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What Causes Severe Chest Pain Around The Heart?
Question: Hi I am a patient who had a major heart attack 1 and a half years ago, violently rejected stents put in, and ended up having a triple bypass. It was a difficult recovery but I have been on my feet, back in shape and working. However, I was exposed to a particularly antibiotic resistant form of strep 2 weeks ago at work. everyone had it. I had a high fever, terrible joint aches, nausea and headaches. But worst of all, my chest really hurt deep inside around my heart and in my back. I tested positive for strep and they put me on 10 days of aMOX- CLAv 875 mg. I felt better for about 12 days, but now much worse again. I feel exhausted and achy, and my chest really hurts, and my throat is sore again, and I have a fever. I had problems with periocarditis several times after the heart stuff. I have to work all weekend. SHould I be worried about this? I really feel lousy.
Brief Answer:
In my opinion URTI, needs treatment
Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query with diligence and shall try my best to help you to your satisfaction. In my opinion, the amoxicillin-clavulanic acid combination did help you, but not to the complete requirement.
The infection is still present, which is most probably an upper respiratory tract infection (URTI). This infection requires antibiotic coverage, without which you may continue to feel lousy ma'am. To confirm the same, I would advise a visit to your doctor and also to send a sputum sample to the laboratory for confirmation of the diagnosis. Your doctor might also initiate a course of antibiotics without waiting for the laboratory results.
As for the chest pain, if at all you experience any pain resembling the pain you experienced during your heart attack, please report to a doctor for an ECG (EKG), just to make sure all is fine. It is quite common to experience chest pain due to the congestion experienced with chest infections.
As for the work, I would request you to stay as comfortable and relaxed as possible (preferably work from home). I doubt you will be able to concentrate on work with this infection and so it would be best if you can avoid working altogether, but if that cannot be done then it would be best to take your time and work at your pace, in the most comfortable surroundings.
I hope you find my response helpful ma'am. Your infection will have to be diagnosed and treated to help guide you to good health. Please also feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to help you.
Best wishes ma'am.
In my opinion URTI, needs treatment
Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query with diligence and shall try my best to help you to your satisfaction. In my opinion, the amoxicillin-clavulanic acid combination did help you, but not to the complete requirement.
The infection is still present, which is most probably an upper respiratory tract infection (URTI). This infection requires antibiotic coverage, without which you may continue to feel lousy ma'am. To confirm the same, I would advise a visit to your doctor and also to send a sputum sample to the laboratory for confirmation of the diagnosis. Your doctor might also initiate a course of antibiotics without waiting for the laboratory results.
As for the chest pain, if at all you experience any pain resembling the pain you experienced during your heart attack, please report to a doctor for an ECG (EKG), just to make sure all is fine. It is quite common to experience chest pain due to the congestion experienced with chest infections.
As for the work, I would request you to stay as comfortable and relaxed as possible (preferably work from home). I doubt you will be able to concentrate on work with this infection and so it would be best if you can avoid working altogether, but if that cannot be done then it would be best to take your time and work at your pace, in the most comfortable surroundings.
I hope you find my response helpful ma'am. Your infection will have to be diagnosed and treated to help guide you to good health. Please also feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to help you.
Best wishes ma'am.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you Dr. XXXXXXX for your timely response. You were correct. It was an upper respiratory infection and they put me on a Z-pack to further treat it.
I try very hard to avoid antibiotics, because they give me terrible digestive issues and also problems with thrush and other yeast break outs which are so severe that over the counter yeast medicines do not work. I have yeast in my upper respiratory system, in my ears, GI tract. What would you recommend?
I did have an EKG which came back normal. I feel like I am experiencing many auto-immune symptoms since the heart surgery and rejection of stents. Before I had these problems I was very healthy, fit, and an athlete. Now I can barely get through each day without a nap.
