SVT or Anxiety

[LittleMissBeatz]

I am 24 years old and I was diagnosed with SVT in May of 2007, I was then put on cardizem 120mg, the "episodes" then stopped but only for a while. After another occurence happend they upped my meds to 180mg because of my age and they didn't want my bloodpressure to drop too low and cause other problems.  I had one spell where I actually passed completely out and found myself lying on the floor with my front door open *YIKES*!!  So back in April of this year I went through with the catheter ablation and ofcourse with my luck the doctors could not trigger my SVT with any of the meds they used.  Sooooo they thought it would be a good idea to take me off of my meds.  Well recently I had an "episode" which is basically hot sweats, dizziness, blackouts, a really gittery feeling like my insides are shaking, after the "episode" calms down I usually have really bad back pains and really bad cold chills.  If I sit down quick enough then the "episode eases away.  I am currently 5 months pregnant.  Could teh baby be putting too much strain on my body, is my SVT back, or could it be anxiety attacks of some sort??  I need some help please this is starting to get really scary especially being pregnant and all.  I'd really appreciate any advice anyone could give me...

[LittleMissBeatz]

Thanks dinadog, the cardiologist did mention something about the beta blockers but then he also said he didn't want to put me on the meds UNTIL I have another "episode" which to me is pretty stupid to take that chance on hurting the baby if I do happen to pass out.  I just don't understand why he can't try to help me prevent any "episodes" from happening I mean wouldn't that be the smart thing to do or am I losing my mind??!!

[dinadog]

Can totally relate... I was also pregnant with problems... They thought they were in my head!  So I had to stem up the medicals and give it to my perinatologist, and he prescribed beta blocker immediately... I made it throught he pregnancy and my daughter was a 9.9 apgar score and a healthy little beaver.... However, I did not have any further children.... I ended up with a mild blood clot in leg and on lovenox through the pregnancy and well God blessed me with her... I love children and would like more but too old now... Now I am more concerned about leading a normal life from this electrical disorder.  Must tell you hang in there, its not anxiety... but it can promote some anxiety.

[LittleMissBeatz]

Thanks cubsgirl, yeah I stopped doing the caffeine thing about a year and a half ago.  I haven't had anything except chocolate ofcourse.  I think I am going to give my regular dr a call and get a referral from her for a new cardiologist because I don't need to be having labor pains already I'd probably freak out and make things even worse than they already are.  Thanks again ladies

[Cubsgirl]

I want to congradulate you on your pregnancy and I also want to let you know that I know where you are coming from. I was told I had SVT when I was 23 and 5 months pregnant with my second child. I came home one day from shopping and I was unloading the car I took one step into my house and my heart beat hit so hard and then started beating fast. My husband paniced and brought me to the nearest hospital b/c the heart racing was making me have contractions. When I got to the hospital my heart rate was in the 300's but my rythem was fine they put a monitor on the baby adn hooked me up to a magnesium drip. It took 8 hours before my heart rate was "converted" back to normal. They brought me to a better hospital were I was then diagnosed with SVT and they prescribed me Inderal to take 3 times a day. It took me 3 weeks to get used to the medicine and they had me see a pediatric cardiologist. which i do not recommend. I then had problems with false labor until the day she was born. I then switched cardiologist to an Adult he then advised me to have the ablation done I seen a Heart Specialist who preformed the ablation and it has been 3 years and i have not had an attack since. It stinks b/c I am so scared to have another baby b/c of the risk of it coming back and I have to watch which medicines i take and how much caffine I have.  If I were you I would seek another Dr.

[Brooke_38]

You are right...That is crazy and RIDICULOUS! Get a referel for a new Dr.

We're supposed to have trust in the Dr's taking care of us. When we loose that trust then it's time to move on. I hope that you are successful in finding a trustworthy Dr. outside of the practice of you current MD. :)

[LittleMissBeatz]

I was given a 30 day event monitor in Apr-May of last year, then they gave me a 24 hour monitor a month or two after that.  But I haven't had one recently because I haven't had but one episode since my procedure.  And ofcourse they want me to have another in order for them to want to see me again.  I don't know I think I'm going to go to my regular doctor and get another referral for a different cardiologist because this is getting ridiculous.  I just read what I typed about them not wanting to see me unless I have another episode that is crazy!!  I will let you know what happens when I do go to the doctor and change cardiologists.  Thanks for talking with me I really appreciate it.

[Brooke_38]

Your welcome! I can completely relate to your concern about driving. It has always been a concern of mine as well. Fortunately, it has only occured once while I was driving. I was able to pull over and get the car in park.

I don't understand why he would make a comment stating that this is "uncommon" in someone your age. SVT can happen at any point, reports show episodes occuring  as early as infancy.

I think you are right. Maybe it's time to get a new Dr to take a look at what's going on with you. Have you ever been given an event monitor to try and capture the episodes?

[LittleMissBeatz]

Thanks I actually have seen the doctor and he kind of confused me because at first he was like he wouldn't be too concerned if he had not known of my history before hand then he turned around and said that he really isn't too concerned about it unless it happens again and then he said that he will hold off on the medicine until I have another "episode" and this time they will put me on the beta blockers instead of the calcium channelers or whatever LOL.  I've had the same concern from day one which is I don't want this to happen while I am driving and I kill myself or somebody else because of the doctors neglect.  They have a habit of using my age for an excuse as to why this "shouldn't be" happening to me and how "uncommon" it is for someone my age.  I'm thinking maybe I need to go see a different cardiologist because this is the second one I've seen and they both work in the same facility.  It's extremely nerve racking.

[Brooke_38]

Hello...

Congrats on your pregnancy!

Hormonal changes are thought to play an important role in the development of      arrhythmias during pregnancy.
Estrogens increase the excitability and the frequency of action potentials in susceptible tissues such as uterine muscle fiber. The blood levels and the metabolism of catecholamines do not change significantly during pregnancy.

However, studies have shown that estrogens increase the number of a-adrenergic receptors and adrenergic sensitivity in susceptible tissues

You mentioned that you had an EP study but Dr's could not provoke any SVT. Unfortunately, this can happen to people. The problem is that unless they can provoke the SVT during the study, they cannot preform an ablation procedure to cure you.

I think that you should make an appt. with your Dr to discuss your options. I can certainly understand your fear, now being pregnant.

Good luck and keep us posted with any updates:)