Chest Pain

Hello Everyone!

I am not new to this group but this is my first post. I have learnt a lot here from everyone's experiences and thought this would be the best forum for help and guidance.

Firstly, a little bit about myself. I am Thal Major, diagnosed at the age of 2.5 and on blood transfusions ever since. My current requirement is 3 packed cells every 3rd week. Pre-transfusion HB is mostly around 9-9.5. If its 10 or 10+, I go for just 2 packed cells.

Chelation is something I'm not too good at. Ferritin is at 5000 for now but Cardiac mri score was 8 a few months ago. So that's not too good either. But anyways, i'm working on getting that right. On desferal + kelfer combo right now. Hopefully things will take a turn.

Now comes the part where I need help. Since 2005, i've been getting severe episodes of chest pain every few months. The pain starts gradually but a day later it becomes so severe that its not possible for me to move or lie down. Even breathing becomes a problem as i can't take full breaths. Painkillers don't help (tried ibuprofen, tramal, kinz I.V etv). Omiprezole doesn't help. So basically i'm on my own during that time and just have to face those 3-4 days.

I also have gallstones and some doctors seem to think they may be causing this pain but on the other hand there are doctors that have told me gallstones cannot cause pain in the center of the chest. I've had a cardiac check up, and everything is fine in that department. I've jad a pulmonary CT, and everything is fine in that department as well. So i am stuck. My cardiologist prescribed Concor (OD) and ClotNil (OD) just to support my heart but he said the pain can't be heart related.

Does any know what this is about? Also, I haven't started taking Concor and ClotNil yet, so if anyone knows what sort of effect they'll have, please let me know.

Thanks everyone! Cheers!

Eagle,

It may be the iron in your heart. Work hard to lower it. Gallbladder pain can extend as high as the shoulders, so this is also a possibility. For both gallstones and your heart, a magnesium supplement and vitamin D is advised.

Thanks for the reply Andy!

I am already on Vit D supplementation. Will talk to my doc regarding Magnesium.

What would you say about the use of Concor and ClotNil? I am a little hesitant in starting those meds especially ClotNil as one of its side effects is Neutropenia - and considering that I am already on Kelfer (which has previously caused problems for me and i've restarted on half dose) it may not be a very good idea.

Why were you prescribed the two drugs? Concur is a high blood pressure drug. Is your BP high? And ClotNil is a blood thinner. Are your platelets high or are you in danger of blood clots?

My blood pressure remains a bit on the normal to lower side. Never high. And my platelet count is 115. My PT and inr are also in the normal ranges so I don't think I'd be in much danger of blood clots.

The doctor said he's giving me a low dose to support my heart function.