Arrhythmia problems
- Thread starter GaryA
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GaryA
Subversive Sage
- Location
- High Shields
Ive seen my Gp and hes fairly hopeless with everything..he's one of those types who pass the buck and refer to specialists without explaining...and its a mixture of he cant be bothered and he doesnt know...
Hes only any use for getting sicknotes but he has promised to fasttrack my referral to cardio unit.
No better today I'm afraid... trying to force myself to eat something.
pubrunner
Legendary Member
Back in the 80s, I was pretty fit - running around 50 miles a week. My resting pulse was (still is) about 40 bpm.
One morning, I awoke to mind my pulse was beating erratically at around 120-130 bpm.
I had an ECG and eventually, the cause was found to be the vast quantities of coffee (approx. a gallon
I was amazed that an 'innocuous' substance such as instant coffee, could make such a difference to the way that I felt.
I now drink no more than just one cup of tea or coffee or chocolate each day. I go out on a Thursday night; after a customary single pint of Guinness (I drive), I'm on soft drinks for the rest of the evening. If I have diet coke, I'll not sleep all night.
Nearly 30 years on, and I still run and do a tiny bit of cycling as well (just once, this year
); the only times where I've felt a bit 'fluttery', is when I've drunk more than my limit of one cup a day . . . and perhaps guzzled a quantity of chocolate too
The thing is, whilst no single factor might cause you to have palpitations, the cumulative effect of two or three 'stress factors' may well cause you to have these sensations. Watch the stress and 'frantic lifestyle' and cut down on the caffeine. I've found in the past, that when I've been stressed, I'd lie in bed and 'over-analyse' things . . . . . . . make sure that you get plenty of sleep.
Eventually, your life will (hopefully) return more to an 'even keel' and your heartbeat will return to normal.
Best of luck !
pubrunner
Posts: 132
Joined: Thu Jan 22, 2009 8:29 pm
Posts: 132
Joined: Thu Jan 22, 2009 8:29 pm
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GaryA
Subversive Sage
- Location
- High Shields
Well yesterday was the first day for a week I havnt felt like i was going to collapse, the first day without that horrible light-headed-not-quite-sure-whats-going-on-around-me feeling. Two factors are helping i believe
one: Ive forced myself to eat a few proper meals- my sisters sunday lunch....regularly bananas fruit cereal bars for energy.
Two: Ive become so sick of being a house bound invalid that I dont care if i do collapse; I cant sit in a chair or lie on a sofa all day.
Ive never been a stressful person but I do acknowlege that its been influencing me...it amazing how many people know of someone with various arrhythmia history and the closest one to my symptoms is a work colleague of my sisters who has had heart flutters/ skipped heartbeats on and off for years,,she was terrified when she first developed the symptoms; convinced she was going to collapse/die but the cardiologists reassured her it was benign and over time she learned to live with it and live a normal life with no medication.
Thats half the problem; getting referred to cardio which can take weeks...i have to ring on thu to see when an appointment has been made... glacial pace
one: Ive forced myself to eat a few proper meals- my sisters sunday lunch....regularly bananas fruit cereal bars for energy.
Two: Ive become so sick of being a house bound invalid that I dont care if i do collapse; I cant sit in a chair or lie on a sofa all day.
Ive never been a stressful person but I do acknowlege that its been influencing me...it amazing how many people know of someone with various arrhythmia history and the closest one to my symptoms is a work colleague of my sisters who has had heart flutters/ skipped heartbeats on and off for years,,she was terrified when she first developed the symptoms; convinced she was going to collapse/die but the cardiologists reassured her it was benign and over time she learned to live with it and live a normal life with no medication.
Thats half the problem; getting referred to cardio which can take weeks...i have to ring on thu to see when an appointment has been made... glacial pace
Thats half the problem; getting referred to cardio which can take weeks...i have to ring on thu to see when an appointment has been made... glacial pace
Shortcut is to find a consultant you can see privately once, worth it anyhow but they will then make the follow up appt. on the NHS. You'll have to pay for the private consult (100 squid ish) but you're in the system, seeing the right person, on the right route etc..
