Heart failure

[artyarty]

I have suspected heart failure/pulmonary fibrosis and am experiencing pain under my ribs is this related

[jenss]

Hi Artyarty, I don't know but I think under the circumstances you should see a dr very soon. Do you feel unwell/trouble breathing/have cold/flu infection/fever? If in doubt and you feel unwell ring the ambulance. Let us know how you go. Good luck and I hope you will feel better soon. xx

[artyarty in reply to jenss]

I feel unwell more days than I feel well,I have my own Gallery/studio which I have been passionate about for 11 years now since opening but more and more days I dont want to be there as feel so unwell. I have breathing problem and chest feel tight with a tight feeling in my throat and into my jaw, my appointment to see the cardiologist isnt till 15 sept seems a long way off but cant get in any earlier

[jenss in reply to artyarty]

Gee arty, sounds like you need to see your GP: chest tightness may be sign of infection: you may need antibiotics/inhaler? Do you cough/have mucous- does colour indicate infection? do you have acid reflux (that can give tight feeling in throat and make you feel unwell)? Are you on waiting list at cardiologist to be seen earlier if possible? Take carexxx

[artyarty in reply to jenss]

no chest infection or mucus have dry cough symptom of both fluid on lungs due to heart and pulmonary fibrosis and no chance of earlier appointment

[maggie44 in reply to artyarty]

Hi Arty. I have pulmonary fibrosis and pulmonary hypertension. People with PF usually have a dry cough. Symptoms are not the same as for COPD. I have infections quite often and have an emergency supply of anti-biotics. This is aimed at keeping any infection from becoming severe.

Last time this happened my GP didn't think I had infection but that I was allergic to a new medication. In fact when I went to Royal Brompton (feeling very unwell) to check out my response to new medication for pulmonary hypertension they discovered I had in fact got a bad infection (pneumonia). I was in there for two weeks.

I find I put on weight when I have an infection (I feel bloated and my ankles are very swollen despite taking two water tablets. If I start to take antibiotics my weight will start to go down after the 3rd or 4th day, gradually returning to normal after about day 12 (the reason is the infection puts a further strain on my heart PH). I do not have a temperature to any degree since I take medication that damps down my immune system. Blood tests seem to be the only way to be sure of a diagnosis of my infection.

Don't know whether this long diatribe is of help to you- may help you to decide whether to contact your GP sooner rather than later.

Take care

Maggie

[Hidden]

Hi arty there is lots of things can cause pain .. But think issue is headline of ya post

If your arms and neck sweels up and face looks puffy you need to get to A+E

Pain you talk about could be bulid up of fluied , infection , pressure on ribs

A know my self this morning as not been good day for lung suffers ... felt quite ill myself and nearly ambulance job

[Jambo]

Hi artyarty,I know how you feel mate,I too have IPF,had a spell in hospital in May after being rushed in by ambulance with pulmonary embolisms.was put on Rivaroxaban tablets,sent home after a week.I'm on 24 hour oxygen,and CPAP.at the moment I can't walk more than a few steps before I can't breath.last Wednesday I had an Echogram and I have problems with the left ventricle in my heart now.the cardiographer said go home,and do nothing until I see my consultant,which fortunately is next Friday,the 15th.completely in the dark about what's going to happen. I sit at home and I'm scared to do anything,I don't go upstairs,I sleep in the chair in the lounge.my wife does everything.

I'm annoyed that I have to wait till next Friday to know what's going to happen,so I have sympathy for you having to wait until September.do you have a respiratory nurse ? If so let her know,she may be able to get something sorted.

Good luck

[peege]

Please seek medical attention and soon. It may be your heart.(,very much hope it's not) Better to be safe than sorry. Don't wait. All the best. P

[Offcut]

I have heart and lung issues and from what you said about tight in chest and throat and jaw could be angina. I take a nitrate spray that relieves it ( if after the second spray it has not gone I am down to GP/A&E ) If you are at home and this happens and you do not have a nitrate spray put a hot water bottle on your upper chest it can help relax the muscles.

I must admit that It is very hard to define what is causing you the problem if it is not angina and you use the spray it can give you an incredible headache but as my GP has said headache is a better option.

I have RLD with PF, APH, Paralysed Diaphragm and then to help things along I have AF, Tachycardia, Angina, Reflux, Hiatus Hernia and Osteoarthritis! Don't think I have missed anything

Do you have dry cough at any particular time of the day first thing on waking? if so try a peptic liquid.