13yrs post wpw ablation Now palpitations...

[blossom88]

I was diagnosed with wpw when I was 19yrs old and pregnant with twins. I had my ablation at around 24yrs old. I was sick of the skipping beats, getting light headed etc. Anyhow, being so long ago I honestly don't remember much about my wpw other then the ablation took 5hrs lol

Over the years I've had skipped beats once in a blue moon, nothing I worried about. I mean I'd have one maybe once a year until this year. For the past 2 months it's constant. And it doesn't matter what I'm doing, even if I'm just sitting here doing nothing it's skipping away and it's all day long, it doesn't give up. I'm not getting light headed or anything like that, I don't have a fast heart rate it's actually slow I believe it's around 58 bpm and it doesn't seem to go any faster with the palpitations. I'm sure whatever is going on is nothing to worry about but either way it's driving me crazy because it doesn't stop skipping.  My last EKG was 2yrs ago and all it says is abnormal and at the top it says Sinus Bradycardia.

Anyhow, anyone know if this is a problem so long after an ablation? Is this normal etc. Cause it's driving me crazy. I did tell my Dr. and had a holter put on a few days ago but sitting here waiting for them to tell me something is just making it worse! Ugh...

[Jerry_NJ]

It is good you are on a monitor so that the cause of the palpitations can be diagnosed, it may have nothing to do with the past WPW.  Then too, it may be a return of WPW...I understand it, like all arrhythmia problems can reoccur even after a successful ablation.

My understanding also in WPW is very responsive to ablation "cures" so if you have to go back you should have another success, we all hope.  

Count the years of relief you had from the first ablation as a blessing rather than blame the ablation for not working if it turns out you have a return of WPW.

Best of luck to you, and try to celebrate our nations birthday.  

[blossom88]

I had my monitor taken off a week ago and still no results... Ugh So, I've really had some time to think about it all and either way no matter what the result is of the tests, I'm not worried about it... I have a slow heartbeat which to me is better... It doesn't race so I'm happy with that part anyhow. It's just soooo annoying to feel it skipping and jumping and flopping around in there like it does... If the ablation didn't work I'm not mad that it didn't... Things happen. But to be honest, what does bother me is years ago when I had my ablation I was told if you have an ablation and it worked it won't come back. NOW it seems that isn't true... Oh well... not much I can do but sit and wait to see what the results are and yes it's killing me to know lol

[Jerry_NJ]

Well, if you can, another ablation may be the best solution...even if not permanent.

[blossom88]

Finally got my results today from the monitor. Well, the WPW isn't back which is a good thing. But, he said I have Tachycardia. NOW me being me I was so floored I didn't even catch everything he said lol So anyhow, he's trying me on meds. but having low blood pressure he's kinda nervous. I have to go back in a few days to have my BS checked. I think when I go back I'll either ask them for a copy of the results or ask em' just what type of Tachycardia I have going on in there.

He did also say that according to the holter I had more going on in there then I was actually feeling. He then asked me what I'd want to do if something were to happen. I looked at him as if he were crazy... I asked him what he meant, and he said if my heart were to stop. This is why I was so floored and didn't really catch all he was saying. I told him...

[Jerry_NJ]

I'm not sure how to take the questions what does one want done if their heart stops..START IT back up seems the obvious answer, but how is more complicated.  Maybe the doctor is hinting at the installation of an ICD, like past VP Chanay has.  That is a device for people with slow HR and are considered at risk for a full stop.  

As for BP, and if you don't have a device at home to measure, I recommend you stop every time you are in a store with a BP station (any pharmacy, including those in grocery stores and Walmart) check your BP and write it down.  Take this with you to the next visit with the doctor.  Doctor office BP measurements are often high.. mine isn't but many have problems.

[blossom88]

I'm not sure what he meant to be honest... I think I'm more confused now then earlier since I've had time to think about it... I think I'm more confused now being told it's Tachycardia... do I worry do I not worry.... is it nothing to worry about. Ugh...

