6 years since I have had these symptoms but no one has been able to figure out what the heck is going on. Cardio suggested some type of autoimmune disease like lupus or fibro. I have had SO many tests done that I such don't know where to turn anymore. I just want to feel normal again.....
- By Trissie
- Posted September 21, 2009 at 7:20 pm
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Has anyone given you a nitro to try for pain?
If a nitro works and relieves the pain, you'd have a good clue.
Trissie
- By pammy1944
- Posted September 21, 2009 at 8:47 am
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i too have been back and forth to ER with chest pain and discomfort only to ( in the later visits) to be fobbed off as neurotic. For 6 yrs years ive had this until april 2009 I had a massive spasm in my chest on the left hand side . Fortunatly medics arrived in time to record the spasm which was an MI. It subsided all by itself after 15 minutes. to cut a long tale short i had an angio and was found to have clear coronary arteries but was diagnosed with prinzmetals angina !! this condition is lousy as controlling it can be a nightmare and very few docs have even heard of it! I saw an emergency doc looking it up on the internet after i told her this was what i have !!!!,,, doesnt give me confidence . good luck xx
- By Asurvivor
- Posted September 21, 2009 at 12:58 am
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After reading these two pages, I have formed an opinion. Some of you won't agree, others might. However, I think it's valid.
I don't blame her for not wanting the cath, my cath doc caused me to bottom out on the table because of his mistake. He severed ALL the vessels in my heart. I will never have another cath. I'm sitting with a triple bypass due to him and can't work anymore. My life was almost over because of his carelessness and this doctor does 10 caths a day! Not a very pleasant thing when I didn't even need a cath, just a single bypass would have done the trick.
However, GERD which Shell says she has can cause all those symptoms. I take Protonix for my GERD and when I ran out a few months ago I thought I was having a coronary every night. I knew it wasn't possible, so I didn't go to the hospital. When I finally got my meds, it took 3 to get me pain free again.
If this lady saw 6 cardios and have every other test in the book run, she doesn't need a cath at her age. If they found something they would not have hesitated, but finding nothing, except a stressed out young mom who has GERD and maybe a hiatal hernia - she needs Protonix or some other GERD medicine. I take 30 mgs at night and thank the LORD the doctor gave it to me. Before my HA, I had nothing, no GERD, no thyroid problems, no COPD.. afterwards these all came out to play and fiercely I might add. She is not having a heart attack, not after having 6 years of all these symptoms with no abnormalities showing. A cath is not the only way to tell, it should be the last resort.
- By shelleylynn
- Posted September 19, 2009 at 5:40 pm
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Sounds like Prinzmetals Angina...or Esophageal spasms. Google them. Prinzmetals will not show up on any of the tests you had unless you are actually having one....and still sometimes it does not show up. They saw my heart spasm during a cath...thank god! I demanded this heart cath by the way...otherwise I would still be taking nuclear stress tests and passing them with flying colors. Once inside my heart my cardiologist also found severe artery disease and a birth defect of very small arteries.....no test I have ever had, except the cath, showed any problems. Follow your instinct and keep pushing.
- By Scarlettsmum
- Posted September 11, 2009 at 5:26 pm
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Shell,
Just bumping this to see how things are going with you? I am very interested since you and I are about the same age with alot of the same symptoms. Hope you have gotten some answers!
Rubie
- By terodac
- Posted August 29, 2009 at 3:27 pm
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I agree with Dianna, the only way to rule out heart problems is with a cath! You tell them you want one! Also, could be some reflux issue with that also, it can give you the same issues. Good Luck! Caths are nothing, you want feel a thing. Just your wound to your leg where they enter afterwards, hurts just a little bit. Good Luck!
- By shell1925
- Posted August 29, 2009 at 12:16 pm
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Amy,
Thanks for your post :-).... the whole entire thing is I have had literally had EVERY test done on my heart except for the cath and it shows absolutely NO abnormalities at all. This is what is very frustrating with all of this. EKG's, stress tests (had exercise, echo and nuclear done), echoes, CT scans, even CT angiogram (64 slice) have shown absolutely nothing, but yet I keep having these symptoms. I had them before I got pregnant with my son in 2005, but they got progressively worse while pregnant and afterwards. I have seen 5 cardiologists now, no one can find why I am having all these symptoms. It has probably been over 5 years now. I haven't gotten the results of the 64 slice scan, but I was told that if it was abnormal I would know immediately because they would send me for a cath ASAP. I go for my follow up on Tues. 9/8 so I am guessing they will just send me on my way like all the other cardios do.
My PCP thinks I am crazy, because I have 5-6 years of testing that shows absolutely nothing. I have been through both cardiac and gastro testing to find the culprit of my abdominal pain/chest discomfort. No one can help me!!!! I'm sorry for just rambling on, but I have been having a lot of symptoms again and it is VERY discouraging... :-( Thanks again for your post!
