Chest Tightness, Palpitations And Ignoramus Drs!

[elcee 3,341]

For the past couple of weeks I have been getting palpitations. I ignored them initially but they seem to be getting worse so I went to my GP(PCP) a couple of weeks ago. He ran a whole series of tests which all came back fine except my cholesterol which is 8 which puts me in the very high risk category.After a long discussion (and years of resistance on my part) I agreed to start taking Ezetrol.I picked up my prescription and started taking those on Sat night. I also got the Dr to run hormone function tests as I thought the palpitations could be menopause related .

Last night at about 4am I got up to use the bathroom (something I do several times a night) and then got back into bed to try and get back to sleep. Well I had the weirdest sensations in my chest. It felt like something was squeezing and releasing. So it wasn't an unrelenting pressure but there was definitely pressure. At the same time I had very intense palpitations . This episode probably lasted for 15 min or more. I was lying there going through a checklist trying to reassure myself breathless - no, sweaty - no, nauseous - no, tired - yes( it was the middle of the night) pain in jaw, neck, back, arm , chest or anywhere else - no. As the symptoms eased after about 15 min I decided that I probably didn't need to call an ambulance but I was rather stressed.

I decided to go straight to the Drs when they opened this morning. They don't like it when you pitch without an appointment but for "chest pain" they have to see you. Now the Dr did all the right things( listened to chest, took Bp, referred me for a blood test) but I really didn't like this guy. His manner was weird and when it came to my band Ignorant would be an understatement. He looked at me and said so you have a band. Then he asked me why so I told him it was because I was fat! (Surely that should have been obvious) So then its like how fat - answer 74kg, 5' tall bmi 32 - 33.Then when I climbed on the bed for him to listen to my chest he made some comment about when would my band be coming out! I told him it wouldn't as then I would put the weight back on and got the comment oh so you can't do it now with diet and exercise!

You have to wonder sometimes what training these guys get and also how they manage to fail the bedside manner module so spectacularly! I live in a rural area so most of the Drs we get are relatively new imports from places like India and Sri Lanka and the Phillipines. I don't know if that is part of the issue. The other Dr I have been seeing is Egyptian and he is great.

If I had a pacemaker would he ask me when that was coming out? That maybe I could control my heart rate with relaxation and breathing exercises!

It's a good job he took my BP before he came out with all these dumb comments. It was 140/80 which for me is fairly good if he had done it afterwards it would have been much higher.

Apparently I am not menopausal, my hormone tests all came back fine. He has referred me for a Holter monitor and I have to call later this afternoon to get the results of the Triponin test.He also gave me some Nexium! Again I am not sure why - I do not have reflux. Yes I had some earlier this year but since removing some of the Fluid it has been fine.

Sorry this is so long but I had to vent!

[Maddysgram 6,159]

Really sorry you're going through this. My husband had the same thing and has had all the same kind of testing. Stress test, blood test halter monitor etc...

The only thing they found was high b/p and figured he was having panic attacks. Mostly they were at night.

I really hope they find out what the problem is.

Your B/P isn't real high, but it isn't normal either.

As far as Dr & LB he doesn't have a clue. Hopefully he educates himself.

Keep us posted.

[DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! 12,703]

Oh my gosh, you're a better woman than me, I'd have gone nasty snarky on that ignorant doctor as soon as he got stupid about the band. It kills how medical professionals can be so uneducated and have such horrible people skills.

I'm so sorry you're going through all the issues with the chest pains. Do you think maybe you're having panic attacks? Just a thought

I hope you find answers.

[LiveStrong41 51]

I can totally appreciate your "venting!" How flipping frustrating!! I sure hope you learn more about what's causing your squeezing and palpitations. Sounds frightening. Please let us know what you find out. Best wishes.

[elcee 3,341]

Thanks

No they are definitely not panic attacks. Normally it is just palpitations and I thought they could be menopause related which was why I requested my GP do the hormone level tests.The tightness so far has only been the once and there was no reason for me to be stressed or panicked in the middle of the night.

The Dr also asked me who I live with am I stressed etc. Well I live with my hubby and 2 "adult" kids and no I am not stressed except for on the odd occasion when my son is being the typical BA know it all teenage boy! I actually have quite a relaxing life at the moment, the same wasn't true earlier this year as my husband and daughter both got retrenched.

