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Heart Rhythm Episodes - AFib; Tachycardia, High Blood Pressure
Hello! I'm looking for feedback and any information on anyone who has episodes of excelled heart rate 160 + with increased blood pressure. I have been experiencing this for the past year. It comes without warning. If I try to eat or drink it will happen as well periodically and have lost 18 lbs in 6 weeks. I feel confused, dizzy, nauseated and foggy with a hard time breathing. It can last approx 1 hr. My pulse usually goes back down but blood pressure usually stays up. Feel sick 24 hrs after these flare ups. Any feedback would be appreciated, thanks!
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You're not alone Celia! Thanks for the message. You sound tough as nails!!
Excellent news - thank you! I'll check with my doc about the blood test. That sounds far less invasive than an adrenal artery scan.
The test is a plasma metanephrine test and it has the highest sensitivity (96%) for detecting a pheochromocytoma. However, urine tests are even more specific but a pain to do (collecting urine more than once) - so to rule in or out the possiblity of a pheochromocytoma, doctors usually order the blood test first., Then imaging shows where the tumor is, etc. I can't say if your doctor is going straight to the scan because he is pretty sure that's what you have but that's a guess...Or maybe he ran the blood work but didn't discuss it with you yet? Anyway, good luck. Nobody wants to have to have a tumor - but if you have one, these are usually very small, benign , treatable so your problem could likely be cured.
Cecilia, the doctor who said he's glad you are not his patient shouldn't be a doctor. I'm sorry to hear about that. Please keep writing to us, we are here for you. Sometimes venting helps, I do that with my friends. I had been very healthy until recently and I feel depressed every now and again. Like you, I am grateful for my children who are very supportive and I feel very blessed. Keep well!
This is incredibly helpful - thank you very much! Any problems associated with having a tumor removed?
No, no problems with either. I still have half of it there, the surgeon only took the part that was on the optic nerve. It hasn’t grown anymore. Celia
Sorry this broke up last try. Seven years ago I had total heart block. That started afib that started in middle of the nite. Three years ago I heard about triggers ( my drs did not tell me about this) I read about them on this site. I started checking out each one as I heard about it. Now my dr tells me that I have this less than seven tenths of one percent of the time. Also warns me that afib cannot be cured only minimized. I now have a completely different life. No wine, no caffine ( this is no coffee, most soda drinks) don’t get too hot, or too upset , etc
@natashapulaski I am so sorry to not have seen your reply until now. As a note if you put a @ symbol before the name the person will see it faster. For me it would be @danab Thank you for your experience and yes we do have to speak up sometimes. I hope that the loop monitor will help figure things out. The friend I mentioned was convinced it was from certain foods he ate. Mainly for him it was spicy foods and alcohol. It's been a couple of months now has the monitor discovered anything? Have a great day and I hope to hear more.
Dana
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1 Reaction@jayhawk57 Hi Jayhawk I have been curious how it went with the Cardiologist? Did you questions get answered?
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1 ReactionI was wondering if I should try going without my tykosin. I was on Hydrocortisone for my Secondary Adrenal Insufficiency the Hospital Dr changed me to prednisone. If hydro caused my afib and I am no longer taking it could I stop this Med... just a thought.. What do you think.... I would not do it without a Dr.