strange reaction to painkillers

[radiantstar]

hello, I'm not sure how to explain my problem but I'll try the best I can. quiet a while ago I noticed that I have a bad reaction to any strong painkillers - it makes it hard for me to breate, also it burns a bit in my chest, generally I feel some kind of preassure in my chest. I also feel this way if I take more than usual coffee or don't sleep for a nighe example after a night club. my grandmother was a doctor but she doesn't know why it's like this. i may also say that I have a chronis low blood preassure, asthenia and cardiovascular distonia. anyone have any ideas what's wrong with me and painkillers? i used to think that everyone was reacting the same way as me but then I saw that it wasn't..  :(

[radiantstar]

yes, neuro-circulatory dystonia is what I have, I couldn't find the proper term in english as I'm not english  :)  and yes, I think I really better go to cardiologist with this, as it's clearly seems to be cardial problem, my heart seems to be very weak towards any preassure from caffeine, painkillers and etc..

[Tuckamore]

I apologize if I misunderstood your question or concern. Obviously coffee contains caffeine which is a stimulate. You might want to try a decaf brand. It sounds like most medications produce an unpleasant reaction/side effect. This unusual reaction should not be "normal" if you will with most medications in different groups.  

Have you been evaluated by a cardiologist or a pulmonologist? If not I would suggest that you make an appointment and begin an investigation into your symptoms. I think to assume that you have a heart problem without an actual diagnosis other than Cardiovascular Dystonia is not wise. I have researched for the term you are using and cannot find it. The closest I can find is neuro-circulatory dystonia" (NCD) or vegetal-vascular dystonia. Which seems to be an anxiety disorder.

The term Dystonia is the third most prevalent movement disorder, behind Parkinson’s disease and tremor but I can find no relationship to the cardiac muscle.  Dystonia occurs when the part of the brain that controls muscle movement is impaired. Involuntary muscle spasms force affected parts of the body into contorted or twisted postures. Is this what your PCP says is happening with your cardiac muscle? If so I think you should see a neurologist that specializes in this area. I am not a physician and do not understand the disease process or if this would be effected by the medications and cause the symptoms you are describing.

Best of luck to you. I hope you are able to get to the bottom of your medical issues. Feel free to keep us posted o your progress.

Take Care,
Tuck

[radiantstar]

actually I don't think it's the painkillers by itself are the problems as - as I said I also feel this way if I drink too much coffee or don't sleep for a night - it seems a lot of things make me feel this way, I think it's probably cardial problem. I only take very light painkillers and just 1 tablet, everything else makes me feel - too relaxed and hard to breathe. I don't have major chronic illnesses besides what i described and I was never on any medication. Few days ago I was prescribed anti-depressants from my panic attacks but I really can't take them as it makes it extremelly hard for me to breathe and burns in my chest, also heart starts to hurt. I don't know what to do with that, it seems I indeed have a heart problem..

[Tuckamore]

Hi Radiantstar,

I have checked your profile page and did not notice any mention of chronic pain issues. So I assume that at least you so not have chronic pain to treat. Am I correct?

Our systems are strange and possibly you reacted to the specific medication you were prescribed rather than all opiates. As Sandee suggested it may be one type or one strength that is the culprit here.

I know that I am sensitive to many opiates and there are only a few that I can take without unacceptable side effects. However there are others that I can take that do not induce problems.

Unfortunately I doubt that if your grandmother, a physician could not discover the reasons for your issues with opiates that we will be able to give you an answer. I would guess that your Asthenia and Cardiovascular Dystonia may also play a part in your response to opiates. To what are they attributing your Asthenia?

I'm sorry that I can not be more helpful. You may want to see an allergist that may be able to provide you with more answers. Best of luck to you. I hope you will be able to discover the cause that your system reacts unusually to opiates. But I would try trial and error as Sandee suggested in opiates are required.

Please let us know how you are doing and as always, take care.
Tuck

[sandee1818]

Hi,
     I am so sorry for the slow response.
What narcotic medications have you tried. The reason I ask is you may be able to take say oxycodone and not do well with hydrocodone. There are many different types of opioid medications. Also the chest burning and feeling of heaviness is most likley due to the cardiac dystonia and the medication is just adding to the symptoms.
You will need to keep trying to find one that is right for you and that your body can tolerate. It is frustrating but do not give up.Do you have chronic pain or a condition in which you need to take pain medications on a regular basis?
It is trial and error with everyone as far as trying to find the right medicine that will work well with your body.