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*HEART KEEPS STOPPING! please help!*

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Posted 7/3/2005 10:37 AM (GMT -8)
I have been through an ordeal this year and have had many tests.  Only just getting some results now - after 9 months!

At first my main symptom was major dizziness, and then I started to get attacks of dizziness where I couldnt stand and my heart was racing so much.  My thoughts would scramble too and I couldnt speak properly.  Id wake an night in panics, with heart pounding.  Someimtes I too have to lay down as the dizziness is unbearable, but the laying doesnt make it go away.  Its AWFUL.

Anyway, first the cardiologist found a PFO (hole in heart).  He said it is small and wouldnt cause my feelings.

Now I have worn a heart monitor for a week, and the results came back yesterday.  The report says that I am being referred  to a specilaist in London.  The problem is that my heart keeps stopping (arrest).

The report says that it arrests for about 5 seconds each time, primarily at night and early mornings.  The Dr suggested that this may be causing my feellings of dizziness etc, as the heart stops and starves my brain of blood an oxygen for a few seconds.  I also then get a pounding heart to compensate for the stop.  This in turn makes me panicky and anxioous and dizzy.  ANyone else get this?

AN IDEAS what is wrong with me?  What might they do to test me in London?  Notes on my reports say:

"has pauses of sinus arrest"

"has a broad complex rythm"

"requires EP studies"

"maybe due to an artefact or ventricular tachycardia"  ANY IDEA WHAT ALL THESE MEAN?  Thanks in advacen for your replies xxxxxx

Posted 7/3/2005 4:59 PM (GMT -8)
Hi again, Vickie!! tongue

 

I just posted to you in another post. :)  I'm sorry that all this seems to be happening to you!!  I definitely lay no claim to fame with the Heart's electrical system and since I'm not a Dr. either, the only thing I can do, is suggest that you ask your Dr.'s when they throw these things at you, perhaps call their nurse's back and ask them some of these questions.  I did find a sight, The American Heart Assciation that had some info that I thought you'd like to read.

http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=55

From what I read, it depends on the cause of the sinus arrest as to what they would do, if anything.

An EP study would be done by an Electrophysiologist - see the following...

http://cardiology.ucsf.edu/ep/patients/

So read up and learn as much as you can, ask your Dr.'s questions, (write them down first, so you don't forget them). yeah

 

Hope this helps you!  Best Wishes!   Hugs, Teri tongue

Posted 7/4/2005 8:02 AM (GMT -8)
Dear Vickie, this sounds very frightening for you, and I wanted to let you know that I'll keep you in my prayers. Teri's advice was right on sa far as I'm concerned. Keep coming back when you can, because the moral support is wonderful here! Hugs, Kathy
Posted 7/4/2005 1:07 PM (GMT -8)
thanks so much.  i really need all the prayers I can get!  best wishes xx

Posted 7/4/2005 1:38 PM (GMT -8)
Vikki

I am also sending prayers and hugs your way teri is so right on with her advice listen to her she is a very smart woman and so is Kathlyn to.

Heidi

Posted 7/4/2005 5:02 PM (GMT -8)
Vikki, I hope you're doing okay?! Hugs, Teri :)
Posted 7/5/2005 1:55 AM (GMT -8)

thanks to all who took time to reply.  I have an appointment on Thursday.  I have to pay for it privately and travel an hour to hertfordshire, but I am hoping the this Dr will make me better now!  Been so ill for over a yeat with no real answers.

I really need to get well now........

Vikki xxxx

Posted 7/5/2005 7:31 AM (GMT -8)
Good luck on yuor appoinment Vicki, please let us know how it goews yes i have ppaid out of pocket many times and ebven drined our savings account down below $50 for doing it but it was worth it. I hope this doctor can and is able to help you.

HEidi

Posted 7/5/2005 7:57 AM (GMT -8)
Hi Vikki - I'm sorry to read that you are having this problem and it's been going on so long. It sounds like you're finally onto the help you need. Do you have a friend or family member to go along with you to this appointment? Hope so!
I haven't had your symptoms, but I've had alot of arrhythmia which began earlier this year. I know what a vicious cycle this kind of thing can be. Mine would come on like gangbusters at night especially, and I couldn't sleep, more fatigue, more arrhythmia, etc. Someone suggested I try CoQ10 and vitamin C together. I did this and it signifcantly reduced the arrhythmia for me - down to one episode of it a day, if that - most days, none. CoQ10 is not some odd new thing - it's something that your body makes already, just less of it as you get older - or particularly if you are on statins for your cholesterol - statins seriously reduce the CoQ10 in your body.
I wish you the best for your upcoming appointment.
take care,
Oona
Posted 7/5/2005 12:55 PM (GMT -8)
Vikki, yes, please keep us updated. We are here for you to offer you the emotional support that is needed. And there are others who have been in similar circumstances. I've never had the same physical problem, but I am in the same boat with the expenses. I have to pay out of pocket almost everything other than tests and hospital stays. It's rough, I know. I know it's worth it though. Hang in there! Hugs, Kathy
Posted 7/5/2005 1:13 PM (GMT -8)
Vikki, much good luck to you and let us all know what's happening with you as soon as you are able!!

