Unexplained severe pains after heart attack & stent 4 wks ago

[bee_bear]

Hi, Looking for others that may have the same pain as I do!

I'm a 48yr old female that had escalating symptoms (exhaustion, light headedness, hypertension) for 6 months before my heart attack. I had one stent fitted. My heart attack presented strangely apparently - I had most of the pain in my left calf just below the back of the knee, with some chest pain but it was the leg pain that had me call 111. It was an intense pulsing pain that I've never had before.

Since getting home I've had that leg pain once more but in my right thigh, I was fast asleep and the pain woke me. An overwhelming pulsating pain that I'd rate at least an 8 or 9. It resolved on it's own.

A couple of days ago I was lying down resting and I felt a stitch coming on the right lower side of my chest. I tried to move but the sharp stabbing pain was so bad I couldn't and I was finding it almost impossible to breathe. The pain spread up my neck & down my right arm. It lasted about 8 minutes and I didn't think to take my GTN spray. It resolved on it's own.

I've been checked out but the cardiologists are baffled. Both by how my heart attack presented, that I felt that leg pain again without it being a heart attack and now this sharp stabbing pain.

All my bloods & traponin look good.

Has anyone else experienced this and if so, what on earth is it?!

[Carriefarm]

I had mild heart attack and stent. Afterwards I was getting chest, neck and jaw pain which wasn’t being resolved with GTN spray. I went to A/E and was found to have elevated troponin levels. As main arteries were clear because of stents I was diagnosed with Microvascular disease (MVD). If you have pain take your GTN spray and follow the guidelines for usage. If pain is not resolved get to A/E.

[bee_bear in reply to Carriefarm]

Thanks so much for your reply. I'm sorry that you had that diagnosis, I hope you're feeling well.

If you don't mind me asking, did they put you on Ranolazine for that? I've just been started on it as a diagnostic for MVD.

I feel daft not taking my GTN spray when I had the sharp pain a few days ago, it was in my pocket but the type of pain was sharp & not like my heart attack. By the time I thought to give it a go to see if it helped, the pain was subsiding.

Wont hesitate if it happens again!

[Fullofheart]

I don't have any experience to share but given your history, I'd be speaking to my GP and cardiologist about this.

[Loobycare]

Hi Cora_bearI definitely think you need to get checked out.

Two years ago I suffered intermittent claudication which was highlighted by having severe pain in my calf, upon walking any longer than 5 minutes. (PAD)

I didn't have any pain in my thighs .

My GP put me on Lisinsopril which helped. I was already on a statin and HBP drugs.

I am not suggesting that this is the same problem you have but I did want to stress that it is important we don't ignore these kind of symptoms.

Please look after yourself and let us know how you get on x

[bee_bear in reply to Loobycare]

Thanks Looby, I looked up PAD and I'm glad that the drugs have helped you with the pain. Long may that continue.

You're so right about not ignoring these symptoms, I'm coming to terms with having to do that now and saw the GP yesterday about it all. I have many tests to come as a result to try and get to the bottom of it.

Take good care and thanks again

[Carriefarm]

No, I’m on bisoprorol 2.5mg, Ramapril 1.25mg, Amlodipine 5mg, Monomil XL 120mg, Nicorandil 20mg, Rasuvastatin 10mg, Aspirin 75mg and Clopidogrel 75mg (till Nov). I am having no spasms at the moment, so it’s definitely working. I’m hoping as time goes on my meds will reduce.

[bee_bear in reply to Carriefarm]

That's great you're not feeling the spasms a the moment but I hear you about the meds. I'm also looking forward to the day when there's not so many to take! Wishing you well.

[bee_bear]

Thank you for your replies, they've been a real help. I went to the GP yesterday and she is keen to do a deep dive into what could be going on.

She said that it was reasonable to try and hunt down an under lying cause for the random pains mainly because I'm young to have had a heart attack & stent, especially with the lifestyle that I have.

I'm relieved for the tests but also really frustrated because I was looking forward to a new lease of life from the stent being fitted!