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Postpartum rapid pulse

Hi,
Since having a baby 5 months ago I've been having problems with my pulse after a mysterious illness. When I sit or lay down my pulse is 80-90 but as soon as I start walking it wil go up to 140.  This has greatly reduced my quality of life since I need assistance doing basic chores now.. The thing is I've been to many doctors and most tests come back normal.  These problems started at 5 weeks postpartum when I suddenly became ill. Overnight my pulse shot up to 160 while laying down and stayed that way for one night. The hospital admitted me for 5 days and could not find a cause to these symptoms.  They diagnosed me with sepsis due to a wbc of 15 but the infectious disease doctor did not agree with the diagnosis and requested all antibiotics be stopped. I've had many exams The only test that is abnormal is a catecholamine test but no tumor was found. Now I'm being treated with a beta locker 25 mg metoprolol but it lowers my bp and pulse too low (80/60 and 50s while sleeping). Doctors either treat me like I'm crazy or tell me they are confused by my symptoms and don't know what to do.  Echocardiogram is normal, 24 holter monitor was normal other than a fast pulse and some pacs, tilt table test while on beta blockers did not increase 30+ so pots was ruled out.  Anxiety medication does not change my heart rate so I don't think it's psychological. My question is if anyone has ever experienced something similar and if it's possible to recover. Also does anyone have any suggestions for a doctor who might be able to help.
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Avatar universal
Two questions:

1.  What method did they use to look for an adrenal tumor?

2.  How's your thyroid?  
Helpful - 1
1 Comments
They did  CT scan of the abdomen and chest.  Also an MRI of my brain and abdomen.  
My thyroid number are normal
Avatar universal
Normal:
-Feeling dizzy when standing up
-Blood pressure decreasing and heart rate increasing

Abnormal:
-Heart rate going from 80-90 to 140. That's a lot. It sounds like you have POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome)
-Heart rate suddenly increasing to 160 bpm and maintaining this rate for a whole night. That sounds like SVT (sinus ventricular tachycardia)


Both of these conditions are related to some kind of autonomic dysfunction, which CAN be caused by a precipitating illness. Your illness (whatever it was) could have caused your body to develop this dysfunction.

Increased catecholamines could be from stress. Are you on any medications? Certain drugs can cause this too.

POTS diagnosis is based on EITHER a 30+ bpm increase **OR** a heart rate increase over 120 bpm. The way I see it, if you are on beta blockers, how can the cardiologist accurately assess this? Perhaps if you re-did the test while OFF the beta blockers, your heart rate will increase over 120 bpm- which meets the diagnostic criteria for POTS.

If I were you I would get a second opinion. Also, keep in mind- you must taper off of the beta blockers, never stop taking them abruptly.
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