Sick Sinus Syndrome

[PatDRN]

Sick sinus syndrome and Norpace?  I have had palpitations for years on and off but never were they captured on halter monitor or stress testing.  They finally became bad enough that when I went to cardiologist office I went into a-fib and then back into NSR. I had an echocardiogram which they said was basically unchanged and showed good cardiac function. I had been placed on Topral approximately two weeks prior 25mg by my PCP due to mild HTN and c/o palpitations.
The cardiologist started  me on Pradaxa 150 bid  along with my 81 mg of ASA and advised me to stay on Toprol.   I then had a 24 hour halter monitor during which I felt my usual bouncing ball heart which tires me out, causes anxiety and effects breathing.  I received a call a week later referring me to an electro physiologist - he told me my heart was all over the place.  At 6:20 pm I had a heart rate of 30bpm and during the night I had a-fib lasting from a minute to 17 minutes with heart rate of 160-180, and then NSR of 70's in between.
I might add both my brother and mother have a-fib.  My Mom was 90 when a pacemaker was placed due to congestive heart failure and my brother diagnosed in his 30's with cardio version twice and finally AV node ablation, pacemaker placement and both are on Coumadin for years. I, like them,  have severely compromised vascular circulation to bilateral lower extremities.
The cardiologist said eventually I will need a pacemaker.  Started me on Norpace 150 bid, discontinued Pradaxa, started me on 325 mg ASA daily. Discontinued Topral.  He sent me for a sleep apnea test  which showed mild apnea and minimal quiet snoring.  I am awaiting a GI consult. I am on Omeprazole 40 mg daily which has relieved the indigestion I was having. I should mention I went to the ED in mid November for chest pain, r/o MI and referred me back to PCP who placed me on Omeprazole 20 mg, however, I was continuing to experience some acid indigestion so she increased it to 40 mg which has provided relief.
I continue to have arrythmias throughout the day which I find quite exhausting.  Yesterday My heart rate was as high as 160 triggered by cleaning or just sitting...and as low as 46 bpm.  He gave me an exerciser's heart monitor to wear just so I could monitor  it myself.
I have to go back for an EKG in one week to make sure Norpace is not causing prolonged QT waves?  Instructed to follow up in three months.
I am 53 years old, BMI 29 (too much), moved a year ago from east coast to Midwest, suffer from depression and now feel totally overwhelmed.
I really thought a pacemaker - dual chamber would be the answer.  Can't it control both Brady and tach heart?  Although he said all of my problems are in the SA node.
Please respond since I am tired of the bird flying in my chest and don't think I can get used to this sensation!  Thank you

[PatDRN]

Thanks for your input...I appreciate it and wish you and yours good luck in finding relief.

[grendslori]

A person who has heart rates in the 30s  range is certainly a candidate for a pacemaker. The Sinus node is located in the upper chamber of the heart so you would not need a duel chamber pacer; you don't have any blocking of the electrical impulses down to the ventricles which is when you would need the duel chamber pacer. One of the problems my own daughter had was Sick Sinus Syndrome (SSS)

[PatDRN]

Thanks I appreciate it!  Good luck yo you too and hope retirement is your answer!

[DeltaDawn23]

I am on Norpace and it has stopped my Afib, but I don't like the way it makes me feel.  I seem to be getting some additional irregular beats, but no Afib for 8 months.  I have retired from a very stressful job and I wasn't getting enough sleep or exercise.  I am hoping retirement will help with the Afib.   I can't advise on the pacemaker.  Has an ablation been mentioned?  I didn't realize Afib could be genetic.  My Mom suffered from irregular beats, but I believe they were rare until the last part of her life.  She lived to be 92.  Good luck to you, keep after the doctors until they come up with something for you.