I have been having a lot of weird sensations and symptoms I have contacted my specialist nurse help line but I just wanted to ask if you guys feel these symptoms mean anything?Pressure on my chest near my neck, light-headedness literally all the time now (on tablets for that already) swelling in legs so have to sit with legs elevated, pain in my legs when I wake up. And feeling off balance like I'm gona faint.
I don't know what is causing this and why it's happening but do these symptoms sound heart related? And if not what else could it be?
Thanks for reading! Take care ❤️
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Yumz199725
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Oh Yumz l am so sorry to hear that you are worrying. I am not a doctor, but some of your symptoms sound like anxiety. You have had a lot of stress lately and it comes out in weird ways to the body, l get frightened at feelings l have and always think the worse. Today l had tingling in my head and arm and thought l was going to have a stroke, then l go numb with fear. It’s like you are tormented all the time. Anxiety can give you awful symptoms that mimic something serious. It’s not surprising we are anxious when we have underlying health problems. Have you had any test results yet? If you get the all clear it will relax you. Thinking of you. Xxxx.
Thanks for replying x. I think your right but I am an tablets for anxiety already so maybe it's not doing it's job and I need something stronger or higher dose. I still haven't had any results xx
I think when you get your results and you are ok it will be a lot off your mind. I think you would have heard if there was anything wrong. I am sure they wouldn’t leave it this long. Also, the medication you are on will have side effects. Did the swelling begin when you started the meds for anxiety? If you get any worse see your doctor and have a good talk about everything and put your mind at rest. Let us know how you go. Xxxx
It’s so difficult with medications. I have a terrible time with side effects with most drugs and antibiotics knock me off my feet. I have always been sensitive with what goes in my body. It took me 3 years to stabalise with AF. What can we do? It could be worse so have to accept and appreciate that. Hope you soon feel better and get your results that all is well. 🥰 xxx
So sorry that you are having to cope with feeling unwell in addition to the anxiety you must be feeling which obviously makes matters worse. No point in me saying don't worry!!! I will just say that verapamil, as you are aware, has side effects which include several symptoms you are currently experiencing. Normally side-effects make themselves known soon after beginning treatment, but sometimes they can be cumulative, developing after a period of time and made worse by other factors. I do hope you can get this sorted out soon, and receive some helpful results, too. Fingers crossed.
Sorry to hear you’re feeling poorly again Yumz. I can’t really help with those symptoms I’m afraid, but I do hope your specialist nurse comes back with something useful to reduce your worry and concerns!
Thanks hun I hope so too! It's probably nothing but I just thought I'd run it past all you guys xx
Yumz I don't know what to say. I get weird feelings and I carnt seem to bottom them out. Possibly not as bad as you but I just carnt work them out. Naturally I do have a weakness regarding my epsteins anomoly but something not right. Since being on blood pressure medication my legs hurt. More of a muscle pain but I carnt prove what it is. I would like to stop my medication and see what happens but that might be a bit silly. The sad thing is I would like to feel like I did three years ago before you know what happened. I was not perfect but I was use to my breathlessness on exertion but now I don't know how to explain it. I have had blood tests and I assume they are OK as no one has contacted me. But is it the medication causing issues with vitamins ? It is so frustrating and I can appreciate what you are going through.
Just read your post. I don’t have problems as bad as you, but l also get some bad days and feel like my number is up. On the good days the world is my oyster. I have had blood tests etc. and all came back good. Because of that, l am certain it has to be medication side effects. I was, like yourself ok before. My energy levels are less than half of what l used to be. We are between a rock and a hard place. Could be worse, l know, but does get you down. I don’t like being unreliable, and unpredictable and to plan things and have to cancel. Take care.
The biggest frustration for me is that I need the medication and my cardiologist is happy with me and happy with what has been found. And yes I look well but underneath I am struggling. Is it meds? Heart? Anxiety? Yes I have made plans and had to cancel them. Not fair on my family. I suppose the biggest frustration is not being like my peers. But then I never was but I just assumed I was normal for me. But you need a quality of life.
I hope you get to the bottom of it. Perhaps it will settle down for you, but there are a lot of alternatives if you feel unwell. My pharmacist said a drug should make you feel better not worse. I just about tolerate mine after trial and error, which took a long time of being sick. The tiredness is awful. Good luck.
