Strange symptoms - 9 yrs post WPW ablation

[smrtfrog01]

I am a 30 yr old female.  I had an ablation for WPW done in 2001.  My heart was fine until ~2006.  One day I fell asleep on the floor.  Either as I was falling asleep or as I was waking up I had severe, intense head rushes coupled with palpitations.  This happened once every few months and after the second or third time, I went to see a cardiologist.  Told him of my symptoms and I had a full workup done.  He promised he would "get to the bottom" of it.  After everything came back normal, he basically said "you are fine" and looked at me like I was crazy.  These symptoms have occurred every few months or so since then.  This weekend, I had another attack.  This was the worst one yet though.  A series of 4-5 really intense chest pains and head rushes was also coupled with an inability to breathe.  Mind you, when these happen, I am on the verge of sleeping so its a combination of reality from the pain as well as strange thoughts.  The inability to breathe was like a paralyzed person trying to get their fingers to move.  I kept telling myself to breath and I simply couldn't.  Then the pains stopped and I could take a breath.  Then it started again.  

I have read several posts on here from others who might have similar symptoms.  The postings I read were old (2007-2008).  I was wondering if there is anyone who understands what I am trying to describe for what I am experiencing.  I am in the process of getting an appt with the doc who did my ablation (since all the other docs said I am normal.)  If someone did/does have the same experiences, is there any treatment?  This last attack really scared me.

[karen198787]

Hi. I also have wpw. I was diagnosed at 13 and had an ablation at 16. I am 25 now. Mine was life threatening. My resting heart rate was 165 and it used to race up to over 200. Exercising it was like 260 or so. I had two extra electrical passageways which is even more rare. They only foxed one by ablation because the other was in my aorta and they said if they messed up I could either die or be put on a pacemaker for the rest of my life. Lately I started having palpitations, black outs, chronic fatigue, chest pain, and trouble breathing. My resting pulse lately has ranged from 95 to 125 while resting. I'm getting an appointment in soon. I know how you feel. I hope I can bet the procedure again to fix the issues!   Did you end up getting another ablation?  

[PikaPika88]

Just tell from what I experienced.  During heart block, I got those head rushes as well.  Everyone thought, heart block should feel like "no pulse" but for me, it isn't.  During my complete heart block, I felt kind of palpitations, very irregular palpitations.  

I think most of them knew about the common sequela of cardic ablation.

[Jerry_NJ]

Another possibility is another ablation.  It is common among those who post here about ablations that they have had two or more, and sometimes the second or third is after a period of time when they experienced relief... as you describe 2001-2006.  I suppose those who have 100% success don't come and post here, so I have no idea what the statistics look like, but your doctor should have some experience/statistics that can be related to you symptoms.

[smrtfrog01]

I guess that would have been a logical step.  Just didnt think about it. =)

To Pika,
I dont think I sweat when I get the head rushes.  Like I mentioned, I am always usually almost asleep so I might be sweating and not realize it.  I am pretty sure I have a big painful grimace on my face and thats about the only external symptom.  The head rushes are always coupled with palpatation.  I can feel the pressure building in my chest and I have time to brace myself for the oncoming head rush.  

I have made an appt with the cardio that did my ablation.  The nurse said she has, in fact, heard of other similar symptoms so I am hopeful.  I am 99% sure they will put me back on Atenolol which kinda aggravates me.  I was given the option to either be on medicine the rest of my life or have the surgery so I opted for the surgery.  I have a bad feeling I am going to end up on medicince anyways.  

[PikaPika88]

If you don't mind, do you have sweating while or after a few minutes of head rushes?  My head rushes might or might not with palpitation.  I'm not sure it was tachy or brady?  

You're definately not alone.  My cardio does admit that I have palpitations.  I wasn't sure those head rushes related to palpitation or it is my menopause symptom?  I suppose it is not life threatening because I have it more than 2 years already!

[Jerry_NJ]

You say you found an old post that had a similar subject.  Have you tired to message any of the people who contributed to that post/thread?  That is the only suggestion I have, good luck and keep after the doctor to get help.  Go to a different cardiologist if you can't get answers/help from your current doctor(s).