Chest Pain

[sjpaddock]

Has anyone experienced chest pain? I have had it for 3 months. Every test has been negative so far and yet the pain persists! I am wondering if this is a new MS symptom. PLEASE someone reply. I am at the end of my rope!

[mjan]

Wow, sorry you are going through this and for 3 months!

What kind of pain? And I guess you had a cardiac work up with stress test etc?

Hope you get answers and soon. Does anything help?

Feel better..Jan

[sjpaddock]

Pain

The pain is sorta like someone is peeling the inside of my chest out. I have had xrays, ct scans, stress test (which caused a relapse). They have tried iv steroids, oral steroids, patches, creams and now Nitroglycerin. Nothing helps and I seriously cannot take it anymore. When the pain started I was not on an MS drug. I have now been on Gilenya for almost three weeks and have gained 15 lbs so I think I am going to stop.

[MSer102]

It sounds like other people have chest pain cuz there was another thread about it.
http://www.msworld.org/forum/showthr...ght=chest+pain

[Kimba22]

Yes, I experience chest pain. I have some cardiac history, but my cardiologists don't attribute any of it to the pain I get. Now the thinking is it's attributed to my autonomic system. I do have brainstem lesions. There are times it is much more frequent than others. I can go several months with or without this pain. There is no rhyme or reason for my symptoms.

My MS Specialist has not wholeheartedly jumped on the bandwagon in agreement, but now finally doesn't say he disagrees, either. I know he doesn't want to make any assumptions. We aren't immune to other conditions. I regularly see my cardiologists and continue to get routine EKG's and stress tests. I've worn holter monitors as well.

Stay hydrated, as dehydration can contribute to this symptom. Please don't make assumptions it's just from MS and don't ever be afraid to go to the ER.

Hoping you feel better soon.

[MSer102]

When the pain started I was not on an MS drug. I have now been on Gilenya for almost three weeks and have gained 15 lbs so I think I am going to stop.

I'm surprised - OK aghast! - that you were having terrible chest pains and your neurologist put you on Gilenya anyway? If you develop heart problems from the Gilenya how would anyone know since they thought they already ruled out heart problems? I'm not a doctor but something definitely doesn't sound right here. If I were in your place I would talk to my doctor about stopping Gilenya ASAP.

In the medicines you were on you didn't mention anything for nerve pain. Have you tried gabapentin or Lyrica or one of the other anti-seizure medicines that are prescribed for nerve pain? Could you maybe be having spasms of some muscles in your chest that nitroglycerin isn't working for? Have you tried a different muscle relaxer? Did you have a blood test to check your blood minerals? When my legs were extra crampy my doctor tested my blood minerals.

You might have already done all of these things but you didn't mention them so I thought I'd make sure.

[laurasari]

Sometimes. Chest pain may be caused by gastric issues and then there is pain they call idiopathic from unknown reason. I hope you get some relief whatever the cause is
Good luck
Laurir

[KatieAgain]

Just my two cents. If you are having chest pain and taking Gileyna...call your neuro for a different DMD. In case you do have a heart problem, the two don't mix. I had a heart condition as a child and although everything is OK, I can never take G.

Chest pains...have they referred you to a gastro? Believe it or not, I was having chest pains a few years ago and after the whole cardiac work up and all that was normal, I got referred to a Gastro. He scoped me and found like 15 ulcers in my stomach...due to NSAID use. There is something called a Vagus nerve that is in very close proximity to the heart...if it is irritated in anyway, it can cause heart pain or heart palpitations. Chest pain was eliminated once they got me on med for the ulcers. I am told GERD can also cause Vagus Nerve Problem and chest pain.

Hope it all works out for you.

[marti]

Yes I have daily chest pains. I've had all the usual heart tests and you should be sure to see your doctor before laying this on MS.

I'm at the point that we think my chest pains are a result of many, many bulging discs in my back. I also have Costochondritis. You would know if this was the problem by touching yourself where the pain is.. it will really hurt. Muscular/skeletal thing.

Also, it could be fibromyalgia. You didn't mention exactly where the pain is located. A lot of us have MS HUG which can cause this pain.

Just keep researching, but most of all see your doctor and a cardiologist!!

[mjan]

Hmm.. I cannot let this go.. sorry.

Have you had a gastro doc check you out? With a scope down the esophagus to stomach?

I just have this feeling they are missng something and perhaps not related to MS either. Don't forget to your GYNie check ups too.

There is such a thing as "referred pain".. comes from another source. 3 months is a long time.

And its not MS hug related?

Just thinking out loud here hon.

Let us know how you are doing.

Warmly, Jan

[sjpaddock]

Thank you

For all of your replies. I am going to try to answer your questions.
Yes, I take Neurontin for nerve pain
Yes, they have done two EGD's and the ulcer they found has now healed but am still on GERD medication.
Yes, have tried every muscle relaxer out there. Valium takes the edge off enough to sleep but I don't want to get addicted.
I am planning on quitting Gylenya due to the 15 pounds I have gained in three weeks.
I have been tested for Condroconditis, came back negative.
My neuro does not think it is MS
The pain is like a cross with the worse part just over my heart
I also can hear my heart beating very loudly in my head.

I don't have a gallbladder. The pain is usually over my heart but right now the worse is on the right side of my chest. almost in the middle. Like I said, most days it is on the left side.

I am starting to think I am going crazy and docs don't help. My next step is to go back to the Pain med doctor who will try shots of something into the bone joints or a nerve block.

My youngest is only 14 and I would like to get my life back. This is worse than MS has ever been. I use a cane and have for years but this is awful!

[mjan]

OH dear.. this is too much, eh?

Have you seen a cardiologist for this? I know you said you've had tests. Hearing your heartbeat.. vagus nerve perhaps? It runs from the abdomen to side of neck up to brain. Its pretty extension.

I have dysautonomia which is a screwed up autonomic system. Went through a very extensive testing for it.
My autonomic system goes out of whack for no reason.

Glad you had the EDGs too. I had a neg EKG, and stress test only to have a sudden problem with chest pain and sitll it was neg..till they re read my stress test and I have 95% blockage when just the year before had neg tests.

I would want you to have a cardiologist rule this out. AND MS hug, whether docs believe it or not, it REAL, very painful!!

Again, I am sorry. Hope you find out what is causing this problem for you. Keep us posted.

Jan

[sjpaddock]

Mjan, yes, I have seen a cardiologist last week who put me on Nitro. I had a stress test which was normal. I will look into the vagus nerve idea. Thanks for the suggestion.

[mjan]

So is ANYONE, besides us, here, think it is MS HUG?

Or are they non-believers. As much as it hurts, it is not
terminal..or..that is what I kept saying to myself.

I dont have it as bad as I did. It used to literally squeeze the breath out of my lungs in 1 second!! I could not even move. Seems to have affected how I breathe now, per my pulmonary testor. I breathe too shallow as a result.

I am on Diclofenac which is a NSAID, but stronger, 12 hour release for my spinal stenosis, but Baclofen for Spasticity and I swear THAT combo is what is helping mostly keep those horrible MS hugs from well. HUGGING LOL

Can you tell, your painful issue really bugs me? LOL
I want to help you figure this out. The fact you hear your heartbeat.. something is pressing on something eh?

Again, I would consider alternative methods too. Trust me, docs do not have the same training or no training in nutrition, toxicity unless they actually SEE it on a liver panel.

Keep us/me informed hon,

Jan

[sjpaddock]

I have MS hug under my right rib cage and have for years. This feels different and is constant and at times does make it harder to take a breath. If it is MS, fine, I can learn to live with it hopefully. My gut is telling me it is not.