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Avatar universal

Still having symptoms...some getting worse

I am 30 years old. Over Memorial Day weekend I was admitted to Vanderbilt hospital for a viral infection in my heart and congestive heart failure (my ejection fraction was 20%). They also found, through an echo, that I had mitral vavle prolapse, cardiomyopathy, and arrirthymia. After 4 days they did an MRI of my heart. The MRI came bck saying that my ejection fraction had gone back up to almost 50% and there was no real sign of infection. I was released from the hospital and told to see a cardiologist. Since then I have continued to have chest pains, been very weak, can't hold down anything but very small amounts of food(not dinner), and have gone from just getting alittle dizzy/lightheaded to actually having passed out 5 times in the last week. I have tried to tell my family octor about this but he just keeps telling me that all the tests from my hospital stay came back ok, which I don't understand since the echo that was done thre it what got me admitted. For some reason he doesn't seem to think this is  problem. My husband has taken off the last 3 weeks of work because he afraid to leave me alone. I can't even walk to the bathroom, which is only about 10 feet from my bed, without getting lightheaded or momentarily blacking out and forget about a shower, both times I tried that my husband ended up picking me up off the floor. I'm starting to get really scared about this and I know my husband and 4 kids are too. Does anyone know what the hell could be going on with me? Give me some kind of idea or something to go on please. Has anyone had similiar problems? Anything will help since my family doctor doesn't seem to want to listen.
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Avatar universal
You need to post this on the board where the docs from cleveland clinic will answer.

Personally I think you need to go see a cardiologist immediately.

Are you taking medications for the CHF?  They may also be the cause and need to be evaluated.

Also, by not eating, your not helping your body.  Lack of food can cause you to pass out but yours seems to be due to something cardiac.  You need to eat.  If you throw it up try eating really bland foods, small amounts in one sitting, like mashed potatoes.  Or try Ensure or Gatorade.

You many have something called orthostatic hypotension if the passing out occurs only when standing..

Bottom line, get to a cardiologist and eat something.
Helpful - 0
919623 tn?1258154330
I too agree with going to the ER, but the best thing to do is CALL an AMBULANCE directly after passing out, because the paramedic will hook you up to the monitor and they can sometimes catch the rhythm of your heart while it's still doing whatever is causing you to pass out!  By the time you get to the hospital, your rhythm could already be back to "normal" so act fast and smart!!!!!  A doctor who doesn't listen to you is no doctor at all!!!  He is employed by you as you are PAYING him to see you!!!  Don't let them intimidate you!!!!!!  You have a family and your obligation is to them, not the doctor!!!!  Do not wait!!!  Go!!!!!!  Your family NEEDS you!!!!!
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Avatar universal
Obviously your GP isn't concerned, which means he doesn't even care enough to send you to a specialist to find out what is wrong!  When you are better, find a new doc!  For now, I agree with going to the ER, something is going on and they need to get to the bottom of it.  Don't depend on lay people to help you, you need doctors who are specialized in this field, and you need them now.
Helpful - 0
935731 tn?1244983250

Since you aren’t able to keep food down, you could also be suffering from anemia and potassium deficiency.  Consult your doctor promptly for blood test to assess the situation.  My cardiologist prescribed 1500 mgs of potassium and 400 mgs of magnesium along with the usual heart meds soon after a two-week hospital stay in 2006, for treatment for LV CHF, and I feel great MOST of the time!
Helpful - 0
592969 tn?1248325405
The best way to get to the bottom of what is wrong, is to go to the emergency room at your hospital.  You need an EKG to find out what the rhythm of your heart is now after this infection.  What could be happening is that your heart is stopping and you are passing out.  Then your heart starts up again. The virus could have done something to your electrical system of your heart.  When a heart stops I believe the doctor told me for 20 seconds then you pass out suddenly.  There is no warning, just pass out.  When a person normally passes out due to blood pressure there is warning signs like feeling like you are going to pass out, vision problems, yellowing look or slight blackness.  If you are passing out immediately then it most likely is the electrical system affecting your heart.  You may need a pacemaker.  A pacemaker is nothing to be afraid of and is like a security net in which it will work when the heart does not.  Most people with a pacemaker feel that it is normal (easy to get used to having).  Google electrical system of the heart to read up on it.      
Helpful - 0
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