Arterial spasm or valve problems

[suzzie1]

Hi, I am a 46 year of female, I have had heart problems since I was about 13 or 14 years old. Things have gotten worse over the years and at the moment I feel very unwel.I take emcor for an irregular heartbeat and dilzem which is a calcium channel blocker. I am tired all the time, have no stamina and can barely walk enough to get about shopping for my children without getting chest pain. It comes in the form of pressure and can sometimes radiate up into my neck. I will be short of breath and weak. Recently Iv been getting pressure 'IN' my heart when walking. Its different to the chest pressure.Feels as if my heart is going to 'burst'.Also when in bed I suddenly wake up gasping for breath and my heart feels weird. Last August I was given Cordarone(Amiadrone) for my irregular heartbeat which I have since found out is a pretty toxic drug. It helped with the irr. beats but because of side effects I stopped taking it.My irr. beats have improved(I was getting over 1300 a day), but my general health is worse.I dont have health insurance and the health service in Ireland isnt good so I have been waiting 5 months to see a consultant in Dublin, all the time feeling worse. I have never been overweight in my life, so that is not an issue. I am a single parent with 2 children and I am desperate to feel well and be here for them. I feel I am being neglected by my gp and that noone understands how unwell I feel. I have 2 questions: Does anyone recognise any of my symptoms, and could it be a problem with my heart valves? I would appreciate some advice from anyone or everyone.I...THANK YOU

[CCF-M.D.-MJM]

Hi Suzzie,

I am sorry to hear about your circumstances and understand that it must be very difficult.

Does anyone recognise atany of my symptoms, and could it be a problem with my heart valves?

It is difficult to tell from this discription of your symptoms and could be almost anything from a valvular problem to an arrhytmia like atrial fibrillation, pac's, pvc's.  It wold be worth checking an echocardiogram to evaluate your heart function and valvular function. An EK G would help determine your current heart rhythm and a monitor could be used to correlate your symptoms with your heart rhythm at that time.  These symptoms may also be experienced with anxiety, although other causes of your symptoms should be ruled out first.

I hope this helps.  Thanks for posting.

[Kilomana]

Well I have been going through hell also for the past 4 years so i understand what you mean about shortness of breath, unable to do much physical activity and extreme fatigue or rapid heart rate when ya do not to mention the nausia feeling. I have been to over 8 doctors and 2 seperate heart specialists, they still can't state what problem my heart has, they are guessing ventricular spasms which does me little good being unable to work because of it for the past 4 years .Good luck to you get well soon.

[suzzie1]

Thank you Al and Kilomana so much for taking the time to comment. Its difficult isnt it trying to live like this. Its not 'living' as  people who are well know it, its just existing, (for me anyway.)
I suffered with depression for 8 years (after my marriage broke up) and took seroxat(an anti-depressant) for it but had to come off it last august in order to start on 'cordarone(amiadrone)'for the irr heart beat.It was extremelly difficult coming off it but I did it. Unfortunately after about 3 months I had to stop the cordarone because of side effects.The cardiologist who put me on cardarone  said it was heavy duty medication given in extreme circumstances, and his last words to me before I left the surgery were ''dont worry I will keep a good eye on you ''. Well, I havent heard from him since. My gp rang him and wrote to him to try to get  an app for me but he is impossible to contact. I didnt go back on seroxat because I wanted to gain some control over my body and (mind) but lately I find it increasingly difficult to get out of bed in the morning because the day is such a struggle.Of course I do get up and hide my unhappiness from my children but its becoming more and more difficult. I hope this doesnt sound weird, but its such a comfort to know there are other people out there going through similar stuff to me.  Thanks again.

[suzzie1]

Hello again, Just thought I would tell you that I had an app with my gp today and saw her write in my notes that I was having increasing trouble with ''arterial spasm angina'' and a co-existing irr heart beat. I also got an app with my cardioligist for 8th August. I have been waiting for an app with a cardiologist in Dublin in a much bigger hospital than the one near me, but looks like I am destined to see my usual guy. Unfortunately he is very arrogant and I find him difficult to speak to, but this time I must get my act together and tell it like it is.....eeek!! Do you guys have this problem, or is it just me. I am a quiet person by nature.

[suzzie1]

Sounds like pretty good advice and im sure it will help me get the most out of my vist with cardio..I dont have any family here(only have a sister in England) so I envy you having a Dad to go with!! I know what you mean, about complicated health issues..Iv been looking for help for years, but have always been told ''your too young''...''women dont get heart disease'' etc etc but iv always known in my gut they were wrong... after I wore a holter monitor for 24hrs last year and my cardio saw the irr heart beats he suddenly believed me and put me on cordarone (amiadrone).I have subsequently read up on cordarone and they say it is considered a 'life saving' drug...no-body told me that???? I sometimes wonder do the irr beats cause the chest pain (arterial spasms) or visa versa. Just wondering what dosage of Cardiazem do you take....I take Dialzen SR 90 twice a day. Also my sister, has invited me over for a holiday, I havent seen her for 3 years but Im worried about flying....do you fly and how did you get any chest pain etc. 8>)

[Carolina03]

Suzzie,

My proverbial heart goes out to you.

