Anyone have SVT..

[mom4cem]

Hi friends,

Just wondering if you have this what type you have and what do you do for it and how often do you experience it.

I've been doing readings of these spells I have with my heart racing. I have an event monitor to put on my chest when it happens, so it catches the event while I am in it. The techs tell me it is sinus tachy and my dr. says also. At first it seemed to hit almost the exact same time each month, usually mid cycle and then a day before my period. Well that theory seems blown. Today, after a while of doing well I finally thought maybe it had settled down or better yet gone away,,(yeah right) I was going to work, felt that anxious feeling in my stomach and my rate started to go up. It lasted about 10 min then it went down to about 90's. I sat in the 80's and 90's the rest of morning. By 3:00 and sitting in the carpool line I felt that anxious feeling again and it started to climb but only lasted about 2-3 minutes then slowly was back to about 80-90. It does not jump start to fast and drop back to normal. The reading today was sinus tachy and about 130's. Wonder if it would be higher without the atenelol? I guess they can tell by the reading what type of rhythm

So now I am really freaked out that it happened twice in a day and I am waiting for it to happen again. I got that anxious feeling still. Of course cardio has not called about it even though he gets the report from the techs. I left msg, but no call back as of yet. All my echos and stress and ekgs have been good. Them saying it is just sinus tachy does not help, unfortunately I am thick headed and need constant reassurance. He tells me he believes it is mixed msgs from my brain but I find it hard to believe. I question how accurate the monitor is and of course always what if'ing my dr.

I am taking 12.5 atenelol in the a.m and p.m. and lately have been sitting in the 70's which is great for me.

So this really blew me out of the water, twice in a day and feeling like there is more to come! Can't take that. I know anxiety just makes it worse.

I know I really am ranting. I am just frustrated to deal with this on top of everything else. Arrghhh. Things could be worse, I know, but feeling this way I am self-absorbed right now.

The nurse in the Ala center where I go once a year has told me dysautonomia can cause these to happen. Anyone know this to be true?

Could this just be one of those "stormy" days?

How do you all deal with this?

Edited December 15, 2005 by mom4cem

[Jacquie802]

Hi, I have SVT as well they think it is some re entry SA node type of deal. I have had 3 EP studies and 2 ablations. I am currently on Toprol XL 25 mg but they want to up the dose, I dont' because of my low bp. The meds seem to work for me good for a few months then as time passes by they seem to not help. Anxiety makes it much much worse. I know it is scary and for a long time I wouldn't leave my house for fear of having an episode, but don't let it run your life..I hope you find some meds that actually work. I am still waiting for that magical pill that actually works for more than a few months! Sorry I couln't be more help, hope you find some answers that youa re looking for as well as a treatment that works for you.

Jacquie

[JenniferInOhio]

I have runs of SVT also. Mine usually start and end in a few seconds. For example, I'll have a run of SVT for 16 beats or something. They are scary for even that short amount of time so I can't imagine what you are going through with it lasting longer. I have maybe 1 run a week now that I've been on nadolol (10mg in the am). I had more before I started taking it.

[mom4cem]

Thanks

Just heard from my cardio. He said I have to ride this out, it's just a bad time. I asked him since the beta blocker was not keeping them at bay if that meant it was initiated by the heart. He said it's sinus tachy and says it seems like something is triggering my ans(that is hard for him to say since he tends to see dysautonomia as only a severe, total body failure rather than the other subsets to dysautonomia) to spit out the adrenaline. Especially he said since I say that I have the feeling like I am on a roller coaster with my stomach. It feels like it drops and then the rush feeling comes over and my hr goes up sometimes just a bit and sometimes it's the start of the whole cycle of up, peak and slow decline. He wants me to up my dose of beta's, yikes! On 25, which I split in the a.m. and p.m. I am most times in the 70's unless an episodes is looming, can't imagine what 37 or 50 will do.

He broke the news to me that he is going on vacation for the holidays. I hate when he leaves Anyone who is on call for him has no clue what to say or do for me if I have an episode and need to see or talk to someone. I have to see him next week to get my dose of reassurance and hopefully I won't need him until after Jan 1.

Hard to believe that I could still be having mini rushes and my hr still going up and down, guess something is triggering these episodes, even at this hour.

To top things off my little guy is coughing his head off with a cold and his chest hurts now from coughing so much, he's 4 and my daughter has some type of stomach virus going on...great...it looks like it will be a great Friday all the way around

Thanks all, you all are great

[cmtaylor5]

Hi,

This is my first post, but I've been lurking for a long time. I felt I had to respond, because my experience is exactly like yours, including the days of the month I get my tachy, as well as having episodes in the car pick up line! I was diagnosed with POTS this past August. I also have only "sinus tachycardia" which doesn't seem to worry my doctors, only me! My current electrophysiologist and cardiologist don't refer to sinus tachycardia as an SVT actually, they just consider it a normal, extra fast rate. Most of the time when I have an episode, I'll initially feel my heart pound and I'll feel that anxious feeling you describe. Eventually, my heart rate goes immediately from normal to about 160 and then will slowly drop back to normal after about 10 minutes or so. I agree, it is not fun. However, I've had lots of success eliminating these "attacks" since my diagnosis. In fact, I have only had one.

