I am a 39 year old male with constant pressure in my chest. I have frequent "spells" that begin with tightness in my chest, turning to heavy painful pressure on the left side. It is often very painful and lasts approx' 20-30 minutes before it eases off with the help of 2 to 3 nitro sprays. These attacks wipe out any energy I had prior to the attack, leaving me exhausted and nauseous.



My health dropped very suddenly almost 2 full months ago when severe chest pain dropped me to the floor an my blood pressure spiked to 210/136. I spent 2 weeks in the hospital and underwent several blood tests as well as a cardiac cath test, several ECG's and x-rays. Since that time, my symptoms have been treated with Morphene, nitro spray, Ativan and several forms of blood thinners and blood pressure medications. Although I'm not as frail as I was 2 months ago, I am not able to live a "normal" life as walking up the stairs in my home bring on the attacks. Cold air brings on attacks, eating too much brings on attacks, removing a nitro patch brings them on sometimes, laying on the couch watching tv causes them...mild exercise brings them on...there seems to be no rhyme or reason to what causes them. I feel bad most of the time and relief from these symptoms are a rare treat.



I have been told that there is some dammage to an area of micro vains in my heart and that I likely have a sleep apnea. I've also been told that I may have a form of artery desiese but my blood pressure is still eratic and no tests have confirmed what anyone has said. My wife swears that I'm not getting better, I'm simply getting used to this illness.



There's speculation that I may have eusophageal spasm disorder and an upper GI is scheduled for next week. I'm currently taking;

-2 panteloc a day. 1 in the am , and 1 at bedtime.
-a daily aspirin.
-8mg hydro pill
-360mg tiazac xc at bedtime.


If anyone has any thoughts I would really appreciate it.
Thanks,
Dan

Im really sorry that youre going through all that. It must be really hard to deal with. I really dont have any ideas, just wanted to let ya know I feel for you.

Dan, :)

I was in a similar position you are in and also stayed in the hospital for two weeks. I have severe, drug resistant hypertension and related organ damage. Is your cardiac damage from hypertension? I am sorry you're going through all this.
You could be describing me last year. I could not make it up the stairs without stopping. I could not do anything. Felt sick all the time. I remember going into the garden to weed one day, sitting down to be more comfortable, only to find that moving my arm required too much of an effort and I could not handle it. I just sat there and cried and cried. It is moments like those that make us question whether our lives will ever be normal again.
Our bodies are very resilient. Internal mechanisms work very hard at restoration of all functions. Most existing damage can be lessened or completely reversed. Whenever that isn't possible, our bodies find a way to compensate. Basically, we just need time to heal. Do not give up hope. I never did though came very close to it many times. Things will get better. You have to help make them happen by remaining positive. Do what you can towards that goal - one little thing every day that you can feel good about.
I was able to return to work after a ten month absence late last year.

Your sleep apnea can be treated. Your blood pressure MUST be brought under control. The longer it stays out of control, the worse the consequences. I am sure you've been counselled about your diet and stress management, which are also very important. Anyway, I just wanted to say that things will get better in time. You'll lead a normal life again - well, slightly different normal than before. You are still getting used to your medication and its side effects. That's another reason you feel the way you do. That will also get better.

Best of luck, :angel:
flowergirl

Please post in one Board only. This thread is moved to Heart Disorders.

Let me first say sorry for posting in two groups.
I had one doctor while I was in the hospital saying a big part of my problem is in my esophagus. I go for testing on the 31st. Barrium swallow.
The heart specialist in this hospital pulled my records from the heart center I had the cath test in after I signed a waiver. The heart specialist said the artery damage was in fact from high blood pressure and irreversible.
So his advice is to learn to live with it. He tells me once my medications are sorted out I will at least feel better? I want more that that. I'm fighting and holding on for things to go back to the way they were, or better.

Some days I feel pretty good at times. Never for long. But when I do, I try to do the normal things I used to. Shop for easter for my kids...grocery store. etc. Each time I do feel good I think ah.... here we go...about time I feel normal. Only to fall flat on my face in the form of severe chest pain, or just plain exaustion.

As much as I try to keep my cool it's not easy. My family doctor has me using a nitro patch all day. Then off at night.
Last night I woke up suddenly with this huge crushing feeling in my chest. I could hardly walk. Not from the pain in my chest, but more from my body just being exausted. I took three nitro sprays and a adivan (as much as I hate taking those) to get to sleep. This happened three times last night.

My blood pressure is getting better. My new normal is in the 150 ..160/high 80s to high 90s. But the chest pressure and pain is still there.
Currently I am 170/89. While wearing a nitro patch.

Thanks for your kind words Kellir.

And Flowergirl, I think you and I are having very similar experiences.
At one point I was getting three times the medication I am currently on alomg with the blood thinner needles and chewing platelette declumpers? What they are called I forgot. My diet is 100% changed. I'm trying.
Coffee is gone for good. Alcohol is gone. And salt is gone.
I bet we all have that in common here.


Flowergirl I would like to hear more about you. Tests...results.. etc.
I am more than willing to share with anyone here. Who knows. Maybe I can help someone?

Hi Danny, :)

I hope you are doing OK. You've given me a lot to think about by taking me back in time to the kind of days you're having right now. I will never forget them. That would be impossible. Learning how to manage from day to day and trying to live a "normal" life can be very challenging for someone with these types of problems and on a bunch of medication. Maintaining a positive attitude throughout is a MUST and the only way to get through all of the setbacks.

I had one doctor while I was in the hospital saying a big part of my problem is in my esophagus. I go for testing on the 31st. Barrium swallow

I wonder how that might be possible and what the connection is? Maybe I shouldn't though. Guess what? I also had the barrium swallow with a resulting diagnosis of a hiatal hernia and GERD. Now also LPR symptoms. So they can now say it plays a huge role in having the chest pain, without really explaining anything. Got chest pain? -It's from GERD and hernia..... If you are like me, you get several different types of chest pain. So I know better. Some of mine is ischemic and coincides with my breathing.

The heart specialist said the artery damage was in fact from high blood pressure and irreversible. So his advice is to learn to live with it. He tells me once my medications are sorted out I will at least feel better? I want more that that. I'm fighting and holding on for things to go back to the way they were, or better.

I have the same type of damage to my arteries and veins. In my eyes and elsewhere. Mine had happened over a long period of time during which the hypertension raged through my body uncontrolled and undetected. My opthalmologist said it had taken years of high blood pressure for my blood vessels to become like this. Contrary to what your doctor says, I believe we can help make things a lot better by doing all the things we are told we must do - lifestyle changes and exercise. I also take supplements because I believe in them. They have helped reduce the inflammation. Even though you were told the damage is irreversible, don't bet on it.

