EXTREME Palpitations....

[Harrybaby666]

Hi Gang,
Once again I am posting to ask for any advice on what I should do in this circumstance...

About a week and a half ago, I started in with the Palpitations again, only this time they were sooooo very strong, and they wouldn't stop....this went on for about a week, and I called my Cardio's office and the Physician's assistant said that since my cardiac cath came back alright (no blockages) that they would just watch it over the weekend. I went through the weekend, and the palps subsided in strength, however they still coming on a regular basis, so I had to go see the doc anyway to get cardiac clearance to have my kidney stones removed, and I mentioned the palps again, only this time to the doc himself. He said that since they did the cardiac cath came back with no blockages, that he didn't think that if I had a rythem disorder that it was serious at all, but ordered a holter monitor anyway..

I am just wondering if I should even go through with the holter monitor as Dr. Cutler didn't seem at all like he even wanted to bother with it. He said that even if I did have an arrythmia, that putting me on meds for it could do more harm than good.....I am so confused as I have been told by my PCP nurse and my other doctor's nurses that I have an irregular heart beat, that my heart beat starts out strong, but weakens during the time they are taking my pulse. Any Ideas???? Thanks in Advance Harrybaby

 

[PJmomrunner]

Sorry to hear you are having problems, Harry. I don't know much about arrhythmias, but Holter monitors are not big thing. If you wear it for 24 hours they will know for sure what you are experiencing (provided your heart keeps doing whatever it's been doing). There can be no harm in wearing the monitor and it might even bring you peace of mind.

 

[Marguerite53]

Hi Harry.

Hi Harry.

Bummer. I know what you mean about palpitations. Mine have suddenly been alot stronger too. For me, I know it's the chocolate I've been indulging in lately!! I really do notice that things I eat set them off. Spicy foods, too. Did you suddenly begin eating a new dish or spice??

I would think that the Holter monitor could only be a good thing. Information doesn't have to be acted on, but it IS information. If they suspect you start your day strong and then weaken, well, here is the perfect opportunity to actually monitor that. If they see that you have a rhythm disorder but choose not to do anything about it, well, at least you know you have one in case some day they want to!!

Hang in there. Keep us posted!

Marguerite

 

[gadgetman]

Harry,

Sorry to hear you continue to experience problems. The Holter monitor isn't a big deal. I've worn many over the years. However, every time I wore one my heart would "behave" and things would appear "normal". I once joked with my Cardio that maybe I should wear one all the time since it worked better than the pills . I finally got their attention when I went to the ER while having an "event". They were able to record the EKG which showed them exactly what was going on. Hope they can get to the bottom of this soon.

Hang in there and,

May God Bless,

Danny

 

[Mary]

Yep Harry, I agree with everyone else. A Halter is no big deal and it will provide evidence of the arrythmias. I'd go for it.

 

[Karlynn]

Ditto on the Holter opinion Harry.

So sorry to hear you are having more troubles.

The Holter will let them know what type of palps you are having. But even the "non-dangerous" ones can be very uncomfortable and life inhibiting (speaking as one who knows).

If you have the Holter done and you do not experience the palps during the 24 hours period, I would suggest that the next time you get them and they are sustained that you either go to your doc's office, or to the ER to get an EKG on them.

best wishes!!!

 

[Yaps]

Go on and get the monitor, thats what saved my Kathy... they caught it all...lol,
I tend to have them (arrythmias) more as the weather cools...more coffees, cappacinos..hot chocolate..lol.. and the holidays.. , everyone is eating some form of chocolate..not good for us.. ..and I suffer bad then.
It will tell you what you need to know ok?
Wishing you luck, Yaps

 

[Yaps]

Harry ??? How are you today? Have made a decision concerning the monitor?
Let us know ok?

 

[Harrybaby666]

Hi Yaps...Guys...

Hi Yaps...Guys...

