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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Re: Junctional Rhythm
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Re: Junctional Rhythm
by De__0__0, Jan 01, 1995 12:00AM
Posted By Dee on January 14, 1999 at 20:03:32:
In Reply to: Re: Junctional Rhythm posted by CCF CARDIO MD - DLB on January 14, 1999 at 15:49:11:
: : Hi Dr. DLB,
I was reading a post DB had about SVT/RFA fear. Now, I know everyone is different, but I have a question in regards to this statement you made during her answer:
"If you have been very stable with the prior SVT episodes, it may be worth talking to your cardiologist about
medication to try to keep the SVT from going too fast if it does recur."
This is very interesting because I was under the impression the medication was supposed to "control" the SVT. Although I'm on Tenormin (really for IST problem), I still have SVTs, but my heart rate doesn't seem to get over 120. So, I've been worrying for nothing about recurring SVTs because the medication isn't supposed to "keep" them from happening?
I know my cardio said the medication wouldn't "cure" it, but I should have really gotten a good definition of what "control" meant. Seeing this is very encouraging to me because I was under the impression (from cardiologist, not electrophysiologist) that "control" meant "keep from happening". Hey, you made my day!
Thanks,
Denise
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Dee
Beta blockers keep the heart rate from going too fast from arrhythmias. At usual doses, they do not have much of an effect in preventing arrhythmias.
I hope this is useful. Feel free to write back with further questions. Good luck.
Information provided here is of a general nature. Specific diagnoses and treatments can only be made by your doctor. If you would like to be seen at the Cleveland Clinic, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE for an appointment with a cardiologist at Desk F15.
________
As you are aware, I started my PSVT problem on September 19, 1997 and was told sometimes they only happen once, lets see if it happens again. If you have another, call me and we will try medication for you. Well, the next month I had a couple while sitting in school, so I called him.
He though Lanoxin was the best choice for me, so I was put on that (low dosage). Well, in January I started having them again, so I called him. I was also getting PVCs to the point of every third beat. He added Rhythmol to the Lanoxin. The Lanoxin I took was once a day, the Rhythmol three times a day. Well, I started having a lot of IST and SVTs in May or somewhere around there. I started dealing with his physician assistant moreso than him. Well, the physician assistant just kept increasing my dosage of Lanoxin and I was still having them. Well, I called and said, "Hey, this isn't working here"! My heart rates were still getting 180 bpm. So, I went to the cardio's office because I was having some weird attacks while working out (numbness and heart rate increase (not from the workout either) ). The p.a. took my blood pressure while I was in there and it was 160/105. He took it on the other arm and it was the same. I said this is what I'm telling you, something isn't right because I would get the tingling around my mouth and such and the increase in heart rate and blood pressure. Well, they thought it was hyperventilation or something, so they added Tenormin (25 mg) to the rest of my meds.
Well, a week later I was sitting at my computer and my whole face went numb for about 15 minutes. I thought for sure I was having a stroke. Also, my head felt like I had the heebie jeebies. Again, p.a. said it could be hyperventilation. The whole problem with the hyperventilation theory is I wasn't breathing fast or hard or anything, I was just feeling tingly and like I was going to pass out. Anyway, I went back to the cardio and basically told him, put me back on the doses of Lanoxin and Rhythmol and I will just have the SVTs because I didn't want the "extra perks" of all the meds, so he agreed. Well, after having a couple more, I told him I wanted the ablation. His thought was why do an invasive procedure if medicine would control him. I told him I wasn't living a "normal" life and I wanted the ablation. I feared I would have a heart attack or something working out because it happened a couple of times working out. In May, the IST problem started getting worse. I called the cardio's p.a. and asked if I could go off Lanoxin and Rhythmol and just be on Tenormin. I knew the Tenormin helped me because I took it two years ago for hyperthyroidism. He said, "I don't want to make too many changes to your meds. because we need to find out what's working". Well, my cardio recommended Dr. Morady and so I went to see him.