hi. So sorry that you are feeling poorly. There’s no condition that I know if that immediately springs to mind, but I’m not a doctor. It could possibly be anxiety related and maybe your tablets need adjusting. I’m on meds for anxiety too but it never gets rid of it completely, just reduces the intensity a little. I think maybe the anxiety is contributing to your symptoms but things like the pain in your chest, dizziness and leg pain and swelling need to be checked. I’m sure it’s nothing sinister but for your own piece of mind try and get another appointment with your gp. Xxxx
It's fine they called me back it's not heart related so I really don't care about how I feel anymore I always worry bout nothing so I'm just so fed up of everything mostly myself and how my anxiety is getting to me especially my health. They said to phone great Ormond Street tomorrow so I will do that. Wont bother perusing it any further it's not anything but thanks for replying x
Hi. I’m pleased that it’s not heart related. I think everyone with heart problems feels the same way and worries when they don’t feel right. I know that my anxiety manifests itself in physical symptoms but we just can’t take any chances. Please don’t be too hard on yourself. Medical staff can have a knack of making you feel stupid but you did absolutely the right thing by checking it out. . Xxx
Update : so it's definitely not heart related which is a relief but I feel so stupid for thinking it was so I'm just gona leave it its probably anxiety anway like you all said. They said to phone great Ormond Street tomorrow so hopefully that won't be a huge waist of time also. Just feeling really stupid and fed up if I'm honest. Why does anxiety have to manifest into physical symptoms 😩😒😐😑.
Don’t feel stupid Yumz. You are ok. Anxiety is terrible and we all feel the same when something is wrong. Mine goes through the roof. Thank goodness we can vent on here. Xx
I hope you will soon feel better. Everything gets you down when you feel sick and the worry is the worst. Hope this all soon blows over for you, and it will. Thanks for following me. I don’t post much (well not at the moment). I hope it lasts because l get times when l am scared.😫 xxxx
I really do feel that the medical profession do not understand anxiety and or depression. The trouble with our conditions is that we know there is a problem with our engine. Some like you have known for a very long time. Some like me find out by accident. But it hurts, either way it hurts. And we never can get away from the fight or flight mode. Yes you can push yourself to carry on doing things but it is not the same. That little voice inside causing you to take it easy don't do that it might cause a problem. Yes you are scared we are all scared. But our peers do not understand. But we are always in a hightened state waiting for the next problem. Head aches chest pains. Dizziness. I don't know the answer but it is a personal battle we all have to go through.
You’ve hit the nail on the head there, Felly. Even though I carry on as “normal” there’s always that little voice inside saying “OMG there’s something wrong with my heart!” I look totally fine on the outside but the battles that go on inside to create that air of “normal” are something else!
The trouble I have is I want a normal me. See having found I have a congenital heart issue, I lived for 56 years not knowing any different. Now I know. God its hard. But then at least iam being looked after. So there is one blessing.
I don’t think you’re alone in that want, Felly! I had random bouts of palpitations for years and never thought anything of them. It was only when they got a label that it became an issue and everything went downhill from there. I guess finding a way to come to terms with our various conditions is ideal but it’s not an easy thing to do, for sure.
Having sat on the sidelines during this debate you have activated the have a quick word mode in my brain.You are close to the "Doctors are busy people I don't want to bother them" point,if you are ever worried call your doctor, your cardiac nurse or 111 .
My only visible sign pre cabg was a slight cough and as a smoker the wasn't any point bothering the doctor, and that was my attitude right up to being dumped in casualty by my wife.
I have since instigated the that seems wrong ask the professionals system, and if it's a new symptom no matter what I ask, and keep a diary about these things.
Because we must not forget that the hart is not the only thing that can go wrong on us, I was very cabg centric I looked at everything through the prism of the pump, my recent experiences have led to a bit of realignment in the brainbox.
Call them it is not going to be a waste of time, it a symptom probably only anxiety but a very highly qualified professional in a white coat or blue uniform can tell you not to worry, and then advise you if need to call the GP,or just take tea and daytime TV for a couple of days.
But it's never a waste of time your mental well being is just as important as the physical.
Anxiety doesn't cause leg swelling. That sounds like a side effect of one of your tablets so do talk to them and maybe get your meds looked at and possibly changed.
I am sorry to hear about your anxiety Yumz, it really is horrible. I know from my own experience how it can manifest into physical symptoms that feel absolutely real to me. It’s much harder to stick up for yourself when very anxious, I know, but it’s a health condition just like any other and should be treated with respect and consideration by the medical staff you speak to. There’s absolutely no need to feel like you’re wasting their time at all. I do hope things improve for you soon x
I always feel dizzy when my bp is too low. Often I feel fluttery in the chest but as I look normal others don’t understand so I get where you are coming from. Deep breaths and look at the clouds in the sky and try going outside into the garden or some greenery.
Hi. Hope you are feeling a bit better now. I know what you mean. I don't know how I'm going to feel from one minute to the next. I can feel okay and then the next minute feel light headed and hot and off balance and have to sit down. It's a bit scarey if it happens when I'm out or planning to go out somewhere and it makes me feel anxious just thinking about what if I have a funny turn when I'm not at home.The arrhythmia nurse said they weren't worried about it so I try to do the same and not let it stop me from going anywhere but it does give me anxiety just thinking about it. I get all sorts of things happening such as headache, tingling. It does make me loose confidence but I find that I have to keep pushing through these feelings and the more I go out the easier it gets. Hope you feel better soon.
