Can it be heart or vascular

[mommy2two2008]

So - I have a strange question for you all.  I am coming over from the thyroid forum and am currently being treated for hashimoto's thyroiditis (with normal blood values).  The thing that started all of this mess is a swelling feeling in the neck (from April 2008).  I basically stopped exercising completely during this time.  I have had minimal relief from the unilateral, right sided neck swelling.  Some of it is the thyroid, which is enlarged (although not that much).  

I was treated in July for Carotidynia (inflamation of the carotid artery) on the right.  I went back to the Gym yesterday for the first time in probably 7 months and soon after my hour long gym visit - the neck swelling started again.  I also had a couple of instances of the "heart-skip-a-beat" feeling.  I guess I should also include that I have had lower than average blood pressure since this mess started and occassional times when my resting heart rate is 90-120.

All of this kind of has me wondering if I have a vascular or heart problem.  Would anyone have any ideas for me?

I really appreciate it.  ~K

[mommy2two2008]

Thanks so much both of you!  I have been away for the holiday, so just got back to this.  Again, thanks so much!  I called the vascular doc last Wednesday.... hoping to hear back from him this week (given the holiday).

Will let you know what he says!

[ken_18]

Hi..You've had hashimoto's thyroiditis which is an autoimmune disease. The body inappropriately attacks the thyroid as if it is a foreign tissue.Then, inflammation occurs that comprises white blood cells that serve as antibodies of the immune system, fluid that results to edema (swelling). Maybe carotydynia is a possible complication of thyroiditis that we know carotid artery is very close to thyroid gland and connected to the heart. You may have vascular problem, specifically carotid artery problem. The edema or swelling of your neck caused by carotidynia may have slightly blocked the flow of blood. There would be inadequate blood supply that goes back to your heart so you have the instances of "heart-skip-a-beat" feeling and low blood pressure. Of course, the more blood supply, the higher the blood pressure  and cardiac rate. But you must ask your doctor about it.

[NTB]

> any ideas for me?

Well, maybe the neck inflammation is also causing your low BP, perhaps via histamine that is released from basophils as part of some other associated autoimmunity. And when BP goes low, your body increases heart rate to compensate - to preserve the rate/pressure constant.

(You are probably aware of the association between chronic urticaria and Hashimoto's, e.g.)

What if you tried an antihistamine like diphenhydramine, just to see what happens  to your BP and HR?

[mommy2two2008]

This does sound nuts, doesn't it?  I called a heart / vascular surgeon yesterday.  A friend of the family.  Maybe he can see me.