Do You Take Anything For Chest Pains?

[tachyfor50years]

I personally take nothing but since they have gotten worse, I am consedering taking a med for it. Somtimes they don't get better even when I lie down.

Thanks in advance.

[Guest Alex]

Hi tachy,

I'm sorry to hear about your challenges with the chest pain.

I can only share my experience with you hoping it might help.

Before being diagnosed with POTS, I've been told that my chest pain is due to costochondritis (something that my current dr did not dismiss yet). I've tried a bunch of anti-inflammatories - NSAIDS - either alone or combined with pain-killers. I've tried a bunch of OTC NSAIDS (advil, aleve) but none helped. Then I got prescriptions for arthrotec, toradol, ketorolac and found temporary or no relief. Then I got a prescription for celebrex and oxycodone - that worked for a while, but I stopped taking oxycodone due to its side effects - extreme drowsiness, constipation and horrible headaches, plus it's quite addictive and I didn't want to go that way. I tried tramadol only to find out I have a sort of an allergic reaction to it. Then I switched from oxycodone to tylenol 3 so for a while I took celebrex 200 mg a day along with tylenol 3 as needed and I found some relief.

Now I'm only taking tylenol 3 as needed (I took celebrex for too long and my stomach could not tolerate it anymore, plus I believe it interferes with some of the other meds I am on).

The tylenol 3 helps only occasionally, so I guess it's time for me to ask my dr for alternatives.

I guess your dr would be the best resource about this, and sometimes it may be a trial and error kind of thing, but I hope you'll find something to alleviate your pain. I know mine can be quite severe at times and it's anything but "fun" to have to deal with this on a daily basis.

Good luck.

Alex

[janiedelite]

Carvedilol in low doses helps my chest pain quite a bit. I take 6.25mg as needed. I have problems with pooling, but also vasoconstriction (raynaud's/pernio, elevated norepi on standing). I think the beta blocking and alpha blocking properties of carvedilol both help me.

[Katybug]

I think the cardio and neuro think that the metoprolol help with this but it doesn't.

[E246]

Sorry you are experiencing this - it is so unpleasant.

You are not alone - lots of us get chest pain and it was my worse symptom. There are quite a few old posts about this but there seem to be no answers but a few people seemed to have found different things that worked.

My specialist just shook her head and said they do not know what causes it and has consequently given me nothing beyond calcium channel blocker which I think helped a little, then I had a few bad reaction so stopped them.

Have not found any pain killers work - when it happens with adrenaline surges I usually take 5mg valium which seems to help but wouldn't want to take it all the time.

Mine also stays for hours, even when i am lying, down during a bad episode.

Hope things get better for you - let us know if you find anything that helps.

[tachyfor50years]

Thank you guys for your replies, I really appretiate your time and efforts.

No matter what, I will not go to the ER for chest pain any more! because all they do is a normal cardiac workup which takes hours and

usually comes back normal except for little abnormalities in CO2 and Potassium, give me sublingual Nitroglycerin which causes my heart rate to

jump to almost 185 to 200 in about 30 seconds plus leaving me with the worst Migrain.

My Question to you all is: Do any of you have the same problems with Nitro? or it was only me having a bad reaction to it?

I would really appreciate any of your input.

Hope you are all well.

[issie]

Nitroglycerin is a vasodilator and opens up the blood vessles to allow more blood flow. It gives everyone a killer headache - but, it will bring your bp down if it's too high and it also helps the docs to determine if you're having a heart attack if it helps you. I had an ER visit and even though it made me dizzy and gave me the killer headache - it helped the worst part of my symptoms and helped my chest pain. I also have MCAD and that is one of the treatments for Kounis Syndrome - which is related to mast cells attacking the heart - I also get IV's and massive anti-histamines when this happens. So, for me it is worth the headache and it does get me over these spells - but, some of the side effects are very unpleasant.

Issie

[Katybug]

The only time I have been given nitro was during my fist TTT. My heart rate was already 145 and the nurses even questioned the cardio who said to proceed with the nitro. (I'd like to add this wasn't my cardio, just some guy assigned to supervise my TTT.) Within seconds of receiving the nitro I was convinced I was actually having a heart attack and made them end the TTT. It literally made my whole body but particularly my arms feel like I was on some sort of vibrating machine and I had the worst pain in my chest on top of the pre-syncopal episode was already having from my HR already being 145. I don't actually know what my HR did because fear had taken over at that moment and I didn't ask too many questions. I did start to feel better when they laid me down. I will not be leting them ever give nitro again uness they can make a really good sound medical argument....like they believe my death is imminent without it.

