Medication and Testing

[lisa]

Thank you for this opportunity to ask some questions regarding my recent problems. I am a 37 year old female, who recently switched from a secretarial position, to a custodial position. The reason I made the move was for exercise and less stress. I began the position this past May, lost 15 pounds so far. Could lose to stand another 20, but letting it come off slowly by exercise.

I've just been hit all at once with problems. First it started with my blood pressure spiking and seeing circles in front of my eyes.(this was sitting at a computer, eating my lunch) My M.D. verified I was having a problem. I keep having a dull pressure on the right side of my head, starting at the neck, up and around to my forehead.  A week later I went back to the Dr. and he did another EKG. This time he said I was skipping a beat, and my pressure was still high. He put me on BP medication. The following week I felt fluttering in my chest and felt like my heart was racing, to the point I started getting dizzy and light headed. I went right to the Dr., another EKG showed Tachycardia, and blood pressure still high. He sent me to the Cardiologist. He put me on Tenormin, which really nocked me on my duff. It makes me lethargic, but has brought my pressure to normal. I feel tightness in my chest, and am out of breath if I do do anything. My arms ache on and off, and the head pressure is still there, as well as minor chest pains.

1.  Being on this betablocker, and going in for the stress test, will this hamper the true cause as to why my heart is going crazy? During the test my pressure stayed low, never moved off 80. They were concerned because of the medication I would not reach their target heart rate of 156 for testing, but luckily I did reach it after 10 mins.

2.  I recently had a tooth removed because the gum was abcessed, which had been going on for many years. Is there any way this infection could have caused problems for my heart?(I have told my doctor, but he really didn't say anything)

3.  My M.D. has ran blood tests on my thyroid which all show they are in range. 15 years ago I had an uptake and scan done which showed the numbers were off, but not bad enough to do anything yet. I was told to have it checked every couple of years, which to date, none of my Dr.'s have done anymore except for bloodwork. Is this bloodwork accurate? (thyroid does run in my family)

4.  I am concerned because it seems that is was the physical work that has brought this on. I just experienced another episode yesterday of the circles in front of my eyes, my blood pressure was the highest it's been since starting this medication.(126/89) Again, I was sitting, not doing anything physical, but had a lot of pressure on the right side of my head, woke up with headaches all night, those were all over though.

5.  Does high blood pressure cause a dominoe effect on the heart as far as everything going crazy?

I will find out the test results this Thursday. In the meantime I am reading everything I can to understand the terminology and what all of this means.

Thank you for your time in reading my lengthy questions. I am grateful for any input you have. The more I understand, the better I will be equipped to handle any news I receive. I appreciate your opinion and this website being made available.

[lisa]

My name is Judeth I have had similar bp & heart problems. I am 31 and have had at least 3 strokes. Finally when I got to a neuroligist he tested me for antiphospholipid syndrome. It is a rare autoimmune disease. You can read about it on the nord website. I had a molar preg. and 2 miscarriages. Hyperlipidemia, arthritis, positive lupus testing and symptomatic diagnosis as well,endometriosis and adenomyosis, chronic uti's, a whole host of problems mvp and svt's,kidney and lung problems.APLS is not a great diagnosis but it has been some answer for me. It is a blood test and simple enough to rule out or in. Good luck.

[jennifer]

Hello, I have some questions for Lisa and Becky.  This is all new to me, but my symptoms are basically the same.  I started getting floaters in front of my eyes about 6 months ago.  I have been to 2 eye MDs who say it is nothing to worry about.  I went to my MD about 2 months ago due to sharp piercing pains going through my temples and from my neck to the front of my head.  My Doc said that they were both from strain from doing computer work but sent me for a CAT scan. I never went.  A Doc that I work with said that my symptoms (weight gain and tiredness too) sounded like Hashimotos Thyroiditis.  The labs that I got done when I went to my MD the 1st time were ok, Chol slightly high and TSH normal but on the high side.  This Doc that I work with suggested that I get my TPO tested and The Antithyrioglobin tested.  Well my TPO was sky high!!!!!  Now I think that I will be going on some Med.

Can you please tell me if you know anything about how this started.  What MEDs you are on and anything that I should know about it, also, how you are doing, Betsy since you started on Meds. Basically what I can expect from this point.

Thank you so much in advance.  It is good to have some one who can relate to keep us strong.  Stay strong
Jen

[patty zeno]

i have high blood pressure,45 yr old female all tests show nothing wrong, however, i have rapid heart beat and chest pains. dr put me on topral. he is also baffled.

[Thanks Lin - Lisa]

Guess we are in the same boat.

