PSVT, Anxiety, Adenosine IV

[RimDragonfly]

Hello

I have been reading these forums regarding living with PSVT and such. My PSVT episodes occur in groups every few years. I have a little cycle where I have a PSVT episode requireing the Adenosine IV, then I get anxious about having a PSVT episode requiring an Adnosine IV, which of course, causes me to be anxious enough that I am more likely to have one. My anxiety always seems to go up around the same time I have a cycle of a few PSVT episodes - and this cycle reoccurs every few years. I'll have 2-3 episodes within a few months period of time in which I need an Adenosine IV followed by a usually short ER visit. Once this subsides, I'll have a few good years of normal heart rhythm with a 30-40 second PSVT episode on a rare occasion.

I weigh 115, am 5'5 and aged 35, female and have never had kids. I take atenolol 12.5 mg daily, and occasionally take an extra 6 mg if I feel extra palpitations. I know this is a low dose but I also have a natural bradycardia (that runs in the family) of 55 rested heartrate when not on the beta-blocker, and 45 on the beta-blocker. I've probably had the Adenosine a total of 7-8 times in my lifetime starting in my early 20's. EKG and Echocardigrams all register normal. I have multiple strips taken of my heart while it is in a SVT that I have had cardiologists look at - and they say "yup, SVT"

I am scarred to death to have an ablation even though I know 99% of the time it is an easy procedure. Just the thought of purposely going into an SVT episode scares me and they say I have to be wide awake (and I assume I will be in a complete panic) during the procedure. My doctor says the breakthrough PSVT is ok to have happen now and then and the ablation is a voluntary procedure. My father is constantly pushing me to get the ablation.

Now I know that PSVT episodes tend to increase during pregnancy

So my questions are

How much time does the ablation procedure usually take?

Can I take the beta-blocker during the pregnancy?

Can they still give me Adenosine while pregnant or even while in labor?

Do counselors exist who specialize in anxiety disorder associated with PSVT? I think I need a support group or something.

If I wanted to go to Europe, do they have Adenosine IV over there?

Thanks

Mary


This discussion is related to Pre-existing PSVT and pregnancy.

[donna243]

I had an ablation done for my SVT when my daughter was 6 weeks old.  During my pregnancy I had my SVT inverted twice with the Adenosine.  I hated that procedure especially since protocal gave me a low dose (which never worked) then a double dose so you had to go through it twice!!!  Argh!!!  Anyway, I was on a calcium channel blocker while pregnant.

As for the doctor induced SVT during ablation....you are awake but not 100% awake.  You are aware and they bring you to that level right before inducing the SVT.  I just told myself that the doctor was making it do that and it was okay.  No vomiting or anything like I usually have with my episodes.  Also...I had an anxiety attack sitting on the table in the procedure room :)  so yes, I totally understand the anxiety angle.

Unfortunately 5 years later I started having SVT's again :(  I am not too happy about this.  But I did have 5 really good years.

Donna

[ireneo]

I hope the ablation helps you, especially since it causes you such distress.

[FunkyFlap]

Wow your situation sounds just like mine. Except that i'm male, age 25. I too get extremely anxious when i have a PSVT, and I'm convinced that i've caused PSVT's with my anxiety. Mine recently became much more frequent. I'll have one about every 2 weeks, when it used to be every year. A few times a day i'll get the feeling of a skipped heart beat, which can either turn into a psvt or not. It's completely random. I have an ablation scheduled for the end of the month. The beta, and calcium blockers prescribed for me haven't worked. They've slowed down my heart rate during a psvt but i still get anxious and light-headed. Anyways i've gotten to the point where i dont wanna be scared of these anymore. Most of the time ablation cures it, so i'm hoping that happens for me

[cpharr]

hi!im chastity-im almost 9 mos. pregnant and i have psvt.maybe i can help answer some of your questions.yes psvt does get worse during pregnancy,but some woman report pregnancy calms there psvt.i have had 2 bouts of actual attacks.my second trimester things seemed to ease up some-i got pvc's everday for about 6 weeks.there are some recommended beta blockers that are ok for pregs-i take toporol 25mg 2x a day.my general tacchycardia has gotten worse in my 3rd trimester my resting beats are 115bpm and my meds help but my cardiologist says this is fine and does not want to see my heart slow down-he says it will on its own after i deliver.yes they can and will give you adenosine while you are pregnant.i have luckily been able to control mine through vegal manuveors but my cardio said the worst thing that could happen during labor was that i would go into psvt and they would give me that.yes-there are counselors do exist that specialize in treating attacks and pvst.do they publish natural awakenings or the oracle magazine  in your area?you can get one for free at a health food store and they are loaded with great alternative therapy.hope this helped!