Confuse with Myocarditis

[Khal1]

Within this week not sure why suddenly got chest pain again. Diagnosed with myocarditis in May 2024. When back for ecg but normal.

Any suggestion or advice can share with me? I really need fully recover from this myocarditis.

[FoodieVibes]

Hi, sorry to hear that.

Sometimes it takes a while to recover from myocarditis and they usually mention 3-6 months however, that can vary.

I'm in a very similar position to you, whereby my ECG returned as normal yet, I still experience chest pain and often get a tight chest, and it feels exactly like the beginning of my myocarditis.

Perhaps inform your GP/Doctor that your still experiencing these symptoms and wish to be referred to a cardiologist so they can investigate further and/or give you specialist advice.

Rest and don't overdo it because it's clear something is still going on.

Are you still on any medication?

[Khal1 in reply to FoodieVibes]

hi FoodieVibes, thank you so much for your advice and sharing. Yes, I still on medication which are colchicine and Azathioprine as prescribed by my cardiologist.

Just this week feel like the beginning of my myocarditis. It’s not like crush my chest just that felt my upper chest in pain and sometimes goes to my neck.

Appreciate it if you could share your symptoms.

[FoodieVibes in reply to Khal1]

Yeah I get what you're saying, you're definitely not alone I can tell you that. Myocarditis requires a lot of patience and time, and you may have to pause the physical activities you love doing until you get better. But hopefully it shouldn't last forever.

As for me, I still get tightness in my chest, I feel like the chest is pulling in or tugging, and the sharp pain comes and goes, it's mostly on the left side of my chest, but it also moves to the middle and right sometimes.

Thankfully palpitations have gone and likewise any shortness of breath.

[Khal1 in reply to FoodieVibes]

Yeah, thank you for your sharing. I felt same as you only chest pain and chest tightness. Thanks god i don’t have any palpitations and shortness of breath.

And also my heart rate also consider normal below 80 and resting HR will be below 70.

[FoodieVibes in reply to Khal1]

Yeah my cardiologist told me that too, which is to keep the heart rate low. Beware of stress as well as that can put a strain on the heart, especially in today's society.

Maybe try using heat pads on your chest to help with the pain. A friend of mine advised me with that (she's gone through similar heart conditions) and I still haven't got one yet lol it's been sitting in my Amazon basket for a few months. I have a hot water bottle but it's a mission filling it up especially when you're in pain.

[Khal1 in reply to FoodieVibes]

Yes, I totally understand because we have similar situation. Currently, I’m more to anxious and make me feel sick. I’m not stressed but more to overthinking. I know the symptoms still exists but I don’t know how to react.

I hope your friend will recover soon!

[FoodieVibes in reply to Khal1]

I understand, it's not easy to deal with. I don't think there is a standard way of reacting, so feel free to react however you feel is right. If your anxiety is a lot and you struggle with it then perhaps you should seek some professional help, maybe some therapy of some sort. Don't hesitate in putting out your hand to ask for help. We all need it.

I'm sure you condition will get better. Try to pacify yourself by remembering that most people with myocarditis go on to make a full recovery. And had your condition been very bad, you probably would have been in hospital right now, right?

Hope you get better.

And yeah I hope she does get better too.

[Khal1 in reply to FoodieVibes]

Yeah exactly, I totally understand and thanks so mucn for you advice.

Correct, if I'm in bad condition then probably right now I will be in the hospital. Just that now My chest pain seems to be okay just that feel pain at my neck and cheeks bone.

[FoodieVibes in reply to Khal1]

You are very much welcome.

If the pain at your cheeks and neck is concerning you, see a doctor as soon as possible.

Hope you make a healthy recovery.

[Crowortak]

Good morning.

I found myself in a similar position. Twice taken back in to hospital but all readings were normal.

I was then diagnosed with Costochondritis which presents very similar symptoms to a heart attack apparently.

It gave me some comfort and peace as I was very worried.

Hope this helps and gives you something to consider.

Take care.

[Khal1 in reply to Crowortak]

Good afternoon,

Thank you for sharing this to us. Yes, before this I also diagnosed with Costochondritis. Perhaps, do you feel like a pain at your neck and cheeks?

[PVYXAAEI]

I was prescribed a GTN spray which you spray under your tongue if you feel your chest getting tight . I think this is for Angina although they have ruled out Angina for me but still prescribed me the spray to only use if I need it

[Crowortak in reply to PVYXAAEI]

If Costochondritis then the GTN spray won’t work with that. This also contributed to me thinking there was something seriously wrong. Very scary.

[Callie456]

I don't have personal experience, but I have a friend who got myocarditis after a virus. She wasn't able to do much at all for many months, was only able walk 100m and not really able to work or do jobs around the house. If she tried to push through or did too much, she ended up feeling worse.She had to learn to pace herself, she's still having to take things slowly 12 months later. Even with all that, her test results also looked normal. Sometimes you just can't see these things on scans and an ECG shows electrical activity, so it can be completely normal even if there is inflammation, which wouldn't neccessarily show on ECG as far as I know.

She manages by taking things slowly, learning to say no to things, listening to her body, not overdoing it and decreasing stress as much as possible. She said she wasn't putting a timeframe on recovery, you can't rush it, it takes as long as it takes. Frustrating I know, but take care and rest, things will improve, just little by little. ❤️

[Khal1 in reply to Callie456]

Hi Callie456, thank you for sharing with me about your friend. I hope she will recover soon. Yeah, the problem with me i think because of overthinking than can lead to chest tightness

[Numptybrain]

I get chest pain with pericarditis as I have bilateral pleural effusion’s also so unless it’s that which could be causing your pain as it is quite painful. Hope this helps, maybe an X-ray to rule it out?

Take care

Wendy xx

[Khal1 in reply to Numptybrain]

I hope that you will fully recovery soon Wendy. Can you share me your symptoms? I feel tight at my neck and cheeck.

[Numptybrain in reply to Khal1]

Pain across shoulders and chest, shortness of breath main issues. Hope you get sorted soon.

Take care

Wendy xx

[Khal1 in reply to Numptybrain]

Thank you so much Wendy. Thanks god I don't have any shortness of breath. Now I have pain at my neck and cheeks.

[Lupa87]

Hello

I was diagnosed with myocarditis and was given coltrazine for 6 months. Went back still with chest pains was told it was pericarditis. Same treatment. After ome might i ended up gripping my left bicep in such pain it brought me to my knees. Drove to a completly different hospital and tbey diagnosed me with a blocked lad 78%.

Bare in my mind i have a history of blood clots from antiphospholipid syndrome so really it should have been picked up on.

Mistakes happen and its your heart. If your not happy go somewhere else or keep making noises because the stress alone from worry isnt worth it.

[Khal1 in reply to Lupa87]

Hello Lupa87,

Sorry to hear that and hopefully you fully recover soon.

Yes, I already done all tests on May which including the Angiogram and everything were clear. However, only my Cardiac MRI showed that I have the Myocarditis and currently still on medication.

Right now, my chest pain getting better but only felt pain at my neck and cheeks.