posted
Hi there! I have contacted lyme in Durham, NC around 6 months ago. Aside from a few panick attacks, numbness and tingling (arms & right side of face), ear ringings (some), my most troubling symptom has been chest pains in various shapes or forms. Now I have been to several cardiologists at Duke, have had quite the workup done (ECGs, Holter, Stress test, echo, even a Cardiac MRI). All tests came normal. I am also quite young (27) and not overweight. The chest pains still worry me. Especially when I get them for such long periods of time (few good hours) of dull pain in the middle of the chest, but sometimes also to the left, or to the right. But even more worrysome are some of the shooting pain right in the heart area. Is anybody else getting these? Shooting pains in what it feels to be.. the heart? Is this lyme? Does anybody else get these? Do they go away? Thank you!
Posts: 109 | Registered: Aug 2005
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posted
Yup, chest pain is one of my worst symptoms currently (after difficulty breathing). Sometimes it just kicks up randomly, but usually its after I walk between bedroom and bathroom (that's as far as I;m going these days). I've had the same tests as you (minus the MRI) and except for some t and st wave changes, all is fine. Its not gallbladder, its not costrocondritis (had that, totally different), and its not GI (got scoped). Its either musculoskeletal or neuro (which is what I suspect given all the other neuro symptoms I have). It sucks and is scary and I too hope it diminishes with treatment.
Posts: 689 | From western MA (we say buttER and pizzA) | Registered: Nov 2004
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posted
Hi. It sounds like you've had a good cardiac work up. Are you being followed by a cardiologist? Of course, I can't tell if your chest pain is cardiac in origin, but if it's helpful, let me just say that I had chest pain, palpitations and a fluttering feeling in my chest last year. I had a work up like yours which was negative and the doctor ended up saying that Lyme can cause cardiac conduction defects. She put me on an ACE inhibitor called moexipril and also on a beta blocker called Toprol and these drugs have given me complete relief. I also take spironolactone to regulate my serum potassium which is inexplicably high and which can cause abnormal heart rhythms if not corrected. Yes, there is relief for these symptoms once you get to the the correct diagnosis.
Also I want to say that it is really important to research all the links that Lymetoo has provided.
I have seen one LLMD in NC and I will see Dr J in January. My question is also more general: I know lyme can affect the heart. Do all these "heart involvements" go away with treatment?
TheCrimeOfLyme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4019
posted
LYme goofed up my heart something fierce. I had S a T waves problems, arrythmias, bradycardia, tachcardyia. I had all kinds of fun things. Found myself in surgery at 28 for a blocked cartoid artery which may or may not have been related to lyme.
After 18 months of treatment, my heart is fine. The only problem I still remain to have is a bowing of the mitral valve, but not bowed enough to actually be mitral valve so I was told.
I've also had other problems cause chestpain but was not related to my heart such as severe acid reflux and ulnar nerve compression.
I hope this helps. My heart is fine nowdays, my brain SUCKS.
Posts: 3169 | From Greensburg, Pennsylvania | Registered: Jun 2003
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Been in your position 2 years ago. Went through a whole cardiac work up and nothing was found which is good. Toprol or atenelol work great for getting rid of the fluttering and palpatations.
At the time I had the workup I was 39 and a long distance runner. If the cardiologist blows off your symptoms (sounds like you had a thorough workup), get a second opinion...that's what I did and liked the 2nd cardiologist better.
My cardiologist recommended magnesium and COQ10..you might want to try them they did help and mangesium is good for inflammation.
Honestly, I think lyme can do this to your heart.
As stated earlier, read lymetutu's posts... very helpful.
Posts: 738 | From Colorado | Registered: Oct 2004
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posted
Sorry forgot to address your second question. I've been on abx for 4 months but the chest pain and palpatations haven't been a problem in quite a while.
My symptoms can change and I've had a lot of neurological stuff going on.
Everyone once in a while I get the fluttering but not often.
Posts: 738 | From Colorado | Registered: Oct 2004
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Yes, Chest Pains are quite common for Lymies. Until I understood this, I was in the ER, had the cardio workup ...etc. They will go away with time as you continue on abx. Snowboarder is right on with the Mg. I use Source Naturals Magnesium Malate and alittle COQ10. Also do a search on the Marnie's " Magnesium Protocol". It has been over 2 years since I have had any chest pains, so don't worry, you'll get better.
Please note: I followed the normal abx route for about 2 years, then plateaued and didn't continue to get better, stopped abx, switched to rifing and am doing well. If fact, looking forward to another ski season this winter!!
Posts: 546 | From Cascadia subduction zone | Registered: Mar 2002
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posted
Thank you all for your replies. I read quite a bit muyself about chest pains being common for lyme patients. Anybody else getting shooting pains in the area ? (in particular in the left part of the chest)?
posted
Hi Newdurham77, My heart problems have not yet gotten better; they are only controlled very well by toprol and moexepril. I have been on abx for many years but this is the first year I've had a LLMD who treats coinfections. I think they will get better but it will take longer.
Posts: 156 | From MA | Registered: Jul 2003
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