Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Terrie on January 24, 2010 at 5:53pm

OMG!! Poor you. That does sound Terrifying. I don't blame you for being scared. I don't have SVT but I've heard of a couple others who mentioned it.

I remember when it felt like my heart was going to explode sometimes from a rapid heartbeat when I got a low blood sugar. Thankfully I don't get those anymore. I don't know how fast my heart was beating while low but I doubt that it was 220 bpm. But still it was Really scary for me.

I'm Glad that you are back home and feeling Better. Hopefully the future procedure/treatment will fix the problem. Good to hear that there is a correction for it. Wishing that everything goes Well for you.

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Permalink Reply by Pauly on January 24, 2010 at 6:00pm

I dont have the condition but let us know how it goes Paul. Glad you are having it looked into . We are thinking about ya... My father had atrial fib if that is similar.

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Permalink Reply by elaine peterson on January 24, 2010 at 6:21pm

Glad you are home and feeling better, Paul, and so sorry you have to go through this. As I like to say, one adventure after the other ,eh? Good luck with your treatment and keep us posted.

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Permalink Reply by Gerri on January 24, 2010 at 8:57pm

Paul,

How frightening! Eight hours in the ER:( Happy you're home & doing ok.

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Permalink Reply by Mary Lou Snow on January 24, 2010 at 9:48pm

Hi Paul, I know it is scary as I've been there, done that. About 20 years ago I would get this fluttering and extremely fast heart rate. I had been to various doctors and a cardiologist but no one knew what was wrong until 5 years later I drove myself to the ER where I was having a real bad episode and I ended with electrodes, oxygen, paddles, you name it I was having SVT with AFIB. Atrial Fibrilation. I was diagnosed with PSVT with AFIB. To make a long story short, I went to see a Cardiologist in a bigger city where he performed the heart ablation. He was the one who said I had PSVT but when he tried to zap the SA node he couldn't. He said I did not have PSVT (which is: parodoxal superventricular tachycardia) and therefore I had SVT with AFIB and the ablation had been unnecessary. He prescribed Flecainide to control my rapid heart rate. Be sure to ask questions regarding the procedure. You might not need it or you might just need medication. Just hang in there, you will be ok.

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Permalink Reply by Paul Curwen on January 25, 2010 at 4:23am

Hi Mary,

So are you saying SVT with AFIB doesn't require an ablation? I'm not sure if I have plain old SVT or the PSVT? I will ask my cardiologist about it though. When did you have the ablation? How was it? Did it hurt? Were you scared?

Sorry for the questions but I've looked into the procedure and the whole thing scares me a little (I'm a big baby when it comes to me heart).

Thanks, Paul

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Permalink Reply by Mary Lou Snow on January 26, 2010 at 5:20pm

Hi Paul, yes, there is a lot of apprehension but the procedure is painless, I guess the worst of it is when they put the needles on your hand for the drip, other than that, you are wide awake when they do the ablation, you can hear the doctors talking while they run the catheter (wire) through your groin and into the heart. It was amazing to me they could do that procedure without me experiencing any pain. Believe me, there is no bigger baby than I am when it comes to pain. As far as being scared, yes I was very scared and I refused to do the ablation but my family talked me into it. After it was over and the doctor told me it had been "unnecesary" as I only had SVT and not the PSVT, I told my kids, the doctors scarred my heart and it had been unnessary. Well, I know they meant well and I am feeling much better with just the medication-by the way, I was in the hospital for 2 days with the ablation but 3 days more while they were trying to see if I could tolerate the Flecainide. I had the procedure in August, 1999. Relax, everything will be fine and you will be glad when it is over. Take care and we will be thinking and praying for you.

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Permalink Reply by Paul Curwen on January 26, 2010 at 5:52pm

Hi Mary,

Thanks for your words. I was actually back at the ER for 7 hours today. The chest pain I was experiencing was worse this morning so I went to see my Dr and he told me to go back to the ER. Well, after 7 hours and blood work, which came back ok, they finally figured out it was a reaction from the Adenosine.

I cant wait for my appointment with my cardiologist so I can get all of this behind me.

Take care, Paul

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Permalink Reply by Gerri on January 26, 2010 at 8:29pm

Oh Paul, worse chest pain & another seven hours in the ER. Sooo sorry to hear this.

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Permalink Reply by Mary Lou Snow on January 30, 2010 at 6:38pm

Paul, I am so sorry you ended back the ER with chest pains. Isn't it amazing how long it takes to see the Cardiologist? People die waiting for an appt. to a specialist but they don't seem to take patients that have been to the ER meaning that it was an emergency. When do you see your cardio? Hope it is soon. I waited 3 wks to see mine, finally yesterday, he went over the results of my holter and event monitors. All he said is continue on the medication and maybe I will need a pace maker as my heart beats very irregular and that is the only way to put it back to rhythm. You hang in there Paul, I know it is scary but we will be praying for you.

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Permalink Reply by Paul Curwen on January 31, 2010 at 7:02am

Thanks Mary,

I have a cardiologist apt on Feb 20th. I'm almost certain he will suggest the catheter ablation. The only thing that worries me about the procedure is having to lie still for that long (4-6 hrs). I know I will think about it too much and then the panic sets in. I've heard they can drug you up depending on how nervous/anxious your are so I'll be asking for the maximum ;)

BTW, my new Dr (2nd in 4 months) is quitting his practice and working at a hospital so I have an apt with a new Dr on Monday and I'll be asking about LADA. Hopefully third time will be lucky and she will know what LADA is and maybe have me tested. So far 2 Dr have said no!

Paul

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Permalink Reply by Barrie on February 15, 2010 at 12:55pm

Paul, I had one episode of PSVT about 10 years ago. Because I was so young (and you are MUCH younger) the doctors did not want me to take an oral med (toprol) the rest of my life. They did the radio frequency ablation, which corrected the problem. Unfortunately, less than 5% of people who undergo the procedure later flatline - and I was in that percentage.

So, I went from one episode of a heart rate of 345 that was very difficult for the doctors to bring down ... to months of an oral medication ... to the ablation ... and a couple of years later, an episode during which my heart completely stopped. Fortunately, I was in an ambulance in the ER bay with heart monitors on when it flatlined and they reacted very quickly. I have had a pacemaker for five years now - since later in that day. It kicks in only about 7% of the time, according to the monitoring, but when I need it, I need it.

In retrospect, I had previously had a few mini-episodes of slow heart rate before I flatlined, but I didn't know what had happened.

The ablation is not difficult to undergo. I am somewhat claustrophic & told them that. The anesthesiologist took particular care not to "crowd" me & I did fine. For me, the worst part was starting the IV.

BTW, I have read your posting about LADA & can share that I had the same suspicions about myself. My GP didn't know what I was talking about when I asked, so I asked her if I should see an endo. She agreed & I did that. GAD antibody testing ruled out LADA for me. So, I guess I am a T2 - even if I don't fit the profile at all. No family history, not overweight or obese, not sedentary, etc.

Something to think about - many scientists think it is the inflammation that causes both Type 2 diabetes and certain heart problems. So, anything that can be done to reduce inflammation safely would be good to do. I do take the 81 mg aspirin daily for that reason, even though it may be too late for me related to diabetes.

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