Here are a few things that have helped me. I switched from metropolol 12.5 mg twice a day to Toprol XL 25. It's essentially the same medication, but for some reason, that time release has made all the difference for me. When I was diagnosed, I was sort of disabled. I was extremely fatigued, out of breath, had tachycardia with any exertion, and especially high heart rates when standing in one place for a while. Climbing a flight of stairs meant I would have to rest for at least 15 minutes at the top. I couldn't take a hot shower or blow dry my hair. All that has changed since the Toprol. I have an essentially normal life again. (in fact, we just bought a 3 story house, something I would never have dreamed of doing just 6 months ago). I still have lots of the dysautonomia issues with vision, GI troubles, fibromyalgia, shortness of breath, etc.. but they come and go. It was the tachycardia that was really destroying my life and I as so tired of thinking about it, dreading, and fearing it.

Also, I have really learned that my outlook/mood can totally influence my heart rate. After my diagnosis, POTS was almost all I thought about. I was devastated by it. After a couple of weeks of just being miserable and sick, I decided to pay attention to my body and ask myself if I was feeling any better or any worse than the day before. From the first day I felt slightly better, I would tell myself, "You're improving". One day led to another better day, and then another. I gradually increased my activity level. Now everyday is good. I also make sure I get lots of rest and I don't beat myself up when I need to stop what I'm doing and take a break.

I've also learned that once I'm having full blown tachycardia attack, I can forget about calming myself down. My heart is just in it's own world. But, I have found that if I start to feel that pounding and get that anxious feeling, 2 things really help to prevent the attack. One, oddly enough is water loading. I'll drink 3-4 8 oz glasses of water in a couple of minutes, and for some reason, that almost always shuts it down. Also, I'll try to get my mood up. Usually, I listen to some music that brings back good memories for me (that's helpful in the car line, if I can't get to any water). A positive attitude and a whole lot of denial has so far kept me on the road to recovery, I firmly believe it. My neurologist totally agrees that this disorder is heavily influenced by mood and hormones.

Last of all, I was always told by every heart specialist I have seen (both before and after my diagnosis) that a gradual slowing down of heart rate always indicates that your heart problem is not serious. I've read this as well. I'm not a doctor, and I'm not sure if that's true or not, but it has comforted me.

Please don't forget that the holidays are a really stressful time, too! Give yourself permission to believe that you can manage this disorder! You aren't alone, and I know from experience, you can feel better!

Take Care,

Carolyn

[mom4cem]

Thanks Carolyn and welcome to the forum!

I'm glad your attacks have been less frequent and that you have coping mechanisms that help. I was also told the same about the sinus tachy if it gradually goes up and down.

I've just been feeling that it is going to do it again all day and night. Guess the funky ANS is just reminding me it's still here.

Thanks again Carolyn

[Guest Belinda]

I had ablations for SVT-6 yrs. ago they even put me on nasty drug called amiodarone-don't let them put you on it landed me in CCU with heart rate of 39-40bpm.

Anyways I still get sinus tachy. and they taught me to massage one of my carotid (not both that is dangerous ),just one also you can try and bear down like your pooping..and another thing is tosnap rubberband on your wrist, also sticking oyur hands up to your wrist in ice cold water..these are just some things they have taught me that are non-drug ways also coughing deep belly style.

I know they are scary but in all actuality they are harmless. I know the awful feeling you get though

like going down a rollercoaster hill..hope things get better for you soon. Don't worry.

[Poohbear]

I have SVT's; my understanding is this is a normal symptom of POTS (and part of how it is diagnosed actually).

I understand it can be scary and anxiety may make it worse. Beta blockers help some people but certainly not all.

I find I have to take extreme caution to take care of myself ....eat right, sleep enough, stay as fit as possible etc etc. These things help but don't always avoid episodes.

I've found that when my heart rate is excessively tachy if I lay down on the floor and put my feet up on the couch and lay there for a few minutes that will help (presumably it works because it gets blood flow back toward my head).

I hope you get some relief soon and can reduce these episodes!

[yogini]

mom4cem,

I take atenolol too. My HR numbers are usually about the same as yours.

The amount you are taking is actually a pretty low dose, and in my experience taking an extra 12.5mg/day did not slow down my HR all that much. But if your HR is usually in the 70s, it doesn't sound like you need to increase your daily dose. You may want to talk to your doctor about taking an extra 12.5 mg on days when you have a tachy spell. This is what I do, and it helps a ton. When I am having a bad spell, I sometimes use the extra 12.5mg for a few days in a row. My doctor is totally on board with this.

By the way, I do agree with Poohbear - these spells and the ups and downs are just a part of POTS. Sometimes they are related to our periods, or over activity, but other times they happen for no reason. I know it doesn't make it any easier when you have them. Feel better soon!

-Rita

[Sunfish]

unfortunately or fortunately i agree that a lot of what you describe is "just" part of the territory. not to say that changes for you shouldn't be discussed with the doc...they of course should. but yep, it can definitely be part of the dysautonomia package.

hang in there,

melissa

carolyn - welcome!

[mom4cem]

Thanks you all, you have made me feel better. I'm still battling this every day surges with it... I used to take 12.5 once a day now I am on it in the a.m. and p.m. and still have to add another 12.5 when it's bad. I have to call my cardio today and let him know this is still going on.

Thanks again