Big Hugs, Teri :)
Posted 7/6/2005 4:05 AM (GMT -8)

thanks for all your kind replies. 

I must admit that I feel awful today.  emotionally mainly.  and anxious.  i am looking forward to this appointment tomorrow night.  I need some answers now and I need ot know if this heart problem could be the cause of all my bad feelings.  I just feel so tired and unwell, but cant put my finger on it.  Then I get tearful and low and upset and dissapointed with myself for being defeated and own - cos I want to snap out of this but cant.  I feel so low and upset.  I question the menaning of life when I feel this low, and wonder what is the point! (sounds awful doesnt it?) 

Anyway, like one of you said, maybe hti sis turning point and ill get th help I need now.  here's hoping.

stay in touch, Vikki x

Posted 7/6/2005 4:55 AM (GMT -8)
Hi Vicki,

Good luck with the doctor. I hope that he/she can get you fixed up. Is the doctor you are seeing and Electro-Physiologist. An EP doctor is a specialist in the electrical side of heart function while a cardiologist is a specialist in the plumbing side of heart function. I am lucky to have both and it has worked for me. I had an ICD implanted last September. A defibrillator is used to straighten out arrythmias and beating problems when there is a "short circuit" in the electrical connections in your heart. They can be used to pace your heart as well as defibrilate your heart when necessary. I am very thankful that I have one.

Obviously, I am not a doctor and am only telling you about this because it may give you some information that you can discuss with your doctor when you are there.

Anyway, the best of luck to you.

Steve
Posted 7/6/2005 9:39 AM (GMT -8)
Thanks Steve.

Although I dont know the title of this Dr that I am seeing tomorrow, I have been referred to him by my cardiologist.  In the referral letter, the cardiologist says that I may benefit from EP studies. Is this what you mean then?  So maybe this man is a speacilist in the electrical side?

Maybe this is what I need.  I dont mind if I have a pacemaker, or anything like that, so long as it makes me better and I can - at last - cheer up and get my energy back!

What tests might this Dr do for me? any advice?  Thanks xxxx

Posted 7/6/2005 10:47 AM (GMT -8)
Hi Vikki,

During an EP study a catheter is run thru a vein into the right side of your heart. This is the side where all the electrical impulses originate. With this catheter in place they can record the electrical impulses as they take place. Sometime during this study they will try to induce an arrythmia and immediately they will try to stop it with an electrical charge. Don't worry about any of this as you will be awake but not know it. I don't remember anything about it other than the initial getting on the table part and a short conversation with the EP doc and his helpers.

If they can induce an arrythmia then an ICD can be placed with its own lead or leads. They put mine in while I was still on the table. For this they knocked me out completely. All in all it was pretty easy with an overnight hospital stay and some soreness at the incision site for the ICD placement.

I go to the EP doc every 3-4 months and have it "interrogated". This absolutely painless and very interesting in that my ICD records any and all events. All of this info is printed out at every interrogation visit. If they can monitor and then control your arrythmias with an ICD you will feel alot better physically and mentally. At least I did. My doctor has used my ICD to help determine what kinds of arrythmias I have and then to prescribe medication to control those arrythmias.

I feel very fortunate to have gotten one of these. It hardly every enters my mind anymore as I take it for granted that it will do its main job when it has to.

Good luck again.

Steve
Posted 7/6/2005 11:41 AM (GMT -8)
thanks steve.  where do they put the catheter in?

Posted 7/6/2005 12:57 PM (GMT -8)
Hi Vikki,

Either in your arm or the normal groin area. Either way, you don't feel anything to speak of.

Steve
Posted 7/7/2005 12:23 AM (GMT -8)
lets wait and see whathappens tonight then!  offer up prayers that I may get soe answers now, and get better!

thanks for all your advice, and thatls Steve for explaining things.

ill post after I have some news

xxxxx

Posted 7/7/2005 1:24 PM (GMT -8)
PLEASE SEE OTHER POST NAMED "MY RESULTS"

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