When I tried a calcium channel blocker like yours for chest pain, I felt exhausted, depressed and couldn't walk without shortness of breath. I quit the drug and VOILA! I felt better but had to seek further advice on treating my angina.

Like you, I have a history of depression which led my initial evaluators to consider panic, anxiety or psychosomatic syndromes. It was an extremely painful process towards diagnosis because I consider myself smart, pretty and "above"  being susceptible to somatization.

Ahem.

The fact is that the mind is closely linked to the body, and the heart is the seat of our emotional link between the mind and the body. Your heart is loaded with neurotransmitters, neuropeptides and other molecules that communicate with the brain constantly and in rapid fashion.

Chronic stress is devastating. I know from first-hand experience, and a lengthy study of the biochemical basis of emotions with my father who is a neuro MD.

I can't believe that Ireland, a deeply religious country doesn't have support networks for single parents facing health-related issues. Do you have support from a church or mothers' group? Can you confide in a local priest or rabbi? (Rabbis will listen whether or not you're Jewish).

Raising two children on your own creates tremendous stress which leads to symptoms like you describe, and increased risk for heart-related ailments. Study after study links depression, lack of community or family support with cardiovascular events.

You've already gotten some good advice here. I would add that you may want to research the words, "Cardiac Syndrome X" or "microvascular disease." When I experienced spasms related to microvascular disease and a leaking aortic valve, I found relief taking a statin (Vytorin), diuretic (Inspra) and folic acid supplement. I also took nitro as needed. I went to the ends of the earth here in the States to find the best treatment for my symptoms, so in a way, you're lucky -- you can benefit from my experience which cost thousands of US dollars.

But I also sought relief in walking daily, changing my diet and developing a "mindful" attitude. I let -- to the best of my ability -- most things roll-off my back. At one point I even gave up building a new home because I recognized that the stress of it was killing me. And that was hard. For you, it may be forgiving someone who caused you much emotional or physical harm.

Find support. Pray or meditate daily. Exercise, (even if it means including your children in your routine). And don't be "a quiet person" when you're discussing your symptoms with your doctor! Be assertive. This is your life, your children's mother we're talking about. They need their mother in every sense of the word.  

I hope this helps.

Caroline

[suzzie1]

Thank you Caroline, your comment is VERY interesting,it gave me a LOT to think about. Though I am quite a calm person and not inclined to let things get to me,(too much) theres always room for improvement!!And I completely agree that 'isolation' is detramental to our emotional health, and I have definitely been isolated far too long. For some reason I wasnt able to reach out and seek help, I thought It was a sign of weakness, I now know its the opposite!!
As for walking, I do try but,whereas I start out feeling good and filled with hope, by the time I get home (10 min later)Im deflated because the dreaded chest pain has reared its ugly head reminding me its never too far away, and I feel hopeless again!!And so it seems walking is pointless!!Its not great for the spirit when old ladies pass by me, striding out and im there toddeling along puffing and panting, pretending Im out to enjoy the view not actually 'walk' and hoping the pain wont get any worse, as I want to go home, not to ER!!
I will read your comment again before I go to see the cardio on Tuesday for moral support. Thanks again and I hope you are feeling well!! Slan tamaill... (gaelic for Goodbye for now)

[suzzie1]

Hi Al, Iv just read an article about a treatment for Angina called TMR: Transmyocardial Revascularization and I immediately thought of you...though I feel theres probably nothing you havent already seen in relation to your health Im hopeful that this might be of help to you!!!!!!!!

[suzzie1]

Hi Al, Im so sorry to hear about your mom, and I think you must be an exceptionally strong person to have gone through so much, and live every day with so much to deal with. As we say in Ireland ''Fair play to you'', meaning, well done, your brilliant!! I grew up with my grandparents and so dont know either of my parents health, but I do know that my mothers sister died suddenly from heart problems, aged 46, and theres loads of heart problems on my grandmothers side of the family.  Im also having pain in my bowel so Im having a colonoscopy done tomorrow morning.(Only waited 5 months for this test)lol. Im fasting today and clearing out my system. Hoping my usual medication gets absorbed ok.!! Its weird, I find myself wondering every day how you and all the people on this forum are feeling, and hoping your all ok.!! Im sending good wishes across the Atlantic Ocean!!!!!!!!

[Rebecca C.]

Hello,
I have deep concerns about your situation.  I feel this simply because you do not have a proper diagnosis, not because you are without hope.  I feel you need to come to the United States and get better care and a better diagnosis.  I do not understand why you have not had a catherizaton yet.  I cannot fathom why your doctor has not done this process.  I read the information hurriedly, because  I wanted to contact you immediately.  Whether or not it is the mitral/aortic valve combination, which I suspect, or spasms, I do not know.  People react differently to conditions.  

