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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Sudden Pain In Left Arm And Leg With Heart Palpitations?

I am an IV drug user. I usually inject into the same vein on the inner side of my left arm. Lately I have been having a lot of muscle pain in my left leg and left arm. I also have heart palpitations and generally just feel weak. Any ideas? I guess I ll die if it s serious (I also always have a low grade fever of 99 and ear pressure and sinus pressure). I don t have money to pay that s why I haven t gone to rehab. Thanks anyway.
Wed, 30 Sep 2020
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General Surgeon,  's  Response
Hi,

These symptoms may be heralding the presence of an underlying abnormality of the rhythm of the heart which may be catastrophic (arrhythmia). Moreover, IV drug abusers are prone to the development of infective endocarditis (in which there is an infection in the innermost layer of the heart that is the endocardium) which leads the formation of small vegetations in the walls of the heart.

These vegetations may dislodge and can cause a heart attack or a stroke. It is highly suggested to you that you immediately start cutting down on your IV drug usage, visit a rehabilitation center to avoid the development of withdrawl symptoms, visit a cardiologist/general physician and get an ECG and echocardiography done. Treatment of infective endocarditis (which appears highly likely) need to be instituted on an urgent basis along with measures to decrease the risk of abnormality of heart rhythm.

Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Kaushal Deep Singh, General Surgeon
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What Causes Sudden Pain In Left Arm And Leg With Heart Palpitations?

Hi, These symptoms may be heralding the presence of an underlying abnormality of the rhythm of the heart which may be catastrophic (arrhythmia). Moreover, IV drug abusers are prone to the development of infective endocarditis (in which there is an infection in the innermost layer of the heart that is the endocardium) which leads the formation of small vegetations in the walls of the heart. These vegetations may dislodge and can cause a heart attack or a stroke. It is highly suggested to you that you immediately start cutting down on your IV drug usage, visit a rehabilitation center to avoid the development of withdrawl symptoms, visit a cardiologist/general physician and get an ECG and echocardiography done. Treatment of infective endocarditis (which appears highly likely) need to be instituted on an urgent basis along with measures to decrease the risk of abnormality of heart rhythm. Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Kaushal Deep Singh, General Surgeon