Non-typical symptoms of HCM?

[wadeheather]

The cardiologists at Mayo found Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in my uncle last week and the family is now thinking that it is probably what killed my grandmother suddenly 20 years ago.  I am going for tests today, but am wondering about symptoms other than the typical shortness of breath, chest pains.  I have had chronic headaches for two years and recently have developed pins and needles sensations throughout my body, shooting pains, muscle spasms and twitches. I went in a couple of months ago and they ran a bunch of blood work with no results. I also got an MRI of the neck to look for pinched nerves. Everything was normal.  Is it possible that all of these symptoms are a result of HCM?

[ish26]

I was very interested to see your post as I also have HCM and I have thought for a long time that my cluster headaches are linked to my condition as I seem to have clusters when I my heart is not doing so well. I have no medical proof though. It is just a hunch! I get alot of pins and needles too but no shooting pains. It would be interesting if anyone else with HCM and cluster headaches got in touch to see if there really could be a link!

Good luck with it all!

[wadeheather]

They did an MRI with contrast in August of 07 to look for MS at Mayo when I went in for the NPDH (New Persistant Daily Headache). When the Pins and Needles started I went to my regular Doctor here in town and she said that she didn't think that MS was it (I had mentioned the MRI and the Neurologist concerns from last year). To be honest I had decided that I wasn't going in for any more tests after the year and a half of doctors and different drug trials for the headaches. I only went in for the heart scan because my poor dad was panicked.  The pins and needles, however, are much worse the last week and half or so and I am getting horrible shooting pains in all parts of my body, so I probably will talk to her again.  Thanks for the thoughts.  Interesting that you brought up MS. What special test are you talking about?  I thought the MRI was the most reliable?

[kenkeith]

If I understand your question, you are asking if the symptoms you are experiencing can occur at the exclusion of recognized symptoms and signs of HCM.  Your symptoms could be in addition to the typical symptoms but doubtful.

Your grandmother's condition is probably associated with infarction (heart attack) or cardiomyopathy (damaged heart tissue due to virus, etc.), left ventricular remodeling that involves progressive left ventricular dilation, heart wall hypertrophy (enlargement), deterioration of ventricular function, distortion of cavity shape, and alterations of mitral valve geometry causing mitral valve regurgitation. Deterioration of the left ventricle functionality, etc. will cause shortness of breath, chest pain (angina)

[Encephalomalcia]

Here's a website that is helpful: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypertrophic_cardiomyopathy.  This is 50% hereditary. I would not think that the pins and needles feeling would be related to this.  Have you been tested for MS?  There is a special test for MS, so they have to test specifically for it.  You can take the test at Mayo.  My friend has MS and they tested her for everything first and then sent her home.  The clinic called her and said that there was one more test and she was sent to Mayo.  They tested her for MS and that was it.  She is a nurse and did not even recognize the symptoms.  Her hands and feet felt numb and like pins and needles and uneasy, she was tired a lot, and just did not feel well.