Chest Pain... What is happening to me?

[sweeterin]

Hi,

I'm a 23 yr old female who was hospitalized in May (07) for a pulmonary embolism.  The cause is unknown - risk factors include estrogen and factor II prothrombin.  Tests in the hospital revealed nothing more than the heterozygous factor II, a slightly elevated thyroid (5.7), and an "inconclusive" anticardiolipin for IgM (14).  IgG was 4.  

The PE was very symptomatic, but since then I've continued to have chest pains. They are short, sharp, and fleeting, and feel as though they are located just underneath my ribs, on both sides (though not usually at the same time).  The pain can last anywhere from a second to 12+ hours at a time, though it is most often intermittent and doesn't stay on for more than 30 minutes at a time.  The only thing that ever seems to reliably bring it on is exercise, but I have pain while at rest, too.  It cannot be reproduced by pressing on my chest.   Sometimes the pain is consistent with breathing in or out, but not always.  I've had two CT scans - the first found my PE; the second, seven weeks later, showed that the clot had resolved with no additional clots appearing.  I've seen a pulmonologist who tells me that if the problem were related to my lungs that it would have shown up on the CT.  Per the recommendation of my hematologist I've tried Prilosec (14 days - no luck) and had an exercise stress test done.  The cardiologist said that my heart looks great  (certainly a relief).  I stopped Coumadin therapy about a month ago.  

In addition to the chest pain, which got a little better for about a month but has been getting worse in the last week, I feel very tired.  Other vague and possibly/probably unrelated symptoms: blood blisters in my mouth, seeing stars, sometimes blurry vision, changes in my sense of smell (it was very sharp right before my PE), memory loss (I've always been a very good speller but within the last month I've been having trouble with even some simple words).  One night I woke up shaking violently, and my boyfriend says I've done it on more than one occasion.  Sometimes my limbs feel very heavy and my body aches.  I'm not sure if it's related, but four years ago I experienced about 9 months of intermittent tingliness and numbness around my shoulder blades and in my back.  On a couple of occasions my arms were completely numb and tingly as well.  This seems to have resolved itself - I haven't experienced the tingliness for about a year now, I'd say... but seeing as this is something that was located in close proximity to the site of my current chest pain, I thought I'd mention it.  The doctor I saw back then was unable to figure it out.  

It has now been suggested on multiple occasions that maybe I have an autoimmune disorder.  I have made an appointment to see a rheumatologist, but the soonest he can see me is in January.  If anyone has any ideas as to what is going on with my body or has experienced anything similar, I'd love to hear from you.

Best,
Erin

[dauphins8]

You just described me to a T. I was just released from the hospital for a possible PE. The scan showed something in my left lung but they ruled out a PE.  My D-dimer test was really high and my IgM was really high I just got the IgM back today. I have yet to talk to the Dr. about it. I still have the chest pain. It comes and goes sometimes stays for hours. Takes my breath away at times. Had every test known to man and they can't figure out what is causing the pain. I also have Systemic Lupus.  If you wanna talk some more send me a private message sometime.
Jen