So far they haven't found anything. I just had a cat scan and that was normal. My Cardio is weaning me off of the atenolol he put me on since I had such bad side effects. Since posting here I continue to have the pressure on the right side of my head, my right ear is lightly ringing now too. My right arm has ached, mostly in the joints, for quite a few weeks now. Other joints as well are popping and cracking and aching. I asked the Dr. to run a Lyme disease test, even though I haven't seen any signs of being bitten. Just something to rule out though.

Let me know if your dr. figures out anything, to date, mine doesn't know what to think. Take care.

[LINDA CAROLEO]

Regarding the abcess, my dentist told me that your mouth hosts more bacteria than any other part of your body.  This bacteria can got into your bloodstream if your gums are bleeding, you have an abcess in your mouth, etc.  This bacteria can then go to your heart and I guess infect the valves or something like that...check with your doctor or dentist.  I had also read a story in the paper last year that autopsies were done on people who had had fatal heart attacks and in the blood clots that caused the heart attacks they found bacteria that could only be found in the mouth.  I think that's how the article went, again please check with your doctor or dentist to get the facts straight.  Anyway, I was told this is why you need to get regular dental checkups and take care of your teeth, and since I had read the article and also heard a similar story on the nightly news I believe him.

Lin

[Thanks Lin - Lisa]

Thanks Lin, I appreciate you letting me know. I've found quite a few articles on the web about it too. My doctor is now sending me to a Neurologist and an Opthamologist. He did another ekg yesterday, still abnormal. Blood pressure was different in each arm. I still think the pressure on the right side of my head has some kind of role in this.

I'll still keep searching, maybe I'll find an answer yet. It helps having everyone post things, you never know what clue or answer they may have that might help get me a diagnosis.

Thanks for your note.

[Thanks Lin - Lisa]

That's interesting because I too have been looking into a connection with an abcess that I had in my mouth. It was in my gum, I had gotten an abcess once a year for three years in the same place. I finally said that I wanted the tooth pulled because it was the only way to stop this from happening again. The oral surgeon wouldn't do surgery until the infection was down, said it was to risky, infection could get in my blood stream and go to my heart. He put me on basic antibiotics for about a month, then finally did the surgery.

When I went in for my stress test, one of the nurses I spoke with said her daughter went to school with a girl that got an abcess tooth, never told anyone about it. The girl ended up dying, infection went into her heart. I've heard of it happening, I just don't know what all an abcess can do to a heart.

Please let me know if you find anything. I've read some articles, but I'd like to find out more. Thanks.

[ZEET]

In august of 1995, I was having two root canals done. This was the first time I ever had a root canal done. Anyway, my dentist started the first root canal, that night I went home in pain, but after a couple of hours it usually subsides. On my second visit I went home feeling the same way, but that night I started to feel something was up this time, because as the hours past, my pain was getting worse and worse. I't felt like someone was hammering something into my jaw. The next day I started to feel sick as if I was getting the flu. Also on the side of the root canal, my fast was swelling more and more. All this going on with a fever and nausea, I went back to the dentist, For almost a week nothing was done about it. Finally he sent me to an oral surgeon, and he did some oral surgery on me, and I woke up back to normal again.
Anyway , he gave me an antibiotic called clindamycin in an iv. The medicine didn't bother me, but I was reading on this website earlier today about the connection between clindamycin and arrythmias. I don't know if the abcess or the clidamycin has a factor in what I'm going through, but it is something to look into.

[ZEET]

I am currently taking toprol 50 mg twice daily since september of 1999. The first couple of days after I first started the medication I felt tired. But that quickly cleared up. I recently have beeen having temporary vision problems. I guess you can call it. This only happens once in great while, but it starts like if you put your two hands in front of you, you may only see one of them, and then like a flashing sensation. This all starts and ends in about 15 minutes. I dont know if it is  meds, related or from my sinuses. I do have problems with my sinuses that goes with seasonal allergies. I have heard meds like propanol can cause this, and toprol is close to that. Toprol is the first meds I have ever been on. I have had symtoms since 1993. I have been going to a cardiologist since 1998. In 1993 I started having a fast heart rate. This continued each day. Usually after I eat breakfast, about a half hour later my heart would start up. This goes for any meal, especially if it is heavy meal,or wine, or if I eat fast. Then in 1998 my heart one day was going fast as usual, but it didnt slow down like it normally does. Walk to one room from another it would really pick up. Then that day I started to feel all this fluttering and jumping around I guess you can call it, and this thing that almost feels like your heart is doing a somer sault, it's a quick sensation, like one powerful beat or something. This day I just didn't have the fast heart rate like I usually do, but all this other new stuff too. So finally that evening I went to the e.r. and they did their routine tests and sent me home. That is what brought me finally to the cadiologist and now the meds. I still have all these same symtoms, But the toprol has tone down the events. I don't know if all this can be hormonal related, because these things happen alot more around ovulation and then they come back again two weeks later. Once in a while I also get this thing that make me lets just say, a tad nervous, I can be doing whatever, totally fine, then all of a sudden I'll feel my heart flutter or something, it starts to beat really slow, I'll cough on purpose, jump or walk fast or something, then sometimes (not all the time) I feel like a hot flash up to my face, them my heart starts beating faster, then back to the normal rate, and the event is over. After all the monitors and tests I can't get this recorded. I don't know what this is . My doctor tells me don't worry, all is fine, but my god this scares the hell out of me. My problems started when I was 33, I'm now 39.