I experience tremendous off and on joint pain and swelling, and facial edema and fluid retention. I experience small wounds such as a cuticle tear that are normal for everyone. Except on me they do not heal, but often become extremely infected. Is there any way I can keep this from happening and also get more energy?
Thank you again in advance for your complete and timely response to my query before. I hope you have a wonderful day.
Sincerely, Liz Thomsen
I try very hard to avoid antibiotics, because they give me terrible digestive issues and also problems with thrush and other yeast break outs which are so severe that over the counter yeast medicines do not work. I have yeast in my upper respiratory system, in my ears, GI tract. What would you recommend?
I did have an EKG which came back normal. I feel like I am experiencing many auto-immune symptoms since the heart surgery and rejection of stents. Before I had these problems I was very healthy, fit, and an athlete. Now I can barely get through each day without a nap.
I experience tremendous off and on joint pain and swelling, and facial edema and fluid retention. I experience small wounds such as a cuticle tear that are normal for everyone. Except on me they do not heal, but often become extremely infected. Is there any way I can keep this from happening and also get more energy?
Thank you again in advance for your complete and timely response to my query before. I hope you have a wonderful day.
Sincerely, Liz Thomsen
Brief Answer:
Lets wait for the infection to subside first ma'am
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again XXXXXXX
I understand how life changes after such a serious health issue occurs. But a wise individual would only let this remain temporarily. I know of many individuals who have suffered such unfortunate events much later in their life, and now feel healthier than ever.
Do not let any of these events get you down, in fact fight back stronger than ever. Change your lifestyle to a much more healthy one. Cut down on meat, switch to a vegetarian diet, with healthy vegetables (preferably organic or grown in your own backyard), increase the amount of exercise conducted per day, and so on.
For the yeast infection I would recommend anti-fungal medications like fluconazole, itraconazole, etc; can be used but only on prescription. I am sure a proper course of these medications will help rid you of your yeast infection.
I understand how you feel lethargic and tired all the time, this could be due to the symptoms you are experiencing or simply because of the current infection. Do understand ma'am that respiratory infections do take a toll on health, but this is only temporary. Imagine if the body struggles to conduct the one simplest function (i.e. breathing), how would it go about all the others. Give your body some rest, at least until the infection subsides and then assess yourself.
If at all you feel the lethargy still present, write back to me with your symptoms and we shall take it from there. For now stay well hydrated, and go complete your course of antibiotics, I am sure you will recover completely soon.
Wishing you lots of luck and a speedy recovery. I hope you find my response helpful, please do not hesitate to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to be of assistance.
Best wishes.
Lets wait for the infection to subside first ma'am
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again XXXXXXX
I understand how life changes after such a serious health issue occurs. But a wise individual would only let this remain temporarily. I know of many individuals who have suffered such unfortunate events much later in their life, and now feel healthier than ever.
Do not let any of these events get you down, in fact fight back stronger than ever. Change your lifestyle to a much more healthy one. Cut down on meat, switch to a vegetarian diet, with healthy vegetables (preferably organic or grown in your own backyard), increase the amount of exercise conducted per day, and so on.
For the yeast infection I would recommend anti-fungal medications like fluconazole, itraconazole, etc; can be used but only on prescription. I am sure a proper course of these medications will help rid you of your yeast infection.
I understand how you feel lethargic and tired all the time, this could be due to the symptoms you are experiencing or simply because of the current infection. Do understand ma'am that respiratory infections do take a toll on health, but this is only temporary. Imagine if the body struggles to conduct the one simplest function (i.e. breathing), how would it go about all the others. Give your body some rest, at least until the infection subsides and then assess yourself.
If at all you feel the lethargy still present, write back to me with your symptoms and we shall take it from there. For now stay well hydrated, and go complete your course of antibiotics, I am sure you will recover completely soon.
Wishing you lots of luck and a speedy recovery. I hope you find my response helpful, please do not hesitate to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to be of assistance.
Best wishes.
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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