Pain in arms and back

[marantha]

5 years of PMR/GCA and had various flares and setbacks but this is new. Heart racing, arms heavy. Passes after a while but had a few episodes. Ok in between. Is this yet another manifestation of this nightmare condition. Feel more exhausted than usual and no appetite. Have decided to try sick day rules. Any advice?

[Rose54]

Hi

I would really get yourself checked out as soon as possible . We tend to blame everything on PMR but it’s not always to blame.

You probably are right but better to be safe then sorry.

[marantha in reply to Rose54]

Thanks I guess you’re right.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

The next time it happens call 999 - it probably isn't but those could be symptoms of a cardiac problem and it needs checking out at the time - no use waiting a couple of weeks for a GP appointment only for there to be nothing to hear/see. It was a GP who told me to do that - the paramedics carry an ECG machine but it can only show what is happening now, not a few hours a go, not even half an hour ago.

You can't blame everything on PMR or even pred!

[marantha in reply to PMRpro]

Took your advice and called ambulance after another episode this morning. The problem was is that it had subsided by the time they arrived. Went to A&E where they were very thorough but no explanation for episodes. At least I know it wasn’t a heart attack. Just wondering if angina presents like that. I did not need emergency treatment so they sent me on my way 7 hours later!!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to marantha]

It's such a pest - and some GPs will say your ECG is OK but that is meaningless unless it was happening at the time. I have been taken to A&E and by the time they saw me it had stopped! BUT it was happening when the paramedics got here and they DID have a trace. Mine was atrial fibrillation and the worst episode I've had was more tachycardia than arrhythmia but the emergency doctor was here in time to see I wasn't making it up!

If it is at rest, then it is less likely to be angina although there is one form that does happen at rest. Do you have access to a fit bit? Or you could buy a pulse oximeter which measures pulse and oxygen levels. I have one and it is very useful in deciding whether this episode of tachycardia/arrythmia is worth calling them out to. I gives you figures - and you can see what sort of heart rhythm you have at the time.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to marantha]

My hubby suffered from angina for a long time and yes his arms were affected…if it hasn’t been suggested, I would have thought that an angiogram might be appropriate.

Think you need to discuss whole episode with GP. -hopefully they will have received a report from A&E.

[marantha in reply to DorsetLady]

Will do. It still feels unsatisfactory.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to marantha]

It does need to be followed up - and please let us know how you get on…

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to marantha]

I know what you mean - I had months of it with something a bit different. I knew what it felt like but there was no evidence and I never had a monitor on when it happened. It was scary - had it happened while driving or at the top of the stairs, doesn;t bear thinking of.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to DorsetLady]

It is such a pain - I told them what was happening long before I got the pacemaker and was able to say, I told you so! But they said, there was never any evidence. I suppose once it happened badly enough it was a blessing heavily in disguise that they gave me a medication that should have been flagged on my notes which triggered the a/f and the pauses became VERY apparent...

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRpro]

No, it never does happen when you want it to (you know what I mean) -and as you say can happen in some situations when it could be very dangerous…

Can remember a cardiologist saying to hubby when he had an episode in hospital- “just be pleased it happened here and not down the pub, I wouldn’t have been there to save you!”

[HeronNS]

Let us know how you get on. Have possibly some cardiac issues of my own developing and with less dramatic symptoms than yours my GP has taken me seriously, although my referral on to further investigations hasn't "taken" yet. The sooner you are seen and investigations launched the better. As Rose54 says, better safe than sorry.

[marantha in reply to HeronNS]

see my reply to PMRpro