Heart Pain?

• By TamraB
• Reply 3375903
• September 14, 2012 at 6:50 pm
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Hi wenjen,
I just replied to your other post as well...
Yes of course it "could" be heart related! You have to always assume this first as this is the most urgent priority.
If it turns out to be something else, no harm done! You are never wasting anyone's time.
Tell us what meds you are one and start a search for a new cardiologist, see if you can find one who specialises in women's cardiology.
Let us know how you are getting on
Smiles
Tamara

• By wenjen2000
• Reply 3376118
• September 14, 2012 at 8:41 pm
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Thanks for answering. Things have been weird for me today. I have been doing fine on the meds, and started working out and losing weight, but today I could not walk through the outlet mall without needing to catch my breath. I also have, an odd sensation in my neck and jaw, but it's not really hurting, just odd.

These are the meds they have me taking, but never gave me a diagnosis. 75mgs Metoprolol 2x per day, 5mg Amlodipine 1x per day, 500mgs Metformin 2x per day, 2.5 mg Lisinopril 1x per day, and 12.5 mg Hydrochlorot 1x per day

• By cmfic
• Reply 3377728
• September 15, 2012 at 1:25 pm
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I had that "Odd" discomfort sensation in my Jaw and Neck, which was accompanied by fatigue, and a "KINK" in my L shoulder blade that came and went. This went on for a week, and then I broke out in a cold sweat, and typed in "Heart attack symptoms in women" on my computer. That was in may of 2004. I drove myself to the ER, where they told me I had been having a mild heart attack, and I was ambulanced to another hospital 2 hours away for a angiogram, and a stent was placed to open a blocked artery. On 8/3/12 I went in for another stent, as my stress test showed a blockage. Again, I had that "Kink" in my L shoulder blade on/off all week with some fatigue, but basically ignored it knowing I was having the stent placed on friday...Come friday morning, I had chest pain and pressure that radiated from across my L breast, into my armpit, around to the L shoulder blade, and also ran down my inner arm from my armpit. It was so bad, that I held my chest all the way during the drive to the hospital...when I got there, they told me I SHOULD have called 911, that i had severe angina, and was on the verge of a major heart attack! they IMMEDIATELY rushed me to the cath lab, where within seconds my Cardiologist told me I needed at least a triple by pass and that he was admitting me and calling in a Thoracic surgeon. On 8/5/12, they spent 5 hours on my doing a quadruple by pass. Now, DO NOT, I repeat...DO NOT ignore your symptoms. I did, and could have DIED. I was extremely lucky to begin with that my routine stress test showed that blockage, because if I had that Angina and kept ignoring it, I was headed for a massive heart attack- my Doctor said I probably would have keeled over by Sunday or Monday. That "Odd" jaw ache could be a sign in and of itself. PLEASE do yourself and your family a favor, and HAVE IT ALL CHECKED OUT by a GOOD Cardiologist. Find one who does NOT take women's symptoms lightly as women DO NOT have the same symptoms as men! PLEASE let us know what they find, good luck yo you!

• By cmfic
• Reply 3377733
• September 15, 2012 at 1:27 pm
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BTW, Do yourself a favor and SERIOUSLY read Dr. Richard Berstein's book "The Diabetic Solution", and "Wheat Belly" By Dr. Davis. I noticed you take metformin- and both of these books will help you with any sugar issues you're dealing with! Good luck!

• By TamraB
• Reply 3378374
• September 15, 2012 at 6:34 pm
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cmfic ... thanks for sharing your story it is very important for everyone new to this site struggling with the ":reality" ... to hear your story, which is so similar to many others.

wenjen ... please take everyone's advice and call for help when needed ... and please ask about your Metoprolol ... it nearly killed me this year ... as I have coronary vaso spasms this was increasing this episodes.

Please Take care
Smiles
Tamara

• By cmfic
• Reply 3378525
• September 15, 2012 at 7:43 pm
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THANKS, GUESS I NEED TO KEEP AN EYE ON THE METROPOLOL TOO! I JUST WISH THE CHEST PAIN AND BURNING FROM THE NERVES THEY CUT WHEN THEY OPENED ME WOULD SETTLE DOWN, CARDIO SAID 6 MONTHS THAT WILL LAST...UGH!

• By wenjen2000
• Reply 3378897
• September 15, 2012 at 11:00 pm
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Thank you so much for these responses. I have started looking for another cardiologist. I am going through the list tonight on my insurance website. My husband has been educated about my symptoms. I'd been keeping them to myself because I didn't want to worry him. I saw the mention about the wheat belly...I am not a celiac but I do have a gluten sensitivity. It tends to run in my family. I am gluten free right now. My stomach goes down a great deal when I don't eat it. I must say though, I do miss some things!

TamraB, would you mind explaining what the Metoprolol did to you? I was told on another discussion that the amounts they have me on are very high, particularly since I have no diagnosis. I have been worried about it.

