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Unexplained Tachycardia - Help!
I am a 45 year old female. I have had SVT episodes my whole life, but over the last year they have become increasingly worse. I went in to a cardiologist and they dismissed my symptoms as they were not “life threatening”. After that, I was in the ER twice and was finally approved for an ablation. I had the first ablation in February. It was fairly extensive and they called it successful. Shortly after, I was back in the ER twice with more SVT episodes, however they were labeled atrial tachacardia. I felt horrible and my heart rate would rise to 140 or more just getting off the couch. On one of the ER trips, they put me on Flecanide and metoprolol and it was recommended to get a second ablation. These two medications relieved the symptoms to a tolerable level. I stopped taking it about 3 days before the next ablation in March per the Dr.s instructions. I went through the second procedure and they were unable to induce it and could not perform the ablation. They told me to go back on the meds and try a third one. I didn’t take any meds at all thinking maybe they were still in my system and that is why they couldn’t induce it the second time. They schedule the third one on May 2nd. Went through the whole thing again and they were still unable to induce it. My doctor is very frustrated and basically said he has no idea why this is happening. He called it possible POTS or Dysautonomia. He recommended Mayo for a consult. In the meantime back to Metoprolol. I am beyond frustrated and have no idea what to do. I also get severe migraines about once a week in addition to extreme fatigue all the time (I had this prior to my first ablation). I’m afraid to exercise at all because I get so winded and it is so uncomfortable to really do anything. I am so sick of hearing it is “not life threatening”. Maybe not but it is “life altering”. I was not like this prior to my first ablation, it was just the occasional episodes and few ER trips. Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions or similar experiences? Any help would be appreciated!
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Wow, I can see why this would be so frustrating. I am also a F in my early 40s, and also found it hard to be taken seriously by outpatient cardiologist at first. There was a lot of “you will be fine”, in a condescending tone. And even a “that is not your diagnosis” after arrhythmia in ER. Just changed my own primary, and in process of changing my cardiologist.
Random question… does your outpatient provider do only clinicals - or also surgeries? If they use their office visits to screen for surgery paydays I think there are some bad fits when you are looking for quality of life improvements, and they are look looking for 65yo man on medicare. I think maybe a 2nd opinion or new referral to find a new outpatient provider who is more compatible would go a long way.
The ER doctors are always going to give you a “you’re not going to die (today)” vibe if not in immediate danger. It is just more frustrating when you aren’t getting the follow up and good care to feel differently from the cardiologist and other outpatient providers to help keep you out of ER in first place. Hope you find providers that are patient, good listeners, and more willing to try to think outside the box to truly figure out what is going on and how to manage your health better soon.
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2 ReactionsI can sympathize with your frustration. I’m 70 going through a return of Afib after surgery 14.5 years ago. It happened overnight and like a light switch all my heart rate data went up 20-30 beats per minute. I experience the tired/fatigue you mentioned along with increased heart rate just getting up. Sitting in a recliner with a favorite pup in my lap and my HR is 119 while I am typing this. I have my first appointment with a cardiologist since 2011. Per the 24 hr monitor I’m back in 100%. I do also have Tachycardia episodes. Extremely high peaks when I’m working outside, 179 being the highest. I bought an KardiaMobile 6L to take my own EKG’s. Open to any questions you may have.
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2 ReactionsThanks for the reply. I have an office doctor that I see in Cardiology and then the electrophysiology doc does the surgery. It’s been such a frustrating experience. Hopefully I can get a second opinion or find a doc that can put all the pieces together and figure this out.
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3 ReactionsThank you for the reply. I’m so very frustrated with this whole process. The thing I just can’t quite figure out is why the elevated heart rate thing started happening AFTER the “successful” ablation. Sure, my heart doesn’t go up to 230 bpm for three hours, but 120-140 bpm all day every day is almost worse. What do you do with your EKGs? Does your doctor read them? Every time I get one recently, it comes back as “normal. Then I leave the clinic and not 5 minutes later it will start up again.
I hope your upcoming appointment with your cardiologist goes well and you can find someone you trust to do the best thing for you and give you some relief. Seems like they are far and few between these days.
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2 ReactionsMY GP told me that Cardiologists often think they are KINGS who have life and death over you and treat you that way. Of course , many do not have this attitude. I use a Kardia device, one lead, with success as it tells me the situation which you can also forward to anybody. U Tube has also excellent Heart videos.
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3 ReactionsI had an ablation about 7 years ago, up until recently was symptom free. I have had a few episodes recently and now feel like I am in A fib constantly
.Not sure what to do next!
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2 ReactionsI have a Kardia 6L I think the data it captures is great this is the first time I’ve used such a device. Will be interested to see if the cardiologist wants to look at it.
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4 ReactionsMy tachycardia was finally diagnosed as POTS.
Good luck!
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3 ReactionsI have read all the posts filled with frustration. Do any of you consume anything with caffeine??? Coffee, tea, Mountain Dew, colas, chocolate??? Yes, one half cup can be the cause. Do you drink enough water? I used to drink almost none.
If any of above rings a bell, eliminate all caffeine and drink more water. It may help you more that weird meds and treatments. It helped me, and I had AFIB or whatever related but now once in a blue moon lasts maybe 5 seconds.
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2 ReactionsMayo says that acceptable about of caffeine is 400mg per day. Each person is different and so are their health solutions.
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