[Thanks Lin - Lisa]

It is scary to know these things are going on in your heart and you go through all this testing and everything shows you are o.k. At least my dr. has proof from the ekg's he has run. Now, they just need to figure out what is making my blood pressure jump, heart race and skip. I'm sure there is an underlying cause, I just wish my doctors would figure it out.

So you think your rapid heart beat is from hormones? Have you had any problems with your blood pressure before?

You are not alone when it comes to feeling this and being scared. When it is happening I wonder if something is going to happen this time, is it going to get worse or is something else going to happen, am I gonna have to go to e.r.

If they would just figure it out, tell me what to expect, than I can handle it. I can't handle not knowing.

Thanks for your note, I appreciate you sharing your words with me, I know I am not alone.

[LINDA CAROLEO]

Hi Lisa:

I too am on a beta blocker for high blood pressure and supraventricular tachycardias.   I was on tenormin but hated it, it made me very sluggish so my doctor changed to a beta blocker called sectral.  This one is 100 times better than the tenormin; I don't feel sluggish all the time.  

I've never had the circles in front of my eyes but my blood pressure spikes for no apparent reason.  A couple of days ago at a doctor's office it was 90/70.  The next day I had to go to another doctor for something and it was 130/90!!!  Anyway, this doctor asked me if I've ever had a work up to determine why all of a sudden I have high bp and SVT's when I never had them before and, in fact, all my life my bp was always 110/70.  So, she's sending me to a specialist on 9/25.  I'll comment here after I go and let you know what kind of tests he takes and what he finds out.

As long as you have to stay on a beta blocker you might want to ask your doctor about "sectral."  I don't know if this kind of beta blocker will work for your, but if it is a viable option I can tell you that my experience with it has been 100 times better than the tenormin.

Lin

[lisa]

Well, my cardio said my heart is fine, except it pulsates a little. What this means I don't know. He said the problems I have been having aren't caused by my heart. So now what? I asked so the pulsating thing is causing my high bp and skips? He just said don't worry, people have this. I'm really lost, I couldn't get a straight answer. Now I'm back at square one. I told him the atenol had a bad effect on me, so he said he would change it. I now have to cut the pills in half and be weened off. I saw my family dr., and he said he will contact the cardio and get my results. He has me coming back next week so he can do a pap test. I told him I need answers, not something else to check out that has nothing to do with my problems.

My blood pressure is slowly working it's way up again. Staying in the 90's. Pulse is starting to go up again too. I don't know what to do.

Thanks for talking with me Becky, I appreciate your friendship. I just don't know what to do.

[Lauro]

Hello Lisa,

Over the past years, everytime I had a physical they would run thyroid studies.  My TSH  always fluctuated in the 1-2 range. Lab range was 0.05-4.9.  The past 3 years, I noticed that the TSH was climbing but still in what this lab called "normal range".  In 1997 TSH was 3.1. 1998, 3.6.  I felt terrible in early 1999 and insisted they do more blood work.  The TSH went to 18. Very High and the B12 was low.  He put me on B12 but not any thyroid meds.  He retested the TSH one month later and it was coming down by itself without meds. (15)  One month later a retest of the TSH was 13, still coming down without meds. Why?  I do not know.  Then he finally put me on a thyroid med and it started coming down a lill bit faster.

He also did what is known as Thyroid Peroxidase (TP0) and a Thyroid Antithyroglobulin AB.  These are Thyroid antibodies blood tests.

One lab had the TPO very high with the AB normal.  A new lab showed both of these test very high.  Go figure!!

Needless to say, I have been on Thyroid meds now for a year.  I think, I have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis.  What caused this?  God only knows, it seems.

My eyes also were affected by this.  I was told that one does not have to be Hyperthyroid to have eye symptoms as Hypotyhroid can also cause eye symptoms.  

I will not get the results of the Rheumatologists tests till 9/22/00.  This man is so busy that it takes this long to get back in to see him.  

Still do not have the results of my Echocardiogram.  I am very unhappy with the cardio doc I saw. He does not return phone calls even though the messages are placed on his desks.  He is now on vacation.  My pulmonary doc, that I just saw was and is an Angel.  He took the time to call my hubby and give me a hug.

Pls. keep us posted.   Sorry we have to post this way.  I hope they do not mind.

