What a nice guy you are! Very kind to take the time to write such a nice, thorough response. Please keep us updated on your situation. I hope it gets resolved soon. :)
Hi Brandie,
Interesting situation. Seems like we share an eerily similar situation.
My "first period" of heart problems was almost exactly like yours. I would have a steady, somewhat slow heart rate, then it would shoot up instantly (like a switch went off) to 150+ BPM. For example, I would be just watching TV when this happened ... not exercising. This happened off and on for a little while, then went to the emergency (where they gave me a useless beta-blocker, Bisoprolol with tons of side effects).
Now it's slightly different, with a strong heartbeat I feel 24/7 (is that what you mean by "feeling your heart beat," as well?), and a resting HR of about 100 BPM - with my cardiologist assuming IST (Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia) . I'm happy to hear the beta-blocker you're on is helping with the tachycardia symptoms. One thing to mention, a HR of about 30 BPM seems very slow. I think my minimum has been about 50 BPM.
Your headaches/head pains, again, are similar to mine. They occur in the back right (top) of the head, almost like my brain is pressing against the skull - or the opposite, something is pressing against the brain. It's happened so often (although still scary), I've learned to just pass it off. Don't stress about it, Brandie. I've had it for months (in fact, have it right now), and I'm still here! BUT, I can't stress enough to get it checked out to make sure benign and nothing serious. Not to sound like a hypocrite, but I have yet to do so.
Moreover, I'm assuming by your "fluttering" heart beats are PVC's (Premature Ventricular Contractions), something I get as well. An odd sensation will occur in the chest, then start back normally again. Almost like your heart is confused. I get it, and plenty of others do as well (some are just more sensitive to it). Try and relax when it happens. Find out for sure what it is, though.
Like yourself, Doctor's changed their diagnosis more than their underwear. Get all of your tests done (I've had every test under the sun, and all came back alright/negative), see the electrophysiologist (I'm booked to see one in a few months), and let us know how it all works out. Stay strong, and know others are having weird, crazy, and mysterious things as well. You're not alone.
Sorry I can't be of much help. All I can do is relate to a few of the situations, lend some of my experiences over the past year or so, and give a few kind words.
Strange how similar this sounds, huh? It would take me far too long to go over everything with you (this has been going on over a year), but if you have any other questions, just ask! If you ever come to a verdict of what's the cause, I'd love to know!
Best of luck to you. :)
Brooke
Ty for your response. To answer your question yes I have seen a cardiologist.That's where I got my 30 Day holter from. I am supposed to be seing an electrical specialist on the 7th of this month. I have had tons of blood work done. It is always good. Origionally when this first started happening I was diagnosed w/ neurocardiogenic syncope. Now they say it's not that it's sinus tach arrythmia, now as of last week I have sinus brady arrythmia. They are unsure of what's going on. They said that they will want to do an EP Study. Which I am hopeful will reveal what's going on. I will go one day with my pulse of 33BPM and the next thing I know it just shoots up to 160BPM. Since this all started a month ago it just keeps getting worse and worse. I have good days and then there are days like today where I just feel yucky. My entire body feels strange. Like I am functioning, but I'm not. I don't know how to explain it. I just feel kind of shaky, and clammy, and very, VERY tired. Oh yeah, the only thing that has come up in my blood work twice has been that my potassium is a little low. Like normal is 3.5 and my level has been 3.2 i have increased my fluids all I drink is gatoraide and water, and my salt intake, but no luck soo far!!! Thanks soo much Brooke for listening. And if anyone else may have some insight PLEASE let me know!!! Thanks sooo much
Hello...
I'm sorry that you feel so frustrated and worried about your current situation. Have you had an appt with a cardiologist yet? If not, this would be the best place for you to start. It is really difficult to determine the exact cause of all your symptoms.
As far as you suffering SCD, given your normal Echo, Stress test, and EKG this would be an unlikely event. Both Sinus Tach&Sinus arrhythmia are not life threatening conditions. You didn't mention anything along the lines of blood work. Have you had a panel of labs done to rule out an underlying problem there?
Neurocardiogenic Syncope is interchangeable with vasovagal syncope. It's a benign (and the most frequent) cause of fainting. With this condition you should be on a high-salt diet and drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration and maintain blood volume.
I'm not sure what the cause of your headache or pain behind your eye is a result of. I hope that you get all of this resolved. Please let us know how things work out for you. In the mean time, maybe there will be others who will have an opinion or other suggestions for you.:)