Background:
I'm 58 (menopause age 55). 25 years ago I had lots of IVF. The substantial amount of meds at that time affected my joints (I am hypermobile) & I got SPD which has never resolved completely. I have nerve damage in lower legs / feet & mobilise on crutches. From that IVF I have 2 young people aged 21 & 18.
Both have considerable additional needs. My husband walked out.
It has been stressful. Over the years my weight crept up and in, 2018, at 20st I had Roux en Y on the NHS on the advice of my GP (as I also had sleep apnea)
By 2020 I weighed 10st. I was on iron infusions and fainting a lot. My leg pain was not diminished by my reduced weight and nor was the apnea. I felt really ill.
I've slowly regained weight and am now 17st (I never had any 'reflux/dumping' and I think my stomach has slowly stretched back). I eat pretty healthily & my portions are still normal. I no longer faint but require B12 jabs & vits for life.
Last 12m have been extremely stressful as my son was ill with a heart issue.
3m ago I woke up in the night with a searing pain in the ball of my right foot which 'travelled' up my leg and torso and my chest really pressured and hurt. I didn't call for advice as I assumed it was something random and wondered if I'd had a bad dream as I woke up. I then had days of bad headaches & feeling really off. I checked my BP and it was 207/115. I was told to check for 4 days & it was the same so went to A&E. They kept me overnight as they heard a sistolic ejection murmer, my pulse was 54, my BP was 200 and I had mild pericarditis.
Given 6 wks Colchicine, started on Ramipril, Felodipine & 80mg Atorvastatin.
I have since had a CT Angio which I am told is normal which is great news as there is a lot of CAD in my family. The Cardiologist says ongoing chest pressure / pain 'will definately be due to the Roux en Y' (but I've not had it for 7 years?)
It is not on exertion (though worse day after I have done too much). Worse overnight/ early morning. It's a pressing / squeezing that can be painful. I get a sob and dizzy. It happens in the evening too when I am at rest but not especially after 'a big meal' (as I don't). Stress makes it worse too. It's not panic as I am often asleep / dozing on sofa and perfectly relaxed. I was given GTN to use at the hospital & this helps a lot but Cardiologist says 'not angina if Angio clear'.
My BP has not been lower than 160/90 daily for the last 3m even on meds. My cholesterol is total 7.1, HDL 7.1, LDL 5 Triglycerides 3.31. I'm told it is 'weight or anxiety'. I will do my best to reduce my weight again & reduce any anxiety too.
My feeling is that my weight has slowly climbed back partly due to poss high cortisol from a stressful life (solo parenting of 2 YP with AN). I have an appt with a Metabolic clinic to ask about genetic testing for familal hypercholesterol.
GP will do a phone call in a month and Cardiology say a '6m monitoring call'.
If you have read through this essay, thank you.
Is there anything else I should be asking / trying to do here?