Shell
- By MMaslek
- Posted August 29, 2009 at 11:01 am
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I missed this thread origionally (busy summer!!) but I want to tell you to have the angiogram. Don't wait!!! I went through similar symptoms starting with pregnancy when I was 27. I was (mis)diagnosed with baby kicking diaphram, asthma, pleursy, new mom stress, progressively until a doc did a stress test to prove I was nuts & they saw a minor problem, "probably nothing". but possibly damage from an MI. I had the cath, had a massive MI on the table (don't freak, the MI was coming, cath being in saved my life because they were able to put in a temporary ballon pump). I had a double emergency bypass. I was 30. I have since had much more stuff but had I not pushed I would have been dead on the basement floor lifting a basket of laundry with a 2 & a 4 year old running around upstairs. I'm now 42 & make the kids lift the laundry basets-lol. Don't putit off due to fear. An angio is the only definitive test for heart diseases. Good Luck!!!!
Amy
- By Scarlettsmum
- Posted August 29, 2009 at 3:06 am
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Ok one more thing. How ddi you get your Dr to do this scan? I can not get any DR to do this for me. They refuse, very frustrating.
- By Scarlettsmum
- Posted August 12, 2009 at 3:40 pm
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Hi shell, I was just wondering how you are doing and if you got the results back from your scan?
I am meeting with a new cardiologist today and will be asking her for this scan also.
- By 9yrsandcounting
- Posted August 9, 2009 at 4:21 pm
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Bless your heart Shel, going through so much and a young mother to boot. I have a grand daughter staying with me now, and had to seriously think about my latest symptoms I was having.
Sure enough, my little one is a healthy 20# at 6 months. Picking her up while I was sick, led to my back pain and shoulder discomfort. But I do go back to the dr this friday. No ifs, ands, or buts. Because I just have to know.
I have had many tests done, and each one did ease my mind. My drs. call it process of elimination. I most definately believe in the heart cath. It ruled out things that other surface tests couldn't. I'll be praying for you also. Rainbows and butterflys always make me smile. I keep them forever near me.
Here's looking for the best results possible, to eliminate, or fix, both would be very rewarding.
- By glorioski
- Posted August 7, 2009 at 12:34 am
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sorry, by 50%. I was on Yaz, birth control and had a minor Heart attack at 42 years old. I'm on plavix and norvasc now. I fully believe it was the source of my heart attack since my arteries were clean, and the doc says it was a vessel spasm--angina of some sort, although the enzymes came back positive. Keep asking questions and keep looking.
- By glorioski
- Posted August 7, 2009 at 12:29 am
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Shell, by any chance are you on the pill? If you are and you smoke, your chances of blood clot are increased by
- By shell1925
- Posted August 6, 2009 at 4:44 pm
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Thank you all again for your replies. I went for a CT angiogram, one of those 64 slice ones. I do not have the results yet, should have them soon. I was too scared to have the cath done so I talked my doctor into the 64 slice CT. If the results are not 100% conclusive then I am going to go for the cath, I just wanted a less invasive study done first. I had another post on this site, and some of the women seemed to think that was a smart move since I do have other health issues that can mimic heart problems. I go for my yearly endoscopy on Aug. 20 to check on my GERD/hiatal hernia...hopefully that will bring some insight also.
- By rjflex
- Posted August 5, 2009 at 11:39 am
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hi...i know what you are going thru...went thru the same....in and out of hospitals monthly due to chest pain, arm pain, etc...all tests were fine, until finally one cardiolgist from the hospital said let's send her to the heart hospital and do a cardio cath...great...we did that...and sure enough, one artery was 99% blocked and another was almost 70%....they then continued and put 3 stents in....if the dr. didn't recommend that I go, i could have had an attack or who knows....not to scare you, but please follow up with a cath...then you can rest easily knowing for sure....good luck...Judi
- By angelmom4
- Posted August 5, 2009 at 10:03 am
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My sister had the exact same symptoms and also had a hiatal hernia. After three years of going back and forth to every cardiologist in her county they sent her for the hiatal hernia repair and all her symptoms went away.
- By plexi
- Posted August 5, 2009 at 3:43 am
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I had a cath last month when I had a heart attack.
I am 30 years old, very active, and was in the best shape of my life.
I was terrified when they told me that I had a heart attack and even more when they informed me of what the cath is and that it had to be done. They gave me some meds for the anxiety which was amazing because I was pretty freaked out. It wasn't that bad though.
One thing, my large arteries were clear.
Thank God my cardiologist is up to date on women's heart health. After consulting a specialist in L.A., he told me that I have microvessel disease.
I am still learning about this disease and learning how to cope with it.
I had all of your symptoms for years, and always felt like a hypochondriac. Even on the day of my heart attack, my GP still suggested it was indigestion.
I wish you better luck with this cardiologist. If your cath does come back normal, ask him/her about microvessel disease. From what I have read, it is diagnosed through exclusion.
I pray it is not your heart but the symptoms definitely sound familiar.
Good luck to you!
You are in my prayers.
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