But now I have had this ongoing for about 1 month or more. I don't know if it is Heart Block or what. Prior ECGs, echocardiogram and Holter monitor, didn't show much to the ducks.

It is getting worse almost daily now with the abx(started Doxy and Rafampicin 10 days ago). It feels different sometimes, I miss every 5th to 10th heart beat and the next regular beat is super strong.

I can feel the missed beat in my wrist, (checking pulse like) and I do get chest pains with it sometimes.

The last three days I have been getting paler, colder and weaker. And I think going to the clinic is not usefull, just frustrating.

I went to emerge with this and the Dr. sent me home saying he didn't believe it was life threatening, but he also coudn't tell me what it was.

Has anyone here expirienced this and can anyone tell me if it is just arrythmias or potentially dangerous Heart Block?

I am tired of worrying if, when I go to sleep, I will wake up again.

Thank you in advance for any ideas.
SR
 

I don't know if it's just arrythmias or potentially dangerous Heart Block, but I sure hope it clears up for you soon.

I would call your LLMD and let him/her know what is happening. Take heart symtoms very seriously, Lyme/co-infections can cause lots of probelms with the heart.

God bless,
Beverly

[This message has been edited by Beverly (edited 02 January 2005).]
 

I've had an echo recently that came out normal at a time when I was having skipped beats so I know my skipped beats aren't heart block related.

Also, digestive problems like a hiatal hernia which I have can cause skipped beats. I notice I get a lot of them if I sit in a slouched position after big meals.
 

Sorry I forgot to break this up!

------------------
"Courage is the mastery of fear-not the absence of it."-Mark Twain

Still trying hard to be brave...Deb
 

I can't get over how much these symptoms sound like what I experienced my first few years of Lyme (took 14 years to get diagnosed).

I had all kinds of cardiac tests with the specialists and they could find nothing wrong, other than a rapid heartbeat for which they blamed the prozac & elavil.

The prozac and elavil was given me because I was complaining of pain, fatigue, shortness of breath, insomnia, headaches, . .. (sound familiar?) and was told I needed the prozac and elavil for Depression.

But I digress. I guess what I'm thinking is maybe your current symptoms are the result of a herx? I noticed that some of my heart symptoms returned in my early stages of treatment when herxing.

Also, Magnesium helped a lot with those heart-type symptoms--which also told me it was Lyme and not the heart. Plus I continue to get my heart checked out annually and all comes back fine.

Please check with your LLMD. Never ignore these kinds of symptoms. Probably all is well. But just in case check, okay?

And let us know what you find out. Mostly because we care. But we can also be quite a nosey bunch

------------------
Tabby

 

Just some things that can cause palpitations besides Lyme and herxing-caffeine, coffee, tea, chocolate and drugs that contain caffeine like dit pills. Also some prescription meds. Also some over the counter meds like decongestants. And of course stress and anxiety. And low potassium. And low magnesium like Tabbytamer mentioned. One other thing is over eating-can bring on palpitations in people prone to them.

Try eliminating some of the above and see if it helps-but don't stop any prescription drugs unless it is ok by your doctor.

Also someone mentioned lamaze breathing or other types or relaxation breathing. Or music, yoga , biofeedback, don't know if you take any anti-anxiety meds.

But please check with your doctor first to rule out anything serious. And I also try not to count my pulse so much. Sometimes it just causes more anxiety and more palpatitions! I know it is not easy to do when the skipped beats are so scary.But I find when I am busier I don't pay attention to it as much.
Grace
 

Be sure that heavy metals are not a problem.

Both are strong factors in Lyme.

