Migraine and chest pain.

[Russell941]

2 days ago i went to the ER with a severe headache (which only turned out to be a migraine with Aura), after a routine CT scan and blood test. but what really worries me is that he (the ER doctor) asked me at the time i was there if i was getting any shortness of breath, i told him of chest pain, a kind of ripping/tearing sensation in the left side. But no i was not having shortness of breath then, but now i am, starting when i got home. It gets difficult to breath and i feel a sudden hard cough, like something forcing me to cough and i can't hold it in, coming from deep in my lungs, I acctually woke up at night 2 nights now short of breath, like i stop breathing and wake with a large gasp for air then go back to sleep.

I've always had a history of bronchitis, but now im thinking of going back to get a chest X-ray, I'm afraid of a Pulmonary Embolism. But could this be related to my Migraine pain at all? I also want you to know that the pain that night was sharp on both sides under my lower ribs, it came on strong after eating, it cleared after several hours and feels better after belching but comes back, could it be indigestion or GERD? I've also been very anxious for no apparent reason and profusley sweaty hands and feet. Maybe just anxiety? My biggest concern is clotting in my lung but i havnt coughed up anything, i dont want to jump to conclusions, can you give me any advice?

[Russell941]

doh i should have posted this in the heart forum, im sorry :/

[Russell941]

Ok, concerened about palpitations, and i wrote it all out, can someone give me some adive?

This all started around the end of January, where I noticed severe palpitations that are worse when lying down, and very loud, I went to the ER and it turned out I was low on potassium, well now since that day, every day I experience palpitations and a racing heart, even while sitting down and not doing much, my heart rate is ALWAYS 99-110. My heart rate is the fastest and pounding the hardest when I rise out of bed in the morning, use the bathroom, after I eat, or after very light exercise, I get tired and out of breath quick. Sometimes it

[myproblem]

First of all, the main problem sounds like reflux. I suffered at night for years before I found a new Dr. who suggested reflux. I would have coughing fits in the middle of the night that would wake me up unable to draw a breath in, with loud gasping. He suspected reflux and gave me a 1 month trial of Prevacid. I had never paid much attention to the fact that I burped a lot, and had a lot of burning in my throat, because I have other medical problems to which I attributed eveything. As soon as I started the Prevacid I stopped the nightime coughing fits. I also regained my voice which had steadily been getting more hoarse over the past 2 years. I sing in church, and had been getting afraid to have a coughing fit, or missing a note due to my throat being so raw. My  symptoms are so much improved in this area. (My reflux is due to esophageal dysmotility as a result of some other chronic health problems.)I now take Prevacid 30mg every night before bed. I have not had any more of these types of problems in the 11 mos. Since I began Prevacid. Also, I have not had bronchitis since I began the Prevacid, I used to get it 4-6 times a year, and would be so sick that I nearly ended up in the hospital several times. Incedentally, your problem does not sound like a pulmonary embolism, but a chest x-ray won't hurt anything. I do tend to get migraines more if I am having problems elsewere in my body. I think the migrane may be related to the problem, but not the cause of it (rather exacerbated by the underlying problem).

You can read more about me in my post in the Symptoms forum.
( Liver trouble / Autoimmune disease - myproblem 02/22/2006 )

[Russell941]

Ok ty, I did end up getting an EKG and chest X-ray, both came back negative for anything serious, he told me it was most likely a strained muscle in the chest, it is atypical chest pain, sharp/tearing on the left mostly, he suggested i could have gotten something that irritated my lungs and a lot of sharp coughing pulled somthing, he told me it didnt sound much like GERD to him, at least not through the stethescope, even though i do have a lot of the symptoms frequently..

As for the anxiety...yes...I do get night terrors/nightmares quite frequently, I've been under a lot of emotional stress latley, but I did'nt think it would be this noticable physically, really just mentally. it has caused me a lot of problems since though, including stomach ulcers twice now and possibly helped those migraines pop up. But im sure its not the only single factor.

Well maybe it was just the power of his suggesting if I was getting short of breath, reflecting on my anxiety problems :( hopefully theres still no underlying cause, but I've been free of chest pain now for the last 2 weeks.

[National Jewish]

The pain and associated cough could be a sign of real lung disease or reflect the power of the ER doctor's suggestion.  Nevertheless, these could be signs of serious disease, so you should definitely go back for an examination and chest x-ray.  When you do, ask the doctor about the likelihood of pulmonary embolism.  This is a blood clot in an artery of the lungs.  However, your symptoms do sound more like those of indigestion or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) than anything else.  Believe the chest symptoms are unrelated to migraine.

Sounds like you are suffering from anxiety.  The best way to deal with that is to go back to get the assurance that you don't have anything serious.  If you don't go back and just sit around, the anxiety and your symptoms will only get worse.

[Russell941]

I also want to add that i DO NOT smoke or drink, I know smoking makes a difference.

[Russell941]

i forgot to add i am a 19 year old male. im sorry i keep forgetting to add so much. :/

[Russell941]

Im trying to describe it more clearly:

I wake up in the middle of the night gasping for breath, then fall back asleep, i wake up in the morning and the sharp stabing pain is very bad and takes a long while to be relived, even when lying down. throughout the day Im mostly ok except sudden attacks of chest pain on either side, it switches back and forth, and now when i get to overly worried im feeling fatigued and weak atm.

oh and..thats everything, i wont post anymore until i get a responce.