Hi Yumz I hope you feel better soon. Waiting on results can make you feel anxious. I hope you get them soon to put your mind at ease. Don’t forget none of us object to you posting your feelings. We are here to listen and support. All the best x
Thanks that helps alot been feeling really crappy just anxiety. I phoned to great Ormond Street and got put through only to be told there colleague wasn't there but they did give me there extention number to call back later so I will try again. Didn't realise how anxious I am believe it or not I am on medication for this 🙈. X
Some of us are more anxious than others. You’re still young so anxiety can take over when waiting for results. Hopefully when you call back you will find out. Medication helps but doesn’t always release you from it completely. My daughter takes propranolol for her anxiety. I remember taking that as a teenager and adult for Supra ventricular tachycardia (SVT). I hope you find out today. Let us know. All the best.
Is the pressure in your neck one sided or both sides?Do the symptoms come on after a period when you are active or only at rest , or when you move from one position to another ?
Are you legs always a bit swollen or does it only happens when you sit with legs down? How long does it take for you to notice the swelling starts?
Do you get other symptoms in your feet or ankles like pain, pins and needles or a change in colour?
Does swelling also happen when you stand still for some time , like in the shower ?
Do you feel light headed all if the time or just feel dizzy and off balance at the moment you change position then does it wear off quite quickly?
Do your palpitations happen before or after feeling dizzy or is it continuous?
Have you had blood tests recently for Iron/ Ferritin, Vitamin B 12 , Folates , Sodium , Potassium , Vitamin D , Full Blood Count and a Thyroid Panel ?
If the GP said these were normal do you have a copy of the results so you can see if any results were low range or borderline?
Which meds are you on ?
The symptoms can be caused by many different things , some very simple , some needing further investigation but they can feel worse if you have heart issues and can mean that you may need a dose adjustment or other self care advice. The info above helps to rule out the possibilities.
The pressure in neck is both sides when I'm active. Only happens when my legs are down on the floor for long periods of time or if I've been on my feet for a long time, sometimes my legs and ankles look bit purple but that's always been like that for me so it's nothing out of the ordinary. Dizziness and off balance when I'm standing up and does were off when I sit down. Yep very recently they have checked everything in my blood everything is normal x I'm on verapamil 40mg x2 and mirtazapine 15mg.Thanks that helped to rule anything serious out, honestly I'm stumped have no clue why keep feeling like this 🙁😬
I am very sorry that you have been feeling so bad. I know that you often deal with anxiety, and I know those feelings all too well. I also believe that anxiety can make all of our symptoms feel worse.
However, I also feel that lightheadedness and swollen legs are serious symptoms of something. It is scary and also dangerous to feel that you might faint at any time. I would definitely want to have that checked out as soon as possible. These symptoms can be serious and they are bothering you. That makes it important to have them checked. Just because we have anxiety, doesn’t mean that we are not also ill.
I feel that my breathing problems have worsened, and I have been feeling some lightheaded too. It worries me because I have never felt that before. I don’t see my cardiologist until November 3rd, so I’m just trying to wait and see.
Anyway, I would encourage you to have these symptoms checked out by your doctor. It is really better to be safe than sorry. Best wishes! ❤️
Thanks hun. I have my appointment on 21st November so I will just mention at my appointment a few months from now x I've had my blood checked recently and I'm fine nothing abnormal shows up so I think my anxiety has got worse and I will be going to the doctors about that. Have you had your symptoms checked?? X
It's possibly heart related. Swelling in lower legs. I mean this is a clear symptom and is listed as a heart related problem but maybe it could be something else. Same with light headed, dizzy and faintness. Although these could also be aniexity related especially if your mind is focused on these all the time. Which I know with both heart failure and health aniexity.
It is tough to determine these things. I get heart pains everyday. I get lots of different sensations and symptoms. Is it meds, my heart or aniexity...probably a combination of all 3!
The problem comes to try a pin point which one is causing it and is there an actual solution that works for this without compromising your health any further. It's tough for you to even do this, never mind a specialist who is over run in the NHS and that sees you for 5 minute's once every 6 months!
Best things we can do is try combat all of these problems with lifestyle changes. Exercise. Diet. Meditation. Etc. If anything persists then it needs to be investigated. All the best
If you are feeling lightheaded and faint when standing, you could ask your GP to check your orthostatic vitals. It’s a simple test monitoring your heart rate and blood pressure as you lie, sit and stand. (Usually – there are slightly different versions.) It is often done by a practice nurse.
This won’t lead directly to a particular diagnosis but it can be helpful.
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Anxiety or heart problem
Ankle swelling not related to HF
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Could this be heart related?