Some days I feel pretty good at times. Never for long. But when I do, I try to do the normal things I used to. Shop for easter for my kids...grocery store. etc. Each time I do feel good I think ah.... here we go...about time I feel normal. Only to fall flat on my face in the form of severe chest pain, or just plain exaustion

I know this feeling so well!!! There were times I had to LEAVE my partly filled grocery cart at the store and go home because I was too sick to continue with the shopping. The good moments are fleeting, few and far between.

My blood pressure is getting better. My new normal is in the 150 ..160/high 80s to high 90s. But the chest pressure and pain is still there.
Currently I am 170/89. While wearing a nitro patch

Your blood pressure control is inadequate. It needs to get better. You need more medication - even if the side effects will make you sick. You will get used to it. I am surprised your doctors are OK with your blood pressure levels. Remember, our blood vessels are damaged already. You don't want them to get any worse. Gotta bring that blood pressure down by any means necessary. I hope this helps a little somehow - I wish I had someone with my type of problems to talk to back then. Nice to be able to now. How is your breathing? Has it remained normal? Has there been any improvement, as far as you can tell, so far? I didn't notice any consistent patterns of improving. It just sort of happened once my breathing got better - after an addition of another medication.

take care,
flowergirl

Hi flowergirl2day,

The more we talk, the more we have in common. It is almost refreshing to hear similar problems. I'm sorry to hear what you have been going through.
It's easy to relate to what you are saying.
The setbacks are rough. I struggled all day at work. I went through about 10 nitro sprays. My face was bright red, and burning all day?
Something new happened today while I was eating my lunch. I swallowed warm, almost hot mashed potatoes. I felt the warmth going down. And before I could take a drink of water I felt a instant searing pain. It must have made my eyes bulge out of my head. It was like an explosion of pain in my chest. The rest of the afternoon was bad. I left work early and went home and went to bed for the night. I left the nitro patch on this time. I woke up at 3am with heavy pressure in my chest. My bp was better than it has been in a while 147/93 . Ever since I started the nitro patches the inbetween attacks have felt better.

The doctor who is suspecting esophagus issues just had a hunch that I have trouble there. He has seen it before he told me. I have had reflux for a few years so I agreed to the testing in hopes of at least part relief? I'm still wondering if he is right? After today I have my hopes up again.

I went for an eye exam when I was 25. My Optometrist noted artery damage in my eyes from high blood pressure. That was 14 years ago. I wish I would have listened then! I almost forgot about that.

I know what you mean about different kinds of chest pain. I have told my family doctor that recently. It's from the same general area. Upper chest area. One feels deeper than the other. Just different kinds of pain. He was a little confused by that. He assumes it is merely different stages of pain.
I still disagree with him.

LOL. The ability to shop at the grocery store has become my benchmark. LOL
It involves a period of time, and lifting and tons of walking. I felt good going in last weekend shopping with my wife. I insisted on carrying the basket that day. We split up to make it a fast trip. She went one way I went the other. I discovered that unless I take it easy during the times that I feel good, they will be short lived. Before I made it to the other end of the superstore I was switching arms with the half empty basket and using the nitro spray. When the chest pain starts, the faster I walk the worse it gets. If I slow right down it will ease up??

Every once and a while it hurts my chest a little when I take a deep breath. It is so rare that I dismissed it. During painful moments my wife tells me to breath slower and not so shallow. LOL easy for her to say. It feels like I'm having a heart attack sometimes.

The biggest improvement I have had to date is the addition of the nitro patch last week. That helped. The sick feeings I get with the chest pressure and pain have lightened up allot. I still get them, not as often or severe.
Before that when I got them all I could do was lay there in agony. I could hardly even talk. It's not often that happens now. Maybe one, two times a night. The occasional one during the day. They really knock the energy right out of you. It felt like they drug you down so far that you became an easy target for chest pain.

chest pain starting again.. 4:00am. 159/98. Maybe I should have left the patch on? I think I'll use the spray and go back to bed.
I meet with my family doctor tomorrow night. Hopefully I get news back on the sleep study etc...

flowergirl2day talking with you has been very helpful. Hopefully this thread can help someone else too.
Has anyone explained to you why you have so many things going on? Are they related to a central problem? I have been wondering that myself?


Thanks,
Dan

Another update.
I just got home from my doctors appointment tonight.
While I was in the waiting room I was having chest pain and the usual pressure. I waited patiently. This is my new normal.
The nurse took my bp at 184/94. I was still having chest pain and pressure so I had an ecg while I was there. During the ecg I had artery spasms according to my doctor. I saw the print out. I had huge spikes.... Now I wear 2 nitro patches and back to the heart doctor. And I still go for the upper GI Monday morning.
:(

Hi Danny, :)

I went through about 10 nitro sprays. My face was bright red, and burning all day?
Something new happened today while I was eating my lunch. I swallowed warm, almost hot mashed potatoes. I felt the warmth going down. And before I could take a drink of water I felt a instant searing pain.

As you are finding out, some days are a little bit better than others. After I started my therapy I developed constant nausea. I have nausea to this day though it now usually subsides after mid-morning. Sometimes I get nauseous after going to bed. I suspect the medications might be causing it but cannot be sure. I am used to it now and it's not nearly as bad as it was last year. I have no prior history of any stomach problems.

It's strange how similar some of our symtoms are. I'd get the tightness in the chest, pain and then breathing problems when out walking (trying to lose weight). Cold air only made it worse. Walking and exercising was often a struggle because I could not breathe properly and would develop lung and chest pain. The chest pain I sometimes got while doing intense 1/2 hour cardio exercises was really scary. In my mind, there was no way to be sure it wouldn't evolve into an MI. My doctor's only comment in that regard was that I should not "overdo it" and should keep going when the pain happens because the heart needs the exercise. Because I don't feel comfortable with that I haven't been doing these exercises. I walk, not nearly as often as I used to and as I should. I still have some shortness of breath but can live with that. (Not that I have a choice).

I have the same thing happen to me sometimes with the food going down and it can be extremely painful. It does not last long but it sure hurts! Were I to ask my doctor, he'd say it's from acid reflux, I could bet.

If you ever decide to discontinue your calcium channel blocker for whatever reason, you should do it over a period of several weeks. I stopped mine abruptly after I had become fed up with its side effects. Several very scary days followed with my heart out of control and plenty of chest pain. I had to go back on it when my doctor returned from holidays.

Just wondering what type of a diuretic you're on. I am on Spironolactone and Hctz. Glad to hear you're not having any problems with your breathing. :)
Your flushing (being red in the face and sometimes body, feeling on fire) is a side effect of the CCB and perhaps also the Hctz (or whatever water pill you're on). Unpleasant but nothing to be concerned about.

Has anyone explained to you why you have so many things going on? Are they related to a central problem? I have been wondering that myself?

