can lyme cause heart irregularities?

[von123678]

I'm having a terrible time with irregular, slow and fast pulse.
The doctor is considering whether its due to my antidepressants or heart condition.
My doctors are very anti-lyme and believe a 6 week course of antibiotics can cure chronic lyme.
I have not even mentioned it as because i suffer anxiety and depression i am sort of labelled.
it is terrifying.
i have a 48 hour tape app im awaiting and i cardio app but its so scary

Yvonne x

[JackieCalifornia]

Yvonne, here is the abstract (short summary) of a medical journal article published a few years ago, but it might get your MDs' attention.  You can see more related articles by searching "pubmed 12777681" online.  These are written by and for MDs and researchers, but it doesn't take long to get the hang of understanding what they are getting at.  I found it by searching 'lyme disease cardiac manifestation'.

Just a thought.  Take care!
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J Invasive Cardiol. [Journal of Invasive Cardiology] 2003 Jun;15(6):367-9.
Complete heart block due to lyme carditis.

Lo R, Menzies DJ, Archer H, Cohen TJ.

Section of Electrophysiology in the Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Winthrop-University Hospital, Mineola, NY 11501, USA.
Abstract

Lyme carditis is becoming a more frequent complication of Lyme disease, primarily due to the increasing incidence of this disease in the United States. Cardiovascular manifestations of Lyme disease often occur within 21 days of exposure and include fluctuating degrees of atrioventricular (AV) block, acute myopericarditis or mild left ventricular dysfunction and rarely cardiomegaly or fatal pericarditis. AV block can vary from first-, second-, third-degree heart block, to junctional rhythm and asystolic pauses. Patients with suspected or known Lyme disease presenting with cardiac symptoms, or patients in an endemic area presenting with cardiac symptoms with no other cardiac risk factors should have a screening electrocardiogram along with Lyme titers. We present a case of third-degree AV block due to Lyme carditis, illustrating one of the cardiac complications of Lyme disease. This disease is usually self-limiting when treated appropriately with antibiotics, and does not require permanent cardiac pacing.

PMID: 12777681 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

[von123678]

Thanks for your help.
I'm tryinto get the doctors to concentrate on my health issues and not mentioning lyme x

[ree4tu1]

Yes, Lyme definitly effects your heart as the infection can cause inflammation around the heart,  

[DirectorVertiGarden]

Hi Yvonne - Coincidentally, I was diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation a few months ago supposedly from one of the 20 meds one of my 6 doctors put me on.  Mine is a rapid heartbeat that comes out of no where.  If it doesn't slow down by itself, I have to go to the emergency room for treatment (which of course I can't remember the name of the drugs they uesed.)  Bottom line is, I am being treated by a Lyme Disease specialist, supposedly one of the top 10 in the state.  I feel like I'm a guinea pig.  If one med doesn't work, lets try another.  I am now walking around with one of those wonderful pill boxes that hold an entire week's worth.  I have chronic LD.  I have pain (like a toothache) in both legs that is constant.  When I had the worse symptoms where my knees blew up from RA, ever since then, my legs have been in pain.
What I don't understand is.... why our government is not spraying the woods!!!!  I have 70 acres of wildlife management on 3 sides of my house and 7 dogs.  When I can afford to have the property sprayed.. no ticks.  I have decided to move to a different state that is not one of the most populated by ticks.  I already lost a two year old puppy to Lyme.
Anyone else have the leg pain?

[von123678]

Thanks, its so frightening but im on my own as regards help.
I had the bullseye rash about 5 years and didn't self treat til was at chronic stage but even doc of infect disease said i must be cured.
Scotlands awful for lyme disbelief and with my other issues ive no chance of being taken seriously.

My test aft having it about 2 -3 yeas was neg even though i know i hve it, but thats gospel to the docs.

I usually self treat with amoxicillan as its easier for me to get but not sure whether to leave it for now with being on other meds.

just don't know what to do, my fights gone im too sick


Thanks yvonne x

[JackieCalifornia]

Yvonne,

I'm not medically trained, but I think from what I read that the answer is yes, lyme can mess with your heart.  This is from the canlyme (Canadian Lyme disease website):

-- When the weather is warm, working outdoors or walking in the woods may net you a tiny, blood-sucking hitchhiker - a tick that could carry Lyme disease. And the spiral-shaped bacteria that cause Lyme disease sometimes head for the heart, where they trigger problems that often masquerade as new or worsening heart disease. The August issue of the Harvard Heart Letter tells you how to spot trouble and prevent contact with ticks. Lyme carditis is the heart infection caused by Lyme disease.

The bacteria that cause Lyme carditis disrupt the heart's pattern of electrical activity, delaying or blocking electrical signals that travel between the upper and lower chambers of the heart. This infection affects only 1 in 10 people who get Lyme disease, but its symptoms are often mistaken for other cardiac problems and can result in misdiagnosis.

The Harvard Heart Letter tells you what symptoms to look out for and what Lyme carditis treatment options are available:

Symptoms
* Dizziness or fainting
* Shortness of breath
* Heart palpitations
* Fatigue
* Trouble breathing when lying down or sleeping
* A throbbing sensation in the neck

Source: The Harvard Heart Letter (http://www.health.harvard.edu) Treatment

* Four weeks of the oral antibiotic doxycycline will usually clear up mild cases of Lyme carditis.
* Intravenous antibiotics may be needed for more serious problems such as heart block.
* A small percentage of patients require temporary or permanent pacemakers to stabilize their heart's electrical activity.
Source: The Harvard Heart Letter (http://www.health.harvard.edu)
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The advice above that 4 weeks of doxycycline "will usually clear up mild cases" of Lyme carditis might be challenged by Lyme specialists (LLMDs), but it does indicate a possible link between heart trouble and Lyme.

It's also possible that your heart can be affected indirectly by Lyme, because it can disturb thyroid function, and thyroid levels that are too low can cause heart problems.

On a side note, one of the symptoms of Lyme is anxiety.  Another is depression.  I have just recently started taking thyroid supplements and it makes a huge difference in how I feel.  My old Lyme doc tried to get me to take them, but I didn't stick with them because they upset my stomach ... I am now taking the thyroid meds with food, and it's quite tolerable and I feel better than I have in a very long time, not only physically but also the anxiety is 90% gone.

I don't know if this would have the same effect on you, but it's worth asking your docs about.  I don't know many docs who would argue with the Harvard health letter.

Take care ... I hope you feel better soon.  Don't give up!  Keep after the docs!!