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Suggest Treatment For Heart Palpitations, Fatigue, Lightheadedness And Discomfort In Shoulder Area

Posted on Wed, 17 Dec 2014

Question: I have been suffering heart palpations, fatique, light headed.. discomfort in my upper back, shoulders and arm pits at times.. This has been going on since the 14th of this month. I thought I was having an MS relaps, but realized today..by using this sight it is heart related. I am Canadian traveling in the US. I do not have medical insurance coverage... coverage only good for an emergency visit...I have a flight booked home... 12 hours to get there... Wondering, should I be having an emergency doctor see me before I fly on MondAY??? I have been on a statin drug for 10 years,I take Zocor. I also have an under active thyroid and take medication for that as well. My blood pressure is in the normal range, and I have a low heart rate...usually in the 60ies.I have No water retention in my body....I also have been using a liquid vitamin, B12, CoQ10, krill oil, and taking Bach rescue remedy, and Lavela... ( a lavender oil supplement) for anxiety....What is your advice, on what I need to do now, before the flight home...Or am I safe to wait the 3 days it will take to get home...I am flying on Monday!

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
I strongly recommend to have an emergency visit...

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you for asking!

I read your query and understood your concerns.

You are experiencing a new onset heart palpitations and chest area discomfort, which may be signs of new onset pectoral angina (a very serious and sometimes life threatening heart condition). This is why i strongly recommend to have an emergency visit before flying back home on Monday.

If you were my patient I would probably run the following exams on ER:
- Blood work (including heart enzymes)
- ECG
- Chest Xray
- Abdominal ultrasound
This examinations will help to exclude life threatening medical problems.

Hope you will find this of help!
Wish you health!
Dr. Benard

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (3 hours later)

Would they be able to give me medication to make me more comfortable, and get me home to Canada safely? What can they do by these examinations to exclude this life threatening problem?

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes,they will give pain drugs to ease pain...

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

If you go to ER, they will get your current health condition examined through various tests ( most of them I mentioned above) until finding the right diagnosis and proper solution.

For sure, they will give pain medications to me you feel more comfortable and will advise on your trip to Canada depending on the final diagnosis.

Hope it answered to your query!
Dr.Benard

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (55 minutes later)

I went to emerg... they said they did not find anything ...gave me Ativan for the anxiety, and said I should go home, and should get more testing and monitoring!!!! Felt it was safe for me to make the flight! My ECG was normal.. blood work with heart enzymes were good, and did a chest exray and said it was fine!!!So do you agree??? And is it really safe to take Ativan when we are still unsure what is going on??? Just need another opinion... Thanks That said... I do have less anxiety since the emerg visit! Thanks

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (15 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Ativan is of help in controlling anxiety...

Detailed Answer:
Hi and welcome back,

As long as all the examinations were normal than you can travel safety back home. For the moment there's nothing to worry about and Ativan is of help in controlling anxiety.

I also recommend doing other examinations when you go back home:
- Cardiac ECHO
- Holter monitoring
- Stress test
This will help to exclude other cardiac issues (non life threatening).

Wish you health!
Dr. Benard
p.s: If you are satisfied with my answer, please close this query and rate it.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (1 hour later)

Thank you... i will be asking for these tests! Your advice has been a help!

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It's a nice thing to hear that my advice have been of help.

Detailed Answer:
Hi again,

It's a nice thing to hear that my advice have been of help.

Wish you health!
Dr. Benard

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj