Atrial Fib?

[Medic1234]

hello, I am a 34 year healthy athletic male, whom over the last 4 months have experienced fast heart rate, blurry vision, extreme fatigue and wieght loss. I have also had several syncope episodes associated with these symptoms. I have no medical history except GERD, which I take prilosec for. I have had a holter monitor, and an event monitor which all showed nothing except a few periodic PVC's, which occured during these "episodes".  I recently had an EP study of which I went into Atrial Fib and was cardioverted. The cardiologist told me that it is common for people to experience AF during an EP study, but being that all of my previous studies (holter, event monitor) were negative, it was unlikely AF is the true problem.
She treated me anyway with Verapimil 120mg.
Before all of this I was exteremely healthy, working out, snowboardng, etc. If I even try to workout now, within five mintues I feel dizzy and feel like I am going to passout and begin to shake.
Any ideas? Should I see and internal medicine doctor? The only other positive lab test was low potassium, andI notice that one pupil is larger than the other every now and then. I also had a head CT, negative.
I don't do drugs, hardly dirnk alcohol, and eat pretty healthy (okay I cheat at McDonald's sometimes).  

Please help...
gh

[Pegsf]

I came across a happenstance.  I was dx with Gerd in 1999 and was on zantac which after much time cleared up and zantac was stopped.  Starting in 2001 I happened to get an SVT episode.  In 2006 I had an afib episode and would have about 5 with each progressing year treated with verapamil "pill in the pocket".  I have had diabetes that was diet and exercise controlled for 10 years and my A1C was getting a little high each year so I felt it was time for the Metformin which I requested from my doctor.  I am now 59 years old.  Upon starting the Metformin I was getting afib every day and was scared because I've never had it everyday.  I immediately went to my doctor and he said "Metformin doesn't cause that".  He referred me to my cardio.  My cardio said "Metformin doesn't cause that".  He gave me another echo which came out normal except for a few PACs....I also had a stress test done last year that was normal.......and he had me wear a holter monitor for 24 hours which, as everyone must know, when you wear it - nothing happens.....I continued to have the afib episodes and one night was so bloated with gas crying at 2:00 am because I didn't know what was wrong with me and I needed to get rest to get to work the next day but couldn't with the heart beating all different ways.....I went to my computer and looked up bloating, Metformin, afib.  All signs pointed to GERD can cause afib.  And Metformin can cause gas, bloating, digestive upset.  The pieces of the puzzle were put together.  I just happened to have gas-x in my bathroom and immediately took 2.  Within one hour the gas and bloating were gone and so was the afib.  I literally got on my knees and prayed that I was on the right path to health.  I stopped the Metformin for a few days to give my stomach a rest and took zantac 300 twice a day.  No palpitations or afib.  I was amazed.  I am now on Metformin ER (which has less side affects) and with it I take a zantac.  I have had no afib.  Either this is a miracle or GERD causes afib.  I went to PubMed and confirmed it and here it is:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19911354
I hope that I reach out to people who can benefit by my post.  I know how you are suffering with afib and this could be the cause for many people (although not all).  I am going to have an endoscopy done soon to see if there is anything else causing problems.  Best of luck to all those suffering from the dreaded afib - it is truly a nightmare.

[dolfnlvr]

Did your doctor prescribe anything to counteract the low potassium?  

I would have to agree with you...while your tests are showing up negative at this time, it sounds as though you should continue to investigate the symptoms.  PVC's do not normally cause syncope or severe dizziness.  Your doctors are not incorrect in their treatment or their testing, but persistance may be warranted here,  I too would be concerned.

You may want to post this question on the "Ask the Doctor" forum.  They often have ideas or avenues to offer that your doctor may not have investigated.  Being "blind" to the situation has it's benefits in that there are no standard biases involved in a brainstorm of possible causes or treatments.  Give it a try.  They are very helpful.

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/show/91