Symptoms of Chronic Mercury Toxicity

Central Nervous System

Irritability
Anxiety/nervousness, often with difficulty breathing
Restlessness
Exaggerated response to stimulation
Fearfulness
Emotional instability
Lack of self control
Fits of anger, with violet irrational behaviour
Loss of self confidentce
Indecision
Shyness or timidity, being easily embarrassed
Loss of memory
Inability to concentrate
Lethargy/drowsiness
Insomnia
Mental depression, despondency
Withdrawal
Suicidal tendencies
Manic depression
Numbness and tingling of hands, feet, fingers, toes or lips
Muscle weakness progressing to paralysis
Ataxia
Tremors/trembling of hands, feet lips, eyelids or tongue
Incoordination
Myoneural transmission failure resembling Myasthenia Gravis
Motor neuron disease (ALS)
Multiple sclerosis

Head, Neck, Oral Cavity Disorders

Bleeding gums
Alveolar bone loss
Loosening of teeth
Excessive salivation
Foul breath
Metallic taste
Burning sensation with tingling of lips, face
Tissue pigmentation (amalgam tattoo of gums)
Leukoplakia
Stomatitis
Ulceration of Gingiva, palate, tongue,
Dizziness/acute, chronic vertigo
Ringing in the ears
Hearing difficulties
Speech and visual impairment
Glaucoma
Restricted, dim vision

Gastrointestinal Effects

Food sensitivities, especially to milk and eggs
Abdominal cramps, colitis, diverticulitis or other GI complaints
Chronic diarrhea/constipation

Cardiovascular effects

Abnormal heart rhythm
Characteristic findings on EKG
Abnormal changes in the S-T segment and/or lower
Broadened P wave
Unexplained elevated cholesterol
Abnormal blood pressure, either high or low

Immunologic

Repeated infections
Viral and fungal
Mycobacterial
Candida and other yeast infections
Cancer
Autoimmune disorders
Arthritis
Lupus eryth
Multiple sclerosis
Scleroderma
Amyolateral sclerosis (ALS)
Hypothyroidism

Systemic Effects

Chronic headaches
Allergies
Severe dermatitis
Unexplained reacxtivity
Thyroid disturbance
Subnormal body temperature
Cold, clammy skin, especiall hands and feet
Excessive perspiration w/frequent night sweats
Unexplained sensory symptoms, including pain
Unexplained numbness or burning sensations
Unexplained anemia
G-6-PD deficiency
Chronic kidney disease
Nephrotic syndrome
Receiving renal dialysis
Kidney infection
Adrenal disease
General fatigue
Loss of appetite with or without weight loss
Loss of weight
hypoglycemia

Take care.

Anyways, some things I haven't mentioned...

I don't have any wisdom teeth, dentist says that there were never any tooth buds for them to grow.

All of my amalgam fillings have been changed to a white composite a couple of years ago. ( I am not sure what it consists of)I am sure that the mercury is probably still in my body however. So thank you for the list of symptoms Gi Gi!

I have also been diagnosed with a heart murmur first it was a level 1-2 or whatever scale they use, then it got worse apparently (level 3 or 4) I can't really remember.

I think the Herx is making it worse too. But I have had it constantly for about 5 weeks and only on abx for 12 days now.

I noticed that if I lay on my left side it gets worse. And now it kind of gurgles. I can feel it in my sternum and ribs.

I am going to start the Mg. I have some here but I don't know if it is the right kind. It's potassium & magnesium citrates ...150mg Pot. and 50mg MG.

I absolutely appreaciate all of your replies...thank you soo much!

Take it easy!
Robyn

Lyme has been known to cause heart block but it can also trigger mitral valve prolapse. I have no idea what heart block symptoms consist of, but I have mitral valve prolapse and do recognize a lot of your symptoms.

Yes, magnesium will help you. But taking the wrong kind and wrong dose will not benefit you.

Basically there are two categories of magnesium: the kind that make you go to the bathroom and the kind that stay in your body a bit longer. Most of what you see on drug store shelves is the kind that makes you go to the bathroom. In your case, you want the magnesium to stick around in your body for a bit and help your heart.

There is a lot of material in Lymenet on magnesium. Just do a search in this forum using that as a search term.

A good web site to read about magnesium can be found at: http://www.coldcure.com/html/dep.html

Don't let the bit about magnesium and depression throw you off -- it's the information about magnesium that's important on this site. The author also gives to tips on the different types of magnesium to take.

Linda