GP to A&E to the cardiology Ward.

[Scottietottie]

Hi

The other day I went to my GP to get thyroid blood test results. We are in dispute about lowering mediation because I am feeling good but my TSH suggests I am running hyper but my T4 in bloods is still within normal range. It's not a disagreeable dispute - we get on pretty well most of the time.

Anyway - we didn't even negotiate this time. I told her I had been to see one of her colleagues because of sudden chest pain. Her colleague said not to worry it was a muscle spasm. Since then though I have been getting chest pain if I walk for more than about 15 minutes. Nothing like as bad as the first bout though.

She told me to go straight up to A&E and to leave the car behind. I said I couldn't leave the car behind and I wasn't in pain and hadn't been that morning. She relented and let me take the car home and get a taxi up to the hospital. Ended up in A&E till mid afternoon and then was sent to the cardiology ward. ECG and blood looks good apart from high cholesterol but they want to do further tests. I eventually got home about 7p.m. armed with statins, beta blockers and a spray for under my tongue if I get a pain.

Read the leaflets about the statins and beta blockers and am not too happy about taking them. (NOthing has been actually identified) The leaflets say not to take if one is hypothyroid!
Need to see GP about thyroid anyway so will discuss when I get a chance.

Now waiting for letters to go back for tests. Am not feeling ill.

Thanks for listening - Scottie 

[litliwlowa]

Read the leaflets about the statins and beta blockers and am not too happy about taking them. (NOthing has been actually identified) The leaflets say not to take if one is hypothyroid!
Need to see GP about thyroid anyway so will discuss when I get a chance.

What troubles me most about your post? It sounds like they don't have a definitive diagnosis on what was causing the chest pain. Yet they are rx'ing betablockers AND statins, for what purpose?

And also, as they want to do additional tests, then given the initial testing results were fine, why not wait until further testing has been done before rx'ing these meds?

Those are questions I would be asking that specialist.

I got the part on the high cholesterol. I've had issues with that since my thyroid was removed. But prior PCP who was also an internal medicine doctor for about 4 years didn't push statins on me. In her view, it was common with Hashi's (post-surgical hypothyroidism) and/or thyroid problems for cholesterol to run high. But she also knows my position on statins also.

Apparently there must be something to that, given that the leaflet you were given states not to take if hypothyroid.

RE: the further testing, hopefully they will do a full cardio workup on you? Justin case?

[Scottietottie]

Hi 

They are going to do the test where they inject one with something radioactive so they can see bloodflow etc. Do not know whether they will bother with a treadmill test or not.

I think the meds were handed out on a precautionary basis because they suspect angina but I have been reading that a hiatal hernia can mimic symptoms - and I know I do have one of those!

I'll definitely discuss the whole thing with my GP and highlight the bit in the leaflet that concerns me. I think myself that taking a small dose of aspirin every day is probably precautionary enough.

If the initial pain - which was a bit scary - was a cardiac event - I suspect something would have shown in the blood test. One of the doctors said that it might not as it happened 3 weeks before the blood test rather than within a week of it.

They did ask why I hadn't come to see them sooner. I told them it started when I was doing something I really enjoyed and that it did cross my mind that it would be as good a time to 'go' as any. Also pointed out to them that I had patently 'got over it' whatever it was.

My cholesterol was higher when I was hypo and unmedicated. Last breakdown said although initial test looked high - I have 3 times as much 'good' cholesterol as I should have which made 'high' OK. Unsure whether that is still the case. Another question for my list!

Thank you for your reply!

Take care - Scottie 

[Carolina]

Hi Scottie,  good to see you again on the forum, sorry about the chest pain.

I am an old hand at chest pain which turns out to be acute angina, related to a 95% blocked coronary artery, and two others.

You should have a nuclear stress test to see if you have blockages.  I'm sure they'll do that.

I've been on statins since they came on the market.. in the 80's because I have sky high genetic cholesterol levels and nothing will bring them down but statins.  I take 80 MG of lipitor a day and have since my CAD angioplasties and stents in 1999.

Better safe than sorry and now you can ask your questions have your tests and see what's what. 

Statins do not agree with everyone, it's true.  And chest pain can come from many sources.

PLEASE keep us posted.

Hugs,  Elaine

[litliwlowa]

Scottie

I also have a haital hernia (not fun) and sometimes I think it acts up. But I once had a three hour period few years back of excruitiating crushing chest pain radiating down my arm. No I didn't go to ER that day. I'm kind of stubborn that way plus I don't like ER's at all.

But I did see my PCP that week and the EKG was abnormal, so she sent me for the full cardio workup. I can't do the treadmill stress test due to physical limitations, so they did the thallium stress test instead, plus the echo and such. It wasn't bad, actually kind of interesting as they let me watch the screen.

Anyway, they didn't determine teh cause, and only found mild regurge on two of the valves. But cardio did decided it wasn't the haital hernia acting up. Was supposed to have 1 year followup but I moved and thus far, hitting a brick wall on that part.

The aspirin makes sense until you can get with your doctor with your questions. It probably wouldn't hurt anything depending on age and your health situation to ask about a stress test. Especially, if I am understanding your opening post, the chest pain started up when you'd been walking 15 minutes?

Amanda

[Joe S.]

I take a high dose of omega 3 so I do not take statins. My low cholesterol confuses the doctors.

[Scottietottie]

I take a high dose of Omega 3 too Joe - and my hubby was dxd with 'suspected' angina 6 years ago - so we have been eating a 'low cholesterol' diet for awhile.

Getting to see my GP again on Monday - so have questions listed!

Appointment with Cardiology appointment in a couple of weeks for a 48 hr monitor.

Take care - Scottie