My doctor didn't offer any explanations or advice. As a matter of fact, some information was withheld. With the exception of my nephrologist, no one really sat down with me for a heart to heart talk. I had the usual counselling in the hospital and a few meetings with the dietitian over the last year.
The central problem is the damage to the cardiovascular system (including the kidneys) caused by the uncontrolled hypertension. I am just grateful I can work and live a nearly normal life.


P.S. Just read your update...thanks for that. Your BP spikes are worrisome. They are most likely hormonal and I am glad you're still being tested in that regard. Glad you had that ECG right there and available. Think two nitro patches are better than one? (just kidding - they'd better be!)

flowergirl

Hi flowergirl2day,

I'm on Apo-Hyrdo 25mg Hydrochlorothiazide.
The cold effects my chest as well. It tightens up very fast , then the pain starts. I wonder if in the long run they actually do find that I have esophagus issues. I used to dismiss it? The truth is I am so confused that I have given up trying to understand this. It's enough to drive you over the edge.
Today at work I was feeling my chest getter tighter and tighter. I ignored it the best I could for as long as I could. Trying to pretend it isn't real.
Bad idea. I ended up sitting at my desk with my head down waiting for the nitro to work. A very bad idea indeed! I eventually checked my bp again and it was over 180 again?
I have gone through urine tests,5HIA..VMA.. and blood tests. Everything is normal?
I would have thought with two nitro patches on I would have been pain free today. Guess not?

I am guessing your high bp was much worse than mine? The highest number recorded from me was 263/136.

It must be driving you crazy that you can't be "repaired". I am the kind of guy who repaires what is broken. So this is extra frustrating. LOL

11:00 seems to be when it gets worse. The heavy chest and chest pain. Almost every night? This is bizarre...

Danny,

Today at work I was feeling my chest getter tighter and tighter. I ignored it the best I could for as long as I could. Trying to pretend it isn't real.
Bad idea. I ended up sitting at my desk with my head down waiting for the nitro to work.

I am surprised that others do the same thing I do - try to convince themselves that the pain, tightness or chest discomfort isn't real. When it happens at work, my first reaction is to freeze and make sure that I am not imagining it. Assured it is real, I wonder if it is going to get worse and how I'd know when to ask for help, should need it. I am unwilling to share my medical history with others. So I just wait these episodes out. They usually don't last very long and do not get too bad. I don't get them very often, thank goodness.

I am guessing your high bp was much worse than mine? The highest number recorded from me was 263/136.

I am glad your labs don't show any abnormalities. That's great!
The actual values of blood pressure elevations do not always determine the extent or presence of end-organ damage. Damage from from high blood pressure can occur at much lower levels than ours. My highest documented blood pressure reading was from one of my ER visits - 250/160. It might have been even higher at times prior to diagnosis. I used to get horrible pains in the carotid arteries in the neck. When starting therapy, my blood pressure was in the 240's/150's range for a while until the drugs brought it under control. It took several days. The reduction in blood pressure put an end to the "neck" pains. I'd had them for about two and a half years. I was treated for "muscle inflammation" twice during that time-unsuccessfully-without the benefit of a single test or a blood pressure reading. No amount of heat, cold or medication ever relieved those pains. They were horrendous. I should have known better than to believe I had muscle inflammation. :(

I hope you've had a good day today. You might not be able to "fix" yourself completely but can make things much better! :)
How long have you been dealing with this? I was diagnosed about 15 months ago and have been on medication since.

flowergirl

It's hard to imagine that your doctor or any nurses didn't check your bp. That is the first thing they do to me. Even before any of this started.

This is new to me. A year ago I went to see my doctor on account of headaches, knowing I was going to have to go back on some kind of BP pill again. I knew my bp was a little high then. It has been for years. But only in the 140 range. A year ago it was in the 160 range. I started Diovan, which worked well but the side effects were bad. :0 lol
So I stopped on my own. Bad move on my part.
But it wasn't until this past Jan. that I went back on a Wednesday. My bp was in the 180's/100s. I started the bp pills then. Then on Saturday night, (Feb. 2nd) I had massive chest pain and fell on the floor at home. My bp was over 200 then. Off to the emergency room. I was admitted and went on to another hospital for the cath test on Feb. 14th. Valentines day. LOL.
I was cleares that day and went home. Still with chest pains.
On Feb. 17th I was admitted again to the hospital. My bp was 236/136 that night. Severe chest pain again. I had many more tests done. Including a sleep test. My O2 levels were in the fifities. The following night I had a sleep study done with the electrodes on my head, chest, legs, and arms. I still didn't get the results back on that. I don't really know if the fifties is that bad?? I was released on Feb. 21st. I couldn't even walk up stairs at home without stopping. It was really bad then. I went back to work on March 4th armed with nitro spray and the pills I am taking.
So this is all new to me. I can only imagine the levels of frustration you are going through! When I feel good I wonder if it's all in my head. Once it starts I try to ignore it. I think we all go through the "make sure it's real" thing.
Now when I tell my wife I think they are wrong, she gets mad at me.

I want answers that I may never get.
This is a very tough thing. I can handle the pain and feeling bad. But not knowing and wondering if dwelling on this is making everything worse.

I hope Monday gives me some more anwers. I hope they find something during the upper GI. It should be much easier to repair than my heart?

Have you ever worn nitro patches to help you with your symptoms?

Danny,

I can see why you, like so many others, stopped taking the blood pressure medication. People would be more compliant if there weren't so many detrimental side effects.
I have never been given nitro patches as the initial issue was not angina. I'd had an anteroseptal infarction. Months after the fact, another doctor reviewed all test results and determined that my heart was perfectly fine. He had also told me that the other doctors (including ER physicians and those who treated me in the hospital) had been wrong and misdiagnosed me. I don't ever want to go back to him again. Anyway, my pain didn't start until sometime after I was put on the medications. I grew sick and weak and could not breathe properly. That got better through time. The worst part was not being able to breathe. When you can't breathe, you can't move or do anything. My pulmonary function tests showed a 20% decline in the FEV1. I can do almost anything now as long as I don't go overboard. When bringing in the groceries, I can do 2 1/2 trips up & down the stairs before becoming breathless. I am happy with that. I plan to be really active this spring and summer and hope to improve that even further.
I have not had the sleep study done but since I was monitored at the hospital 24/7 they would have picked up any stops in breathing I think. I had oxygen given to me there and in the ER so maybe my levels were also low. I really don't know.

When I feel good I wonder if it's all in my head. Once it starts I try to ignore it. I think we all go through the "make sure it's real" thing.
Now when I tell my wife I think they are wrong, she gets mad at me.