Well, it really wasn't my decision, but I won't be doing the monitor, as the doc really feels that it doesn't need to be done, and I should wait until something "serious" happens, before having it done, so it was cancelled. I am beginning to feel like I got another bum doctor, but I am going to try and stick with him as I am soooo tired of changing docs. I am beginning to feel like that it's the doctor who is in control here just because I am on medicaid and medicare. I am also having a devil of a time trying to get a copy of my re done echocardiogram and I am again getting a stupid run around from these people...just like the others. I spoke with someone here not too long ago, who moved out to Arizona, and he said that he agreed with me that the medical care in my area (New Hampshire/Maine) really was lousy and that it's much better when you leave New England...

As for how I am feeling, I still get the periods of severe palpitations, but not as often, and the lesser strength palpitations are almost daily, so who knows.. I just don't like the way they make me feel....Thanks for the support. Harrybaby

 

[Karlynn]

Harry, baby, your post sounds so sad. It's so discouraging to not get answers and put up with disguised indifference from your doctor. Know that we care, and you are in my prayers.

If you get a period of sustained arrhythmia, go to the ER or doc and have them hook you up to an EKG. If the monitor won't come to Harry, then Harry should go to the monitor.

Take care!

 

[Emma]

Awww Harry, sorry to hear you're not well at the moment!!
I don't know much about these palpatations I'm afraid so can't offer anything useful but can send you thoughts and love and hope you feel much better soon, get the treatment and tests you need and get rid of the annoying things!

Love Emma
xxx

 

[Marguerite53]

total sympathy!

total sympathy!

Harry. I know just what you mean about the palpitations. I don't like the way they make me feel either. They make me really hyper. I get skitzy and jumpy and then at the end of the day I'm just exhausted from being so jumpy. I think they must be doing damage (and like everyone am told they are not), else why would they be pestering me like this, so I worry. It is VERY frustrating. I'm trying really hard to track down what it is that I eat or do to start them up. Truly, when I avoid chocolate and caffeine, they tend to subside. I used to love tabasco on my eggs in the morning ( I hope I'm not making anyone cringe) My daughter puts tabasco on macaroni and cheese (it's, good, actually). No more for me (of course, eggs only on weekends, too.)
And it's like any stress is bad, too. I can't even watch intense shows or movies. It just starts them right up.

So hang in there with them. Try to relax and figure out what is starting them up. Good luck!

Marguerite

 

[Debrinha GT]

Nasty stuff!!

Nasty stuff!!

Hi Harry, I know only too well how horrible it feels having strong palpitations, and there have been times in my life When I really believed that was the end of me. But they have always turned out to be the result of stress and the more conscious I got about them, the more I got them. My cardio has had me on propranolol 40mg a day for many years now, but whenever they come back strong, I only feel better after taking lorax1mg. I only had to use a 24 hour monitor once when I lived in Scotland, but they didn't find anything other than the usual stress. Anyway, hope you start to feel better soon, but if you don't, just insist on getting the halter! Take care!
Débora

 

[twinmaker]

Harry, sorry to hear about your palpitations. I've suffered from them for years and did the Holter Moniter many times. There is also something called an Event Recorder. You can keep it up to 30 days. They teach you how to put it on and you keep it on except when you shower. They give you a supply of electrodes and you hook yourself up (in two places on your chest). Then when you feel a palpitation, you hit a button and it records it. It can store up to five episodes and then you phone the doctor and the machine you have is put up to the phone, you push another button and it is sent to the doctor. You then erase those five episodes and start over. By using one of these, you're sure to catch the episodes. With a Holter, you only have 24 hours to catch something and if it doesn't happen in that time frame it's not much good. Anyway, I think if you're concerned about these, you should speak with your doctor again. You know your body better than anyone. Just something to think about. Hope you feel better. Linda

 

[Abbanabba]

Hey Harry, sorry to hear you're still having dramas with your medical team. I know how frustrating it can be!

