On to a Cardiologist as well

[Llexi]

After I had the Solu Medrol iv last week ( I had 3 days of treatment tues-thurs) I started experiencing bad headaches, chest pains (felt like tightness, burning when I breath, like someone sitting on my chest), back pain, fatigue, nausea, "flushing" and pain in my neck and shoulders. On Friday I was taken to the ER because when I called the 24 hour nurse line they told me I needed to go. Needless to say my heartrate had dropped to below 40 bpm the highest it reached was 44bpm which is extremely abnormal to me. My resting is around 68 and has never gone low before. I have had for the past year issues with blacking out when standing, fatigue, dizziness, lightheadedness, vertigo, headaches, cold hands and feet and tinnitus. The ER doctors told me it was all due to the steroids, gave me another prescription for prilosec and gave me a zofran and sent me home saying if it got worse to come back to  the ER.
I have had continued pain in my chest, headache, lower back pain and very painful neck and shoulders to the point I can't be touched in the area without pain. I have noticed numbness on top of the pain on my neck and shoulders and goes through my left and right side of my chest and back of head. I also woke up this morning and felt like I had slight tremors through my upper body. I got in touch with my physician in the MS clinic and was told she is concerned about my heart and that I would need to see a cardiologist. She said that since she cannot see me tomorrow to see my pcp and get an overall check on my heart and lungs to be safe as well as she thinks I am having an adverse reaction to the Steroids.(I am on the oral taper now since the iv infusions). Has anyone else had this happen? She mentioned dysautonomia. I thought I was finally getting ahold of the first dx of MS and now this? Any thoughts or insights would be much appreciated.

Thank you!

Llexi

[aspen2]

Laura ... I think what is going on with me is I'm (for some reason) super sensitive to a bp medication I've been on for a long time.

First time was while I had TN and had tried (unsuccessfully, and not at the same time, neurontin then Lyrica and at the same time was taking ibuprofen).

This time, had a tooth extracted (with a communication) and put on two different antibiotics -- fine on the first one but had side effects from the sulpha (I think I was taking tylenol at the same time).  I also had a very bad reaction to ventolin (taken because of the side effects from the sulpha -- breathing problems).

Doctor yesterday told me to stop the bp med.  I stopped it for three weeks in the spring, then went back on and it worked fine (at half rate) since.

Confused.

[Lulu54]

Solumedrol's warnings cover it all - fast/slow/irregular heartbeats can be caused by this drug.  But what you are experiencing sure doesn't feel like it to me.  Remember I am NOT a medical person and only going from my personal knowledge.  The slow heart rate can be associated with MS and autonomic function, but that is very rare,according to my neuro when we discussed that awhile back.

I can't say it often enough- be sure to see a cardiologist.  And if you have doubts about your heart at a particular moment, be sure to go to the ER. Call for the medics and don't drive yourself.  Believe me, I know that one from experience.

aspentoo- it sounds like they need to check you med combination and start removing them one at a time to see if there is a connection.  It doesn't sound coincidental to me.

I hope you both get some answers to the problems - cardiac care trumps everything else. And yes, it can be very scary.    gentle hugs, Laura

[aspen2]

Wearing a loop monitor as I type this ... each time I have too many meds at the same time, the exact same thing is happening. Air hunger/chest pain/heart rate dropping to 42 (worse at night -- you should hear my monitor beeping).   It happened in March, and is happening again (different perfect storm of meds).  Plus bp all over the place.

I don't know why ... following this with interest.  I'm not dxed yet, so can't blame ms .. which means I've been referred to a whole slew of specialists.

I'm sorry.  This one has been a little scary.