The Jogger
Legendary Member
- Location
- Spain
Glad to hear you are feeling a bit better today Gary, keep doing the positive things..........
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GaryA
Subversive Sage
- Location
- High Shields
Apologies for the bump-up but a few folk in P&L have been PM'ing me for an update so thought Id oblige.
End June had a cororany angiogram which showed a perfectly healthy heart, no restrictions or blockages etc at the same time the 48 hour ECG trace was analysed and found to be normal apart from occasional ectopic heartbeats and palpiatations- probably caused by my own anxiety and stress at feeling the 3x a min ectopic heartbeats. Since then I have been discharged and told to resume activities and work...which i have managed to do with few problems.
The cardio experts still cant explain why i collapsed in january and (nearly) again in April nor can they explain why Ive developed ectopic heartbeats...most people have these and dont notice them when its 3-4 a day but you do when its 3-4 a minute!
They are benign and harmless Ive been told...and i believe them; its the psychological effect they have which inhibits activity and makes you paranoid.
The biggest problem i have is recovering from 9 weeks of self-enforced extreme sedentary period april-end june...after a lifetime of aerobic activity suddenly doing nothing had muscles shrinking and resting heartrate rising from mid fifties to mid seventies.
Its also been a humbling eye-opening depressing experience...I now know what its like to be a housebound pensioner
I appreciate more than ever family and friends, their support and devotion- priceless, irreplacible and all the little things which we all take for granted in our everyday lives; gratitude for being given a second chance (thats what it feels like) and the determination not to succome to stress and training schedule obsessions...which I suspect was the root cause of my episodes.
End June had a cororany angiogram which showed a perfectly healthy heart, no restrictions or blockages etc at the same time the 48 hour ECG trace was analysed and found to be normal apart from occasional ectopic heartbeats and palpiatations- probably caused by my own anxiety and stress at feeling the 3x a min ectopic heartbeats. Since then I have been discharged and told to resume activities and work...which i have managed to do with few problems.
The cardio experts still cant explain why i collapsed in january and (nearly) again in April nor can they explain why Ive developed ectopic heartbeats...most people have these and dont notice them when its 3-4 a day but you do when its 3-4 a minute!
They are benign and harmless Ive been told...and i believe them; its the psychological effect they have which inhibits activity and makes you paranoid.
The biggest problem i have is recovering from 9 weeks of self-enforced extreme sedentary period april-end june...after a lifetime of aerobic activity suddenly doing nothing had muscles shrinking and resting heartrate rising from mid fifties to mid seventies.
Its also been a humbling eye-opening depressing experience...I now know what its like to be a housebound pensioner
I appreciate more than ever family and friends, their support and devotion- priceless, irreplacible and all the little things which we all take for granted in our everyday lives; gratitude for being given a second chance (thats what it feels like) and the determination not to succome to stress and training schedule obsessions...which I suspect was the root cause of my episodes.
ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
I'm glad that it is nothing sinister, Gary!
I found the heart rhythm problems I experienced earlier in my illness very scary. Having the sensation of an amphetamine-crazed starling trapped inside your chest isn't much fun ...
I also found the muscle wastage pretty shocking. I think the best thing to do is to remember 'little and often' - just get out when you can, but not overdo things. I have managed to get my right leg muscles back to a reasonable size by doing regular walks and occasional gym bike sessions or shortish road rides.
I found the heart rhythm problems I experienced earlier in my illness very scary. Having the sensation of an amphetamine-crazed starling trapped inside your chest isn't much fun ...
I also found the muscle wastage pretty shocking. I think the best thing to do is to remember 'little and often' - just get out when you can, but not overdo things. I have managed to get my right leg muscles back to a reasonable size by doing regular walks and occasional gym bike sessions or shortish road rides.