Do you feel like your heart is going faster during these palpitations, or do you just notice it beating a lot harder - but at a "normal" rate? I know my last Holter showed I was having almost 600 irregular beats an hour (atrial and ventricular combined), but because it didn't show up as "sustained arrythmia" it wasn't deemed anything to be worried about. Luckily for me I don't feel them, but if I did, I'm sure I'd be freaking out about them (...h*ll, I still think that many whacky beats an hour is suspect!!...)

If you continue to be plagued by them, however, I would try to insist on at least a 24 Holter. Tell your doctor they are causing you undue anxiety and the Holter would really help set your mind at ease. And to echo Karlynn, if you think you're having a sustained bout, then get yourself to the ER for an EKG.

Wishing you the best. I hope you get somewhere with this soon.

Anna : )

 

[Harrybaby666]

Hi Abba...

Hi Abba...

My other nurses (from my PCP and my Diabetes Dr. and other docs) have said that when they take my pulse, they are irregular...they start out very fast and they end up very slow by the time the minute is up. My heart does feel like it's going 900 beats per minute when this is happening, and as I have said in the earlier post, this went on for about a week without stopping. If this does happen again, I will go to the ER asap, as I do know something is wrong, however, this still does not instill any faith in the doctors in my area (NH) Thanks for the support Abba, and I hope all is well with you. Harrybaby

 

[Nan]

Hi Harry, so sorry to hear that you continue to have problems with your docs and with not feeling well.

I agree with everyone else, and was glad to see that you will go to ER if you have another episode with continuing and distressing palpitations.

I have also had Afib and I feel it terribly, it is awful for me, but I know some people don't feel it at all. And lots of people have palps that are totally no problem medically, but they are a problem for the person having them.

So, you might be one of the people for whom it is not a problem medically, but you feel them and/or it could be afib and you really feel it. Either way, it NEEDS to be checked out to be sure.

Keep us posted.

 

[hensylee]

Harry, I hate hearing this. I am so sorry. Brother had both those things and they are pain in the A** but he did them. Can't hurt, might not help, but it does add a bit of history your chart in case it's ever needed for comparison. Just another thing to mess up your days. Thinking of you today.

 

[goetzco]

2nd Opinion

2nd Opinion

Just new to this site today. I would consider having a 2nd opinion on this one! Not trying to down play your doctor, I just think it would not hurt. I have undergone 3 surgeries since May. After the first, I developed a problem with Atrial Fib. Had to go back in the hospital because fluid built up around the heart causing it to be irritated. My surgeon keeps a close eye on my irregular heart beat which I have not had since I came home from the hospital on Tuesday. He has me on meds to prevent it. Is this something you have had before or since surgery? Some people is does nothing to, then again some it makes feel real bad. In my case, it causes me to feel real bad, causes chest pain, and sometime shortness of breath.

 

[beano]

Hi. actually all this talk about CHOCOLATE being bad for you and the palps--- it is actually GOOD for you, your heart and your palps!
its teh SUGAR in the chocolate that causes the terror-- sugar is evil.
Cocoa or chocolate actually helps the heart, vessels (sceintific proof), and the magnesium content in chocolate is HIGH-- which reduces palps and helps heart function.
I buy 75% and 90% chocolate (only like 20-10 % sugar , so real low) bars and they help me out- greatly
the cocoa also has a chemical in it that makes you feel calm, cozy and the substance that is released from the brain when you fall in love. it increases serotonin-- and best of all its natural and not a drug.
Sugar is a drug because it is refined from its natural source and pure energy, something the nerves dont like.
once you get used to high content bittersweet chocolate--its hard to ever go back.
there is a website somewhere that lists hundreds of medical articles on teh health benefits of chocolate. my freind gave it to me but i forgot it.
also saw on the news how good chocolate is for you.
cutting the sugar out is the key. eat up! and never feel guilty!