Please help- chest pain after mitral valve repair

[sheryl1024]

Hi- I have been to at least 15 docs and been to the ER 4 times. No one can figure this out. I have extreme chest pain, which varies- left side, right side, and both. Previous heart surgery MVP repair in '06. They suspected pleurisy, but it at first happened every 6 months, which began 6 months after my heart surgery. It has gotten worse and the pain now is present all the time to some degree. I had a CT scan early on which showed scar tissue under right lung from heart surgery and possible pleurisy. I have been to a rheumatologist, pulmonologist, and my cardiologist. Please help with any ideas! I had crushing pain so bad last night in my left side of chest and shoulder but did not go to ER because I have lost hope they can help me.
Thanks,
Sheryl

[sheryl1024]

Prinzmetal angina is a possibility. My chest pain is random and without exertion. I also have no blockages in my arteries. The interesting thing is... I DO have Raynauds which is similar. The pain is worse with breath, but last night I made myself breath deeper. The added oxygen really seemed to help. It does feel like a spasm, so you may be onto something here. Can it be on both sides of chest? My right side it frequently afftected.

Thank you for your help Joan

[sheryl1024]

Hi- thanks for the reply. Not sure how to check your journal, but looking into it. My heart health has been said to be very good. No real issues after the repair that show up on sonograms or at my cardiologist. The docs think it is Pleurisy (dry) but I am not showing up as having an autoimmune disease. The problem is, it is happening all of the time now and is debilitating. I have lost my job and spend most of the time resting or in bed. I have tried all kinds of immune boosting remedies to no avail. Last night, I knew the pain was classic heart attack symptoms, but I have had similar pain and get EKGs at ER that dont show anything. SO frustrating. I am checking the vasospastic angina now.
Thank you!
Sheryl

[joanincarolina]

You don't state what your overall heart health is with regard to disease but have you talked to your doctors about cardiac microvascualr dysfunction or vasospastic angina?Read my journal here at 'joanincarolina' and see if this gives you any insight.You are in GA, close to Emory cardiology and they know this phenomonen well. Let me know. I'll be happy to answer questions.The doctors maybe misled by your prior MVP repair. Joan.