When I feel good I also think it's all a mistake and I am not sick at all. Of course, I am proven wrong with the next bout of nausea or pain or a choking attack, tingling hands or whatever else comes along.

I want answers that I may never get.
We all want them. I didn't get any from my doctors. I would strongly recommend doing a lot of research. It has helped me so much! I use many sources and have a nice collection of medical books. The ones written for professionals are the ones I mean. Very detailed and informative. The uncertainity is very difficult to accept and is always there.
I hope your test goes well and you're happy with the results. Good luck!

flowergirl

Hi,

I worked late last night. I was on my feet until 9pm. LOL That sounds pretty pathetic. LOL But that is much more than I have done for months.
I had chest pain, dizzy spells and pressure from 7:00 until 9. I would rest for a few minutes and use the nitro spray in between the heavy pressure and pain.
Anyhow I arrived at home by 10:00. Watched tv for a while and went to bed.
Tired and worn out but at least the pressure and pain wasn't so bad anymore. I felt ok.
I woke up at 2:00am in agony. severe chest pressure. I took a few sprays of nitro and it relaxed in about 20 minutes. I laid back down and I noticed the longer I laid flat the worse it felt. My ankles were very swolen. Even my feet seemed to be. I couldn't lay flat or I had a hard time breathing. That is the first time that ever happened. I wonder if that could be esophagus issues? Or does it look more like heart?
Eventually I fell back asleep only to wake up to the same thing at 3:something. This time I used three pillows to prop myself up.
The chest pressure was really bad. I had hard pinching feelings right in the center of my chest.
I woke up at 8:00 this morning and the swelling was gone and I could again lay flat on my bed without any breathing issues.

I'm really glad that I have the Barrium dye test tomorrow morning. Maybe I will know more about what is going on.

I have done so much research since I have been home and am confused as much as ever. It seems that the symptoms I have could be anything? Esophagus or heart? I really thought I was out of the woods with my heart when I had a clear catheter test?
Tomorrow I will know more.

flowergirl2day you are the only one replying. I wonder if I should let this thread die, or continue with updates in case someone else has similar problems?
Chatting with you is helpful. Thanks you!
The breathing problem has to be very scary. More than chest pressure I'm certain.
Take care,
Danny

Hi,

I am not sure if I should be replying then. Just briefly: I also use several pillows and sleep best when almost sitting up. It's easier on the lungs & stomach. We really seem to have very similar issues going on. My swelling is from the calcium channel blockers - you should see me on some days in summertime! Ankles are affected most frequently. It can get a lot worse. I had to be treated for really bad edemas - the swelling stopped at the lung level. It can happen while at rest or active. This is why I tried twice to stop taking this drug. It would appear that I cannot be without it, so will have to learn to tolerate the edema. I am sorry about your frequent painful bouts of angina. You should try and get more testing done - which tests have they done, I wonder (besides the catherization). In my opinion, the doctors let too much time elapse between cardiac tests, especially the expensive ones, at our expense. :(

I hope your appointment went fine and wish you the best of luck.
flowergirl

Hi flowergirl,

It's always good to hear from you.
We do have VERY similar things going on. I'm wondering why? We seem to have very different problems.
My oxygen levels go low while I sleep. I'm looking at the crazy machines now.
Other than the cath. test. It has been only blood and Urine tests.
I'll be going back to the heart specialist soon I'm told.
After having the chest pain right in my family doctors waiting area, and during an ecg he seems to have become even more serious about this than before. He didn't appear to want me to see the ecg printout. I got a quick glimpse of elevated st's. In patches of I think five or so at a time? Then I would be normal, then more spikes? No idea what that could indicate? LOL Or even though I lay perfectly still during the test, could it be that I breathed deeper for a moment?

I had an upper GI this morning. The doctor who did it told me that I had minor acid reflux happening. He said it may feel a little like a heart attack. And I may feel a little pressure and a little pain. I'm not a doctor. And as much as I was really hoping they would find A great deal of acid reflux..... I don't think this is going to change anything as far as my family doctor is concerned. I see him this Wednesday night.

I have been taking two Panteloc a day for 6-7 weeks. A couple times I had to stop taking it for a few days in a row for tests. The only change from taking it or not is when I don't for a few days I feel the odd acid burn in my throat. Nothing compared to the pressure, or pain I get from a bad day. That remains unchanged by the Panteloc. But how likely would it be that the "minor reflux" I was told after the Barrium xray today could be causing the chest pressure and pain?
But the fact that with rest it will slowly go away during the day after it makes me stop everything and sit down clutching my chest? But sometimes be very painful at night makes me think it's only playing a very minor part?
But I won't give up hope yet anyway.

I wonder if two Panteloc a day would keep any pain from occuring from what he called "minor reflux"?

I'm really trying hard not to self diagnose. But so little imformation with very little feedback makes it difficult!
And the worse part is that only two nights ago I was in so much pain that I was seriously wondering if I was having a heart attack? Ankles swolen and having difficulty breathing.
I woudl be so happy just to forget the whole thing if only my energy would increase. And the pain and pressure would just go away.

Hypertension can damage the heart muscle in different ways. Some of the damage is reversible with the help of medication and the right lifestyle.
I am experiencing some problems in that regard and will require some testing also. Had a bad time last night for several hours. I couldn't decide whether to go to the ER. I find that making that particular decision is tough. I crushed a couple of aspirins and had those. I just may end up with a nitro patch or two....
It is good in a way that your pain happened right there in the doctor's office. They are bound to pay more attention now and take proper steps in dealing with it (run some tests for starters). How does one measure one's oxygen levels? I'd like to do that if it is possible. Maybe that's my problem. I am getting ready for work and still having problems. I hope I don't have to go to the ER but will if it gets worse later in the day.
Good luck with the test today.

flowergirl

Hi,
You sleep with an oxygen sensor on your finger. That way they monitor your oxygen all night long. Ask your doctor for a questionaire on sleep apnea.
I didn't fill one out but I know they exist. Whether it's caused by sleep apnea or something else it still shows if you have trouble.

I'm afraid to make the decision to go to the ER as well. I regret not going a few times. When I was released from the hospital after the catheter test I had one day that I really felt good. The pressure was almost 100% gone. I even had energy for part of the day. Then I stopped all medication for three days foir a urine test. On the last day I ended up in the ER with very high BP and massive chest pain. Not to mention the worse headache of my life that left one side of my face numb for almost two days. I delayed going in that night for hours!! I really regret it. My wife and brother claim I went downhill after that and never came back. I have never felt as good as I did on that one day since. In fact he told me today that I look awful again. Comparable to the week before I collaspsed at home when this whole thing began.


