10th November 2006
Michelle,
I will be 36 in February, and remember even back to high school when I would have SVTs. I was also physically active back then and was a majorette in college even. Had to quit though since the SVTs scared me and I also had ankle issues. I was on Verapamil back then and only took it when needed.
They would come and go, but the meds would usually go out of date before I would use them all. Good thing I had a good GP who would call them in whenever I needed them.
Needless to say I have gained about 80 lbs since then and was on Verapmil until New Years last year when I had an SVT episode and it had been at least five years. The episode had lasted well over an hour. After an ER visit, I saw a new cardiologist since the one I saw when I was 19 was retired. He switched my meds to Cartia in the AM and Atenolol in the PM. I can definatley tell a difference at nite when my bpm go down to the 40s. It makes me pretty sleepy and I couldn't tell you the last time I could not get to sleep at night. Between Jan and May I had 3 more episodes, but could get them to stop on my own.
There is a name for the method to stop them when they happen out there, but I call it the "bear down" method. Its where you hold your breath and push like you are having a major bowel movement. I stopped them all on my own. They usually don't last longer than 20 minutes. But one lasted long enough for me to go to the ER and by the time I saw a nurse they had stopped.
Looking back at all the times when I had the most trouble were when I was stressed out. I was also a social smoker during those 5 years, and quit a year before they started up again so that could be something.
The SVT issues also seemed to happen a lot around the PMS time. At one time I stopped taking the pill and that was when the anxiety was at its worst. I think that hormonal changes definately contribute to the anxiety.
I have also lost 15 lbs since August and it has already effected my bp and anxiety.
You may want to see if they will do an echo, because it will rule out valve issues or myopathy which is a swollen heart. It is an expensive test, but my cardio was able to do it in the office and it saved me money. The nuclear stress test was a lot more money, but less evasive than a cardiac cath. You can look them both up on webmd and both tests tell a lot more about the heart.
I also feel a little jumpy in the morning until I take my meds, but it is short lived. I also jump when the alarm goes off and my boyfriend still makes fun of me. I am not known for being a heavy sleeper.
Looking at all my experiences, I definately think its anxiety related. Even saw my therapist last night and she noticed that I didn't check my pulse once when I was there. Before I had my finger on my neck all the time checking that artery.
Sorry, my post is so long, but I hope it helps you out.
good luck,
Lynn
I will be 36 in February, and remember even back to high school when I would have SVTs. I was also physically active back then and was a majorette in college even. Had to quit though since the SVTs scared me and I also had ankle issues. I was on Verapamil back then and only took it when needed.
They would come and go, but the meds would usually go out of date before I would use them all. Good thing I had a good GP who would call them in whenever I needed them.
Needless to say I have gained about 80 lbs since then and was on Verapmil until New Years last year when I had an SVT episode and it had been at least five years. The episode had lasted well over an hour. After an ER visit, I saw a new cardiologist since the one I saw when I was 19 was retired. He switched my meds to Cartia in the AM and Atenolol in the PM. I can definatley tell a difference at nite when my bpm go down to the 40s. It makes me pretty sleepy and I couldn't tell you the last time I could not get to sleep at night. Between Jan and May I had 3 more episodes, but could get them to stop on my own.
There is a name for the method to stop them when they happen out there, but I call it the "bear down" method. Its where you hold your breath and push like you are having a major bowel movement. I stopped them all on my own. They usually don't last longer than 20 minutes. But one lasted long enough for me to go to the ER and by the time I saw a nurse they had stopped.
Looking back at all the times when I had the most trouble were when I was stressed out. I was also a social smoker during those 5 years, and quit a year before they started up again so that could be something.
The SVT issues also seemed to happen a lot around the PMS time. At one time I stopped taking the pill and that was when the anxiety was at its worst. I think that hormonal changes definately contribute to the anxiety.
I have also lost 15 lbs since August and it has already effected my bp and anxiety.
You may want to see if they will do an echo, because it will rule out valve issues or myopathy which is a swollen heart. It is an expensive test, but my cardio was able to do it in the office and it saved me money. The nuclear stress test was a lot more money, but less evasive than a cardiac cath. You can look them both up on webmd and both tests tell a lot more about the heart.
I also feel a little jumpy in the morning until I take my meds, but it is short lived. I also jump when the alarm goes off and my boyfriend still makes fun of me. I am not known for being a heavy sleeper.
Looking at all my experiences, I definately think its anxiety related. Even saw my therapist last night and she noticed that I didn't check my pulse once when I was there. Before I had my finger on my neck all the time checking that artery.
Sorry, my post is so long, but I hope it helps you out.
good luck,
Lynn