NOT UNDERSTANDING

I am a 43 yr old yr old F, that has been having a "concern" for about 1-2 months.  I have been having bad headaches that are CONSTANT for 1-2 months, the pain is not localized to one particular area, I also have a "noticable" increase of loss of balance,( more often then not, I can not stand without stumbling like I was drunk) thought process diminished, etc, my BP-pulse readings are all over the charts-  -170/100,p-100 and up---then it will drop to 80/60,p-100 and up. I have chest tightness very frequently, and pain/discomfort on the L-side that does not radiate,  and pain/dicomfort in shoulders, and upper back that is getting to be more consistant.  I have increased SOB and am having a HARDER/HARDER time walking any great distance.. The dr has given me muscle relaxants/ Tramadol for meds, that do not help other then making me groggy.  I am VERY CONCERNED about what is going on.  DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY IDEAS?????  I WILL APPRECIATE ANY INPUT.

[Momto3]

Have you ever worn a holter monitor.  It records your heart rate during the time you are wearing it.  There are monitors you can wear for short durations 24-72 hours, monitors you can wear for 30 days, or implantable recorders (not generally prescribed as often as the other monitors).  

Also, are you taking BP medications?  Are you seeing a cardiologist?  Have you ever heard of dysautonomia?  Check out the forum for dysautonomia and see if you have similar symptoms.  I'm not saying you have it, just seems like some similar symptoms and the members may have some ideas for you.

Feel better
Connie

[spitfire989]

Thanks for getting back to me.--As of now, all that my Dr has done is ask for bloodwork, an echo( which I have to make an appt to have done) and give me pain meds.--No, Bp meds as of yet.  I wish he would do something cuz my readings are all over.--150/100,bp-106, then crash to 80/37,p137! And then be back to "normal" for a few hours, then right back at it. And the whole time, I will feel "loopY', shaky, cold, just "out of sorts". I guess because "it" does'nt happen when he takes it( the spiked reading) he does'nt think much about it. Even though I've told him it does'nt change and have kept a log of the readings.  But, just the same I hope someone somewhere can give me an idea to throw at him --or that he might figure it out.   Again, thanks for responding.------LIZ

[Sweetwaterguy]

    I certainly don't want my comments to alarm you especially since I am not a medically trained person.  However, since you asked this question in a heart related forum, you are obviously concerned that your problems may be heart related.  By all means, make that appointment for an echo soon, if for no other reason than to rule out a heart event.      
    Have you and your doctor explored blood sugar peaks and valleys?        
     And most important, if you don't find a source of your problem reasonably soon, don't be shy about asking your doctor for a referral to a university hospital type diagnostic clinic.

[spitfire989]

Hey, thanks for responding.---Yes, I'm concerned about my problem being heart related cuz, other then the "spikes" in my readings, I have chest discomfort/pain on the L side of my chest, sometimes, actually more often then not, in my shoulder area on the L side. (Nothing that radiates down my arm). Oh beleive me, I'm keeping on him for the Echo, and the stress test.---And No, I have not concidered the blood gluc theory. It may be a good idea though.  And yep, if I need be I will go for the referral for a Cardiologist.----Well, I hope I can get things figured out soon, cuz I don't want to spend the rest of my life restricted because I can't get my breath half the time, and if I do anything, my readings really soar, and I feel really weird afterwards, and like I said, it ain't how I want to spend my time.   But, THANK YOU  for getting back to me.   I appreciate it!

[Sweetwaterguy]

Thank you for your kind comments.  One more thing.  Since you mentioned shortness of breath, I was reminded of the problems of my close friend's wife.  She had a fairly rapid onset of shortness of breath, and after evaluation found she needed a stent to open an artery.  
  You did not mention your age.  Younger women (premenopausal) have quite a bit of protection against heart disease and have much less heart problems than similar age men.  That all changes after menopause.  Then women develop heart disease at the same rate.  If you are in the older category, then it is especially important rule out heart issues.  

[spitfire989]

Thanks for getting back again. ---My age is 43, (stats) 5'3 143#---light to moderate smoker ( I know, my bad) and an occasional social drinker.  ----I guess my concern is that all of these symptoms have been going on and getting to a point that it effects my everyday movements/abilitites.  SO FRUSTRATING. ----And when i go to the Dr, (of course) none of the symptoms are there, so I sense they "disregard" what I'm telling them.---I do keep a "log" of readings and feelings in the hopes that I can get one Dr to read/acknowledge what I've been experiencing.  Good God, I feel like I'm playing the lottery-----"keep scratching and ya might win"!  Not to mention,---if I feel like this at 43, I can only imagine what the hell I'm gonna feel when I'm "old" hehe.  ---Seriously--I need to resolve what is going on--so that I may reclaim my life again.-----Again, thanks for the response!