Dr. Morady removed me off all meds and gave me the heart monitor. When they recorded my arrhythmias and saw all the Sinus Tachycardia, he told me to return the monitor and he wanted me to go on Tenormin (25 mg to start) per day for the IST. I felt so much better after I started the Tenormin, I can't even begin to tell you. Dr. Morady said, well obviously these two other drugs aren't working for you, so what is the sense in being on them? That was exactly what I wondered!?!?! The funny thing was my cardio thought I had some reaction to Tenormin and wasn't able to take it, that is why he didn't put me on it to begin with. He thought that because I took it for a couple of months (for hyperthyroidism) and stopped because my thyroid swung the other way. I'm telling you, it is just one vicious circle! I will never deal with anyone except my cardio and Dr. Morady (as far as p.a. or nurses). I don't even think my cardio was totally aware of everything being done. I asked the p.a. because my cardio sounded surpised about something (can't remember) and the p.a. said, oh I just made notes in your chart. I guess I just assume there is more communication going on than there is.
Well, when I was put on the Tenormin, the cardio said it would "control" my SVTs. Like I said, I assumed (bad on my part I realize now) "control" meant keep from happening. It definitely made/makes my IST sooo much better, but I still have bouts of whatever it is I keep having, but not near as severe. This is why I was happy to see what you posted to DB because I thought to myself "Well, this is cr** medicine because it doesn't work either" and it wasn't that way at all, it was never intended to. I truly believe Tenormin would have been the best thing from the start in 1997, but I'm sure my cardio had his reasons and I'm not going to cry over spilled milk because it has already happened. I'm sorry for writing this book, but I just wanted you to get a good background of what has been going on and why I would be discouraged thinking the Tenormin wasn't working. I would have been very happy and accepting of the fact they would be there, but minor ones. Here, all along, I've been frustrated thinking nothing is going to work for these things, except another ablation. I have to take the Tenormin for the IST, so what would be the benefit of another ablation? Dr. Morady agreed with this thinking.
I realize the heart is a very intricate system and it is frustrating for everyone involved (moreso me) when cases aren't cut and dry. I expect too much and too many answers that may not be there. I wish I would have seen Dr. Morady long before I wasted almost a whole year. He is the only one I've truly been happy with during this ordeal.
Thanks for everything, you've been wonderful in answering ALL my questions! Again, you don't know what a relief it was to see the Tenormin wouldn't "keep" the SVTs from happening.
Denise
In Reply to: Re: Junctional Rhythm posted by CCF CARDIO MD - DLB on January 14, 1999 at 15:49:11:
: : Hi Dr. DLB,
I was reading a post DB had about SVT/RFA fear. Now, I know everyone is different, but I have a question in regards to this statement you made during her answer:
"If you have been very stable with the prior SVT episodes, it may be worth talking to your cardiologist about
medication to try to keep the SVT from going too fast if it does recur."
This is very interesting because I was under the impression the medication was supposed to "control" the SVT. Although I'm on Tenormin (really for IST problem), I still have SVTs, but my heart rate doesn't seem to get over 120. So, I've been worrying for nothing about recurring SVTs because the medication isn't supposed to "keep" them from happening?
I know my cardio said the medication wouldn't "cure" it, but I should have really gotten a good definition of what "control" meant. Seeing this is very encouraging to me because I was under the impression (from cardiologist, not electrophysiologist) that "control" meant "keep from happening". Hey, you made my day!
Thanks,
Denise
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Dee
Beta blockers keep the heart rate from going too fast from arrhythmias. At usual doses, they do not have much of an effect in preventing arrhythmias.
I hope this is useful. Feel free to write back with further questions. Good luck.
Information provided here is of a general nature. Specific diagnoses and treatments can only be made by your doctor. If you would like to be seen at the Cleveland Clinic, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE for an appointment with a cardiologist at Desk F15.
________
As you are aware, I started my PSVT problem on September 19, 1997 and was told sometimes they only happen once, lets see if it happens again. If you have another, call me and we will try medication for you. Well, the next month I had a couple while sitting in school, so I called him.