I had both of these valves replaced when I was 48.  The mitral valve was the main culprit, but the aortic valve was deteriorating as well.  I am an educated woman, have a dance history (Ballet) but never really noticed the problem.  My regular M.D. and I spoke just a couple of weeks ago and he told me that the Mitral Valve, which causes Mitral stenosis, does not show itself as faulty sometimes until it needs fixing--quick.  

My life has changed dramatically since my surgery.  I was out of breath...it was awful.  I thought I was asthmatic, and the asthma medicine contributed to my problem.  

I think you need surgery.  Without something soon you will get worse.  But, there is hope.  You must find a decent cardiologist.  The heart association has done incredible things with research and treatment.  Being overweight and eating wrong has nothing to do with heart valves that are faulty.  They are caused mostly by undetected Rhematic fever.  Many people have this surgery at a young age.  The longer it goes on the worst it gets.  After a point you are no longer a candidate for surgery.  You must take action.  Is coming to America a possibility?  I am part Irish myself, so I am not putting down your country or its medical care or processes.  I only know that I was in the right place at the right time and God was with me...or I would not feel like a teenager now in comparison to my life pre-surgery.  Mitral Valve surgery can now sometimes be done through Robotics, not even through open-heart surgery.  My surgeon's partner, or superior, does this procedure.  There are others.  I had the open heart surgery.  It was tough, but I remember very  little of it.


I took a ballet class last year, too.  

I will pray for you, Suzzi, and await your timely response.  God bless you.

[suzzie1]

Hi Rebecca,Reading your post has given me hope that it is now possible that one day I will feel 'normal', there is hope out there for me, this isnt my 'lot'. Iv felt unwell for soo long now that Iv actually forgotten how to feels to be well.Iv been reading up on valve problems and saw that a lot of my symptoms point to it, even a simple thing like when I lie down, my heart flip flops and a theres a pressure feeling in it.I used to think this was bizzare and unique only to me, but there is was in the list of symptoms!! On Tuesday when I go to see my cardio I am going to ask to have an echo done, right there, no more sending me home to wait another 7 or 8 months! I dont know if I ever had Rhumatic Fever but I know from a very young age I had one chest infection after the other, but never saw a doctor.(My grandparents didnt believe in them).There were 8 other kids(my grandparents children) and I was known as the 'one with the weak chest'. I do not have the option to come to America, and though I am Irish the absolute truth is, unless you are wealthy in this country, the health service is apalling.There are stories on the news every day about people suffering due to poor services, and LONG waiting lists for treatment.More and more I feel I was meant to find this site and all the people who have already helped me so much. I used to think i was ALONE in this world, but I now know Im not!! Thank you so much, your coments have truly given me hope :)

[suzzie1]

Thanks Al, I appreciate all your advice, it is helping me to get stronger, and believe that I deserve to be treated better and enjoy my life not just struggle through it! I hope your feeling well.  :)

[James A]

Hi everyone, especially Suzzie1, whom I know is having a very difficult time with this condition. I'm new to this problem (last 6 months) so I have a great deal empathy & admiration for those who have endured for a longer time.
Since no two situations are likely exactly the same, I'll just give a brief rundown of my circumstances an hope it can be helpfull to someone else.
I just generally felt fatigued for a few years but passed it off as Old age(early 60's). Have always had regular medical checkups and have been on cholesterol medication for 10 yrs. Then Angina pain started this past Jan 06, always associated with physical activity like walking. Had a nuclear stress test which showed only that the heart's performance was substandard.
I then opted to have an angiogram which showed minimal artery blockage, but which also showed the front wall of the heart was not functioning properly( a silent heartattack had caused this).
My cardiologist then told me of this Arterial spasm condition.
I'm now on the nitroglycerine patch and enduring the constant headaches associated with this. However I notice that I am easliy fatigued and everything becomes difficult. I can only assume it's because of reduced heart function, although my Family Dr. seems to feel I should have no problem. I guess we're talking degrees here but I find it interesting that most of you with this condition experience the same symptoms.
Good luck and best wishes to all.

[suzzie1]

Hi James, Thank you for your post and Im sorry to see you are going through tough times with this problem. One thing I would say is that I too suffered with the most awful headaches from the nitro patch so my cardio put me on 'Dilzem SR 90',as far as I know they are Calcium Channel Blockers and keep things open and blood flowing much the same as the nitro patch but without the headaches.  For me, the headaches were debilitating. I dont know how severe they are for you but if they are bad mabey you could discuss an alternative with your doc. Also I wonder if you should have an echo of your heart done to examine the valves etc.!! Good luck James, its a tough road for us all....my thoughts are with you !!!

[James A]

Thanks Suzzie1. I 'll take your advice and look into the calcium blocker thing because it's never been mentioned by any of the 3 Dr.'s I've been involved with in this matter.
Yes, I did have the echo test, which gave the valves the OK.
Thanks form your comments, and I'm trying to find out more about this Arterial Spasm phenomenon, because It's something I've never dreamed existed.
Thanks again, and the best to you.

[brunga]

A related discussion, Vibrating? was started.