UGH.....I never had a problem with this until a few weeks ago, and I've been getting ever increasing episodes. I had a physical today and she commented my heartrate was 120; and scheduled me to get a holter monitor tomorrow; also wants to do an echo.
Usually the tachycardia lasts a half hour to an hour. Right now I've had it nonstop for about six hours, really uncomfortable. I also feel tightness in my chest, lightheaded, SEVERE headache, and have been very shaky all day.
So it just seems to be getting more and more uncomfortable....I think maybe I should go to the ER but I'm afraid they'll admit me again. What do you guys think? Since this symptom is relatively new for me, it isn't something I'm really used to.
Posted by feelfit (Member # 12770) on :
When in doubt, check it out.....especially the heart. And you are usually non-plused about most things....that you are concerned indicates to me, that you are pretty uncomfortable.
I would get it checked out Tracy.
I get the tachy too and like you it usually lasts 1/2-hour, but can happen several times per day. If I had it for 6 hours, I would be at the hospital.
Best, feelfit
Posted by Tracy9 (Member # 7521) on :
Thanks, it is helpful to hear that; and you are right, I generally don't even notice things unless they basically clobber me over the head. I appreciate your input.
Posted by Tif (Member # 12701) on :
I have had it last days............I went to the ER many times when it first started. It is VERY uncomfortable whether it is new or not. There are some straining techniques you can do that sometimes help reduce it.
You do not consume caffeine do you (I can't remember)?
Even when mine was 160 and 170, they wouldn't do anything to medicate me to make it come down.....however there are drugs they can give you; if you decide to go maybe you will have better luck than I did.
I went on a beta blocker after having my holter and an echo.
Posted by pryorka (Member # 13649) on :
I have this symptom non-stop for 2 and a half years I wish it would come and go. I had an echo done and they confirmed heart failure so I've been given a beta blocker, it brought it down from 150 to around 110 to 120. Most cardiologists will give you a beta blocker though, they hand it out like candy the way all doctors hand out antidepressants.
Posted by glm1111 (Member # 16556) on :
Tracy,
It can be a symptom of dehydration. Are you drinking enough water? Check out
A lot of people are dehydrated and don't realise it especially when we are sick.
Gael
Posted by Tracy9 (Member # 7521) on :
I could be dehydrated. I was out most of the day at doctor's appt. I will drink up some water; I feel better, it seems to be calming down.
Someone suggested taking an Ativan, I will do that too. Thanks!!!
Posted by pamoisondelune (Member # 11846) on :
Tachycardia can be a symptom of a pulmonary embolism (blood clot).
Posted by losferwrds (Member # 19741) on :
I got tachychardia on Bactrim, did you recently add that or any other meds or has you abx regimen been stable?
Posted by hshbmom (Member # 9478) on :
Tracy, how are you this morning?
Posted by lou (Member # 81) on :
Beta blockers help. Also, you may be able to cut an episode off by taking a deep breath and holding it. Or coughing strongly so it affects your diaphragm. Not sure why this works, but it does usually for me.
Stopping one episode does not prevent another from happening but might make life a bit more bearable.
Posted by Tracy9 (Member # 7521) on :
I think I figured it out.
I woke up today (just a short bit ago....) and my left arm hurts SO bad from the TETANUS SHOT I received at the doctor's yesterday. I noticed the paper lying on the table they sent home with me, and read it....
"Severe reactions: Signs of an allergic reaction include fast heart, dizziness, weakness, and severe headache."
Had I read this yesterday, or even REMEMBERED I'd had the tetanus shot, I would have called the doctor, as it says on the paper to "get to a doctor right away." However I'm fine today, so I'll put in a call and let them know.
I think this is my answer......duh. The symptoms stopped late last night and have not returned. BTW I tried the 'bearing down' thing but it only made it worse.
All this information has been very helpful, especially the vagus nerve stuff, because Blake passed out (vasal vagus???) at a blood draw recently, which had never happened to him before. Maybe this explains that.
Thanks everyone for your concern; sorry I am such a dodo head that I never even thought to mention the shot. Also I rescheduled my Holter monitor to tomorrow; just totally exhausted and couldn't handle the drive all the way there today.
Posted by ukcarry (Member # 18147) on :
Tracy, have you had a recent blood test to check out thyroid levels?
I've just had a situation like yours that built up to unbearable a couple of weeks ago and tests showed that I was suddenly hyperthyroid, despite having been on the same dose of Levothyroxine and T3 for years.
If this is the case with you, be prepared for a while for it to settle, as I'm still very weak and with arrhytmic palpitations now, but much more tolerable than it was.
Doctor said it could take a few weeks to feel better because of the med's long life in the body and also to get adjusted doses right.
