Well, I went to my PCP today for an EKG, and she strongly suspects angina to be the source of pain - too often pretty severe - in my lower left chest and side. She's sending me to a heart specialist for a stress test, etc.

I've had this pain in my side & lower chest for about 5 weeks now. I suspected a bruised rib or pulled muscle or something. I had seen my Doc about 4 weeks ago for a general checkup and when I said it was the wrong spot for my heart, she said "well, not really". It was still manageable with Advil at the time, so we just let it go at that. Take it easy and it should heal.

I am in charge of a state-wide annual Medieval Cotillion for a youth group I work with. It was 2 weeks ago. I didn't lift anything, but moved around and twisted around A LOT and it IS pretty stressful. My side/chest got a lot worse and the pain then had spread all the way around back to my spine, so I went back to Doc. Had X-rays, and it wasn't my lung trying to collapse again, and my ribs didn't show sign of a break or crack. We even checked my kidney, just in case. Been on script pain med for over 2 weeks now and still no better, so went in for an EKG today.

What had worried me was that the pain mostly seemed to be for no reason at all. It just builds up like a squeezing sort of slo-mo spasm. If I'm standing up, I can relieve it by leaning down on a table or something. Now I have pain/tightness in my jaw, neck, and left shoulder sometimes - not unbearable, just worrisome. Thing is, I have bad lungs and I'm an OC survivor, so these symptoms could be attributed to other things, too.

I used to feel pretty good that at least my heart wasn't giving me any trouble. Hmmm. So I got Doc's explanations and I've Googled angina, but - any words of wisdom for me here? I'm not an alarmist - I've been through OC, collapsible lungs, twisted gangrenous colon, and going septic with pneumonia, for Pete's sake - but I'm not very up on heart stuff. I know my organs have been through a lot, including my going down to 60 lbs post Tx. By the way, I just found out that I'm back down to 82 lbs, so I'll start on those peanut butter shakes and other stuff tomorrow.

Lani

Lani,
Please don't panic. "Innocent until proven guilty"
When do you get the results? I had a "possible" heart problem when I was in the hospital for my jaw surgery and it was a false alarm. I hope the same proves true for you. On the other hand, symptoms of heart disease in women can be different from men so it is better to be checked.
How's your thyroid?? I don't remember if you were one of the posters on that issue. That can be a factor in weight gain/loss problems.
I will be sending my prayers for you.
Malka

Malka,

Not panicking, but very concerned. Especially in the middle of the night. And of course that's when I now notice even more the left shoulder, neck, and jaw tightness and pain. It was just an annoyance before, now it's worrisome. I'm pretty good at reading facial expressions and my Docs looked concerned.

I don't know when I'll find out yet. My EKG appt was late aternoon, so I don't have info on the follow-up yet.

After a blood test 9 months post Tx, my MO called to say "Well, we killed your thyroid." and put me on Synthroid. I had steadily been gaining weight (60 lbs to 90 lbs Mar 07 to Jul 07), but stopped gaining once I started on the Synthroid. Held steady at 90 until my throat started closing up and was back down to 78 lbs in Jan of this year. I finally got it up to 94 a couple of monhs ago, but I've been losing ground lately. Eating and swallowing is so much work, and the past couple of weeks I haven't been hungry at all, so it's been hard to force food down. I know I have to "just do it" though.

I do thank you for the prayers. I know that prayer had to be the reason that I got through before, as I'm told it's a miracle that I made it.

Lani

Lani,

Are you possibly anemic?? My sis had very severe heart pain caused by her anemia...she was hospitalized with a possible heart attack when they diagnosed the low blood counts. Once she had her hysterectomy, stopped her blood loss, and got her blood counts in order...no more pain.

Just a thought but with your weight issues and all I thought I would mention it.

Deb

Deb,

I don't think so. I had a blood test 2 months ago and it was OK. I used to be anemic all the time until menopause, though. I AM always dehydrated, which sometimes causes too-low blood pressure. Angina seems to have something to do with blood flow to the heart muscle, I think, so maybe that's something to ask about/check into/try to correct. Thank you,

Lani

Are they checking your TSH level regularly, like every 3 months? They may need to adjust your synthroid dosage. When I went hypo, I ate everything in sight and didn't gain an ounce.

Take care,
Eileen

Eileen,

Yes, they've been keepng a pretty good eye on it. I've stayed where they want me +/- a bit since July 07, when I started on it.

I do think that my lack of appetite these last 2 weeks is due to the pain med - Tylenol 3. Codeine has had that effect on me before. Putting no appetite on top of it being such a job to eat has made it very difficult to do so. I also still have the pain, so add to that getting into the kitchen to make something. I've been very lax and need to force myself before my weight gets any lower. I've already been told that it's a miracle I came out of the 60lb episode with all my organs intact and a second time would almost certainly cost me my kidneys and who knows what else.

I was just thinking - If I remember right, Karen Carpenter had beaten her anorexia, but died because her heart couldn't take the stress it had been through. I guess maybe my very low weight could also be hurting my heart (?)

Lani

Lani, I have had 2 heart attacks and a total of 5 stents over the years. When you have any chest pain and pain that radiates into the shoulder, back,jaw or left arm it could be caused by a blockage. I feel and have been told by my heart Dr. that is I have any pain that last more than a few minutes to definately go to the emergency room and let them do an EKG and blook work. The funny thing about women and heart attacks is that sometimes you won't even have any pain during a heart attack, funny hugh, but I had a light one that was found on an EKG that I didn't even know I had. Just to be on the safe side I would go have the test done at the ER. It doesn't take a lot of time. The funny thing about and EKG also is that it will not show up a heart attack unless you are having a heart attack at that moment or you have previously had a heart attack. This is why they do a blood test to look for a trace of a chemical that is left in your blood that would tell them that you have recently, or are, had or having a heart attack. From living with heart problems over the past 15 years, I say for your safety and peace of mind to go get those 2 tests done and that will give you the answer you are looking for. Best of luck, Angel

Angel,

I've delayed responding to your message because I really, really, really, really don't want to go to the ER. Every d**ned time I go there, they admit me.

My docs got me an appt with the cardiologist for Tuesday morning and said to not do anything physical until then, and avoid stress. How I can avoid stress during this election I'll never know, but at least seeing the cardiologist on voting day might let him see it at its worst. (I have a son in the military, and I used to be an accountant. Many of my former clients are good friends and small business owners. This one really matters to me.)

I'm hoping that my Docs are correct that it can wait until Tuesday, but if it gets worse or I get scared during the weekend, I promise I'll go to the ER. Thank you so much for your response, as I am very concerned and don't know much about the subject.

Lani

Lani,

Funny that you should mention Karen Carpenter..I thought about her when you mentioned your weight issues AND your heart symptoms.

I totally understand why you want to wait until that Tuesday appt. and I hope your body allows you to do that...I'm glad though that you will go to the ER if you have worsening symptoms. I sure hope that someone can help you..you have got to gain some weight and get some calories and fluid into your body...you don't have anything to fight with.

Sending strength you way...wish I could lend you some fat cells...I have some to give.

Deb