Can't figure out whats going on with me.

[phlashman]

Whew...where do I begin?

About 2 years ago I began to have some chest discomfort (pinching feeling just above sternum). I put up with it for almost two weeks before I decided I'd better get it checked. I was admitted to the hospital where I stayed on a monitor for 2 days and did a stress test and 3D heart imaging. Everything came back fine, with the exception of elevated BP, but at that time I was not given BP meds. I was released with a pat on the head and was told I was OK. With the exception of the stiffness and soreness in my middle at the base of my sternum, two which they prescribed muscle relaxers for. It seemed to help and I got on with life.

March of this year (2010), I began to have severe pain in my middle. Since the symptoms seemed to indicate a hiatal hernia, I did everything I could find on the web plus common sense and some advise from my Mom. I massaged the affected area and it suddenly felt like I tore something because the pain became so intense I almost passed out. My next door neighbor thinking the worst called 911 and I found myself back in the hospital again.

This time a nuclear stress test was done and blood work etc, once again everything came back normal with the exception of my BP. the cardiologist put me on metoprolol and within a week of taking it I became sick and weak. After being released from the hospital.  I saw my GP where he diagnosed me with a floating Hiatial hernia, but I got nothing except changing me to verapamil. Initially I tolerated this well, but within 24 hours I was weak as a kitten...back to the doctor.

At this point he has me on Norvasc, (the lowest dosage) which seemed to be working OK.
Yesterday AM I began having heart palpitations, which became numerous and worrisome. I took a Prevasid and the palpitations vanished...after eating lunch, they started again. Back to the doctors office and an EKG...sure enough I was having flutters. The doc told me they were'nt life threatening but to keep an eye on it. He doubled my BP dosage and gave me Donnatol hoping this would resolve the stomach issues and gave me a referral tp a GI doc.

So far so good, the palpitations have all but stopped, but all this has me confused and a little dazed...I'm at a loss to figure out whats going on? Anyone care to guess, I'm open!

[phlashman]

Thanks for the nice reply Titanic,
What Mary said first time around seems to make the most sense (GERD) although I think a lot of this has to do with the sliding hernia...possibly increasing the pressure in my chest when it swells. All I know is its sent me into many panic attacks (something I've never had before) and although I was prescribed meds for them, I tend to try to shake them off and concentrate on work or some project.

[sstitanic2]

It does not sound like gallbladder to me. I had a lot of pain in my back and right side and always after I ate. It would last for several hours and then leave. I had a lot of throwing up and diarrhea. It felt like the flu.
I am not sure what you have but you are doing the right thing by asking and going to the doctors until you have your answers. I know the answers are out there it is just a matter of finding them.
Good luck and God Bless

[phlashman]

Thanks for the reply Mary...the metoprolol has been stopped for weeks so I don't think its the cuprit any more. I'd be more willing to believe GERD at this point, in addition this has not been the first time the term "gall bladder" has come up.

[margypops]

I am wondering if it was the med metoprnal you wre given that caused the palpitations , some meds do that , especially if you are taking others aswell.so check that out,what about GERD or gall Bladder issues did they consider them , both can be horribly painful.As the prevacid worked it could be GERD .it is good you are going to see someone else ..good luck