Epilepsy or Heart?

[toriandbilly]

I have had 2 tonic clonic attacks out of the blue and was given epilepsy meds after several eegs found nothing and MRI also found nothing. I had been having palpitations and so went to a cardiologist and had a 24hr holter which showed my heart rate going from 35 to 118, during this time I did nothiing strenuous.  The cardio man gave me beta blockers, I wasn´t happy. The neuro man gave me several diff Epi meds and the heart problems abated.  Now that my meds are being reduced my heart symptoms are returning - palpitations and slow rate again.  Could it be I don´t have Epilepsy and I need a pacemaker?

[ChatterAlly]

Are the palps only present with the EPI meds, or always? Have they suggested any other tests or an EP study?

[ireneo]

Yes, it's possible. I went through that as a child. The annual EEG's (my mom never told me what they found if anything). The different meds I had to use. It wasn't till I was much older a different doctor told her it wasn't epilepsy but it was my heart. Thank goodness because EEGs back then were atrocious.

As an adult I know now it's my heart acting up although I don't have seizure like activity any more. Other folks have written in about a similar experience.

I can't post web links here but if you google "vasovagal syncope and the inappropriate diagnosis of epilepsy"  (I know it's long) you'll find an excellent article posted recently on about ******* about this very thing. I found it fascinating.