Arsen Gere
Guru
- Location
- North East, UK
Good to hear your OK Gary. I was found to have an ectopic HR about 10 years ago. I found if I sleep regularly and well, avoid alcohol and exercise regularly it happens a lot less. A week gone Monday I had 3 bouts of arrhythmia when doing a slowish 14 mile run, part of my taper for the Bolton Ironman. It got captured quite well on my garmin. I told no one and and did the ironman anyway. Afterwards I had a discussion with my doctor who was more interested in whether I had pain with the arrhythmia, which I did not, so he did not seem bothered. The way I look at it is I'd rather die doing what I love than sitting in my own pee at 90 not knowing who I am.
Over the years I have had a few periods of injury where I have been laid up and had to get back in to training. You get fitter faster than you think. Coming back is easier than starting from nothing. Good luck
Over the years I have had a few periods of injury where I have been laid up and had to get back in to training. You get fitter faster than you think. Coming back is easier than starting from nothing. Good luck
The Jogger
Legendary Member
- Location
- Spain
As my mate Buddha said, meditation, meditation and more meditation.
Brandane
Legendary Member
- Location
- Costa Clyde
Missed this thread the first time round.
@GaryA; have you been put on any kind of medication to regulate your heart rhythm? Just asking, as I was diagnosed with an atrial fibrillation about 15 years ago, and almost immediately I was put on flecainide acetate pills which I am still taking, twice daily. The medication seems to work for me, although I have had the very occasional episode since then. Like you, I had a heart scan and was given a clean bill of health for my actual heart; the problem lies with the mechanism that controls the timing of the heart beat.
A chance conversation with a Doctor on a flight to America a few years ago meant I found out that some of these conditions can now be treated with a lazer operation. I saw my consultant earlier this year (for the first time in about 10 years!) and asked him about the lazer op.. I was fobbed off, which probably means it is too expensive. Just keep taking the pills, I was told.
@GaryA; have you been put on any kind of medication to regulate your heart rhythm? Just asking, as I was diagnosed with an atrial fibrillation about 15 years ago, and almost immediately I was put on flecainide acetate pills which I am still taking, twice daily. The medication seems to work for me, although I have had the very occasional episode since then. Like you, I had a heart scan and was given a clean bill of health for my actual heart; the problem lies with the mechanism that controls the timing of the heart beat.
A chance conversation with a Doctor on a flight to America a few years ago meant I found out that some of these conditions can now be treated with a lazer operation. I saw my consultant earlier this year (for the first time in about 10 years!) and asked him about the lazer op.. I was fobbed off, which probably means it is too expensive. Just keep taking the pills, I was told.
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GaryA
Subversive Sage
- Location
- High Shields
On no medication at all Brandane...I'm happy Ive managed to to avoid it all my life so far, touch wood!
albion
Guest
As Andrew mentioned, exercise helps but can be a catch 22.
The other thing about stess is that it manifests in so many different ways.
It is the same with caffeine stress. If sleep is bad and blood pressure is low in the morning then omitting coffee can make things worse.
Too vigorous an exercise can be dangerous, yet you actually need exercise more to raise fitness and increase oxygen efficiency.
The other thing about stess is that it manifests in so many different ways.
It is the same with caffeine stress. If sleep is bad and blood pressure is low in the morning then omitting coffee can make things worse.
Too vigorous an exercise can be dangerous, yet you actually need exercise more to raise fitness and increase oxygen efficiency.
addictfreak
Guru
- Location
- Boldon, Tyne and Wear
I also missed this first time round.
Hoping you come to a successful conclusion. I know first hand, the uncertainties of health especially when you don't know what the cause is.
Are you being seen locally at STDGH? I'm afraid my experience of our local hospital isn't great. You are in much better hands if you can get seen at the RVI or Freeman (IMHO)
Hoping you come to a successful conclusion. I know first hand, the uncertainties of health especially when you don't know what the cause is.
Are you being seen locally at STDGH? I'm afraid my experience of our local hospital isn't great. You are in much better hands if you can get seen at the RVI or Freeman (IMHO)
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GaryA
Subversive Sage
- Location
- High Shields
Yes addict but I will only get a referral to freeman/RVI if they can find something seriously wrong...which they havnt, and to be fair I have had all the tests done.
