Chest pain and gastro issues

Hello All: I am so happy to see that this club is here. This is my first post. My PM was placed October of last year. Not many problems until last night. ( I also have gastroparesis) Very difficult time sleeping. With my gastro stuff I vomit alot and that evening I had something I usually cannot eat, Pizza. Every now and then I cheat. Woke up at 1 pm with tightening in my chest. Reminded me so much of labor pains. It would start out not too bad but would build into a pretty bad pain in the middle of my chest. Also my arm was rather numb. This continued until 5 AM at which time I decided I needed to go to the hospital. I was not sure if was going into shock but I was freezing and shaking like crazy. My son called the ambulance and I left for the hospital 20 minutes later. Blood tests done immediately and of coarse EKG. My heart rate was not really that bad; right around 80 but would drop into the low 70' s. Each time my heart rate dropped I would get the pain in my chest. However the EKG;s remained okay. Blood work came back fine. They repeated everything in 2 hours and they were normal again. The ER doc felt it was all gastro related; but suggested I follow up with my cardiologist. Tonight my chest is tight and I am very nautious. But unless I pass out I am not going to the ER. I was made to feel like I was wasting their time. Has anyone ever had this happen? As I have said I also have gastroparesis. My stomach does not work well. I have read that all of the electrical parts are somehow interconnected. But I feel absolutely lousy and I really do not want to go to the hospital again. I also do not think anything can happen because my pace maker kicks in around 60. So I am safe! I would appreciate some help with this from people who have been through it. I never know what to ask these docs. Should I have asked for certain tests? Thank you for any help you can give me, K

2 Comments

probably not the same thing, but

by rvrs708175 - 2013-10-14 02:10:46

My PM is about 5 years old, last Jan 1, I too woke with terrible pains in the stomach and left arm. I was constantly vomiting. I went to the local clinic who sent m to the local er. they were great. I stayed most of the day in the er until they put me in a room in the hospital. lots of tests. my great husband stayed and constantly reminded them of my pm. he also took great care of me. I was given pain meds and other stuff in an iv. the doctor finally told me I had something like e-coli. I stayed there for 8 days. I was treated well all the time and although I do not like hospitals, I was ok. I don't recall the tests, but there were many. I wish you well. Ann

Heart or Stomach that is the question

by Danise - 2013-10-14 02:10:48

Hi K,

Well, I wish I had an answer for you but I do not. I can only offer advise. I had my PM put in 9/16 and have had several episodes of chest pain that were "like labor pains" only they last 45 minutes straight! I've made two trips to the ER without any answers. So, I sympathize with you.
1) In the ER they should draw blood to give you an overall check up. One thing they should test is your cardiac enzymes which would indicate if it was cardiac related event. When your heart is deprived of Oxygen it will release enzymes that indicate stress/damage of the muscle. It sounds like your enzymes were negative (normal). Get a copy of the test results.
2) If you were vomiting you should ask what your potassium levels are? Were they within normal limits. Low potassium levels can cause problems with your hearts ability to beat normally.
3) If you were experiencing high levels of acid in your stomach and vomiting the acid could have been burning your esophagus and irritating the vagus nerve that is near by. You should have a GI consult or work up.
4) Call you Primary Care Doctor and let them know you need help! with what is going on and to be seen for follow up care.

Sincerely,
Danise, RN

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