[Gracefulprincess]

I get chest pain pretty often. A cardiologist dx me with coronary artery spasms, and he said the spasms cause the chest pain. So he prescribed Nitroglycerin (the type that dissolves under your tongue), and put me on a high dose of a calcium channel blocker. This was back in 2006 or so, and the combination seems to be helping. It doesn't completely prevent the chest pain....like i said i still get it alot and have to take the nitro at times. And because of the side effects from the nitro i try to wait it out, if the pain doesn't seem to be going away then i will take it. I only take it when i really need to because of the headache it causing, even though that only last for 5 mins...but it's still the worse part.

I'd just talk to your dr about it.

[bunny]

Multiple ER trips haven't ever yielded a definitive dx as to the origins of my chest pains, so I've given up on that route.

Instead if I happen to be home and chest pain strikes, I usually pour half a glass of wine, relax on the couch and listen to some good music (usually classical/jazz/world). Hard to say if it's truly addressing the chest pain or just making me feel better. It works well for the latter, which is all I'm concerned about for now. I also find it far more palatable, enjoyable, and less expensive than an ER visit. It also helps that I'm not taking any meds, so I don't have to worry about interactions with the alcohol.

[tachyfor50years]

Thank you all for your replies.

No matter what number my Potassium is, I always need to take some and I am aware of the importance of electrolytes balance. I now take a prescribed supplement daily and also magnesium. In one of my trips to the ER,I was given two very large pills of Potassium, the Dr said that they will take care of my chest pain and fast heart rate!

It is true that low potassium corresponds with chest tightness and increased palpitations but as you know our problem is much deeper than that.

[E246]

".. if I happen to be home and chest pain strikes, I usually pour half a glass of wine, relax on the couch and listen to some good music "

Bunny - this works for me too. And wine is a known help for angina as it expands the blood vessels. Nitro is too much for me - hr goes up fast.

[tachyfor50years]

I am still waiting for a blessing guides me to some releif of this awful unpredictable chest pain.

[issie]

I am still waiting for a blessing guides me to some releif of this awful unpredictable chest pain.

I figured out that some meds can cause it. Like a bp med - I recently tried.

Issie

[Guest Alex]

I am still waiting for a blessing guides me to some releif of this awful unpredictable chest pain.

I figured out that some meds can cause it. Like a bp med - I recently tried.

Issie

come to think of it mine started after i was put on bisoprolol - a beta blocker, so a bp med. I did get a break while taking oxycodone (never again), also I got a break of about 10 days when I switched from bisoprolol to propranolol.

as a side note - i was browsing mayo clinic's website last nite and i came across the section about drugs and supplements (i should have bookmarked it ) and i realized that chest pain/discomfort/tightness is listed as a side effect under almost every one of the meds I'm taking . That i did NOT like. But then I wonder, if it's a side effect, why isn't the pain consistent - mine changes in intensity, location, severity, duration, frequency quite often.

The worrying side of this is that no dr I met so far had a logical explanation for me and the pain killers or NSAIDS they prescribed barely touched the pain most of the times. What seems to help is an electrical blankie or a hot bath/shower, but I wouldn't recommend them to anyone. I seem to tolerate heat very well, while the majority of the people here are quite the opposite.

i hope one day soon we'll be able to find answers for this problem.

Alex

[tachyfor50years]

[if it's a side effect, why isn't the pain consistent - mine changes in intensity, location, severity, duration, frequency quite often.] Alex

Same question here!

[houswoea]

I take gabapentin. It seems to help.

[tachyfor50years]

houswoea,

I did not tolerate Gabapentin in the past and I think it is orignally prescriped for seizures in people who have epilepsy.

Do you take it regularley? or just when you have chest pain?

[houswoea]

My doc at Mayo gave it to me. Before that I was taking actual pain pills and I was really sick on them. Before that I took ibuprofen but then I got stomach ulcers from taking so much. He said it's for nerve pain. I used to take it 3 times a day, now I only take it if there's pain.

[bunny]

What seems to help is an electrical blankie or a hot bath/shower, but I wouldn't recommend them to anyone. I seem to tolerate heat very well, while the majority of the people here are quite the opposite.

