Heart pains

[misniceforlife]

I am a otherwise healthy 37 year old woman. I had an allergic reation to a steriod injection for bursitis in my right arm. With the allergic reaction I experienced chest pain, sweating, chills, shortness of breath, and weakness. The pains were more sharp, and a heaviness on my chest. The EKG was abnormal..T Waves were inverted or flattened on leads 3 & 4. My white blood count was 14. I was hospitalized and monitored. THey sent me home with Nitro and still haven't had stress test. I returned to hospital yesterday 9 days later and test results still same except blood count 15. All xrays, Echo's and monitors good. I have used my Nitro twice and it aleiviates the pain. What should I be asking the doctors for at this point and what maybe going on? I feel hopless. I got sent home with no answeres to my problems. ONly just wait for a stress test in a week. What are my opions?

[Forum-M.D.-MJM]

Hello,
It is difficult to say exactly what happened.  Allergic reactions to steroids are very rare -- they are what is used to treat allergic reactions.  If it is a true allergy, it is usually to an ingrediant other than the steroid. Symptoms like that during an injection are usually related to anxiety/panic attacks, could be cardiac related.  Without knowing more about you, anxiety/panic attack is the most likely.  Increased adrenaline during a panic attack could cause EKG changes.  It is reasonable to do a stress test, but the likely hood of a 37 year old having ischemic coronary disease is very low.  If you aren't having active pain, waiting is probably ok.  If you are having intermittent chest pains that is relieved by nitroglycerin, that needs addressed more urgently.  It is difficult to answer questions about that online because these questions are interactive. If you have active pain relieved by nitro, you need medical attention and I would not wait.

I hope this answers your questions.  Thanks for posting.