OH MY - IT HURTS!

I started getting real bad chest pain last week and it won't stop! It make sit hard to breathe at times. I first thought it was my asthma and allergies but nope ..used my inhaler and it did nothing. The pain is bad under the arm and into the chest. The PT said my muscles were so tight and it hurt when he touched me. He didn't say what to do about it thought...other than "surgery"

I just don't know how I'm gonna make it through the next few weeks/month like this. I can't do it. I feel like I'm gonna have a stroke or somethin.

Also, I have been reading about some of you having issues with clots? Is that something that goes with TOS? What do you look for? Signs/Symptoms?

Just a little worried....

momz

yes !
I had similar feelings during my worst spasms.
Quite a few have gone to ER to make sure it's not a heart attack or something like it. It might be worth doing just for the possible pain help and the documentation and to be sure it's not a HA.??

Do you think you might have fibromyalgia too?
Was PT just touching the area or pushing/working on you at the time?

I never had any sensitivity to others touching my skin or muscles.
Only when my ulnar nerve was flared up I couldn't stand for my elbow it to be rubbed or bumped by furniture or the mattress.


I'm curious if others have the pain/sensitivity when tight/spasmed muscles are touched??

I found a few posts about it too- chest pain-
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...56&postcount=3
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...00&postcount=1

Not sure of this will help but...I have tight chest muscles...they will loosen up sometimes then go into spasms and when I go for a massage or even for a PT appt just the pressure applied to these muscles will cause enough pain to leave me short or breath or nauseous. I also get pains in my side, like a stitch in my side...hurts like mad. Like you I have been able to distinguish these pain flares from an asthma attack (the thing is not panicking about them enough to cause an asthma attack!) but it definitely is not comfortable! A trip to the ER is definitely warranted to put your mind at ease though!

Hi Momz,

I really have to agree that you need to have this checked out...just in case. It is a hassle, but TOS symptoms can be very similar to a Heart Attack. I have had to wear 24 hour heart monitors and a bunch of other tests because of chest pain and pain down the left arm. Sound familiar?

You might try one of those 24 hour medical clinics, although I would call to determine if they have the equip. for proper tests. They will probably tell you to go the the hospital, because time is obviously of the essence with chest pain.

I had fairly routine chest pain when I was still working or when attempting to exercise, (you know, walk slowly on a treadmill even). The asthma is nothing to take lightly if you are feeling panicky at all.

The last time I had chest pain of note, it was triggered by a stressful event and I could not sit/stand/lay down, or even hardly breathe, without extreme discomfort.

You can have a 'pharmaceutical' stress test which means you will have stress on your heart via drugs and not on the treadmill. Otherwise, it would be impossible to determine if your resulting symptoms were related to heart issues or TOS.

It really is not worth the risk to ignore your symptoms, especially since women commonly have heart attacks. If you are having surgery, that stress may be triggering this, but you don't want surgery if your heart is acting up either.

Just TRY not to be overwhelmed and take care of yourself as you would your own child.

Warmly,
Anne

Hi Momz.......Boy, when it rains it pours, huh ?

Is your doc aware ? You've got to let him know to rule out anything cardiac. It can certainly be the TOS, but God forbid it isn't !

Check Melissa's thread.....a few of us have similar sounding sx's, except for that you can't lesse4n it with meds. I have been concerned at times that I might be ignoring cardiac symptoms, but then figure if it hasn't killed me in a few days, it must not be a heart attack (good nursing assessment, huh ?) Mine does not feel like crushing chess pain like an elephant is on my chest, but feels heavy and like something is constricting me....like I'm ace wrapped up.....so I can breathe, but can't get a deep breath.

Take Care ! I hope you get some relief soon.

Ok, now I am going to look like a hypochondriac, which I am the LAST person to be one, since I hate doctors and being sick.

Today, the right side of my chest hurts BAD. Opposite side of the affected arm. I am trying to get cleaning done, but I keep stopping cuz of the chest pain.

Weird

This chest tightness/pain, shortness of breath, and discoloration and swelling of my arm (all on the left side, too) is the first symptom that I remember clearly when I look back on it. It freaked me out, so I went to the doc to make sure it wasn't a heart attack. Like others have said, definitely have it checked out.

Yes... I brought this subject up about 2 years ago how do we tell th difference between a real heart attack and the spasms of TOS...

You guys are forgetting that the main symptoms with the difficulty breathing are the tightened chest muscles and tightened upper abdomen muscles.

THIS IS AUTONOMIC NEUROPATHY.

AND I SWEAR THIS IS ANOTHER ILLNESS I HAVE ON TOP OF NEURO TOS, RSD

The autonomic nerve system controls breathing, digestion, heart rate, blood pressure. When / if ours goes a little haywire - it can be just a few minutes or quite a few hours. One should have the "stess test" to make sure there's no heart disease. None in my case, but the difficulty breathing started really badly in July and just got worse and worse. All I can do is try to get in a comfortable position, be calm, use psillium fiber to help the digestive problems...and as soon as I get a new doctor here in the desert, I'm going to ask for a better digestive helper - I guess there are ones now that trigger digestion for us since the nerves are failing.

I also feel that this is something on top of the TOS - that this is not caused by TOS, but that I have some kind of rhuematical / immunological issue that is brewing along side the TOS. Dr. Brantigan felt this also.

So far the tests show nothing full-blown.

Also, make sure you eliminate sources such as our BEACH FIRES lately - there are still a lot fo high winds and loose crap floating around So. Cal. air...




