Heart problem, or something else?

[TiffanyM88]

I have been going to doctors on and off for 11 years now.. I don't know what is wrong with me.. I was diagnosed with Graves Disease in 2010, took a pill to make my thyroid non-fuctional, and am now currently taking L-thyroxine (.125mg) .. All of my symptoms, they thought that they were being caused by my over-active thyroid, but even when I became Hypo, my symptoms didn't change, I just got a few more-I gained 50 pounds within a couple months (without changing my eating habits or exercise), developed sensitivity to the cold, and the neck spasms and numbness). None of my "Hyper" symptoms went away.. It's now been over 9 months since starting the L-thyroxine, and I'm still having all of my symptoms, Hyper and Hypo.. My thyroid levels are normal now.. My symptoms are, loss of energy, feel weak, fatigue (despite how much I sleep), migraines, heat intolerance, sensitivity to cold (since becoming Hypo), chest pain, shortness of breath, paleness (face), eczema (Usually I just get it on my hands, but have recently had a severe outbreak of eczema/dandruff on my scalp, which spread to the back of my left ear and both sides of my neck.. I have never had dandruff or anything like this before.. It is getting better with topical creams.), brittle hair, brittle nails, hair loss, muscle spasms in my neck, numbness in my hands, feet, and legs (not all the time, but never happened like it happens, until I became Hypo). Also, my major symptom being my heart.. I have been seen by 4 cardiologists, had multiple EKG's and 3 Echo's.. One of the Echo's showed (2010) that I have thickened muscle of my heart, according to the doctor.. This was when I ended up going to the ER with chest pain/high pulse, which is when I was diagnosed with Graves.. She said that it was from my heart beating too fast for all these years.. But, following up with a Cardiologist soon after, he said that he doesn't think that I have thickened heart muscle, but that he hasn't even looked at my Echo results.. He said to get my Graves taken care of and see if that fixes my heart symptoms.. Also, before I took the radio-iodine pill, my pulse was skyrocketing to over 200 bmp when I woke up from sleep, even before I opened my eyes.. Taking that pill, stopped that from happening, and it hasn't happened, not like that, since.. I know that, that's called Sinus Tachycardia, and that is what one of the Cardiologists has talked about with me.. Overall, doctors say that their is nothing wrong with my actual heart, but my pulse is almost always above 100 bpm.. I'm 24 years old, btw.. Anyway, from the time I open my eyes, to the time I fall asleep, I have palpitations.. It feels like their is a ton of pressure on my chest, constantly.. The best way to explain it is as if I had a cinder block strapped to my chest.. I feel short of breath alot.. I have better and worse days, but for 11 years, there has not been a day when I was completely pain free, with my chest.. If I am sitting, and stand up, (just like a normal person would) my pulse jumps 20-30 bmp.. Working out is extremely hard.. Walking on my treadmill just about kills me, because at 2.9 mph, my pulse ususlly runs between 165-196ish, and even if I drop the speed down, it still causes my pulse to run higher than a normal persons would at that same speed, and causes pain. The pain is much worse with working out, obviously.. Daily activities/chores are hard to get done.. Alot of times my chest hurts so bad that I can barely stand up, and feel like I could just faint at any time.. I've passed out before, multiple times, but not in the last 6 years, so I'm not including that in my symptoms.. I don't even know if all of my symptoms are being caused from the same thing, or if they are even connected at all.. I don't know where to go from here.. The doctor that I see for my Thyroid checks, doesn't know what is wrong, so she sent me to an Endocrinologist, and she has done some tests, but still doesn't know what's wrong with me either, and doesn't know what it could be.. Also, about 4 and a half months ago, my Endocrinologist ran some tests and it came back as I had a vitamin D deficiency, at 14.. She then put me on vitamin D 50,000 unit pills- 1 daily for 7 days, then 1 weekly, for about 4 months.. Well, I did the vit D therapy and my vit D is now at 38, last time it was checked, recently.. I also got tested for Hyperparathyroidism, but according to the lab results, it looks like I don't have that, even though I have alot of the symptoms associated with it.. My ionized calcium was 1.26 and my PTH was 21.. I've also had my Cortisol levels checked, and they are normal. She's suggested that I go see a Cardiologist, but I don't see the point in going to another one, because I have seen by 4 already, and they all (except that one in the ER) say that nothing is wrong with my heart.. What does it sound like I have? What's the next step to take? Does it sound like a heart problem, or a symptoms of something else? I can't live the rest of my life like this, my chest is gradually getting worse.. Thanks!

