Chest pain/discomfort, and more......

[suzzie1]

Hi,In 2003 an echo I had done showed I had a mild MVR, with 3 clefts on the anterior leaflets, and mild prolapse. An echo I had done Sept 06 shows MVR is moderate.I also have irr heartbeats...over 1500 on a 24hr holter and also bouts of vt and a.fib. Iv had 3 stress tests which had to be stopped due to vt. About 4 weeks ago I went for an ep study, but the vt could not be instigated. I did however go into a.fib and was cardioverted for it. I also had an ekg in Nov which showed a.fib. Iv had 3 strange experiences where my arms went numb, and my thought process went blank. Could these be TIA's. I get a lot of pain in my right leg especially but not always in the evening. My foot gets quite red, hot,puffy and painful. Elevating it helps. At the moment Im having pain every day in my chest, and sharp pain in my back. It feels as though Iv been punched in the chest from the inside, and pressure on the outside. Somedays its especially bad when I breath 'in'.I am taking painkillers everyday to take the edge off. My sob and my symptoms in general have gotten far worse over the last 6 months. I have no energy, and no exercise tolerence whatsoever. The last few days I also have a hoarse voice, no sore throat or cold. I also have a pulsating and pain just above my navel and up towards my sternum, and pulsating in my head and r.ear (I do not need to be lying down to feel/hear it in my head/ear) At the moment I take 2.5mg Istin, 5mg emcor,and 75mg aspirin a day. I would appreciate your thoughts on my symptoms and medications, and ANY advice you could offer me.

Im sorry for blurting all this out 'randomly' but Iv been trying to post a question for months and was so surprised to get through today that I hadnt collected my thoughts. I appreciate you reading and replying to my post,truly.

[Forum-M.D.-MJM]

Hi Suzzie,


Iv had 3 strange experiences where my arms went numb, and my thought process went blank. Could these be TIA's.

It is unlikely -- they sound like panic attacks, but you cannot say it isn't a TIA without more questions and possibly more tests.  If there is any question, coumadin is probably a good idea.

The important questions is 'is the mitral regurg. causing your symptoms.'  If it is, you need treatment, possibly surgery.  The problem with you symptoms is that they have more in common with anxiety than cardiac causes, but either condition could do it.  There is no way for me to tease it out over the internet. You need to see a doctor to discuss these concerns and if you aren't sure that you believe them, get a second opinion.  These are important questions and they are clearly effecting your quality of life.

I hope this provides some direction. Good luck and thanks for posting.

[blankpagenurse]

I am so sorry to hear of your symptoms.  Your post states that you have had an echo, but I would want to know if you have had a workup with a endovascular physician.  With all of the symptoms that you seem to be having, they point to an underlying problem that is affecting several of your vessels.  I don't know what other tests that you have had, but ruling out a systemic infection, or inflammatory process could also contribute to your symptoms.  If you cannot find a endovascular group, please try and find a reputable internal medicine group.  Your heart problems may very well be a complication of some other type of disease process.  I hope that this helps.  BPN

[suzzie1]

Thank you so much for your comment. One thing I know FOR SURE is that im not having panic attacks, as the doc suggested. And I do know that there is something quite serious wrong with me. I have had problems with my heart for a very long time and I know by how I feel right now that things have changed very much for the worse over the last 12 months, but especially the last 6 months. The tests I have had done are: stress tests, echo, holter monitors and ekgs, that it. My quality of life these last couple of months is non existant. Some days I look in the mirror and almost get a fright because I look so unwell. We are moving to live in England on 22nd April (dont know where I will get the energy) but Im hoping to get better health care there. Once again....THANK YOU.

[lensgrip5]

HI SUZZIE
This is probably not related,but something to keep in mind.I had chest pain
for 2 months.I am getting valve replaced and am in surgery delay.Went to gp 4
times watch anwiety was his admazing solution.One night chest pain to
much went to hosiptal,blood clot lung.I know this isn't your case,i didn't
think it was possible for me.Please get your feet taken care of,my feet have caused me more prolbems than you want to know.GOOD LUCK.

[suzzie1]

Thank you for your reply. Which valve are you having problems with?? Im just wondering could you describe your chest pain to me.
Are the problems with your feet due to the clot???? How did they sort out the clot????  

[lensgrip5]

Bicuspid aortic valve
My chest pain before clot was found was like someone putting a foot on my
chest.Harder with any exertion,and shortness of breath.My symptoms were so close to yours thats why i replied,i was waiting since 2003 to get bad enough for surgery,i know how tired you are.They treated me 2 days heprin and was put on warfarin.My doctors 4 trips gave me the anxiety speech.It wasn't till the anesthesiologist at pre-op explained not nicely how bad my health was.I was overweight,had jelly filled dlisters on feet for last year dental work bad.I had
bad angiogram brusing.He said he didn't no but each one was a factor.And if
i wanted to make it,help yourself.Its 3 months since clot his words are in my head.My gp sucks,i hope yours doesn't.Now i am leaking bad so my chest pain is bad at times but nothing was worse then having clot.Please take care
i no where your at.Iwill watch for a reply.

[suzzie1]

HI....Thank you for your reply. You are very kind. I hope you get your surgery soon and feel well again. If your anything like me, your life is hell. There is a really good site for people who have had or are having valve surgery: valvereplacement.com. I really would recommend you join it...people there are lovely and so helpful. Best Wishes.

[EchoTech]

It sounds like you need to visit with a cardiologist instead of  a general practioner.  If you have moderate MR and symptoms like SOB where you get out of breath  chasing a bus or get totally wiped out after going up a flight of stairs, it would seem that the valve is severely affecting the quality of your life.  It could also be your lungs or anxiety like like forum MD said, but either way I would recommend very much visiting a cardiologist.  I wouldn't mess around with a GP becasue in my experience , they just don't have all the knowledge  they need to help manage the situation.  Some of them try to do it al, and it's just not good for anybody.

[suzzie1]

Hi...thank you for your comment. I will definitely take your advice,(i am moving to live in England so a second opinion will hopefully get to my problem) as my symptoms are becoming umbearable. I feel like the energy is being drained out of my body. Thinking back I have felt quite unwell for the last 10 years, but it seems even feeling unwell can become ''normal'' if you feel it long enough , and I havent realised how unwell I actually was. Your comment about my lungs possibly causing the problem reminded me that about 2years ago I was given Amiadrone for irr. HB and I feel my health took a downward turn right there?? My gut instinct however, tells me it is my heart causing my symptoms. THANKS AGAIN.

[SUJAN]

SIR,

I FEEL THAT YOU SHOULD GO FOR CT ANGIOGRAM.A POSSIBLE ANEURYSM IN AORTA.