Question: How has SVT adversely affected your life?

[Jannie411]

I'm curious - how has SVT adversely affected your life?  What have you had to give up and how have you had to modify your life because of SVT?

Last night, I was pondering the many ways SVT has changed the way I live over the last 25+ years.  So many favorite foods and beverages I've had to give up, so many activities I no longer take part in.  I've posted a short list of things below.  

Foods, beverages, and OTC medications........No more.....
-  Alcoholic beverages
-  Caffeinated beverages - soda, coffee, tea.   And have stopped decaf beverages as well.
-  Soda, diet soda, and any other beverages containing aspartame or artificial sweeteners
-  Cough and cold medicines - anything with Pseudoephedrine
-  Allergy medications
-  Chocolate - fortunately only have to give this up temporarily until after ablation.

Outdoor & Indoor Activities and other things that will trigger an SVT event.
-  Hiking.....which I absolutely loved.  My heart can't handle uphill climbing.  For whatever reason, walking downhill isn't a problem, only uphill.
-  Climbing stairs - barely able to climb a flight or two of stairs without having to stop.  This has been one of my biggest triggers for SVT.
-  Roller coasters and amusement parks in general.  (And I love roller coasters, the bigger the better!)
-  Exercise - no more walking on the treadmill till my cardiologist gives the OK after ablation.
-  Volleyball - another activity I loved, had to give this up 25 years ago
-  Aerobics - had a really bad SVT event in the middle of an aerobics class - very embarrassing, that was the end of the aerobics.
-  Swimming in the ocean - cold water guaranteed to set off an SVT event
-  Work functions - I used to take a vacation or sick day anytime the company had an employee activity, like going to a waterpark, beach, party, participating in presentations, holiday parties, etc.  Did not want to take the chance of having an attack in a crowd of people.  This gained me the reputation of being "antisocial".  Only my boss and HR knew about the SVT and kept it in confidence.
-  Working out in the yard.  I feel bad that I can't help my husband with the yardwork and gardening.
-  Snow shoveling ...... ok, this was something I didn't enjoy, but nevertheless it's another thing on the "do not do" list.
-  Climbing stairs - guaranteed to set off an SVT event
-  Taking hot showers - guaranteed to set off an SVT event
-  Stooping, kneeling, or squatting - fair chance of setting off an SVT event when I got up.
-  And one of the worst things - being startled by the phone ringing in the middle of the night.  It always set off an SVT event.  (Unfortunately, we're not able to turn off the phone as I have an elderly parent who isn't in the best of health.)

[tom_h]

I've written here on several occasions how SVT became intetwined in my daily life for the last 54 years  Although I refused to have it rule it, there were things I would avoid.  
-I've never been on a cruise with my wife. I was afraid of an episode even though I've successfully every one that I've ever had.  
-I wouldn't do overnight ocean fishing trips with my family who fish all of the time.
-My dad, my brother in law, and some friends sailed our sailboat to Bermuda.  I never even remotely considered going, although I would have loved to.
- I never ever took allergy medicine or anything with antihistamines; guaranteed SVT episode
-Generally never ventured far from home becasue of it.
-Perhaps the one thing I'm most bitter about was my amateur speed skating carreer.  I excelled at it, along with track cycling.  But skating was my thing.  I was nationally ranked at one time and was looking at participating in olympic trials.  But leading up to the trials, SVT episodes in two of the events that I was favored in forced my withdrawal, and all chances were gone.  That was a long time ago, but the one that hurts the most I think.  I don't think my EP fully understood when I thanked him afterwards for changing my life.  He smiled and nodded, but my life has been radically altered.  Now I want to do the things I always dreamed of but never dare do.  Although I still skate, it's only for coaching and enjoyment now.  That facet of my life is forever lost.

[youngandignored]

yes i have done drug therapy. nadolol for almost a year, it stopped after i upped my dosage 5 times, so friday he put me on zebeta and so far it works when it wants to. on and off... my body just doesnt handle any prescription drug like it should. even when i was younger and on bitrh control (i tried 3) i would stay feeling under the weather...my attitude is, if theres a chance it can be fixed, lets try. you know? but dr doesnt seem to be on the same page as me.

[bigkev414]

I agree about the side affects, they are awful and sometimes I wonder if it's worth it.....good luck with the ablation; yoiu'll have plenty to do afterwards but sometime in the coming weeks please drop me a note if you get time telling me that you are FIXED!!

[Jannie411]

Hi......

Unfortunately, beta blockers have been nothing but problems for me, the side effects created more medical issues on top of what I already had.   I have found a wonderful EP cardiologist who is performing an ablation for me on Wednesday and have high hopes for getting my life back.  

I am glad to hear you are having better experiences with Atenolol than I did, though and I hope with the change in meds your life will improve.

[bigkev414]

In answer to your question it has ruined and controlled every aspect of my life for over 15 years. Now I'm too old to pick it up again. Used to fish from the ocean beach, can't - cast the rod and BANG, there it starts, try to walk back up the hill from the beach, and can't, frightened to go out much in case it starts, can't work anymore because stress and fear of an attack brings one on, and so on and on BUT!!! THERE IS HOPE....after years of resistance I have been taking atenalol in adjusted doses for the past three years or so and it has helped enormously. 90% reduction in frequency of attacks and severity. Persist with your doctor and beta blockers or calcium channel blockers together with anti anxiety meds like low dose valium and you will find a formula that will help get your life back!! Talk to your doc. chin up.

[bigkev414]

do you take any medication? has the doctor suggested trying low dose beta blockers? I take a small dose of atenalol daily and once I got used to it my SVTs have subsided 90% and i can do some physical work now which I couldn't for 15 years. I resist taking drugs and have avoided this for years but I was silly and should have persisted and taken the atenalol. My life was a misery, ANY physical activity at all would trigger runs of SVT and irregular heartbeats - raising my arms above my head to change a light bulb, prune a bush in the yard, anything at all. Sex stopped years ago for me because of the fear and triggering of SVT's (my wife was glad anyway).
talk to the doctor some more. You're too young to give in to this. Best wishes