Around 3:00 I went to bed today and got up around 9:00pm. Terrible chest pressure and pain.
The nitro spray helped alot. But my energy is completely gone.
It's 11:44 now and I can finally get around again.
I'm very frustrated and just plain wore out.
The main thought in my head is I can't take much more.
I feel very bad for everyone here. I had no idea just how tough things can get when your health declines.

12:10 and 171/104. I'm really starting to feel awful again. If this persists into the ER!

Hi,

the discomfort is still here though the pain is not constant. I was OK most of the day. I think I am having a repeat of last night. It has not really left. My potassium levels are off (always a problem) and I have tingly extremities as a result. I agree with you completely - finding ourselves in this position is an eye opener!
I am pretty sure I don't have sleep apnea. I (as you) was monitored round the clock at the hospital. Had I stopped breathing for any reason during that time, they would have noticed. I was given additional oxygen as needed. I guess I'll have to have my oxygen levels measured at the hospital if (when) I go for tests. I need the labs done ASAP but will have to wait until the end of the week at the earliest. I hope to have a better day tomorrow and wish the same to you. I don't know what exactly I am dealing with. That is what makes it so scary.You know how long we have to wait for some tests here. The fastest (though rather extreme) way to get the tests one needs is as a hospitalized patient. I hope I can get in without having to wait months.

flowergirl

Hi ,
To add insult to injury I have caught the flu.
Finally news back from my sleep study. Not good.
I am going for an MRI and another sleep study. A big rush is being placed on the MRI.
Abnormalities were discovered.
And I now have unlimited use of the nitro spray. Wait 5 minutes in between sprays, and spray all day long if I need to.

I'm beginning to get depressed now. :( I had high hopes for a while.

Danny,

I am sorry you are not feeling well. I think you should consider yourself lucky to be getting your tests rightaway. Some people face a very long wait. If some of your problems stem from sleep apnea, you probably know they can be easily treated. I hope you will get some good news for a change. :)
I am seeing a specialist today and have several concerns of my own to discuss. I hope to have some tests done in the very near future. I need to find out what type of left-sided chest pain is considered "normal" and what type isn't. (I get several different types). I hope to get some answers today.

P.S. I know that feeling you mention only too well. Don't let it take over!

good luck with your test,
flowergirl

hi flowergirl2day,

Hopefully you get good answers. My health has only been bad for a few months and I feel like I'm ready to break.

The flu I caught gave me a fever and took my lung capacity down in the low 40's according to a doctor. I passed out last night after dry heaving and hit my head on my bathroom vanity. My poor wife is having a hard time.
They brought my lung capacity back in the 90's with a simple ventilin marathon. Luckily we have one of those at home for one of our daughters so I didn't have to be admitted. The doctor gave us a pile of the tube and let me go home.

Good luck to you flowergirl.

Good luck to you, too! I hope things get better for you before too long. Hang in there. :)

P.S. I still have no answers. Perhaps the tests I am going to have will help find them. I was told that it is possible my main problems stem from gastric irregularities. For that reason I am having both cardio and gastro tests done.

flowergirl

Hi,
Good luck with the tests. I'm glad to hear that you might be getting somewhere. Let me know how you make out.

Danny

Danny,

I will post any new information. I am hopeful the tests will show the chest pain is not heart related. i will be having cardiac and gastro tests done. Will let you know if I get any new information - I should be so lucky! :)

best wishes to you,
flowergirl

Well.......I was released from the hospital again!
I now have pneumonia. Now I'm off work for another 3-4 weeks!!
I felt awful before I got this. Now it feels like I might as well give up and just deal with whatever, however I can. It even feels like typing this is taking up energy. Weird feeling. I bet you know it well.
This is really ??????? no words can explain what I'm feeling now!
I keep telling the doctors that I am out of energy and need help!
I was surpised when the head of the E.R. called me at home the night after I left the hospital the first time to check on how I was doing. She said she looked over my telephone book style file and had a bad feeling about everything. She put together a package on sleep apnia. Tips to help me until I have the official slepp study completed.
I had the MRI yesterday. Now the wait until my family doctor gets back from his vacation.

Best of luck flowergirl2day.

Thanks for the update.

It seems as if things couldn't get much worse for you. Unfortunately, they can! Let's hope they won't though. You have enough on your plate right now.
I am trying to think of something positive to say. I've had a lousy day today, feeling sick, and it hasn't let up. My husband came close to calling 911 this morning. I was able to go to work and felt much better while there. Now I feel sick again. I don't know what the heck I've been doing wrong? I also got sick last night after going to bed. I am getting really tired of this. I feel my energy levels getting pretty low. I hurt and ache everywhere and I can hardly move. My breathing is a bit worse. No wonder my blood pressure has crept up. My doctor will think I'd lied about it having been good - because it hasn't been good since I saw him last week. I have to keep a detailed diary now.
The ER doctors must have been really concerned - how nice of them to follow up! That is something one wouldn't ever expect them to do. I am glad they took good care of you. I am excited about having a new doctor -it was time for a change and a new perspective. I hope I'll get to see her soon.
I think our medications contribute to the fatigue (complete exhaustion is more like it!). This is very common with many prescription drugs. Because stopping our meds is not an option, there is little we can do in that regard. I hope you'll be able to sleep tonight. I hope I will, too. I am very tired. Am supposed to be studying for an exam but fell asleep while trying. I don't really want to go to bed.

wishing you a better day tomorrow
flowergirl

Hi,
A new doctor. A new perspective with it would be good. A chance to see if she validates the other doctors opinions or disagrees.
I agree that our medication is making us tired and sluggish.

Last night was a little tough here too. I was coughing bad. I'll leave it at that...
I finally have good news. :) My blood pressure is finally normal. Well, by taking a fluid pill and tiazac 360xc blood pressure pill. But while I'm at home I don't need the nitro patch or spray anymore. LOL For the last three days anyway.
I also got the news back from my MRI. Everything is good except what the E.R. doctor called "hyper intensive spots on brain"? She said that the big concern was if I had any tumours. Which I don't have. Apparently another doctor is going to follow up with me on the issue. She made it sound like it was a small issue. I also have my x-ray booked in two weeks to see if the pnuemonia is gone. As long as it is, I can go back to work. Hopefully without chest pain?
I'm crossing my fingers that my blood pressure stays where it is. Maybe even reduce the amount of pills I am taking. Currently 5 as long as I don't count the extras from pnuemonia.
BTW how old are you. I'm 39. Damn near 40!
I'm really concerned about what my wife thinks of all of this. She is only 33. I'm certain it must feel like she is married to a 60 year old.
I used to be as active as a 20 year old. Hopefully I will be again.
How is your husband dealing with everything on your end?