Good luck, whatever it is,
Carry
Posted by Tracy9 (Member # 7521) on :
My PCP did say the tachycardia I have been having could be thyroid related and she ordered bloodwork. I am going to try and get it tomorrow when I go get the holter monitor.
Posted by Tracy9 (Member # 7521) on :
OOPS....just read this:
"A person with a recognized, possible, or potential neurologic condition should delay receiving DTaP or Tdap vaccine until the condition is evaluated, treated, and/or stabilized. Although DTaP vaccine does not cause neurological disorders, receiving the vaccine can cause an already-present underlying condition to show itself."
Posted by Ocean (Member # 3496) on :
Hi Tracy,
I'm sorry you are going through the tachy, scary stuff! I just wanted to say that I had a DT vaccine back in April 2002. I know I went to a doctor that fall (not sure why now, but I felt weird again I guess), and in Jan 2003 I had posted to a couple people on LN for LLMD's. I guess at that point I started suspecting Lyme.
I can't prove it, but I think the DT brought my Lyme back out. I know you were not in remission, so that isn't possible. However, the next spring, I was full blown symptoms, insane amount of constant anxiety/panic swallowing problems, ect.
I would encourage anyone with Lyme to heavily weigh the benefits of the vaccine against the bad stuff (sorry, my brain isn't working tonight, several days of horrible stress, long day today).
I wish to this day I had never gotten the DT, but I was in the ER with a nicked artery in my finger with a MD sewing half of my pinky finger up and they were worried about tetanus.
I hope this resolves for you soon Tracy. I agree with the others...maybe go to ER to be checked.
Good night, Ocean
Posted by Clint31 (Member # 16420) on :
Glad to see your okay Tracy. I had this a few nights and I thought i was dying (you remember from lyme chat) but to soothe your worries of all the episodes of lymies having this that I've came across, I've personally never seen it be anything bad. It's almost normal (you probably know this).
Hope your back to normal today.
Posted by Pinelady (Member # 18524) on :
Yea, my LLMD asked if I wanted a tet for the shots
I was going to be taking. I told him I already had
enough germs. I figure if I get it my chances are
50/50 and if I get the jab they are still 50/50 so
I chose no. Just my thoughts.
Posted by luvdogs (Member # 9507) on :
Tracy are you ok now? Let us know what the holter monitor shows and if your heart continues to feel better.
I am not surprised at all about the tetanus shot possibly causing this. That sucks but at least it could be an answer - *cross fingers*...
Posted by lymewreck36 (Member # 4395) on :
I had this in the extreme early on in my lyme journey....6 years ago, and landed in the emergency room twice. I wore halter heart monitors and the entire thing....and it never ended, until....
I went to the emergency room room with the heart situation, irregular beats..racing heartrate and then slowing, just driving me totally insane...
And when I got to emergency they did blood work and fond my "d-dimer" was high, meaning my clotting level was high. So they gave me a huge dose of blood thinners injected into the belly.
Within 15 mintues the irregular heart beats stopped, and have never occurred again until my babesia got really out of control 1 year ago. Appropriate babs treatment took care of it again.
What I learned is that babs causes sticky red blood cells, so ...
yes, there was some clotting or sticky cells holding up the plumbing. That is the best way I can explain my experience.
Of course, the hospital staff told me to see my pshychiatrist after I observed that blood thinners caused the irregular heart beats to cease. Placebo effect they said.
Mary
Posted by Tracy9 (Member # 7521) on :
I did recently have a D-Dimer that was high. I have Lovenox shots I had to inject in the belly a few times. I could try that if I get bad palps again, but I do think it was probably from the shot, though I'd already been having them somewhat.
I got a Tetanus, Diptheria and Pertussis. I only got the Pertussis because they said if you get whooping cough, it is very dangerous to be around a baby. That shot is the one with a lot of side effects.
I plan to be around LuvDog's baby a lot, so it was all worth it. Posted by liesandmorelies (Member # 15323) on :
Tracy,
I am glad that you are bringing awareness to the fact that shots can do this. Esp. if we already have a pre-existing condition.
I get Tachycardia from time to time and this is a good thing to look out for if we get DTP shot.
Thanks for the info.
Hope you are feeling better!
Lies
Posted by Tracy9 (Member # 7521) on :
Thanks!!! I am better today. Yesterday the tachycardia was gone but I had severe muscle aches, today I seem to be pretty okay so far; thankfully....my son is graduating from 8th grade today.
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I wish it would come and go. I had an echo done and they confirmed heart failure so I've been given a beta blocker, it brought it down from 150 to around 110 to 120. Most cardiologists will give you a beta blocker though, they hand it out like candy the way all doctors hand out antidepressants.
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