Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Update! My first rheumy app. How it all went.

Hi there, your rheumy was right to be concerned about the chest pain. It really should be looked into to determine whether it's muscle strain due to all the coughing, costochondritis (probably due to a combination of the coughing and the AS), or heart related. Finding out will ease your mind as well as your doctor's.

Here's a link from MedicineNet on heart attacks and women. Heart Attack Signs in Women

You are taking the Celebrex with food and a full glass of water, yes?

Sorry to nag, but just wanted to make sure.

Hugs,

Hi Kat.
I have decided not to take it at all.

As for the signs of a heart attack we have a little problem there.
I am a lifesaver and qualified in Advanced first aid, defib and oxyvivor use. I am well aware of the signs and symptoms.
But here is the problem.
# Tightness in chest
# Pain spreading to shoulders, neck or arm
# Feeling of heartburn or indigestion with or without nausea and vomiting
Indigestion or gas-like pain
# Discomfort/pain between shoulder blades
# Recurring chest discomfort
All of this I have on quite a regular basis due to AS I believe.
But because I know what the signs of heart attack are I then have panic atacks and start to experience all the classic symptoms.
I think my head is my own worst enemy.

The hard thing is working out what is normal (for me) and what is not. The rheumatologist said there is know way for me to tell the difference so I need to get it checked out whenever I experience it. And like I said, that is every other day. I am sure the ambulance will get sick of me, if not already.

In the past few months I have been checked for heart attack at least 8-10 times. All bloods and ecg have come back normal but I do have to be careful as I have a heart problem where I have bad pulpitations. My cardiologist said I have a problem with the electronics of my heart found this from having a holter monitor on for 24hrs. But it is not serious enough at this stage to require treatment.

My cholesterol is OK, I have low BP and low sugar most times but lately that has been pretty good. I am slightly overweight from medication for my endometriosis(sp) but not obese. I have until the past few weeks been very active with lifesaving and training and there is no history of heart problems in my family at all.
I do smoke though and have just decided to give up.
So overall I dont have that many risk factors.

I just dont have anyway to tell the difference between my normal symptoms and heart attack.
And like I said my head is my worst enemy I think.

That's one of the worst things, isn't it. Not being able to tell whether it's AS or something else, because they present the same way! Really, it's enough to make you scream sometimes.

I don't blame you for not wanting to head to ER every time and I'd forgotten that you are a lifeguard and would have training in these things. Sorry for that.

I also don't blame you for not wanting to take the Celebrex. I got ulcers from NSAIDS and would really rather never take them again. I try not to, sometimes to the point of stupidity probably. Unfortunately, they are going to be playing a part in my immediate future while we wait for the Remicade to come out of my system so I can start Enbrel.

You just take care of you, OK?

Hugs,

Thanks Kat, I will.
And same to you ok.

Oh and don'tworry about forgetting I was a lifesaver I wasn't offended, I hope my reponce didnt sound that way.

All the best. Hope the Embrel helps when you can start it.
Hugs back

Late to reply to this and if I read it right you are opting to probably not take the med's.

I pass on taking med's quite frequently but will offer this.

My Mom now 70 or thereabouts years old has been on sulfasalaxine for more than 50 years and it has been a tremendous benefit to her. I tried it for a couple of months with no benefit and no detriment.

Its hard to figure what were are comfortable taking and the list of possible side effects often scares folks off med's when there is no promise of beneift but sometimes they are worht the risk.

I hope you find something that helps you.