I have atypical Angina and therefore it's taken years to diagnose. The main painbeing the back of my throat. (My previous posts tell my story). To cut a long story short I'm now waiting for triple bypass surgery. Wow,that was a shock
Anyway, the reason for this post. I have suffered with an uncomfortable pain in my upper abdomen for some years, especially when busy. I have had MRIs, poo tests, scans, everything you can think of (except the camera down the throat which freaks me). However,I am now beginning to think these pains I get are actually angina. My gastroenterologist said it could be but more likely only to happen when eating as the stomach doesn't get enough blood to work properly. Has anybody else had this? My heart and stomach symptons seem to defy what is normal and I'm feeling like I'm a nuisance cos my symptoms are just not the norm.
Susie
Written by
Sljp0000
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
I am sorry to read you are now having to try and work out what is causing this
Having the camera down the throat is not as bad as you think I had it done once however they do a pill which you can swallow now that is a small camera that eventually works its's way out the other end but they get the same images just the same
But I am not sure with waiting for a triple Bypass if either procedure would be recommended for you at the moment that would be something you would have to ask
You never know after your Bypass op this problem might go away
I always defy normal so must be one continuous nuisance but then again what is normal ?
Thanks ks for replying to me again. Bet you're fed up of me! (I'm the one who lives in Derby not far from you!)I asked the consultant on the phone yesterday if I could have the tablet camera but he said they weren't very reliable. I'm very lucky. Already had two new appointments to get to the bottom of this. Hopefully everything is connected and once I've had my surgery I will be living pain free without the constant health worries.
I remember you and I am not getting fed up with you at all
I am not sure that is right they are not as reliable I have heard and could be wrong they are more expensive to do but I hope they sort it out and like I said I wonder and have a feeling when you have had this op if it will get better
I understand being freaked by a procedure but having a gastroscopy was a breeze for me. 4 weeks earlier I'd had a colonoscopy which was a nightmare and not possible to do. I had sedation for the gastroscopy, didn't know a thing about it, came round with none of the groggy side effects of anaesthesia, and a very cheerful disposition. I wouldn't hesitate if I needed another.
i am also a member of another heart condition group where "atypical angina" is surprisingly familiar, the group is largely made up of women - women often experience heart-related symptoms which are different to those experienced by men and these are often labeled atypical because the original data was based on observation of male-biased samples!
in that group there have been a few members who have had symptoms similar to those you describe - the eventual diagnoses have been variable, sometimes it's a gut-related problem, other times not
one of the most common misdiagnoses made of women seeking help for chest pain in emergency settings is "reflux" - also one of the most common symptoms described by MI patients is "heartburn"
it can be surprisingly difficult to distinguish between heart-related and stomach/gut-related pain, so it is possible that your throat sensation is heart-related - i have experience throat tightness in relation to a heart condition myself - the heart is located close to the top of the stomach, where your gullet (oesophagus) joins it, so pain in that area should always be investigated to clarify the source - having a triple bypass seems like a pretty drastic way to find out, but i suppose you would not be offered this if your cardiologist was not sure that it's what you need
out of interest, have you been investigated for MicroVascular Disorder?
I have a confirmed diagnosis of vasospastic angina. I feel my angina in my chest, upper back, stomach, left kidney, left arm, side of face and my throat.
The issue of ongoing chest pain following stent insertion and open heart surgery is beginning to be more recognised.
The possible causes microvascular dysfunction or vasospastic angina.
Have you seen this website written by 4 patients with over 50 years lived experience of living with angina non obstructive coronary arteries ANOCA , microvascular dysfunction and vasospastic angina?
The group is supported by 30 world leading expert Cardiologists.
I've had an Angiogram which shows I have severe coronary heart disease in 3 arteries so not having it done unnecessarily. I know my throat pain is angina now (as you say not the norm that's why it's taken 12 years to diagnose!) But my tummy is giving me so much grief and they can't find anything wring with it up to know. Was just wondering if it could be my heart problems causing the pain. Xx
I've been to A&E a few times recently with 'unstable angina' but no heart attack thank goodness. I think I just have to wait for my surgery now. I'm seeing the surgeon next week. X
No I haven't. I'll need to Google that, not heard of it before. All I know is that my arteries in my heart are severely narrowed. I do get lots of muscle aches and pains in my whole body. They thought initially I had an auto immune disease (cos I get the rash on the face) but all came back clear. I guess the pains could be lack of blood supply to my whole body? Xx
My angina starts in my upper abdomen then spreads to my chest but it's a pressure not a pain which also makes me feel nauseated. I've had a camera down my throat . I was offered sedation but refused because I wanted to go home without relying on someone to accompany me and stay with me. ( I live alone). It wasn't as bad as I expected and the staff were lovely.
I’m currently getting very stressed, worried and confused by my symptoms. I had a stomach/ chest discomfort, similar to indigestion and found I’d had a heart attack. I was admitted to hospital for around 5 days and then soon after had the same type of pains and was admitted to hospital again. They checked my Troponins and found It had gone down from 133 to 114 . I had stomach pain whilst I was in hospital and was discharged after a few days. They gave me set tests as an outpatient.
Oh no. Hope you are OK now and feel you have been treated well?I've definitely not been having heart attacks as my Trop levels are always under 10 thank God. But they still don't know what's causing the pain. Angina or some gut complaint. I guess once my bypass is done if I'm still having stomach pains I have to start again on that one xx
I’m still trying to move forward with the stomach issues. My latest information is that the hospital doctor has referred me back to my GP as he can’t see any results that would cause indigestion type pain. Having gone to A&E after chest / indigestion type pain, the A&E doctor said she thinks one of the test results( that was ordered by the hospital doctor) is showing why I’m getting stomach/ indigestion pain. I’m hoping my GP reads the A&E report and discusses it with me.
I wonder why she couldn't tell you? It's ridiculous having to fight to get info about your own body! If the GP can't help I would ask for a 2nd opinion.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Angina Lying Down
Angina at rest
Is it angina?
Crescendo Angina v Unstable Angina 
Vasospastic angina 
