Weak Spells, Arms & Shoulders--Heart??? - Heart Disorders Message Board

willie49 · 06-20-2004, 10:35 AM

Hello,
I am a healthy, active and alert 84 yr old, white male. I have high blood pressure which is under control w/ a prescription.

And I take a water pill for swollen ankles.

Occassioanlly, for 20 years I have a "weak spell" but I have never passed out. In the last 2 years, these spells have become stronger and I feel that I may pass out if I don't sit down.

I have gone to the local ER and they run all the usual tests, including several overnight observations and they find nothing wrong. Such as :heart cath (scope), mys____ (new type of full heart xray/nuke stress?),traditional stress tests, portable monitor for 24-48 hrs, etc.

The other morning, I was shaving and my arms & shoulders suddenly felt extremely weak and numb, like they fell asleep--NO heart/chest pain. At that moment, I went to lay down for awhile. My dr. told me to go to the ER. Once again, 1 overnight visit w/ no answers.

Do you have any suggestions? Maybe a 2nd opinion at a major university hospital like U of Michigan or Mayo Clinic?

Would it be more help if I told you all my prescriptions and exact tests?

Would greatly appreciate any more info.
Thanks Alot,

Michigan

abbygirl2 · 06-20-2004, 02:42 PM

Hi, I get very similar weak spells but I feel it in my upper back as well. They are dreadful and I always feel like I am going to pass out, and must lay down. I have not passed out yet. This has just started for me about 7 months ago. I do have a heart condition but so far they say it is not heart related.

I have no idea what is causing it, and I have seen a mix of different dr's and no one seems to have a clue. Let me know if you get any answers, I will too.

Take care,
Abby

NineLives · 06-20-2004, 05:10 PM

It sounds like the heart has been ruled out if the cath was done recently. I think I would seek out a neurologist.

yugokid · 06-20-2004, 06:47 PM

yea i would have to agree, my mother is a manic depressant which runs on her side of the family. I have had weak and dizzy spells long before i have got the pvc's. might just be a nerveous issue

jpos · 06-21-2004, 09:30 AM

Willie,
I have some minor heart troubles, so when I got pain in the left side of my upper back, shoulder, neck, and down arm I went to the ER. Just by coincidence, I think, my ekg was abnormal, so that along with the pain and having record of my normal ekg, I was admitted for the 3 day cardiac stay with all the tests. Turns out the cardiac tests were normal (for me), so they did an MRI of my C-spine...Bingo! I mention this because my arms would go to sleep while washing my hair. I had several treatments for it and I am doing fine now. So, I 2nd a visit to the neuro. At one point they suspected thoracic-outlet syndrome, so there are at least a couple of other things to consider other than heart.