I have to call in a few days to go down to the Dr to have them check my BP. My Dr is only 2 blocks from my house which is nice... :) If all is good with my BP check and he intends to keep me on the medicine I'll buy a cuff for at home so I can check it myself.

I have been dealing with major migraines for 4yrs. Now I wonder if the migraines have anything to do with the Tachycardia.

[blossom88]

Also as for Tachycardia from what I understand that means fast heart rate. My heart rate is not fast... My last EKG a few years ago said the opposite. Said it was bradycardia. I'm sooo confused. I think I just need to call my old Dr who did my ablation years ago. I know he'll know what the heck is going on. I just can't and don't believe it's Tachycardia. I think they are wrong... If my old Dr tells me that's what it is then fine, I'll believe him lol

[PikaPika88]

I think it begins with flip flop (skip beat) then follow with A-Fib or tachy.  My cardio expect I'll get it later after the ablation.  I got the flip flop (Not tachy) started after 15 years of ablation.  He immediately gave me atenolol but I lost the script.  5 years later, I told him I got vibration in my chest.....  He diagnosed is A-Fib.   I also got SSS developed after 9 years of ablation.  

I think the EP knows what is the long term side effect after ablation.  That's why they don't want to give the little children go ahead so early unless it was the troublesome rhythm or the parents enforced.  

I also thought I'm in Brady but it turns out more than I aware of.  More complicated as he's expected.

[blossom88]

Well, I'm not really sure what's going on now. I have an EKG here that states Brady. Which is only 2yrs old and now they say Tachy... I say their crazy lol

I decided I'm going to call on Monday to my old Cardiologist who did my ablation. See about getting an appt. and getting my old records. I don't know if he can just look at my holter results or if he'd have to do it all over again. Hopefully just look cause them things just aren't fun. Specially when your hearts constantly flipping and flopping and acting up. lol I was constantly writing and clicking with the last one.

[PikaPika88]

Hi, Sick Sinus Syndromes (SSS) is action like tachy, brady and normal heart rate.  If they said you have fast heart rate, slow heart rate and normal heart rate.  Then you research into SSS.  You'll be more understand what is your situation.  When the EP speaks to you, you won't blank.  You know what he/she is talking about.

Please come back or post me a note how you go with your EP?  Take care and good luck.

[blossom88]

I will, as soon as I get a copy of my holter etc. I'll post here what it all says. And Thanks for the info.

So far I'm on day two of the meds. (Metoprolol) and I'm not noticing anything at all. I still have the same skipping and jumping and shortness of breath going on. Maybe it needs a few more days?

[blossom88]

Ok I got the results and lets just say I haven't a clue what the hell is going on in there... I'll type it all out and if anyone can tell me anything Great lol

The patient's rythm throught the study was sinus, ranging from 46 beats per minute to 111 beats per minute. Averaging 66 beats per minute thoughout the study. The patient's rythem included 6 hours and 24 minutes of bradycardia and only 6 minutes of tachycardia.

There was occasional ventricular ectopy, 1289 premature ventricular contractions thought the entire study. There were no ventricular couplets nor triplets. There was no ventricular tachycardia.

There was a rare supraventricular ectopy, 41 premature atrial contractions throughout the entire study with 9 atrail couplets and one four-beat atrial run averaging 122 beats per minute. Reentrant supraventricular tach. was not suggested. Sustained supraventricular tach was not seen. Not atrail fibrillation was suggested.

So significant atrioventricular block, pauses nor bradycardia was evident.

The patient had approximately 12 diary entries complaining of skipping or jumping. All events correlated with sinus rhythm with what appeared to be premature ventricular contractions. Premature atrial contractions with aberrant conduction are less likely.

The patient probably has symptomatic premature ventricular contractions, less likely symptomatic premature atrial contractions with aberrant conduction.


SOOO that's what it says. NOW what it means is beyond me....