Chest pains increasing---

[liona Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close liona]

Well, after my ablation in May of 2003, my chest pains decreased so much, it was wonderful!

But now, they are increasing again, and most uncomfortably, moving into my throat. Does anyone have any positive experiences curbing these endless agina pains through medications or any other means?

I've been trying deep breathing yoga exercises, on the theory that maybe this practice would help oygenate the tissues. Of course, if you sit still in a dark room and breathe deeply, you'll feel better for a while, but I don't notice any lasting effects----

Any ideas, fellow HCMers?

[Reenie Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Reenie]

I'm not sure of any remedies for this. Have you discussed it with your specialist? He might be able to suggest a medicine change that could help. Have you had a follow-up echo lately? Could the obstruction be returning? I hope it isn't, but it couldn't hurt to check it out. I hope you get relief very soon.

Reenie

[Pam Alexson Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Pam Alexson]

Liona,

I had a myexctomy as you know in 2003 . For a while I also experienced great relief from chest pain. It did however gradually return , necessitaing gradual increase in beta blockers from 75mgs to 250 mgs of atenolol and just recently the readdition of my good old calcium channel blocker dilitiazem. I am noticing a decrease in pain and it has been almoast 2 weeks. It has decreased in some intensity and duration with that return to comfort a little faster.

Basically there are varied things with meds that can be tried once the intervention of myectomy or alchohol ablation are done and found to have achieved goal( removal of gradient/ obstruction. ) With these procedures our hearts are different in their anatomy. This opens the door to alternate meds.

Please be sure to work closely with your specialist to try and find a medication regime that will help you be more comfortable.

I hope you get some relief , it is not nice to have this problem at all.

Pam

[liona Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close liona]

Thank you, Pam & Rennie----

I am currently on 50 mg of atenolol, and my morning pulse is often 55, so I don't think any increase in beta blockers is advisable. I've written Dr. Sherrid a letter concerning the problem, but frankly, I'd like to see if there are more ways to deal with this other than medications.

I'm taking a mindful meditation course now to see how I can use those techniques-----

It is truly an endless puzzle!?!?

[Reenie Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Reenie]

I certainly hope you get some answers soon.

Reenie

[Lisa Salberg HCMA CEO and Founder Find all posts View Profile Close Lisa Salberg]

Liona,
I was just thinking of you! It is good to hear from you but sorry to hear that you are not feeling as well as you had been.

This is a common issues with Alcohol ablation - it is unclear as to why this happens. Have you discussed this with your doctor?

Lisa

[Pam Alexson Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Pam Alexson]

Liona,

Just an additional note. Sometimes the am pulse will be low and later on it rises. I have often found this to be strange and attributed it personally to needing to take my meds and getting myself moving and hydrated after the long night without fluids. It does sound like it should be the other way around and I should not take my beta ,but you know us HCMers often seem to walk to a stranger beat.

Everyone is different and indeed if it causes your heart rate to go even lower then it is likely not a good thing for you. I hope the meditation works I think these alternative methods often can help us in many ways. Good luck to you.

Pam

[liona Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close liona]

Lisa,

It seems to me rather natural that chest pains would be a problem for those of us who had ablations.

As I understand it, that is. I believe that the continuous angina pains are the result of the thick tissue blocking all of the heart from getting as much oxygen as it should on a more or less continuous basis.

I actually WANTED the mymectomy, since I felt that they could do more for me if they opened me up and could see the whole situation, but many other factors moved us to elect ablation. Therefore, the thickness of the tissue in the heart remains mostly undisturbed and angina pains return within a relatively short time.

At least this is the way I have it figured out! Don't know if the scientists would agree with me. 8]

Pam,

I think the 55 in the morning is natural because our heartbeats would be at their lowest after a good night's rest. It never occurred to me that I shouldn't take meds-----I just feel that I shouldn't increase them!!I take the beta blocker soon after checking the pulse and BP.

Had a better day yesterday, but a worse day today---OH WELL! so it goes!

Caroline

[Lisa Salberg HCMA CEO and Founder Find all posts View Profile Close Lisa Salberg]

Caroline,

Chest pain should NOT be happening simply post ablation. When was your last echo? Do you still have a gradient?

Lisa

[liona Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close liona]

Lisa,

The chest pains didn't cease after the ablation. I still had them. However, they didn't extend up my front chest and into my throat, which is happening now.

I had an echo last Sept. and everything was fine. I saw Dr. Sherrid last month and discussed the pains with him, but other issues were more important to me that day. He said there was no sign of my murmur. Also said that when the chest pains got worse, he'd do something about them.-----I'll spend this afternoon trying to get him on the phone.

[Reenie Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Reenie]

I hope you get some relief soon.

Reenie

[shirleymahoney Brave Heart Find all posts View Profile Close shirleymahoney]

liona

I know how you feel I don't have a gradient either nothing to speak of they say but i get chest pains also, more so when i'm tired or stressed, i hope you get some answers soon from Dr. Sherrid

Shirley

[Ronnie Major Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close Ronnie]

Liona,
Chest pains are something that should not be ignored, as there are multiple causes. When was your last Heart Cath? Maybe, they should take a look around to be sure everything is OK. If everything is OK (arteries etc) then there are long acting Nirates (I've had a Myectomy), Nitro pills & spray that can bring relief.
I would pursue the angina & attempt to locate a cause.
Good Luck

[mtlieb Brave Heart Find all posts View Profile Close mtlieb]

Hi Liona!

I still get some mild chest pain from time to time, even after my myectomy, so i think it's just one more indication that there's just no 'cure' for HCM. I have heard of some other folks on the board (Mary and Burton come to mind) who are using a patch of some kind to deal with chest pain? Have you heard of this? I have to admit that i had not, but it sounds like something you might discuss with your doctor. Perhaps one of those that have used it will come along and shed some insight on this for us.

I do hope you get this resolved quickly and get to feeling much better.

Jim

[Burton Borrok Dearly Departed Find all posts View Profile Close Burton Borrok]

Sorry guys,
The patch is Duragesic and I do not believe it is intended for heart pains. Rather it is used for structural problems like arthritis.

Liona, I’m very sorry to hear that you have so much to deal with. I would strongly suggest talking to your doctors about it, find out what the problem is, and resolve it that way. Wish I had a magic pill – but then, don’t we all.

Take care, and let us know what the doctor says.
Burt