Drug use, liver

[IronCatfish72]

I've been seen by my regular doctor and an emergency room for chest pain and palpitations -- the pain and palpitations seem to be unaffected by exercise, and are worse at night.  I've had 3 EKGs and 2 chest x-rays in the past two years ... all tests, etc. Have been normal, and my BP, pulse, and cholesterol are always normal on tests.  If I used cocaine 6 times total in 1995 and 1996, could that be causing me problems today? Also, I've noticed the worst of the symptoms appear to be the night after I have alcohol (about 5-6 drinks).  Could it be liver trouble?

Thank you.

[HealThySelf]

Arrythmias are aggravated by alchohol.  Anything over 2 drinks is considered heavy drinking by most medical authorities.

Try a Magnesium supplement daily Omega-3 supplement.

[Cleveland Clinic]

Catfish,

The remoteness of your cocaine use should not be affecting your symptoms currently. It should be emphasized however, that cocaine use can cause a variety of symptoms including arrhythmias and infarctions even with a single use.

There are alot of causes for chest pain and palpitations. The most immediately concerning cause would be coronary disease.

I'm not sure of your entire age or history but it would be reasonable to have your primary doctor start an evaluation  to determine your risk of coronary disease and proceed with your workup from there. This might include detemining your blood pressure, cholesterol and factor in your tobacco history, etc...

If this is negative then you may proceed with an another evaluation of your chest symtoms.  

If your primary symptoms are just palpiations you should probably start with an ecg and echocardiogram with your doctor.  Proceeding from there would depend on the frequency of your symptoms and might include holter or event testing.  There are alot of people that have palpitations or recurrence of symptoms after drinking. I think you will need to balance the symptoms with the desire for an accasional drink.