So "nice" to be able to come to this site and find info...support...commonality??? Before being diagnosed with lyme I, like many others went to/through every specialist known, each treating their own area and no one putting the package together as lyme.
Anyway, the scariest time for me was when my heart started skipping or at least that is what it felt like. I did the holter monitor several times, echo and a cardiac cath. Everything normal except for mild to moderate leaky valves. My question: I cancelled my last appointment with the cardiologist thinking now that I know I have lyme I don't need that appointment...does anyone know of any articles or information on the affects of lyme on the heart. Do I need follow-up? I have been on biaxin and plaq. for 7 months now. I still have the skipping and now racing every so often. Sometimes just annoying and others scary. I just don't know what to chalk up to lyme and... what kind of damage can it cause? I like to go into the Dr. office armed with information otherwise....well you know the drill. Thanks for any thoughts. Cher
Posted by karatelady (Member # 7854) on :
Hey Cher,
I'm worrying about it just today. The last few days its been beating hard and faster. I don't know if its the new antiviral I'm on, or the abx or just the plain ole lyme detoxing from my system.
I'll be watching this one with you.
Sandy
Posted by timaca (Member # 6911) on :
I, like you, went to many specialists too...and no one put together that it was lyme.
I am going back to the cardiologist tomorrow for a repeat echo. I had one in the fall of 2003 when all my symptoms started (along with an EKG and holter monitor). All was normal then.
In June of 2004, when I knew it was lyme, my echo showed mild mitral valve prolapse.
I am having some weird heart stuff again, and my doc heard a murmer, so I'm going in for a repeat echo, and just to talk to the cardiologist. He's a great guy, and has been learning about lyme disease....
I wouldn't hesitate to see the cardiologist again if you are concerned. That's what they are there for....
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Have you been tested/treated for babesia? MAKE SURE this is not an issue.
I have MVP with regurgitation. I have to take atenolol for the tachycardia. I had an echo 4 yrs ago, and then again about 4 months ago [or less??]. It would be wise to have an echo ever so often to make sure those valves aren't getting worse.
hang in there!
Posted by lymeinhell (Member # 4622) on :
Heart symptoms are nothing to mess with. If your symptoms have not improved with treatment, I would return to the cardio, and tell them of your lyme diagnosis. Perhaps they should have you on a beta blocker (which is what they did for me).
You didn't mention whether you had your magnesium levels checked. Magnesium deficiency can cause these symptoms, and a cascading viscious circle of others (including imbalanced hormone levels which can also cause heart palpatations). An RBC Magnesium level would should if your are lacking (which we all pretty much are). Taking magnesium orally is not enough to restore your levels.
A few IV's of Magnesium and weekly injections have changed my life completely.
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