Any suggestion?? test/diag.?

[HeisFaithful]

Hi, I have been struggling with a PAINFUL throbbing in my chest, SOB, dizziness, fatigue since the end of May. I have spent alot of money on test, and the rabbit hole just keeps going deeper. So far, Ive had 2 chest Xrays, an echo/stres, Bld work, 2 EKG's, a 48hr Holter Monitor, and been to 2 doctors, the ER room, and a cardiologist. Most of my doctor visits, I have not felt listened to or believed about the intensity of my symptoms, since all the "hard data" isn't showing any clues, other than what it is NOT. The Thump in chest worsens when i lie flat, and i must sleep elevated. I can do very little activity and my head builds pressure when i bend over. The pain is specific to the left side of my sternum about 3" to 4" long, and sometimes thuds through my back to below the shoulder blades. I'm really having a hard time. If anyone has a diagnosis and has these symptoms, PLEASE tell me what tests to ask the doctors for. Thank You! My symptoms will worsen with ANY activity and I can keep them "manageable" if I stay on my couch! I have a friend that is a doctor and I got her to listen to my heart while i sat up and then lying down and while it was "kicking me" (this is the best way I can describe sensation). She said I have a distinct sinus arythmia and my heart beat lowers considerably when I lay down and she HEARD the kick it does in my chest (which also brings pain). Im interested in hearing from anyone who has an idea. Thanks again!

[MichelleP_3811]

Well thanks for getting back to us.  I am sorry to hear about your thyroid issues.  They can wreck havoc on the body but I am glad you have some answers and are being properly treated now.  I do hope you are feeling better.  Take care of yourself.

[HeisFaithful]

I wanted to Post to this thread about my own question posted a few years back. My heart pains and fatigue were cause by  my Thyroid not producing TSH. EVERY CELL in our body have a receptor for TSH and symptoms vary. I hahe Hashimotos. taking 200-300mg of CoQ10 drastically reduces my pain, as well as my Amour Thyroid. Just wanted to follow up.

[Jerry_NJ]

Your strong positive attitude should help you as you go forward.

Good luck,

[HeisFaithful]

Well. I had a good dr. Visit today. Which has been a long time coming. He thinks that my spine is causing me nerve pain in my torso causing me to be sensitive to everything going on in my chest. And feeling pain with internal normal processes. He said I have PACs and a murmur that are benign the only thing is that I can feel them going on and it is quite noticeable and painful. I'm on prednisone and etodalac and flexeril. If I see improvement he will send me on to an ortho or a neuro. So we will just take it all one step at a time and see what happens next.....cause you NEVER know!! I will get an MRI next for more info. Wanted to post this, so if anyone goes down the road Im on and being able to painfully feel everything happening in their chest, it just might be nerves that are irritated and magnifying other activity.

[HeisFaithful]

They said my Holter was "normal". Like i said, I was fairly certain the cardiologist didn't really take me serious. Yes I had plenty of problems while on the Holter, I wrote them all down.  when my symptoms started, I tried to ignore them and just go on. They literally wrestled me down, I put up quite a fight, trying to disprove anything was happening. SO if a doctor can hear the abnormal activity with a stethescope, what is the Holter recording? Thank you for your help, it is good to talk to someone. I homeschool my kids, and instead of preparing for next year, I am learning all I can about hearts, cause i can't move forward until i have my health. When this all started, I would have to take a nap mid day and was sleeping 11/12 hrs at night. NOT NORMAL for me.

[HeisFaithful]

correction 3/4 times a WEEK not day....did i mention i was fuzzy headed?? ;)

[HeisFaithful]

thank you soo much for responding. Honestly, I do not have any anxiety or am NOT scared about any of these symptoms. I literally can not function and would like some treatment. I am in pain EVEN on pain meds and would like to sleep in my own bed.I am a very laid back person and the only thing that is stressing me is that I feel like I can't get anyone to treat me. I feel weak and lightheaded.If what is going on is harmless, then why is there so much pain and my body not able to do daily activities? I DON't think Im in mortal danger, I think there might be some damage going on with prolonged course. I used to run 3/4 times a day, now im on the couch all day, all night. I will get out once or twice a week, and then i will "pay" for the activity with pain, Harder thuds in my chest and fatigue. I'm trying to figure out what my body is communicating. Thanks so much for responding!!!

[achillea]

Since your EKGs and so on show no dangerous malady, there is a reasonable chance that your 'Thumps' are the relatively stronger contractions of the ventricle that follow small and generally imperceptible Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVCs), which are considered benign.

However, some people are more sensitive than others, and for them (us), PVCs may be painful and they are certainly disturbing.  They are especially noticeable when you lie down to rest, and some people feel them more when they lie on their left sides--or when they turn over in bed

So, in light of this, have you been told that younare having beingn PVCs and has any doctor offered you a diagnosis--even if you disagree- or any suggestions for treatment of your painful thumps and so on?

[MichelleP_3811]

I can't say for certain because I am not a doctor but it sounds like you are having some sort of ectopic beats, pacs or pvcs.  Did you get the results of your holter?  Did you have any of these strange feelings while on it?  What did the doctor say about the holter if you did indeed feel the symptoms?  I might go so far as to get a copy of the report to see what it has to say.  The good news is, if you are experiencing ectopics, your heart appears to be deemed healthy which means the ectopics are not a threat to your overall health.  That however, I am sure doesn't make having them feel any better.  I know from personal experience the more pronounced my arrhythmia the more the more ectopic beats will jump in.  Everyone has a change in rate between inhaling and exhaling but when I have a marked difference by say 30 beats is when I get the ectopics the worst.  If this is the case for you as well then you might do well on a beta blocker, a med that helps to regulate your heart beat.  It could be that you only need to be on it for a short time until the heart settles down from the ectopics.  But in any event, I would ask the cardiologist the results of the holter.  If ectopics are indeed on it then impart on them how badly you feel and ask if a bp med might help you to feel better and function better.  Regardless of the fact there isn't a health impact with the beats there is a certain amount of psychological well being that the beats are taking a toll on you so just discuss with your doctor how badly you feel and see what they have to say.  If they are not willing to listen then find another doctor or discuss this with your GP.  Other than that just try to do your best to calm and steady your breathing when you notice the beats acting up and you should hopefully be able get them to ease up a bit.  And also do your best to manage any stress you are under or experiencing as that will make your situation worse.  Well hang in there.   I do hope you can get to the bottom of this and feel better soon.  Do keep us posted on how you are doing.