Here's what I posted before:
As many of you know, since July I've had some new weird symptoms of not being able to breathe, a heard abdomen, heart irregularity, and severe digestion difficulties.

The ER said several different things - most saying I was just constipated (even when I had no food in my system from taking those harsh colonscopy cleaners.) Then they said I just had an mild heart attack like an electrical problem - but not one really understood it, and really enmeshed it with my TOS diagnosis.

So, doing my own research on the Web, I came upon Autonomic Neuropathy by following the symptoms.

I am now SHOCKED that the doctors could be so stupid.

Autonomic neuropathy is a group of symptoms caused by damage to nerves that regulate blood pressure, heart rate, bowel and bladder emptying, digestion, and other body functions.

Alternative Names
Neuropathy - autonomic
Causes
Autonomic neuropathy is a form of peripheral neuropathy. Autonomic neuropathy is a group of symptoms, not a specific disease. There are many causes.

Autonomic neuropathy involves damage to the nerves that run through a part of the peripheral nervous system. The peripheral nervous system includes the nerves used for communication to and from the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system) and all other parts of the body, including the internal organs, muscles, skin, and blood vessels.

Damage to the autonomic nerves causes abnormal or decreased function of the areas connected to the problem nerve. For example, damage to the nerves of the gastrointestinal tract makes it harder to move food during digestion (decreased gastric motility).

Damage to the nerves supplying blood vessels causes problems with blood pressure and body temperature.

Autonomic neuropathy is associated with the following:

Alcoholic neuropathy
Diabetic neuropathy
Parkinson's disease
Disorders involving sclerosis of tissues
Surgery or injury involving the nerves
Use of anticholinergic medications
Symptoms
Swollen abdomen
Heat intolerance, induced by exercise
Nausea after eating
Vomiting of undigested food
Early satiety (feeling full after only a few bites)
Unintentional weight loss of more than 5% of body weight
Male impotence
Diarrhea
Constipation
Dizziness that occurs when standing up
Blood pressure changes with position
Urinary incontinence (overflow incontinence)
Difficulty beginning to urinate
Feeling of incomplete bladder emptying
Fainting
Abnormal sweating
Exams and Tests
Inspection of the abdomen may show distention, and listening to the abdomen with a stethoscope (auscultation) may show abnormal sounds indicating decreased gastric motility.

An eye examination may show sluggish pupil reaction. Examination by touch (palpation) or tapping (percussion) may indicate a distended bladder. Blood pressure examination may show a decrease upon standing (postural hypotension).

Occasionally, other symptoms may indicate disturbed functioning of the autonomic nervous system, including high blood pressure, rapid or slow heart rate, irregular heart rhythms, excessive sweating, difficulty swallowing, or other symptoms.

Special measurements of sweating and heart rate are called "autonomic testing" and can assist in diagnosis and treatment.

An upper GI (gastrointestinal) examination with small bowel series may show decreased motility, delayed emptying of the stomach, or other abnormalities and may be used to rule out physical obstruction as a cause of vomiting or other GI symptoms.
An EGD (esophagogastroduodenoscopy) is used to rule out physical obstruction as a cause of GI symptoms.
An isotope study may indicate gastroparesis (decreased gastric motility).
A VCUG (voiding cystourethrogram) or other tests of bladder function may show a flaccid bladder (inability of the bladder to contract and empty).
Other tests for autonomic neuropathy are guided by the suspected cause of the disorder, as suggested by the history, symptoms, and pattern of symptom development.
Treatment
Treatment is supportive and may need to be long-term. Several treatments may be attempted before a successful one is found.

The use of elastic stockings and sleeping with the head elevated may reduce postural hypotension. Fludrocortisone or similar medications may be beneficial in reducing postural hypotension for some people. In severe cases, Proamatine may help prevent a drop in blood pressure when standing.

Medications that increase gastric motility (such as Reglan), small, frequent meals, sleeping with the head raised up, or other measures may be used to treat reduced gastric motility.

Impotence, diarrhea, constipation, bladder problems, and other symptoms are treated as appropriate. These symptoms may respond poorly to treatment.

Outlook (Prognosis)
The outcome varies. If the cause can be identified and treated, there is a chance that the nerves associated with autonomic neuropathy may repair or regenerate. The symptoms may improve with treatment, or they may persist or worsen despite treatment.

Most symptoms of autonomic neuropathy are uncomfortable but they are seldom life threatening.

Possible Complications
Fluid or electrolyte imbalance such as hypokalemia (if excessive vomiting or diarrhea)
Malnutrition
Kidney failure (associated with reflux of urine)
Psychologic/social effects of impotence
Injuries from falls (associated with postural dizziness)
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms of autonomic neuropathy occur. Early diagnosis and treatment increases the likelihood of controlling symptoms.

Prevention
Prevention or control of disorders that may be associated with autonomic neuropathy may reduce the risk. For example, diabetics should control blood sugar levels closely. Alcoholics should stop drinking

Also you may want to ask the Dr about costochondritis - which is inflammation of the lining of the ribs where they attach to the sternum. It hurts with each breath which makes you take shallow breaths - feels like you can't take a deep breath. And you HAVE to sit up straight, lay on your back, other positions just kill. Dr RX's anti-inflammatories, but it can take days to weeks to calm it down. Miserable stuff, but we TOSer's sem to be prone to it.

Best wishes,
beth