Good Luck and Hang in there!!  Remember, "This too shall pass"

[Lauro]

You are welcom...Again, I am not a doctor.  When my BP was going up and down, I had left sided temple pains.  Then, my eyes would procduce the circles and I had great light sentitivity and had a hard time reading.  They did Antibodies Thyroid Testing on me (different than the regular thyroid tests)  Both tests were highly elevated. I had to see 7 (that's right,7) Opthamologists for one to see the inflamation in the eyes caused by an Autoimmune problem somewhere???

Then I started getting periodic angina type pains. Gads, the list goes on.  I am on a thryroid med now but also before starting this thyroid med, I started getting mottled looking skin in the knee areas and the lower arms.  No answers.  Finally, the Rheumatologist has taken boo coos of blood and one of them is a ANA Screen and Cardiolipin IGG, IGM and a C3 and C4
Complement blood tests and a Rheumatoid Factor and an SSA-SSB.

I am certainly not saying that you need these or if I even needed these tests but I do need peace of mind to find out what is happening to me.

Recently, my Lipids tests have been going thru the roof.

Lisa, have they done an Echocardiogram on you? They did one on me 10 days ago  but the cardio doc never got back to me. I am sure the Rheumatologist will get those results.  

Good Luck and God Bless You.  

Becky, Non Doctor..just another patient wondering.

[lisa]

From the sounds of it, your doctors are in the right direction. At least they are testing to find out answers. Did they run the blood work for your thyroid? If so, do you know if it showed normal, or was there something that tipped them off there was a problem? Just curious since they did one blood test on me and felt it was fine.

Tomorrow I will get the results of the myoview stress test, echocardiogram, and another test they ran. I also wore a holter monitor.

I hope they have an answer for me, I sure would like to get back to normal. They need to do something with this medication I am on because I just can't function being on it. I know it helps, but I won't take it if I have to drive.

My best of luck to you Becky, come back and post here when you find out your results and let me know how you are. You will be in my prayers. Take care and get better.

[lisa]

Thanks Becky, I appreciate your time in writing. I'm just really confused as to why all of sudden these problems started.

Even though this medication is strong and holds me back, the last two days I have started going up in the 90's again. (129/92 when I got up this morning)

As you said there may be an underlying cause, which my gut feeling is telling me that.

I hope your tests turn out with answers for you, as I hope the same for me.

Take care Becky,  Lisa

[Lauro]

Hi Lisa,

I am not a doctor but I have seen these symtoms similar which in my case mimicked various disorders.

If you need a referral, I would ask my Doc for one to see a GOOD
Endocrinologist also.  (was referred also to a rheumatologist) waiting on those results now.

I finally saw one and they did many tests my regular GP had very little info on.  High Blood pressure can be secondary to other problems, like kidneys, and endocrine disorders.  There is a test called VMA (24 hour urine collection) they did on me plus Cortisol Serum and Cortisol Urine testing.

Sometimes, it takes other heads being put together to figure out a problem.  

Again, I am not a doctor.....just another patient who has suffered also.  

Good Luck.

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

1. Being on this betablocker, and going in for the stress test, will this hamper the true cause as to why my heart is
     going crazy? During the test my pressure stayed low, never moved off 80. They were concerned because of the
     medication I would not reach their target heart rate of 156 for testing, but luckily I did reach it after 10 mins.
A: As long as you reached target heart rate the beta-blocker will have no effect on the interpretation.

     2. I recently had a tooth removed because the gum was abcessed, which had been going on for many years. Is
     there any way this infection could have caused problems for my heart?(I have told my doctor, but he really didn't
     say anything)
A: I kind of doubt it.  There are some theories (no proof yet) concerning infection and coronary artery blockages but these take years and years to develop.

     3. My M.D. has ran blood tests on my thyroid which all show they are in range. 15 years ago I had an uptake and
     scan done which showed the numbers were off, but not bad enough to do anything yet. I was told to have it
     checked every couple of years, which to date, none of my Dr.'s have done anymore except for bloodwork. Is this
     bloodwork accurate? (thyroid does run in my family)
A: Usually if the blood work is OK there is no need to do a scan.

     4. I am concerned because it seems that is was the physical work that has brought this on. I just experienced
     another episode yesterday of the circles in front of my eyes, my blood pressure was the highest it's been since
     starting this medication.(126/89) Again, I was sitting, not doing anything physical, but had a lot of pressure on the
     right side of my head, woke up with headaches all night, those were all over though.
A: I don't think the physical activity caused the problem but I suppose if you were previously out of shape the physical exertion could have highlighted something that was already there.  

     5. Does high blood pressure cause a dominoe effect on the heart as far as everything going crazy?
A: The effects of blood pressure on the heart are long-term effects (many years).  It sounds like you are heading the right direction.  Keep up the good work.