[MichelleP_3811]

I do believe the expert forums cost $20 to post a question.  But like I said, you can try and post to the non expert Heart Disease forum and see if a doctor will answer.  But to get a doctor to specifically answer you would need to post in the expert section which has a fee.  

[TiffanyM88]

Thanks so much for your reply.. I'm definitely not going to give up this fight to find out what is wrong with me, but at the same time, I can't help but to feel hopeless.. Gotta keep on though.. :)

My bp has, for the most part, always been normal, except when I was pregnant.. I had pre-eclampsia with both of my pregnancies.. A few weeks after I gave birth both times, my bp returned to normal, and I haven't had but just a couple times when I visited my doctor, that it's been a bit higher than normal.. I recently got a bp monitor and check it regularly, and it's always within normal, even when my pulse is high, or if I'm having one of my worse days.. The thing with the Atenolol that suprised my doctor is that while it should be keeping my pulse from going up so high, is that at every appointment it's usually 124-127, with having done nothing that should have made it that high (just getting out of my car and walking into the office).. I'm not taking it anymore, because it just doesn't help me.. Also, I don't have any swelling in my extremities.. I do drink about a gallon of plain water a day, and I eat healthy..

I was wondering how to I post my question to the experts? Does it cost to post publicly? I'm new to MedHelp.. Thank You!

[MichelleP_3811]

I am not a doctor and they rarely stop by this forum so you might want to post this to one of the expert forums to get a doctor's input.  You might also want to try the heart disease forum as that seems to be visited by more doctors than this one.  That said, I will say if your heart has been fully evaluated and is functioning normal then it is not likely your heart is the issue but rather something outside the heart is causing the issue.  It might not just be the thyroid issues though those can create problems with the heart as you know but it could be that the meds are having an affect on you.  I don't know much about thyroid problems but I do know that it can take a very long time for you get get regulated and on the right dosage.  As well I visited the thyroid forum on this site because I was tested once due to low readings and it seems that even if you are kind of in range you can still have symptoms.  If you haven't posted to the thyroid section I highly suggest visiting there.  There are some highly helpful people in your shoes.  The only other thing I can think of is if you are having bp issues maybe due to your meds or something.  Did you get put on a beta blocker for your high heart rate?  if so that can cause low bp as well as chest pain if the heart rate starts to go too slow.  Try to take it slow and baby yourself as best you can until you get this all straightened out.  Also drink lots and lots of water and see if that helps.  Good hydration does help the heart to function more efficiently.  It may not fix the issue but feeling better would be a Godsend at this point.  If however you are retaining water, as can be seen with swollen ankles, than maybe talk to a doctor about going on a water pill and seeing if that helps.  If you are retaining water from hypo then it could be putting strain on your heart so worth checking out.  I do beleive it is important to be properly hydrated on water pills as well so you don't dehydrate so that is why I say consult a doctor before you take any meds.

In any event, I would not stop going to doctors until you get this figured out.  This is your health and you are your own best advocate when it comes to getting the care you need and deserve.  I first of all highly recommend seeing one of your previous doctors and letting them know you still have issues, especially the one that said to clear up the thyroidism issues first.  Sometimes doctors take things very slow suspecting things will clear themselves up.  We need to let them know that they didn't clear up.  As well a doctor on this forum stated once that multiple visits will give a doctor a better understanding of your particular situation so please do not be put off by any response you get by a doctor.  You know how you feel and know you deserve to feel better so keep pushing until that happens.  If however, a doctor really seems to being giving you the brush off then find a new one.  There are plenty out there so just keep searching until you find the help you need.  Well I am not sure I was able to give you any answers but do know my heart goes out to you.   Stay strong and I send wishes your way that you find some answers soon.  Take care.