I actually use the electric blanket for this sometimes as well -- it'll lower my bp (vasodilatation) and I'll usually get drowsy and go to sleep or pass out. Either way, mission accomplished. I'm bed, in a safe place if I pass out, and not feeling the pain. It's usually gone by the time I wake up. One of my mottos is If I'm going to feel miserable, I might as well be asleep.

Bunny - this works for me too. And wine is a known help for angina as it expands the blood vessels. Nitro is too much for me - hr goes up fast.

It seemed like the most natural(?) if not time-tested method to me. From what I've found, red wine has a bit more of a kick to it for this purpose than white wine. The fruit wines are weaker than the white. It's too bad the medical community wouldn't take a remedy like this and give it serious study as it's been quite effective, as well as enjoyable, for me. There isn't much money they could make off a $4 bottle of Charles Shaw from Trader Joe's.

[RichGotsPots]

Thank you guys for your replies, I really appretiate your time and efforts.

No matter what, I will not go to the ER for chest pain any more! because all they do is a normal cardiac workup which takes hours and

usually comes back normal except for little abnormalities in CO2 and Potassium, give me sublingual Nitroglycerin which causes my heart rate to

jump to almost 185 to 200 in about 30 seconds plus leaving me with the worst Migrain.

My Question to you all is: Do any of you have the same problems with Nitro? or it was only me having a bad reaction to it?

I would really appreciate any of your input.

Hope you are all well.

Yes, When I did my TTT they gave me Nitro, and my head and face how hot and my HR when to 200 bpm and got the worst headache. The worst feeling. Weird thing is when I went to ER and was laying down it didnt do much to me...

[Gemma]

Hi everyone. I also felt horrible after nitro pill. Last time they gave it to me during cardiac ct scan to open up blood vessels. I felt like I am dying. My heart was racing so much. After they took me out from the machine, i couldnt even get up. I was shaking and felt like I just had a siesure. When they asked me questions, i was mumbling, like I just had a brain stroke. Crazy stuff. I was given nitro sublingual once during TTT, but that didnt feel as bad.

I also have chest pains for past 7 months. They are always different. Sometimes feels like squizing in certain spots, usually to the right of the sternum. Smetimes feels like stabing pain, or pinching. Its hard to explain to doctor because its always different. Sometimes, I feel pain when I move. I only sleep on my back now, because sleeping on my side gave me more pain. I think I have some musculoskaletal pain and vasospasms as well. Doctors say its costochondritis, but how can it last for that long especially that I had no chest injury. Also, i sometimes feel like my whole chest wall including ribs, sternum and muscles are in pain, espesially feel more pain when breath in heavily. This is definetly scary, but after like 10 visits to ER and long wait and lots of blood work, always told its not my heart.

I did try calcium chanel blocker Verapamil for 2 weeks and I though the pain is gone, but then it came back so I stopped Verapamil. I did feel that Verapamil helps with my POTS a little, like lowers HR on standing, so maybe I will take it as needed.

I also tried priscription NSADIS Nabumetone. I took it for 2 weeks, then stopped because was afraid for stomach ulcers, but I didnt have pain during the time on the pills, it started going away after like 5 days of taking the pills. My rheumotologist said, its inflamation and if it didnt go away by itself by this time it need to be treated.

[gjensen]

I would not wish these horrible chest pains on anyone, but it is helpful to know that I am not alone on this one.

I get a variety of types, and attribute different ones to different things. All just in theory.

The one that troubles me the most is the one that I feel that is specific to my heart. I swear it is actually my heart hurting and it can get very intense.

I might try the wine trick at some point. We grow grapes. Maybe we can make some wine.

A rice sock helps me with some of them. Something about the heat does seam to ease them a bit, but noting helps with the one that troubles me the most.

Nitro and me do not get along either. Wow, is the best way I can describe it. Thankfully, it does not last long.

[Gemma]

Hi again. I was told that heat helps patients with arthritis pain. Also, costochondritis can be helped by heat. But I never heard that heat can help heart pain. I also out heat on and it helps, so I tell myself its not heart . Lately what I do is wet the towel, put it on my chest and on top I put e heating pad (a rubber one where you put hot water in). It helps more then just electrical heating pad.

[krystal]

placebo effect or whatever you wish to call it, magnesium works like a charm for my chest pain

200g of maggie and most times my chest pain goes away in about half an hour