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Heart arrythmia and carotid artery pain

At 26 I was diagnosed with Supraventricular Tachycardia and Atrial Fibrillation. I had an ablation at age 36 to end my arrhythmias. After ablation I ended up with PACs, PVCs, and a Right Bundle Branch Block. Currantly at age 42 I've been diagnosed with Atrial Tachycardia and severe Sleep Apnea. I was treated with a CPAP of which I've used for about 3 months now. I continued to wake up during my sleep not breathing, so my pressure was increased, but unfortunately I'm headed back to the docs due to the mask bands irritating the arthritis in my neck (fused vertebrae - genetic) and also still don't breathe sometimes and snore with the mask on. Now for 6 days I have had a headache that comes and goes all day. Sometimes just a severe sharp pain out of the blue. Although I told my cardiologist that I had been having pain in my neck during 3 separate appointments, at mostly my right carotid artery (sometimes left side too), he hasn't done anything. So here I am looking for information. I noticed tonight that when I have the carotid artery area pain my heart jumps around right after the inital pain. Not sure what to think? I get weird twitches in my arms and legs too.
My mother (62) had the same heart problems and died about a year ago of a stroke (they think caused by her Atrial Fibrillation). Her stroke was so massive the hospital had never seen one that bad. I'm 42 and due to breaking my back in the Navy years ago have had a very sedintary lifestyle and had smoked for about 20 years, recently quit. What should I say to my doc to make him take me seriously? Last appointment he just stuck his stethascope on my neck for about 10 seconds and said I'm fine and look too healthy to have any problems. Ugh!
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Avatar universal
Thank you for your response. I'm currently not taking an anticoagulant from the doctor, just an aspirin a day. Although the aspirin doesn't make me feel all that secure since my mother was also taking it. I asked my doc about it, especially due to my family history, but my doctor didn't give me anything. I'm looking for someone new.
The sleep apnea study I had was ordered through my cardiologist after I complained to him of waking up during the night with my heart jumpng around in my chest. I've had my CPAP for a few months now and I'm still having issues that are being addressed...new mask, bump up in pressure, etc. Hoping it helps. I'm considering going to see a sleep specialist and taking it out of my cardiologist's hands.
Again thanks so much for your response and may you have peace and comfort through out the new year : )
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612551 tn?1450022175
COMMUNITY LEADER
Well being Christmas Day I suspect your post will not get many readings.  My only experience is Atrial Fibrillation, so guess I am lucky, well I've also had heart surgery to repair my mitral valve, but I am a good bit older than you too.

You didn't mention taking an anticoagulant, or I didn't read it correctly.  I think that is one thing to discuss with your cardiologist, and in the mean time you may want o consider taking an aspirin a day - again assuming you are not already taking Coumadin/Warfarin or similar.

The sleep apnea may be your greatest risk issue.  That I assume isn't something for the Cardiologist, so my thinking is go to the sleep specialist first, protect against a blood clot (aspirin or anticoagulant) and work with the Cardiologist.  I also think it may be good to try to find a more "sympathetic" Cardiologist.  Maybe you know a neighbor who really likes their Cardiologist, or you can just take the next on in the "phone book".

Wishing you some peace and comfort on this Christmas - the best Christmas gift is good health.
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