Post Traumatic Cardiac Injury Syndrome

Hello,

I stumbled across this old post, 2001, about post-traumatic cardiac injury syndrome.  I too am one who has curious "cardiac" symptoms post-trauma.  I fell from the rafters of my garage onto the cement floor in 2007.  I landed w/ a flashlight against the left side of my ribcage which caused multiple rib fractures just left of my heart.  Approximately 6 months later I suffered a rather violent set of symptoms: chest pain, nausea, short episodes of V-tach followed by hypertension and tachycardia.  These events are almost like seizures in that they are preceded by light-headed/dizziness, multiple pvcs, jaw cramping, extreme fatigue, marked facial flushing and diarrhea.  This phase can last anywhere from an hour to 1-2 days preceding an "event".  The event itself can last anywhere from 5 minutes up to 90 minutes.  I ususally end up in an ER if the event lasts around or past an hour, as I simply cannot handle the symptoms.  Interestingly it also seems like a seizure afterward, as I have a really decreased mental and physical state for about half a day, and then it slowly gets back to normal.  Another curious thing is that I have a chronic pain in the left side of my chest, sort of burning in nature, that gets really acute if I lie on my right side, but seems soothed if I lie on my stomach at night.  Also, during the events themselves, the chest pain is much, MUCH worse if I try to lie down.  Sitting or standing, leaning forward is the least distressful position, and that is really a very noticable thing.

I have had many tests, (Left-heart Cath, Treadmill Stress, Cardiac Echo, tests for PE, Pheochromocytoma, GERD, EEG and some terrible Audiology spin test that left me barfing) none of which happened during any of my symptoms, and they all are normal, or at least not significant enough to cause these symptoms.  I also had a Serotonin level done, which was at the high border in the serum, but low in the urine.

I have been treated for both anxiety and GERD, which have never helped in the least and I finally stopped both.  I usually won't take either anxiety or prescription-strength pain meds because of the addiction potential.  One ER Doc gave me a shot of Tordal (sic?) and that worked really well, but that was just once and most often the nasal Oxygen and IV Metoprolol (or whatever) give good relief.  

The reason that I am posting this under Post-Traumatic Cardiac Injury Syndrome is because I know of two other people who have very similar episodes.  And both of them developed these symptoms anywhere from a week to 6 months following a traumatic chest injury.

I am currently under the care of a cardiologist who has me managed with anti-inflamatory and beta-blocking meds.  With a careful self- management of diet and exercise, I can do my ADL without too much trouble.  I follow Caldwell Esselstyn's  dietary regimen and find that it really helps.  However, I can no longer exercise or exert myself nearly to the extent that I used to be able to.  When the first episode happened, I was in training to walk marathons at 53 y/o.  Now, I can't walk more than 1/4 mile w/o feeling symptoms.  

I have no idea if anyone follows this post, but I thought I'd enter into the discussion in the hopes that it might be helpful.  Either to me, if anyone has any helpful ideas, or to another person who is wondering what on earth has happened to them.

God Bless,  Patricia Williams


This discussion is related to post trauma cardiac injury syndrome.

[kenkeith]

Thanks for your interest and your post explaining your experience that may be of help to someone else who can share their experience.  I wish you well going forward, take care

Ken