It's good to hear good news for a change! I am so happy for you. :)
It took a while (and the right combination of meds) to get your blood pressure under control. That is very important, as you know. Achieving and maintaining a good blood pressure control is bound to help with the other issues. Unfortunately, five medications or more are sometimes necessary when dealing with various health issues. When you consider the alternatives, the adverse effects that occur as a result of a multidrug therapy are a small price to pay. I am still getting used to mine. :( I am 49 and have been dealing with this for a little over a year. By keeping the number of medications to a minimum, you'll be doing yourself a favor.

I agree that living and putting up with us can be tough on our spouses. They have no choice but to find a way to cope. It does seem rather unfair. I complain as little as possible - but I don't have to. My husband can see and hear me. I know he worries too much though he'd never admit it. He believes my medications are causing some of my problems and could be right. Some doctors like to experiment and think nothing of adding more and more drugs to the existing therapy. Adding medications when they are not really needed can be a big deal in terms of additional side effects and cost.

I have had a great day - just the usual side effects but no chest pain or any of the other stuff. I hope things stay this way - I'd like nothing more! I hope that you continue to feel a little better with each day and that there's even more good news on the way.

take care,
flowergirl

Hi,
I had an x-ray two days ago and the Pneumonia is gone. I'm still coughing and feeling poor at times, but it is much better.
I was off work for almost three weeks. In that time I did get plenty of rest. My blood pressure was normal for most of that time. It went up to 172/101 for about five hours two nights ago. And I have also been waking up in the middle of the night many times. Sometimes with chest pains. Other times I just felt really bad. After talking to my family doctor he is convinced I am still having angina pain at night. He had me sleep with a nitro patch again. I felt bad at first when I put it on. But I fell asleep anyway.
I slept until 5:30am. I felt good when I woke up this morning.
I can't tell anything from just one night. But it was nice to get some sleep.:)
He is talking about jumping me past the local heart specialist and sending me to another city that is better equipted to deal with "my complicated situation". He was shocked that the local heart specialist nor the sleep center has contacted me yet. And what I thought was pnuemonia symtoms is actually heart issues. He expained to me just because I'm not feeling pain doesn't mean that it's not my heart. I guess I have been unknowingly describing classic heart problems? Ignorance was bliss.
I guess I have to accept that I may never be the way I was only a few short months ago. On top of that I just hit 40 a few days ago. I'm not the type of guy to go through a mid life crisis. But I feel like I'm on the edge of giving up hope and just........ funny, I don't know the rest of that sentence.

Flowergirl, how are you doing?

Hi Danny and Flowergirl,
I have been reading your predicament and wanted to add my two cents. Danny I see a heart doc for hypertension in Cincinnati Oh at Ohio Heart and Vascular center at Christ Hospital. My Doc is John Paul Runyon. Is there anyway that you can go there? Heck if I were you I would just take off a week from work and show up at the ER there as if you're on vacation and see if they will see you. These guys are wonderful and it would be worth whatever it takes to get this problem fixed. I know the insurance issues involved but really if it means your life or quality of life I would do just about anything.

That said one of the first things this center did when I had such high numbers was run a kidney test on me, with MRI. This is to check your kidney function. If this has not been done it should be. I have hereditary hypertension and have had it since I was about 24 years old. I am now 42 and take Toprol XL and Atacand. Atacand is an angiotension drug and you should ask your docs about it. It helps me greatly and considering that they have seen spasms on your EKG this would have to help I would think. I am in awe of you both because I would be a basket case living on the ER doorstep if I had to live like you are living. I have also heard that too much nitro will have a rebound effect, but don't take my word on that, I know it will give headaches though.

Flowergirl, I have had pretty high pressure at times too but have managed to keep it down with the Atacand and Toprol. Also I take magnesium as much as I can, somewhere around 800 mg a day. And I found out that women who have fibroids, which I have gives me BP spikes. My good hypertension doc says this could be much of my problem. I don't know how old you are but estrogen can wreck havoc on BP. The fibroid, even little ones release extra estrogen, especially at that time of the month.

Another think I also have been avoiding is bottled water. I drank it religiously and found out that plastic leaks, guess what?? ESTROGEN!!,,, since I stopped drinking it I have not had the ER visits for high BP either. Whether it is a combination of all these things I don't know, but now the week of my period I have usually a few hours of high BP around 160/100 and then it passes. At most other times my Bp can be as good as 105/65. My highest episode was 200/120 for which I took a nitro pill at the ER. This was thought to be anxiety along with cold medicines which we hypertensives should never ever take. Anything with the vasoconstrictors in them, ephidrine, psuedonephrine, etc are absolute poison to us.

One last thing, I have had episodes of left sided upper chest pain that usually comes on only after eating. I believe this is esophageal spasms of some kind, because burping relieves it and brings up acid. BUT if you are taking massive amounts of magnesium or acid reducers you MUST space them out to avoid neutralizing your BP meds. God bless you both and I hope you get some relief.

Oh and Danny, I also have MS. Lucky me huh??, but was told that hypertension can show as hyperintensive spots on the brain. These are what mine were thought to be before I was diagnosed with MS.

Hi irisheyes39,

Thanks for replying.
My doctor switced me back to a .4mg nitro patch while I sleep. I had three good nights of sleep in a row followed by two bad ones. I woke up feeling very ill and just plain bad. A couple nitro sprays and I felt ok.
I am eager to see a fresh doctor. My family doctor is talking about sending me to Halifax. He told me that he hopes one of the specialists will try new treatment methods with me. He is stumpted. The drawn pale look on my face when I am feeling bad according to him is a sign of serious internal chest trauma. I'm going back to him in a couple weeks. I'm going to mention the pills that you are taking and see what he thinks. I hate to take any more. I'm hoping to take less as time goes by.
I have been waiting for a couple months to see the local heart specialist again. Sometimes I feel like I am fine as is. But the overwhelming sick and exausted feeling that is relieved by nitro spray makes the think otherwise.
On a good note I return to work tomorrow. :)
Hopefully that goes well. I'm optimistic.
The reality is I need a break from nitro patches, sprays, and chest pain, and this energy draining feeling soon.

Danny!! I hope you are still reading this cause I had to tell you what has happened to me. REcently I had blood tests for anemia, long story see my posts in Anemia. ANyway I had a B12 readng of 228 was given a B12 shot and my BP had dropped right through the floor!!! I have had to take LESS of my meds to keep it from going too low. I'm talking 108/65 and lower.....It all began with the B12 shot. Is there any chance you have had the Blood test for B12 and if so what is the number. Low B12 can cause all sorts of things including heart stuff. I had to tell you about this in the chance it might help you.

I went back and read again both yours and Flowergirls posts and wonder if you have read any of the anemia boards. You have much of the same symptoms too of which I have just become aware of myself. Low B12 can do all these things, and you both mention energy levels over and over which is the number one complaint of such a deficiency.

