I have been treating Lyme, Bart, Babs for a few years and finally after 6 months of Rifampin and Zith have a clear head.
However, a few months ago I began experiencing irregular heartbeats specifically triggered by eating, drinking, and pushing on my back/neck while seated.
I have a history of skipped beats but it never seemed to be related to stomach or spinal chord as this feels.
Basically whenever I eat a meal, drink some water, or lean back in my chair while seated I will trigger ectopic beats (pauses) and pvc's , pac's.
I also recently had a run of SVT that sent me to the hospital. I needed adenosine to slow it down.
I am trying to figure out if this is caused by hiatal hernia (the chiropractor did not feel one though I was diagnosed with a small one on a scope), reflux, an esophageal problem, or maybe my spinal fluid or spinal chord. I may need a scope and an MRI of Spine or tap.
Anyone out there have this problem and know how to stop it or relieve it? Definitely feels digestive or vagal related.
Strange, since most of my other symptoms are gone.
Thanks for any help or suggestions!
Posted by StopTheItchPlz (Member # 23266) on :
Maybe it's an esophageal spasm? I get those a LOT. They feel like a skippy heartbeat. I don't know how to stop them though:(
Posted by Myco (Member # 9536) on :
Or maybe Illeocecal valve problem? Was reading that massaging that area helps. That or hiatal hernia/vagal nerve. Can't figure it out.
Posted by Myco (Member # 9536) on :
No one get's these?
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
What does your cardiologist say?
Posted by Myco (Member # 9536) on :
He tells me I have irregular beats. Atenolol is not going to help. There is a digestive connection between a hiatal hernia, the vagal nerve and the heart. Trying to reach out and find someone on here who has figured out a way to correct it.
Posted by glm1111 (Member # 16556) on :
Check out the symptom list at Humaworm. Fast heartbeat is listed as one of the symptoms of parasites and I suspect it could cause variations of irregular beats such as you are having.
Do a search on here by typing parasites and lyme into the search bar.
Gael
Posted by kday (Member # 22234) on :
I have PACs and PVCs that are triggered by position. For me, it's usually bending over to pick something up, laying with my head propped up reading something, putting my feet up quickly, etc.
When I am anxious or when I get heartburn, chest pressure, etc. it all acts up. I've had SVTs immediately after PAC/PVCs, but by the time I went to the hospital, they'd just diagnose it as a panic attack as I feel all worked up and scared. I'm not really sure what causes the SVTs in my case, but I've had them over 200 bpm while in a state of panic. The heart pauses/skips/flutters can be very scary. Sometimes I don't believe they could be PAC/PVCs they can feel so severe.
Are you taking COQ10, Fish Oil, and Magnesium? Also, make sure to to stay super hydrated. drink more water than you think you need. Add electrolytes to your water or drink an electrolyte enhanced beverage. If you ever had low potassium, eat potassium rich foods.
All this stuff helps my heart.
edit: I reread your post, and maybe what you are experiencing is some type of esophageal spasm? Maybe a hiatal hernia disrupting your vagal nerve?
Posted by Shosty (Member # 12232) on :
Yes, I have this, and both after eating/drinking, and after physical therapy for my spine, which I had to stop. I hate taking pills as a result!
I have actually found some relief using Gas-X. I discovered that burping can help the problems associated with eating/drinking, and Gas-X induces burping. I have no idea or even theory why this works.
If I get these symptoms from pressure on my back or from doing a position that affects my spine (closes the openings of my C-1 and C-2 vertebrae, for instance) then I usually go to a chiropractor or, if I am feeling poor, I wait it out.
If you have a hiatal hernia, that is a real possibility as to cause. I think that either food, liquid or air can get sort of stuck in there and exerts pressure either on the heart or on the blood vessels leading to it. Or maybe, as you say, the nerve.
Chances are, it is not primarily a heart problem, but I am not a doctor and could be very wrong...
Try Gas-X (simethicone) to see if it helps after eating!
Posted by Myco (Member # 9536) on :
Yes, I will try the Gas-X. Not sure how good it is to take long term?
I tried all the magnesium, potassium supplements but that is not my problem. It is definitely vagal related. I have been drinking carbonated water and will switch to flat water.
Maybe a cleanse will also help. Still feel like I need some kind of adjustment but having a hard time find a chiropractor in CA who does many of these. Most don't have a clue.
Posted by gwb (Member # 7273) on :
I did a google search "chiropractor hiatal hernia los angeles, ca"
Check it out. There's a lot of chiropractors that specialize in this and know how to treat it.
Thanks Gary. I will look into that list.
Posted by Shosty (Member # 12232) on :
I also did some EMDR/meditation and can sort of mentally move food and liquid down to relieve the pressure. Sort of like biofeedback but without the technology!
I think the vagal nerve explanation sounds reasonable. I also get nystagmus (jiggling eyes), shortness of breath, and dizziness when my spine is affected.
You'll find something that works but doctors don't seem especially helpful with this (unless you need surgery or meds).
But in the meantime, alternative folks would be better.
I am having the problem right today...yesterday I lifted my arms for something and it threw my spine off. I don't look forward to eating breakfast...
Posted by Shosty (Member # 12232) on :
ps great link pwb: here is the specific one I read and liked:
If you scroll down, the connection between hiatal hernia and vagal nerve problems is explained.
I like the philosophical underpinnings of this site too.
Posted by lymetwister (Member # 19590) on :
Sounds like it could be Dysautonomia. I get weird things with food ingestion and even body position changes.
I also have POTS.
Maybe something to look in to, but either way, these are just Lyme symptoms.
Gary
Posted by PinchMe (Member # 15353) on :
Myco, just wondering what your dose of Rif/Zith was?
-pinch
Posted by jenny76 (Member # 18205) on :
Oh my goodness! Someone else who gets this! I thought I was the only one! Yes I get this all the time!!
I was told that it has to do with my dysautonmia (sp) and the vagus nerve. I also was recently diagnosed with POTS.
Posted by feelfit (Member # 12770) on :
I don't have an answer. But this is a very bad symptom for me as well. Shosty, I have found that burping regulates my heart rate as well.
The problem is trying to get the burp out...so much pressure builds up and it seriously feels like a heart attack.
Sorry that all of you folks have this too...Myco, I hope that you find some relief...let us know about the Gas-X and if you experience any pos. results with it.
Posted by Myco (Member # 9536) on :
I will try gas-x and am seeing a chiropractor. Also may have to get an MRI of spine to make sure all is well there.
I am on Bicillin shots at the moment but just started them and all this came before the shots. It was not triggered by any meds.
Pinch - I started with 3 months of Rifampin (300mg) and ZIth (250mg) and then bumped up to RIfampin (600mg) and Zith (500mg). Did this for 5-6 months and it completely cleared my head. Have been off those meds for a few months now and feel fine, other than the irregular beats.
Posted by PinchMe (Member # 15353) on :
Good to hear thanks myco! thats the most straight forward bit of good news i've heard in a while!
-pinch.
Posted by Myco (Member # 9536) on :
I have also been drinking alot of seltzer water and will switch to flat to see what effect it has. Seeing the Chiro and LLMD late this week.