• By TamraB
• Reply 3379019
• September 16, 2012 at 12:17 am
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Hi wenjen,
I was given Metoprolol last Sept when I went o hospital by ambulance with chest pain, relieved by nitro-lingual spray in the local accident & emergency. After 2 weeks in hospital they released me "Non-cardiac chest pain, gastro investigations out patient". As the days and weeks went by my chest pain increased, meanwhile I had every gastro test on the market!
I started waking up at night 2am, 3am, 4am 5am ..... compression, stabbing, pain shooting up my jaw in my back, could not breathe, rapid and irregular heart rhythm.

I know my heart and knew something was wrong ... so I asked to have a new cardiologist, this was granted ... however he was a "jerk!", so I did some research and found a female cardiologist ... and asked (pretty please) if I could have one more swap to her. They agreed (lucky me)

On my first visit, she said that the Metoprolol was heading me for a heart attack and that I may already have damage from it.
Metoprolol is now known to increase Coronary Vasospasms ... as she suspected I had this, she asked me to immediately go off Metoprolol and empirically (by symptoms) treat me for Coronary Vasospasms and start immediately on Amlodipine and Imdur.
My first 2 weeks going off Metoprolol and on the new meds ... was YUK ... but she explained this would happen so I knew I had to get through this to see if it was going to help and it did YEAH!

So basically ... my chest pain got worse by the day with Metoprolol
However I know some people who do not have Coronary Vasospasms, are fine with this.

Smiles
Tamara

• By cmfic
• Reply 3379072
• September 16, 2012 at 12:58 am
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I guess I've been lucky, the metropolol hasn't been bothering me a bit. I had taken coreg before, and that wiped me out so bad Doc had to pull me off it fast. thanks for the info.

• By wenjen2000
• Reply 3379578
• September 16, 2012 at 9:46 am
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I did ok on the Metoprolol at first. I originally went because of hbp, sob, and my heart felt like it was racing and going to jump right out of my chest. Now it feels like it is getting worse again and they can't say I'm not doing what I need to. I've changed my diet, taking what they want me to and I have lost 30lbs. I know I have a lot more weight to lose, but I am trying!

• By cmfic
• Reply 3380100
• September 16, 2012 at 1:34 pm
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Wenjen- Since coming home from the hospital 8/10- I have lost 40 lbs. And all I'm doing is watching my sugars, my carbs and eating no grains or glutens. If you truly eat as low carb as you can sensibly get, the cravings for grain will stop. And the weight will drop off faster, you'll also feel better and have more energy. I suggest you read WHEAT BELLY, it has a chapter about celiac too you might find helpful. Good Luck!

• By wenjen2000
• Reply 3383705
• September 17, 2012 at 6:05 pm
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Ok, so today has been absolutely awful. I had a very busy weekend with out of town guests, running around town and my son's bday. As soon as I got up today I felt like garbage. I had to go buy groceries and got sob in Walmart. Then the chest pressure started. I got home and it's still there. I have taken two aspirin and it is getting a little better as long as I'm at rest. I've found a new cardiologist. I spoke to the office and told them I'd like an appt. asap. She asked if I wanted a man or a woman and I told her I didn't care as long as it was a dr. who would listen to me. I told her about my experience and she said the lady I am going to see is not like that. I told her my symptoms and she asked if I'd had a cath done. I told her what tests I'd had and that before I left the other dr. office I had gotten the file from them. So we will see what this doctor says when I go in next Wednesday. At least I am not having to wait weeks like with the last one.

• By cmfic
• Reply 3384694
• September 18, 2012 at 2:58 am
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Wendy- that is GREAT news!! I pray she sees you and gets to the bottom of this so you're not dealing with the stress and pain. AND having a doctor that REALLY listens will make a world of difference for you! I finally got my rheumatologist to listen top me this morning about my need for stronger pain meds, and he said I've known you long enough to know you don't abuse narcotics- so I'll be happy to give you the strongest percocets- so long as you call me in a week and tell me if they're doing the job in making you more comfortable. He was shocked that my cardio didn't give me anything like this from the start! Let's face it, I went from Morphine and percocets in the hospital to 5 mg vicodin at home? What were hey thinking? I took one earlier, and although it didn't completely remove the pain, it made the pain i did have acceptable! WOOT! So I am about to take another one, and actually get some real sleep tonight! I hope you feel better Wendy, and don't overdo it. I know, easier said than done! Hugs! Cyn

• By TamraB
• Reply 3398537
• September 23, 2012 at 2:09 am
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Wenjen ... Let us know how Wednesday goes
Smiels
Tamara

• By wenjen2000
• Reply 3399134
• September 23, 2012 at 10:51 am
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I will update as soon as I get back from the appt. I am still not feeling well, but I'm trying to hang on until I see her. I dread the thought of going to the ER so I'm trying to avoid it. I will if I absolutely need to go.

• By cmfic
• Reply 3399504
• September 23, 2012 at 1:28 pm
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Any news Wendy? Been hoping you have some good news...