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Circulation Problems in Chest???
Hi, I have been struggling with a PAINFUL throbbing in my chest, SOB, dizziness, fatigue since the end of May. I have spent alot of money on test, and the rabbit hole just keeps going deeper. So far, Ive had 2 chest Xrays, an echo/stres, Bld work, 2 EKG's, a 48hr Holter Monitor, and been to 2 doctors, the ER room, and a cardiologist. Most of my doctor visits, I have not felt listened to or believed about the intensity of my symptoms, since all the "hard data" isn't showing any clues, other than what it is NOT. The Thump in chest worsens when i lie flat, and i must sleep elevated. I can do very little activity and my head builds pressure when i bend over. The pain is specific to the left side of my sternum about 3" to 4" long, and sometimes thuds through my back to below the shoulder blades. I'm really having a hard time. If anyone has a diagnosis and has these symptoms, PLEASE tell me what tests to ask the doctors for. Thank You! My symptoms will worsen with ANY activity and I can keep them "manageable" if I stay on my couch! I have a friend that is a doctor and I got her to listen to my heart while i sat up and then lying down and while it was "kicking me" (this is the best way I can describe sensation). She said I have a distinct sinus arythmia and my heart beat lowers considerably when I lay down and she HEARD the kick it does in my chest (which also brings pain). Im interested in hearing from anyone who has an idea. Thanks again!
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thank you.... ath this point im willing to feel out this direction. He did show me my spine on an xray and pointed out the areas he was concerned about. The reason I didn't schedule the MRI is because with our insurance it was going to be $1,500. A big number on top of a stack bills. My son was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes last summer and I had to have a full hysterectomy because of 4 years of suffering from PMDD. So the doc, took a short cut and treated me with the meds, and will get the diagnosis later to see if this might be a cause. The strangest part is the pulsing through my torso and i can't bend over (head build pressure) and i get the PACs throughout the day and with position change.... but hey, nothing like a good mystery huh.....thx for your help!!!
Well. I had a good dr. Visit today. Which has been a long time coming. He thinks that my spine is causing me nerve pain in my torso causing me to be sensitive to everything going on in my chest. And feeling pain with internal normal processes. He said I have PACs and a murmur that are benign the only thing is that I can feel them going on and it is quite noticeable and painful. I'm on prednisone and etodalac and flexeril. If I see improvement he will send me on to an ortho or a neuro. So we will just take it all one step at a time and see what happens next.....cause you NEVER know!! I will get an MRI next for more info. Wanted to post this, so if anyone goes down the road Im on and being able to painfully feel everything happening in their chest, it just might be nerves that are irritated and magnifying other activity.
I know the feeling... just put it this way your life has not halted, it's only changed. everything is in constant mutation.
thank you for your response, I will look into all this. I am 33, 145lbs. no smoking, drinking. I eat really healthy and before all this i ran outdoors 6 miles 3/4 x a week. the ONLY fam. history of problems is IPF (idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis) I know the heart and lungs work so closely together, but i really feel the SOB is a secondary issue. The chest Xrays showed nothing suspicious either. thanks for your help! My life has pretty much halted since all this started.
made me think of Orthopnea , although your problem isn't breathing
"Orthopnea is usually a later manifestation of heart failure (HF) than is exertional dyspnea. It results from the redistribution of fluid from the splanchnic circulation and lower extremities into the central circulation during recumbency, with a resultant increase in pulmonary capillary pressure. Nocturnal cough is a frequent manifestation of this process and a frequently overlooked symptom of HF. Orthopnea is generally relieved by sitting upright or by sleeping with additional pillows. Although orthopnea is a relatively specific symptom of HF, it may occur in patients with abdominal obesity or ascites and in patients with pulmonary disease whose lung mechanics favor an upright posture."
changes in blood perssure when standing up are called Orthostatic Hypotension
maybe this article can give you hints
http://www.fpnotebook.com/cv/exam/orthstchyptnsn.htm
did you do Complete Blood Count? did you have any other symptoms even apparently unrelated? do you smoke? are you overweight? allergy-like symptoms? bladder/bowel symptoms?
"Orthopnea is usually a later manifestation of heart failure (HF) than is exertional dyspnea. It results from the redistribution of fluid from the splanchnic circulation and lower extremities into the central circulation during recumbency, with a resultant increase in pulmonary capillary pressure. Nocturnal cough is a frequent manifestation of this process and a frequently overlooked symptom of HF. Orthopnea is generally relieved by sitting upright or by sleeping with additional pillows. Although orthopnea is a relatively specific symptom of HF, it may occur in patients with abdominal obesity or ascites and in patients with pulmonary disease whose lung mechanics favor an upright posture."
changes in blood perssure when standing up are called Orthostatic Hypotension
maybe this article can give you hints
http://www.fpnotebook.com/cv/exam/orthstchyptnsn.htm
did you do Complete Blood Count? did you have any other symptoms even apparently unrelated? do you smoke? are you overweight? allergy-like symptoms? bladder/bowel symptoms?
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the problem originates above the shoulders therefore you need MRI brain/spine , cervical and dorsal.
if your doctor thinks there's a conduction problem with your heart of Neurological origin he'll send you to a Neurologist do the full work up for autoimmune diseases.
Prednisone is used to treat some autoimmune disorders, but not all. it is counter-productive in some conditions. it will be interesting to know whether it will help or make you worse.