I am a 39 year old male with constant pressure in my chest. I have frequent "spells" that begin with tightness in my chest, turning to heavy painful pressure on the left side. It is often very painful and lasts approx' 20-30 minutes before it eases off with the help of 2 to 3 nitro sprays. These attacks wipe out any energy I had prior to the attack, leaving me exhausted and nauseous.



My health dropped very suddenly almost 2 full months ago when severe chest pain dropped me to the floor an my blood pressure spiked to 210/136. I spent 2 weeks in the hospital and underwent several blood tests as well as a cardiac cath test, several ECG's and x-rays. Since that time, my symptoms have been treated with Morphene, nitro spray, Ativan and several forms of blood thinners and blood pressure medications. Although I'm not as frail as I was 2 months ago, I am not able to live a "normal" life as walking up the stairs in my home bring on the attacks. Cold air brings on attacks, eating too much brings on attacks, removing a nitro patch brings them on sometimes, laying on the couch watching tv causes them...mild exercise brings them on...there seems to be no rhyme or reason to what causes them. I feel bad most of the time and relief from these symptoms are a rare treat.



I have been told that there is some dammage to an area of micro vains in my heart and that I likely have a sleep apnea. I've also been told that I may have a form of artery desiese but my blood pressure is still eratic and no tests have confirmed what anyone has said. My wife swears that I'm not getting better, I'm simply getting used to this illness.



There's speculation that I may have eusophageal spasm disorder and an upper GI is scheduled for next week. I'm currently taking;

-2 panteloc a day. 1 in the am , and 1 at bedtime.
-a daily aspirin.
-8mg hydro pill
-360mg tiazac xc at bedtime.


If anyone has any thoughts I would really appreciate it.
Thanks,
Dan
Dan, I saw an episode of Mystery Diagnosis on Discovery Health Channel (or it may have been just the Discovery Channel) where a woman suffered the SAME symptoms. It took her YEARS to get diagnosed, but she finally did. I can't remember what she had, but I DO remember that she complained of cold temperatures making her condition worse. She and her husband wound up moving to a warmer climate because of it. I can't remember which episode it was, but you might want to watch the show b/c they always show reruns and I am sure that they'll air it again (I've seen it a few times myself). Good luck!

I haven't been checking this for the past couple days.
I took my daughter and wife to the zoo today and it was a bad day due to all the hills. Severe chest pain right in the middle of the extinct animal display.
I'm going to look into the anemia posts. And nikkilewis, thanks for the tip.

I have a doctors appointment next week. I planned on discussing options with him. To ask for a referral somewhere? Since I have gone back to work I'm feeling more and more like I did when this all began. It's getting worse again.

Thanks for all the input.

Dan

Good news. I now have an appointment to see the heart specialist again next month. The same one who cared for me when I was admitted in the hospital a few months ago. And I have a consultation with the sleep specialist in two weeks. It's been a long haul so far. But I have hope that with a change in medications etc. I can start to live a normal life again soon.
I went through two full bottles of nitro spray in two months. It would be nice to stop carrying it. And stop using it. :)

Just walking around the basement picking up little bits after my kids I suddenly felt a very tight sensation in the center of my chest. Seconds later after that it turned to tight pinching pain.
I have only been back to work for one full week and I'm the pain and pressure seems to be brought on even easier than before. :( I just don't get it? I expected it to slowly get better. Not worse. I guess if I want to be optimistic, the pressure stays as long as before, but at least the nitro spray relieves the pain.
I think I'm turning this into a "venting thread".


I think I should start a daily journal of what is going on with the chest pains I have been having. Any other ideas of what I should be recording?

What is your BP and pulse when that pain comes on? Did you just eat? What makes it stop? these are things I would keep track of. I was always told that unstable angina, which seems to be what you are treated for, will not go away if you change positions or rest. It will only go away with nitro or will progress. But...if nitro is in effect of vasodilator or muscle relaxer in a sense it seems it could be your esophagus too... Sure don't make any sense and you are so brave to just tough it out. I look up to you for such calmness, I couldn't do it.

As far as I can ell my BP goes up. I don't always check it. I usually feel so bad that my only concern is that the chest pressure and pain stops. Plus I'm not always at home when it happens. When it starts immediate rest makes it ease up. I always carry nitro spray so I guess a spray or a few sprays followed by immediate rest most of the time makes it stop. Sometimes it has to stop on it's own. It varies.
My esophagus was tested. I have only minor refleux. That was ruled out a while ago.
My family doctor calls my situation "very complicated". He knows everything is real. He told me I have all the signs of major internal chest trauma. He believes it is "Princemetal Angina" that I have. Along with "Microvascular heart disease". Time will tell I hope. I also keep waking in the middle of the night with bad chest pains too.
LOL as far as being calm or brave, I feel like I'm running out.
It's the uncertainties that are driving me up the wall. Sometimes it is so bad that I wonder if I am having heart attacks. And I feel very week afterwards.
I don't have a choise but to try to keep it under control until I can get effective treatments.

Ever since the chest pain that hit me at the zoo last Sunday I haven't had a day without at least 5 or more attacks of chest pain and pressure.
I had to leave work early one day on account of it.
My blood pressure goes from normal to 160's over 90's. That's pretty good.
But last night was a bad night. My wife told me I moaned and groaned all night long. I recall waking up twice feeling like my chest was exploading. Severe pinching pain. Also just as I was falling back asleep throughout the night I would feel heavy pressure and pain just as I dozed off.
If I walk around shopping or the yard for more than 15-20 minuted I get very tired and experience chest pains and pressure. Along with the sick feelings.
I'm afraid I am getting worse? But my blood pressure is pretty good. As high as I have seen lately is 160's over 90's. I don't understand why I am having all this chest pain?
I'm having a very difficult time at work now too. I feel so different than I did last Decemeber. (before this began). I am terrified that I did substantial damage?
I also went through an entire bottle of nitro again! I am back on the nitro patches too. I tried not using them and failed. They give me headaches. But at least the chest pain is reduced.
I'm home alone with my kids for the next two nights. It's hard to imagine I'm worried about how I can handle that.




This is what I currently am taking for pills
-Tiazac 360mg
-Panteloc 40mg
-25mg Hydro pill
-80mg low dose daily aspirin

I don't believe I am taking pills that someone who is having the type of trouble I am is correct?

My heart has a EF of 75%. I know that is great.
My arteries are clear.
Does anyone have any idea of what I should be taking with Microvascular artery diesease, and Princemetal angina?
:confused:
I'm at the end of my rope.

This Friday I see the heart doctor again.
What tests should I ask for if he doesn't suggest any?
I have had a catheter test and an upper gi so far.

Dan:

I note that the doctors have at least discussed Prinzmetal's Angina with you. I suggest that you search the web for Prinzmetal's Angina, Variant Angina, or Vasospasm.