[Maddysgram 6,159]

My husband would wake up in the middle of the night with palpitations and heart rate zooming. Really, what can make you stress out when you're sleep? ? Who knows, but now he knows he's had every test and has learn to calm himself. You can't believe how many nights it was do I call an ambulance or not?? I should have been having panic attacks, lol.

Do hope you find some answers & tell Dr he is stressing you out.

[PattyGirl66 1,243]

I have anxiety due to being perimenoupausal, it started a few years ago. I have had tons of hormonal blood work and they always come back negative. the only way I knew i was perimenopausal was my obgyn had to do a biopsy on my cells because I was having very very bad periods, hemorage like periods. Once the biopsy came back he confirmed I was. The anxiety happens mostly around my time of the month. I had every heart test under the sun. Now, sometimes if my blood pressure starts to spike I will get palpatations, or if my potassium levels are low I get the same effect.

My symtoms can range from heart palpatations, racy, edgy, sleepless nights, and even dizziness. I take a very low dose of xanex.,0.25 its amazing how this little tiny pill can take the edge off. I usually take it right before I go to bed.

Now, I know someone who has very bad acid reflux and had the same symptoms you are having.

btw,.. 140/80 is okay for your bp, however I can honestly tell you having high blood pressure for over 6 years that it can spike all sorts of time of the day. My suggestion to you is to buy one of those blood pressure monitors and record, morning ,noon, and night. See if your bp is spiking during any of these times. Your top number needs to come down, your bottom number is fine. Lately my bp has been all over the place since I lost weight. My last reading last week was 119/80. the following week it was 117/72. Two weeks before that I was 110/54. Its crazy, I am finally off of one bp meds and take a 50mg of Atenolol.

Take care, keep us posted...

-Patty

[elcee 3,341]

I'm probably perimenopausal but this Dr said that my hormones are fine. He's a guy - what would he know!

I don't have anxiety at all and no I am not in denial. There is no way I would even consider taking Xanax.

My BP is all over the place and has been for years.Unexplained Hypertension. 140/80 is high for a normal person but it was not high enough to be concerned about. I have a home blood pressure monitor but the Drs have tried to discourage me from using it. Apparently they are not as accurate as the old fashioned type.They checked my Iron,potassium etc when they ran the initial bloods a couple of weeks ago, apparently they were all fine. I actually came off BP meds for about 6 months after I got banded but it has crept up again.

I'm not overly worried about the palpitations, they are more an annoyance than anything else and I still believe that they could have something to do with menopause or perimenopause. The episode last night was scary as it felt like something was squeezing my heart. I don't think I saw a ghost and I don't think I had a nightmare or night terror before it started!

The only thing I am stressed about ATM is having to take the cholesterol lowering meds.The pharmacist didn't exactly help the other day when he gave me the list of side effects and the things I should look out for that should make me go straight to emergency. I know all meds have side effects but I've never had a pharmacist do that before. Even the contraceptive pill seems quite benign in comparison!

I am still in shock that this guy is such an idiot and knows so little about the band. I am very tempted to print some info off and give it to him to educate him but that may not be a good idea!

[Humming Bird 275]

I hope you get it all figured out with whatever is causing your issue......

As for the dumb Dr.'s band comment.........

Maybe you should have said, "Why in the world would I go through a major surgery for weightloss only to go through another surgery to put the weight back on.?"

[PattyGirl66 1,243]

Elcee, I hope all works out for ya

((hugs))

[clarks4willie 153]

I too have had this happen in the past, 3 times I we t to the ER cause I was so scared. They chaulked it up as panic/ anxiety. And the meds they gave me worked. Attivan.

Since being banded I'm getting palpitations more often..not sure if it's just a more stress cause I'm only 3 weeks post op and started a new job theis past week. It's so nerve wracking though. So I feel your pain. I hope it works out for you:)

[Summerrain 520]

Elcee just had a thought, could your symptoms be a side effect from the tablets, an ingredient in the tablet?

Reason why this came to mind is because my mum has had problems with new medications causing all sorts of side effects. Maybe something to look into.

Hope you get it sorted out quickly.

[elcee 3,341]

The thought had crossed my mind .

[SageTracey 608]

Hey Elcee, hope you start getting some answers quickly! It's a real shame that GPs can refer us to specialists for the lapband yet know so little about it themselves. Wouldn't it be great if our surgeons had a GP-pack of information that we could take back to our GPs so that they at least have some good basic information on our files!

Good luck and take care.

[☠carolinagirl☠ 18,721]

((((((((((elcee you are in my thoughts))))))))))))))))