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Low T-Cell - Bone Marrow Biopsy
Blood Cancers & Disorders | Last Active: Nov 15, 2022 | Replies (162)Comment receiving replies
Hi @loribmt,
How have you been? You have been on my mind these days - I was thinking that I should write you an update and ask for your wisdom.
I am currently back at my parent's place for a month's holiday - My infectiology doctor back in Europe decided to stop the antibiotics (which I was taking for 2 months) for that month since it did not seem to change much. Last week I started to have a very strange feeling in the heart, some sort of pressure, with some moment of sharper pain. I also was waking up during the night or even can't fall asleep as I have a very strange skipping beat feeling like my heart is going to stop. I thought it would go away, but 4 days after it was still there, and worst, I wasn't able to do my normal activities and started to panic. I went to the emergency cardiologist, they did a EKG, Chest Xray, Blood test for troponine and heart ultrasound, and all good. My dad's familly died at 40 from a heart attack (they were smoker) and himself had one a few months ago, without any worrying EKG or ultrasound. He had one calcified artery which was not seen as it does not release cholesterol. I am very much worried and debating if I should go to the ER again to ask for more test? Maybe CT Scan? It does not seem like they want to do that... I also had a HPV vaccine two weeks ago but it would not really make sense that this caused that. Could it be autoimmune? Could it be a sign of soon to be heart attack? I am very much clueless on what to do and my parents do not believe me and think I am just scared of also doing a heart attack like him, but my symptoms are very real.
I know this is outside of the "cancer" topic but if ever someone (including you) has tips or advice here I would very much appreciate it.
How are you enjoying the summer otherwise? How are you keeping up with the forum?
So grateful for your support xx
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Hi @mariabrat, we must be on the same wavelength. ☺️ I’ve been thinking about you and felt it was time to check in to see how you’re doing and here you are!
Ok, first, I’m relieved to see you’re home with family for a month, though I wish it was more restful for you and you weren’t plagued with negative thoughts. We had our daughter home with us for a few days…always fun to spoil her. At 39, she’s still our little girl. LOL I’m sure your parents are happy to have you with them for a nice long visit.
With the family history of early heart attacks I can understand how that shapes your thoughts when you start feeling skipped heart beats and other symptoms you haven’t experienced before.
Since all of the test results for possible heart disease were clear for you and you’re still having these palpitations or skipped beats, one thing I might suggest is speaking to your doctor about a Holter Monitor. This is a little wearable device that tracks your heart’s rhythm over a period of days and is read by your clinic for results. Here’s a link to a description: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/holter-monitor/about/pac-20385039
Another option that’s available is an APP for your smartphone like Cardiogram for Apple. There are number of them on the market in the US. So you can check the availability in your country for your phone. A friend of mine with Afib has a phone app and can keep track of her heart rhythm beyond what we get with our exercise apps.
Knowing that there isn’t any longterm issue with your heart will be a relief for you. Sometimes coronary issues can be genetic, but it sounds as though your dad’s side of the family made some poor health choices that may have attributed to their early heart attacks. It was the right thing for you to have your heart checked out. But I think you can relax a bit about any heart related issues.
I can’t help but wonder if some your heart symptoms aren’t anxiety related. I guess I sound like your mom now, sorry. ☺️ You’ve been under so much stress the past couple of years with your undetermined illness. There’s a lot of worry over trying to find answers, a diagnosis, and a treatment so you can start feeling whole again. That can take a huge toll on the body. About 40 years ago, I’d gone through similar skipped beats and anxiety attacks because of some very stressful situations I was dealing with at the time. Took some convincing from my doctor that nothing was wrong with my heart. (I wore a Holter monitor) But once I realized that it was stress, and not actually heart related, those symptoms went away.
Are you still practicing your mindfulness exercises to reduce anxiety?
I’m sorry to hear the antibiotics made no change in your health. But it was a good place to start. I think your doctor wanted to rule out any underlying infection. Autoimmune diseases can be a huge mystery to unravel. So your doctor started with the easiest thing to try and will be able to refocus to other possibilities going forward. Some of your symptoms sound very much like Long Covid. Though I know you had your illness before you had Covid. But you had Epstein Barr and that is also a virus which can leave the same longterm after effects as Covid with autoimmune symptoms. I hope you and your doctor back home continue to work on this together, Maria. You need some good news!
Life is good right now on this side of the computer. Summer is winding down, days getting shorter. The oppressive heat seems to have passed, so that’s a relief. I lose my cherub-like demeanor when it’s so hot and humid. 😀
Keep me posted, Miss Maria. Say hi to your mum and dad for me! Hugs!