You might ask the doctor on Friday about treatment and medicines for Prinzmetal's angina. In my opinion, the doctors need to be addressing this more aggressively.

I'm no doctor, just a guy who had a massive heart attack at age 47. So I've been a coronary patient for a number of years. I haven't experienced what you have, but like you, I would want some answers immediately as to what treatments might be effective.

Is the catherization and upper GI the only 2 tests you've had? Have you had an echocardiogram (basically an ultrasound of the heart)? Problems with the aorta can cause chest pain and tiredness. Marfan syndrome (and some others similar to it) can cause problems with the aorta. I'm not saying you have Marfan Syndrome, but you COULD have some issues w/your aorta, even if you don't have Marfan. It's worth asking about.

Hi Bill and nikkilewis,

Thanks for replying.
I did research on Prinzmetal angina. I seem to fit it close enough that I'm concerned. My doctor has had me try sleeping with nitro patches on and trying them during the day on other days.
I can't explain what type of pattern I'm having very well. It hits me right out of the blue sometimes. And other times while walking. And stress seems to trigger it too.

Yes nikkilewis that is the only two tests I have had other than a MRI of my brain due to low oxygen while I sleep. I'm going to look into what you suggest and mention the echocardiogram to the heart doctor this Friday.

12:29am and I can't sleep because soon after falling asleep I wake with chest pain and sometimes I feel stabbing painful sensations that fade when I wake up.

Make sure to ask about that Atacand/Candesarten, I believe it helps with vasospasm.

I will ask about "Atacand/Candesarten".
Thanks to everyone who is replying. I had a really bad night last night.
Today it feels like I have rocks in my chest and I'm exausted again.

I met with the doctor at the sleep disorder clinic today.
I'm being booked for an overnight test on the first available cancellation or appointment.
I was informed today that the last time I was admitted to the hospital
I was showing sinus rythem problems on my ecg.

I don't know what to think? I know the attacks are getting more aggresive, and more painful.
It happened today at the grocery store. ALL I could do was lean on the cart and wait it to ease off after using nitro.

I met with another doctor on Wednesday the 14th. My blood pressure was 185/106.
My medications were changed.
Now:
-80mg Micardis
-40mg Panteloc
-25mg Apo-Hydro
-10mg Norvasc
-.4 or .8 nitro patch as needed
-.4mg nitro spray as needed.

I don't really know how different this will be. This doctor didn't think I was having artery spasms, but another says he is positive that I am?

It seems as though I have pcs of my test results scattered from one doctor and one hospital to the next. I was also given the test results from my sleep study. I'm told I have sleep apnea. I recall the test. I was awake until at least 3 am. It wasn't easy to fall asleep wired up with probes all over my head and chest.

I have a Holter monitor test coming up soon.
And another sleep study.
And even after a barrium dye test he still isn't convinced I am not having esophagus spasms. So another test is coming up where I swallow a probe for an extended period of time.
Also my urine test results came back both times borderline to having problems. So I'll be redoing those later as well.
I also found out recently from another doctor that I had ecg's which showed irratic sinus rythems.

Just in case anyone is following this with similar symptoms.

I woke up this morning feeling good. I haven't used any nitro or patches yet today. Typically by now I have used the spray.
I'm feeling more like my old self than I have in months.
It's only 4 days into the new prescriptions but I really think they are helping.
LOL I know it's too early to say that.

My Blood pressure when I awoke was 156/96 77bpm


10 days in the new medication.
I am feeling better and I have more energy. I still have chest pains, but not as often or severe. My BP is 132/86 tonight and I feel ok.
:)

Great!! Maybe they hit on the right combination. I guess a good thing that you can think of after all this is that your heart must be strong to have taken all that for so long. If you had a really serious issue you should have had a heart attack by now I would think. So that is at least a good aspect to think about and maybe this combo will do the trick.

By the way, Micardis is an angiotensin II med just like ATACAND! Did they just put you on this??

Hi again,

Yes they just put me on Micardis on the 14th of this month.
Along with 10mg Norvasc.
I was on tiazac360 before this.

I wore a bp monitor for 24 hours the other day. My bp is still all over the place. The chest pains and sick feelings are still there. But not as often.
It's much less common and usually not as severe now.
Something is still very wrong. But it feels like I am on the right track.

My doctor scheduled a cardiac ultrasound for mid july.
I don't know what that could show that the heart cath. didn't?

I am so glad to hear that it is getting better for you. Maybe they will gradually increase the Micardis and then you will be fine. Most likely the ultrasound is looking for heart muscle problems or something not as related to blood flow as the cath. Possible they are looking for spasms or structural problems. I think the cath looks mostly at blood flow issues, but I may be wrong about that.
Another thing I found to help me and I am still having issues too. is to separate the dose. I take half my ATacand and half my Toprol in the morning and then about 8-10 hours later take the other half. This seems to keep it steady so I don't have the early morning pressure rise when I wake up. Do you get more problems in the morning or the evening? So happy for you that its better!

Thanks for the advice. I'm going to ask my doctor about splitting the pills in half. I'd like to try that. I wonder if it will help reduce any side effects?

I can't narrow down when I have the most trouble. I wake up several times a night. So my mornings are usually bad. Headaches, bloodshot eyes, and I'm irratable. The kids act out while we are rushing to get to work, I get angry and chest pain starts soon after that. It can hit me anytime. While walking, sitting at my desk. etc.
I noticed that I get tired very easy now. Maybe a side effect of the medication? But with getting tired comes chest pains?

But once again the medication I'm taking now has helped me a great deal.
I wonder if the fact that this new medication let's me live a close to normal life is evidence that there is other artery, or heart trouble that hasn't been found?


I had another attack today at the park. I had to let my wife drive. I noticed the heat was bothering me? It wasn't even that hot. It felt like the air was thick?
When I got home I checked my blood pressure and it was 132/82. Then I had another attack of chest tightness and felt bad again. I checked it again and it was 156/94. It stayed there for a while then it came back down again and stayed there. So the chest pressure and pain are related to blood pressure I guess?
15 minutes later I'm 117/81?? I don't understand this at all. I haven't even got out of my chair.
Another surge of chest pain and pinching pressure and It's 138/90. It feels like everytime I get chest pain my bp goes up. When I feel relief it's back down? This keeps happening over and over. sometimes the chest pain is worse than others.
I'm confused and frustrated again... any ideas?

I had a severe attack tonight that lasted about 15 minutes. I used the nitro spray three times and the pressure and a vey hard pinching stayed. Eventually I sprayed under my tongue three sprays and it finally let up about 20 seconds later. I was sweating and very tired by the time it ended.
The pressure and pinching keeps coming and going tonight.



This is getting exausting!