svt, tach .......at my wits end.

[kellebelle4]

Greetings,

I am expericing nocturnal tach. I have just been switched from toprol to caridizem. I ended up in the er yesterday at 5 a.m. due to my heart racing over 180.The er doc gave me toprol and thought I was rebounding from not taking the toprol. Came home took a torpol at bedtime. I had another horrible night. Woke up many times with my heart racing. The doc in er mentioned an ep study. I present like svt but do not show the extra line? on the ekg. Anyway what should I do. I am so tired of waking up and it is scary to be sound a sleep and woke up with a horse pounding in your chest. I do have hashimoto's  and am treated for anxiety.The paramedics said it wasn't a panic attack. Any insight would help I am 46 female and frustrated.....Thanks for your help.....Kelly

[Baltimoregirl]

Kellebelle4:
No, I do not know how insurance companies are positioned relative to EP studies/mapping.  I have not had to have these procedures done.  My diagnosis was apparently "classic" per my Electrophys. person,  and the summation of my tests.
I would hope that ins. pays for these procedures.  I understand that this science/treatment/diagnosing has been around for ~ 10 years now.
Note-->  it is always a battle w/ ins. companies to open up their purse strings!
YES!!  Make that call to the EP; and best wishes!
baltimoregirl

[kellebelle4]

I just noticed that my earlier answer to your post left out your name. I have a question for you in my earlier post. Thanks again for your replies.

[kellebelle4]

Yes, I  too was confused about the ekg thing.....they explained it was like a loop or something your heart goes into.....anyway I will ask when I see the caridologist.

Kit, I am amazed how many hashi's patients have hyper and hypo symptoms. I keep telling the docter I think its my thyroid but both endo and family docter said no. My tsh two weeks ago was 2.84. My symptoms are more hyper than hypo... Most of the time the fast heart rate will zip and then slow down, doesn't this drive you crazy. I too take a very small dose of levoxyll. Anyway this weekend since tapering off the toprol my heart beat is much faster, guess thats what is so scary and confusing......Do you take any other supplements to help your thyroid....?

Baltimore girl, thanks for your input on the seeing  an ep and checking my electrial system/wiring  
:-).........my regular doctor says kelly  you just have a very touchy heart. I say this is not fun way to live. The paramedic that came to my house the other morning had svt and an ablaiton he recommended the electrophsyiologist who is in the same office with my cardiologist......so am  going to give them a call in the morning. Do you know if  insurance is hesitant on paying for ep studie..?

Thanks again for posting just reading about others challanges and successes is helpful.Hard to be in the same boat together but if we keep paddling towards the goal of good health we are bound to get there sometime.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzWishing everyone  a very sleep filled night and a palp free week.

[Michael J. McWilliams, M.D.]

Hi Kelly,

I can understand the frustration.  I think it is time to see an electrophysiologist.  It is hard to tell what it is just by hearing that the heart rate is 180.  It is also important to know how it initiates, how it terminates, how it reacts to intravenous adenosine or rubbing on the carotid artery.  The later two manuevers can cause the tachycardia to slow or break which gives useful information about the mechanism.

It is also important to make sure your thyroid is controlled.  As an aside, there are some people that do have panic attacks during their sleep, so this isn't ruled out either.  If it happens every night, a 24 hour monitor will help.  In not, a home telemetry system would be useful.  Your doctor might decide to do an EP study instead of further tests.


I present like svt but do not show the extra line? on the ekg.

I don't know what this means either.

I hope this helps.  Good luck.

[Baltimoregirl]

I would suggest trying to find a quality Eectrophysiologist.  I was diagnosed w/ RVOT-VT, by a second electrophysiologist...someone that I am confident in.  (I am on some low-dose meds.)
I had a run of rapid heartbeats and skipped beats last year, that took me to the ER.  'Scarry!
I still experience rapid heartbeats when I first lie down for the night.  I have to then try to calm myself by getting up, drinking some warm skim milk, etc.
There is a forum of people w/ this electrical problem on this website, by the way.  Please note...I am not saying that this is YOUR diagnosis.
'See an electrophysiologist!  A regular cardiology group should be able to recommend someone.  They may even have someone w/ this specialty within their own group/corporation.

[kitcurious]

I have Hashis as well and wake up with a heart racing feeling that stops abruptly...I am currently mildy hyper according to my last TSh score, so I assumed it was the levothyroxine. I also wake up pretty much for the day at around 4:30 in the morning now. Will be interested in the doc's response.