He though Lanoxin was the best choice for me, so I was put on that (low dosage). Well, in January I started having them again, so I called him. I was also getting PVCs to the point of every third beat. He added Rhythmol to the Lanoxin. The Lanoxin I took was once a day, the Rhythmol three times a day. Well, I started having a lot of IST and SVTs in May or somewhere around there. I started dealing with his physician assistant moreso than him. Well, the physician assistant just kept increasing my dosage of Lanoxin and I was still having them. Well, I called and said, "Hey, this isn't working here"! My heart rates were still getting 180 bpm. So, I went to the cardio's office because I was having some weird attacks while working out (numbness and heart rate increase (not from the workout either) ). The p.a. took my blood pressure while I was in there and it was 160/105. He took it on the other arm and it was the same. I said this is what I'm telling you, something isn't right because I would get the tingling around my mouth and such and the increase in heart rate and blood pressure. Well, they thought it was hyperventilation or something, so they added Tenormin (25 mg) to the rest of my meds.
Well, a week later I was sitting at my computer and my whole face went numb for about 15 minutes. I thought for sure I was having a stroke. Also, my head felt like I had the heebie jeebies. Again, p.a. said it could be hyperventilation. The whole problem with the hyperventilation theory is I wasn't breathing fast or hard or anything, I was just feeling tingly and like I was going to pass out. Anyway, I went back to the cardio and basically told him, put me back on the doses of Lanoxin and Rhythmol and I will just have the SVTs because I didn't want the "extra perks" of all the meds, so he agreed. Well, after having a couple more, I told him I wanted the ablation. His thought was why do an invasive procedure if medicine would control him. I told him I wasn't living a "normal" life and I wanted the ablation. I feared I would have a heart attack or something working out because it happened a couple of times working out. In May, the IST problem started getting worse. I called the cardio's p.a. and asked if I could go off Lanoxin and Rhythmol and just be on Tenormin. I knew the Tenormin helped me because I took it two years ago for hyperthyroidism. He said, "I don't want to make too many changes to your meds. because we need to find out what's working". Well, my cardio recommended Dr. Morady and so I went to see him.
Dr. Morady removed me off all meds and gave me the heart monitor. When they recorded my arrhythmias and saw all the Sinus Tachycardia, he told me to return the monitor and he wanted me to go on Tenormin (25 mg to start) per day for the IST. I felt so much better after I started the Tenormin, I can't even begin to tell you. Dr. Morady said, well obviously these two other drugs aren't working for you, so what is the sense in being on them? That was exactly what I wondered!?!?! The funny thing was my cardio thought I had some reaction to Tenormin and wasn't able to take it, that is why he didn't put me on it to begin with. He thought that because I took it for a couple of months (for hyperthyroidism) and stopped because my thyroid swung the other way. I'm telling you, it is just one vicious circle! I will never deal with anyone except my cardio and Dr. Morady (as far as p.a. or nurses). I don't even think my cardio was totally aware of everything being done. I asked the p.a. because my cardio sounded surpised about something (can't remember) and the p.a. said, oh I just made notes in your chart. I guess I just assume there is more communication going on than there is.
Well, when I was put on the Tenormin, the cardio said it would "control" my SVTs. Like I said, I assumed (bad on my part I realize now) "control" meant keep from happening. It definitely made/makes my IST sooo much better, but I still have bouts of whatever it is I keep having, but not near as severe. This is why I was happy to see what you posted to DB because I thought to myself "Well, this is cr** medicine because it doesn't work either" and it wasn't that way at all, it was never intended to. I truly believe Tenormin would have been the best thing from the start in 1997, but I'm sure my cardio had his reasons and I'm not going to cry over spilled milk because it has already happened. I'm sorry for writing this book, but I just wanted you to get a good background of what has been going on and why I would be discouraged thinking the Tenormin wasn't working. I would have been very happy and accepting of the fact they would be there, but minor ones. Here, all along, I've been frustrated thinking nothing is going to work for these things, except another ablation. I have to take the Tenormin for the IST, so what would be the benefit of another ablation? Dr. Morady agreed with this thinking.
I realize the heart is a very intricate system and it is frustrating for everyone involved (moreso me) when cases aren't cut and dry. I expect too much and too many answers that may not be there. I wish I would have seen Dr. Morady long before I wasted almost a whole year. He is the only one I've truly been happy with during this ordeal.
Thanks for everything, you've been wonderful in answering ALL my questions! Again, you don't know what a relief it was to see the Tenormin wouldn't "keep" the SVTs from happening.
Denise
