Resolved question:
Hi,
About me:
I am 26 years old patientold. I work out regularly and generally very active. I have been generally in good condition up till now.
Family History:
My dad is diabetic
Medication:
Mefliquin pre Tanzania (2 pills remaining)
What I’m going through:
The last 4 days have been very difficult for me, here’s some background to what I’m going through.
2 months ago I started feeling a light electric like sensation in my hands and legs. The pain was random but bearable. I went to a GP and she suggested it’s nothing but might have to do with “lactic acid” and meat. I didn’t follow up since it wasn’t bothering me a lot.
On the other hand I have been feeling some pressure in the left side of my chest, especially when I sleep on my left side.
2 weeks ago I went to Tanzania to climb Kilimanjaro. I felt fine before that except for the symptoms I stated above. During the hike as we started going up in altitude the pressure in the left side of my chest started to surface and was more apparent as I inhaled deeply. I even started feeling pressure/pain in my upper back. I expected that to be from the backpack I was carrying so I decreased the weight and used deep heat but that didn’t help. The pain was persistent throughout the climb.
When I got back from the trip I went to get my lungs checked, I took a CT scan and my lungs turned out to be fine. The doctor specifically said they were exceptional.
At that point I thought it was all in my head but 2 days later the pain grew. I now feel strong electric like pain in the left and right side of my chest, all over my upper back, and the left side of my lower back. I even feel a little lightheaded and my heart rate seems to be unstable.
Last night I was sleeping and 30min into my sleep I woke up with my heart pacing and I couldn’t focus my eye sight, I ran to the door and into the elevator to get some help at the reception. By the time I got there I was able to calm down and get my heart rate down.
I have my 2 year operational health checkup scheduled tomorrow by my company were I undergo general checks to see if I’m fit to work in remote locations, but I don’t think that test will help me find out what’s wrong with me.
I would really appreciate it if you let me know what could be wrong with me and what checks I need to undergo to get proper diagnoses.
Thank you!
Mousa
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
Cardiologist
Hello
Thank you for posting your query at DoctorSpring.com
I sincerely apologize for the late reply.
Your symptoms of chest heaviness and tingling in limbs predates the high altitude ascent history. The worsening of the symptoms as you climbed could be a part of high altitude sickness. However it wouldn't persist for 2 weeks without progression. As far as evaluation of your chest discomfort and palpitations is concerned I would like to advice you a 2D echo a treadmill test and 24 hour holter examination. That would pick up any significant cardiac abnormality. It could turn out to be anxiety as well.
Feel free to discuss further,
Regards
Dr Vivek Mahajan
DM Cardiology