Need Advice About My Situation With PSVT Please.

[jpfortin]

I am 26 with PSVT. I had a couple of episode during high school which only lasted a few moment. Now I have episode at least once or twice a month. They last from 2 to 3 days. I am on verapamil and seems to only help a little. Instead of heart beats being over 200 it keep my heart beat between 130 and 160 during the episode which still last 2 to 3 days once or twice a month. I find that every time I get an episode it is when it is hot outside, when I am at work (I am a dishwasher, so physical labour so I find it hard to work), stress or anxiety from dreams. I go see my doctor when I have these episodes and the doctor tells me to go home and rest since it is not over 160. I can not rest all the time it is frustating. I have almost lost my job because of this. Nobody at work seems to understand how I can not function we I have PSVT episodes. Dizzy, shortness of breathe (can breathe), passing out if I don't rest. They say I am lazy, I want to know if I can get fired over this and what can I do to get rid of PSVT so I can get back to work.

[DnAzMama]

I certainly know how you feel.  I'm 31 with IST/SVT and live in Arizona, and let me tell you when I go out in the heat I feel like I'm going to pass out and die.  I'm already on a beta-blocker to lower my pulse but when I'm in the heat or doing any work (and yes, having stressful dreams) it doesn't help much.  So several times during the day I have to lie down because of dizziness, lightheadedness and "heat waves" and I feel old and lazy.  I'm supposed to start Nursing school in the fall and I can't lie down all the time!  I'll never make it through Nursing school like this and my doc keeps telling me to drink more water.  Well I already feel like a fish so I don't think that's it.  I think there has to be a better med for me out there (I'm on Coreg) or some kind of treatment I don't know about.  But I know what you mean, I can't live like this and you certainly can't go in life "resting" whenever you feel like it.  It just doesn't work like that.
Good luck...

[ireneo]

So the cardio suggested wearing a Holter monitor and brought up the idea of ablation. What happened after that? What was your response?

A holter is usually worn for 24 hours and may not catch one of your tachy times. An event monitor might be better but only records a couple minutes of your event. Perhaps a trip to the ER during one might get a different treatment plan for you. At least something more than go home and rest till it's gone.

I've had 4 cardiologists fiddling with my heart now and none of them would have said that. I've been a reluctant patient, not wanting pills or treatment. But that was my choice. If you want some action, you'll have to speak up and be more proactive. Doctors may offer options but they usually don't force us into it.

[jpfortin]

I been to the cardiologist three times already and he suggest a holter monitor and ablation. It's all been talk no actions has been taken. He has switched my meds from Diltiazem 120mg to Verapamil 120mg. When I have my episodes I don't bother going to doctor anymore instead I sleep cause I can't do nothing else. I usuallly stay in bed from 2 to 3 days. I need to to be arrythmia free how can I get things moving. Should I go to the hospital when I have these episodes instead of my doctor??  None of my doctors say I am too young they think my PSVT is associated with WPW (Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome).

[ireneo]

I think you should get another doctor. Having a heart rate, even at a slower rate of 160 bpm, for 2-3 days is not good for you. I know how it feels because my PSVT runs from 130-198 bpm and if it goes on for more than 10 minutes, I feel tired, distracted and cranky. If the Verapamil isn't doing the job (and it really isn't) there are other meds you can try or with the frequency and length of your PSVT, I wouldn't be surprised if a cardiologist recommends an ablation. Don't go on like this. And don't let a doctor tell you you're too young to have a heart problem. I remember mine from grade school and I know a young girl (she was about 11 at the time) who had PSVT just a couple times a year and she had an ablation. She is arrhythmia free now.