Please help me find what is wrong!!

[Sandy MT]

Dear Doctor,

It discovered this summer that I have been having trouble with Arrhythmias for that last 6 years and since I always had ignored the chest pain and the fatigue because I have Fibromyalgia. The shortness of breath and not being able sleep with out being propped up and coughing and persisting cough all the time was always explained by doctors that I just had Allergies.

This spring It had gotten so bad that  I was almost passing out so I went to the hospital a couple of times and I was given a prescription for cough medicine and told to rest more because of the FIBRO.

In June I was taken to the hospital because I was having severe chest pains at work and eventually passed out. At the hospital a cardiologist was called in right away. I was also sent to another city to a cardiologist who specializes in the electrical part of the heart. I was having what they called serious Cardiac Arrhythmias and very high blood pressure. Berfore I went on the Amiodarone I was having up to 1,200 extra heart beats in an hour. I have had the two echo's, many holters, and nuclear done I am still waiting to have a m.r.i. After being on the Amiodarone for a month my stress and holters were very good showing no extra beats at all. I was on the med. for 3 months then had to go off do to lung problems and eye problems. I have been off for 6 weeks now and for the last two weeksI have been having troulble breathing again severe fatigue and waking up in the middle of the night having to sit up to breath. Each day It seems to get worse.

Could you please tell me if you think that my heat is acting up again? This morning It felt like my heart was shaking again. I'm also wondering why this summer it got so bad that I had to go to the hospital. Does it mean that I had something little before and since it wasn't treated for all those years it did some damage? I have asked my cardiologist at home and in Victoria and they both want to wait until the m.r.i. is done before the say anything. I can understand that and I know I have great caring doctors but It is very hard to sit and wait.

I wasn't very concerned before because the Amiodarone made me feel better but now that I can't take it any more I am afraid I'll be dizzy all the time again As well as all the other symptoms. I was told that it was one of the most effective and least possiblity of serious side effects even though it had so many life threatening effects. What is there to take after that? I may have lung and eye damage. If I have to take another medication can it damagage them more? Could these symptoms that I'm having now be my lungs form the Amiodarone? I'm sorry for so many questions but I run a Daycare facility and many people count on me every day to be there. Thanks so much for your time.Sincerely Jo-anne

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

I would try to get in to see your doctor this week.  Your symptoms could be due to the lung toxicity of the amiodarone or could be n indication of another problem.  There are other drugs besides amiodarone and some new ones that are coming out soon so I would definately discuss this with your doctor.

[Jo-anne]

Dear doctor,

Thanks for the information. It it has helped alot to know that there is other meds I can take besides Amiodarone take care
Jo-anne.

[lynda]

Hi Jo-anne

I too have Fibromyalgia and PVC's or arrythmias, that I have just been diagnosed with. I now suspect Angina, where I have continued pain in my chest.

To the Doc:

I seem to have an tight, dull ache all day in my chest, and any emotional or stressful event brings me more severe pain. I have been to the hospital and they have said my EKG was fine, and yet I suffer so much everyday, even at rest.

I am exhausted all day, sleep all the time, and don't feel well, but don't know what to do next. My family doctor has put me on Verapamil 240mg daily and a baby aspirin. But I continue to suffer pain in chest.

I am not afraid of death or worried I just want some help.

Lynda

[Jo-anne]

Dear Lynda,

Thanks for your response. Do you take anything for your fibro?
I never have but both of my cardiologists say that I can't have any thing that would be prescribed for it because of my heart. If you are taking the Verapamil could that be causing the pain? I was suffering from the fibro. for years before I was diagnosed finaly. My doctor wanted to put me on meds. for it, but I said instead tell me what I can do to help myself. Did you know that stress is one of the worst things you can have with fibro?

I have researched this for 3 years now and if you have any questions about fibro please feel free to contact me any time. My e-mail address is JO_JO106***@**** Don't forget the underscore_ in JO_JO. [EVERY ONE SEEMS TO FORGET IT]
Good luck to you. I hope to hear from you soon.

[Jo-anne]

Dear Lynda,

I don't think I made it clear on what I meant about the medicine you are taking. Some meds. can have a effect on a persons heart condition [ making symptoms more intense or increasing Arrhythmias] Also I forgot to mention that the symptoms you described sound alot like fibro symptoms. Fibro. is a syndrome and there are so many other syndromes that you can have that are in the fibro family. Example: Fatigue, Irritable bowel, dry mouth, sleep disorders, [I have two sleep disorders one my legs and arms jerk all night and my legs while I'm laying down or sleeping will feel very weird.]lack of concentration e.t.c. the list is quite long.

I'm not a doctor and I'm not trying to give you medical advise but there is alot of different Arrhythmia problems as well as heart problems that can cause chest pain. I'm not trying to say that your pain is fibro or your heart just telling you what I have learned through all the research I have done on the problems I do have. I hope I have not confused you !!!!!!!!! take care, Jo-anne

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Lynda - You can find other postings on this site dealing with the evaluation of chest pain.  Our general advice is not to ignore it but to have it evaluated by your doctor.