heart rate after a 2nd ablation

[ccic]

Hi, Last January was the first time I had symptoms or should I say I never notice symptoms before.  My chest was killing, I couldn’t breathe,  my lips were blur, my BP was 190/112, and my heart rate was anywhere from 158-190, irregular, mostly in Atrial Fib, but had some A-flutter.  I spent the next 6 days in ICU on a cardizem drip.  From January to May I would spend at the most 2 days at home and then go to the hospital were an IV would be started and off to ICU I would go.  Cardizem, lopressor, sotatol, were my main meds then.  I had an ablation and my rate got worse, usually it was a 174 at rest and 260 when it got going.  The ERs docs learn to stabilize me and then discharge me most of the time.  Tried Multaq made it worse.  Had another ablation in September, this one took 12 and half hours.  May rate was slower at first but un organized, it was irregular, a-trial fib, a-flutter, or STV, on a few occasions it would be in bradycardia.  I went back in the hospital and I went on Tikosyn, which seem to work for about 4 weeks, now every time I stand up, walk, my rate is up over 150.  At rest the rate is only down to 98 even when I am sleeping.  I am on Tikosyn 250 X 2, and lopressor 50 X 2.  As well as thyroid meds, potassium, omeprozale(?)  I cannot walk and talk at the same time because I am too short of breathe.  My doc is talking a 3rd ablation, or defibrillator.  My electro-lights are always out of the norm.  I am 45, female.
any suggestion I would love to have my life back.



This discussion is related to rapid heart rate in the morning upon standing.

[ccic]

thank you, I am at UMASS ranked second in the US behind Cleveland.  I have one of the best electrophisit (I know I spelled that wrong) around.  We just seem to be missing something.  Thanks
Carolann

[Jerry_NJ]

Good advice in the previous post.

I have a friend that went engaged Cleveland Clinic via the Web... he also sent test results from his local (NJ) doctor(s).  There was a charge, but not extremely high (best I can recall, will not quote numbers here).  He was used the advice from Cleveland Clinic in making decision on what to do with his local medical team.

My sister, much older than you, has a pace maker and this has both extended her life and made it more "livable".   I'm not making recommendations, but I know there are extreme (I'll call them) measures that will get the HR under control.  

Your very difficult time must make it extremely difficult to remain positive, but that is the key to getting your "life back".  Hold on somehow to the positive goal of finding answers/fixes.

Try to enjoy Thanksgiving as a step in the positive/optimistic direction.

[ptadvoc8]

I'm sorry you've had to go through such an ordeal -- that sounds both frightening and frustrating and 45 seems way too young to be living such a restricted life. Your situation sounds very complex and I am not a medical professional so I cannot address specifics. However, if you haven't already done so, I would really suggest you contact one of the highly recognized medical facilities for treating cardiac and arrhythmia problems. Specifically, someplace like the Cleveland Clinic, University Massachusetts General, University California San Francisco, University Pennsylvania in Pittsburgh, Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Center or the Mayo Clinic.

These facilities have world renowned specialists, top end equipment and well recognized experience which can really make a difference in complicated or difficult cases like yours. Some of these clinics also have multi-disciplinary specialists who work together, which could also be helpful in your situation. I would even suggest you contact several of them via the internet or telephone to explain your situation and see if they would be willing to either consult with you over the phone or take on your case. You can either do this through your current doctor or "self-referral" without a physician recommendation. Getting more information and more opinions on your situation could prove helpful and in my experience getting more than one opinion for anything serious like this critical to good health care.

Also, there are many others on this board who have had some difficult and complicated cases who will hopefully be able to give you some more specific answers and support!