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Afib with Rapid Ventricular Response
Heart Rhythm Conditions | Last Active: May 21, 2019 | Replies (30)Comment receiving replies
Hello I was diagnosed in 2011 with Pheochromocytoma, Deep Vein Thrombosis - DVT and Congestive Heart Failure. I am currently still having health issues (Afib/Aflutter - heart rate sometimes at 180 -260), recurrent Pneumonia - Nov 2018, Jan 2019 and now Mar 2019) and overall just not feeling well. I currently have in a pacemaker (St. Jude's), had 3 unsuccessful Ablations and an adrenalectomy.
I am also currently under the care of an EP, a Cardiologist, Pulmonologist (for the Pnuemonia issues) and my GP here in Tx. I have done 2 CT scans, 2 chest xrays and a Upper GI series within the last (4) months. but I still have no definitive answers from the EP or Pulmonologist as to what is causing recurrent pneumonia, palpitations and just not feeling well physically. The Docs are quick to prescribe antibiotics, steriods and/or Zpack for the pneumonia which wreaks havoc on my body. I am currently on Xarelto 20mg and Rythmol (Propeferone) 225 mg 3x daily. I would like to get some help or talk to someone that are experiencing any/similar symptoms and what kind of help they have been receiving. Please help and let me know. Thank you so much....
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I'm sorry to hear of your health issues, though mine aren't identical, they are extensive. 15 years having seizures that went undiagnosed, they weren't Grand Mal. Years of visual migraines likely related to the seizures, but never proven. I've gone blind in one eye for less than 15 minutes twice over 15 years, nearly blind several times, experienced periodic episodes of double vision, one almost resulting in loss of consciousness, and believed to be Basilar Migraine. I've had bouts of PVCs, premature ventricular contractions, and one doctor wanted to ablate an episode that was particularly persistent but there was no emergency reason to do it, so I waited and they subsided. And I developed Chronic Urticaria, aka Hives, that lasted almost 2 years. To top it off, last November, I went into Afib, and am still in it today.
So, I understand, but the doctor's have no real answers for me either.
I'm curious about your heart rate, is it caused by the Afib/Atrial Flutter or not? The heartbeat originates at on the top of the heart, travels to the junction between the top and bottom known as the AV (Atrio Ventricular) Node. This node ordinarily keeps the very fast Atrial Signals from being conveyed to the bottom of the heart, at least not at the extremely fast rate of the atria.
If I'm not mistaken, sometimes a Pacemaker is used in the case of Afib, but I think they ablate the AV Node so that no activity from the top of the heart can reach the bottom. It makes the person Pacemaker Dependent for the rest of their life, but it should stop the fast Ventricular Rate.
Why were you given a Pacemaker? Are you currently considered to have Congestive Heart Failure, if so, my wife thinks that's contributing to the pneumonia?