posted
I am feeling very frustrated lately about my heart related symptoms coming back. For a while I was free of chest pain, tachycardia, and irreg. beats but is is back now. My chest pain is getting worse and I will be seing my GP tomorrow if I can get in.
Before lyme i had normal EKG, no chest pain, no irreg beats.
I am curious how many with Lyme have changes in their heart function since contracting Lyme. I heard an east coast LLMD say that it is very rare with Lyme to have a block, yet I hear so many say they have cardiac symptoms such as chest pain, PSVT, SVT, etc.
The cardiologist I saw while sick but pre-diagnosis obviously didn't know the signs of carditis. I seriously doubt there is a LL cardio in this state since there are few LLMD's.
Holter Monitor and event monitor last winter just showed sinus tach with lots of PAC's . Ultrasound showed good function with tricuspid regurg. My fluttering sensations are worse the past week and I have woken up with the feeling that my heart actually stopped. Couldn't find a pulse but could feel fluttering in my chest. Really weird!!!
-------------------- We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand... and melting like a snowflake. Let us use it before it is too late. Posts: 221 | From the hills | Registered: Mar 2006
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posted
I had heart problems. Tachycardia, skipping beats, chest pains, fluttering heart etc...
It got so bad once I had to phone an ambulance. I was in hospital for 2 days and they done loads of tests. ECG's, echo's, chest X-rays etc... Everything was clear.
My LLMD put me on supplements to help my fatigue, one of these was CoQ10. Since taking CoQ10, L-Carnitine and fish oils I have had absolutely NO heart problems since.
I quote this from Dr. B's guidelines:
" CO-Q10 (ubiquinone) -- required if not taking the prescription drug atovaquone (Mepron)
Deficiencies have been related to poor function of the heart, limitations of stamina, gum disease, and poor resistance to infections. Heart biopsy studies in Lyme patients indicated that they should take between 200 and 300mg daily of standard CoQ 10, or 90 mg of the well absorbed, highly purified, crystalline CoQ 10 product sold by Pharmanex, (surprisingly, the Pharmanex brand is far less expensive than the generic). The body will manufacture its own C0Q 10 when the original illness is controlled, but only if stimulated by aggressive exercise. Therefore, use this supplement until the patient is feeling well and exercising regularly."
Posts: 263 | From UK | Registered: Mar 2006
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mbroderick
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5220
posted
My son had big heart-related problems, too, during treatment - tachycardia and Lyme carditis. Despite CoQ10 etc. the symptoms persisted for about 1 1/2 years. When he began to get well, the heart symptoms began to subside and are now completely gone. No more Toprol!
Posts: 2097 | From PA | Registered: Jan 2004
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posted
I have chest pain (use nitro patches), arrythmias, svt, and ekg changes (inverted t waves, st depressions). no resolution yet. just started treating babesia which, i understand, can also affect heart function...we'll see.
Posts: 689 | From western MA (we say buttER and pizzA) | Registered: Nov 2004
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posted
Chris, I am so grateful for all of your advice. I will definitely heed it!
I too, have tachycardia, skipping beats, chest pains, fluttering heart etc.. And yet my echocardiogram was normal.
I am currently taking fish oil supplements but I will surely add the L-Carnitine and Co-Q-10. I would so love NOT to have any heart symptoms. They're scary!
Posts: 366 | From MA | Registered: Apr 2006
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posted
I have had lots of heart symptoms, currently subsided quite a bit, hope they stay that way. Had holters, echos, ekg, etc. some with abnormal results. Told that I have mitral valve prolapse.
One trick that helped me cope with those long tachycardia episodes during the night was to cough in a way that affected the diaphragm (and vagus nerve) or to take a deep breath and hold it (think that might also be vagus nerve related). This stopped the too rapid beat pattern, went back to normal most of the time, which was a relief. So, you don't have to just wait these things out.
Posts: 8430 | From Not available | Registered: Oct 2000
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posted
The summer I got my tick bite I started to have cardiac symptoms, including several unexplained episodes of syncope. The doc finally told me the only advice he had for me was to be sure I had someplace soft to fall when I fainted!
I have MVP with regurgitation, too, and throw about 150 PACs an hour. I take beta blockers daily which have helped my symptoms *immensely*. Also, a helpful thing to try to control tachycardia symptoms is the valsalva maneuver, which puts pressure on the vagal nerve and slows your heart rate. You have to bear down a little like you are having a bowel movement, and hold your breath for just a bit, and it usually works right away.
Good luck!
Posts: 393 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Jun 2005
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johnnyb
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7645
posted
I've had the "where the heck is my pulse" thing happen before. Or unexplained fast or slow heartbeat. Coughing seems to help get things back to normal, as they mentioned. Also if its a too slow rate, I get up and move around to get things going again.
Cardiac problems are very frustrating. They have NEVER found anything on my holters or EKGs. My doc said it's like trying to catch a thief in the act.
Lately, I've been having palps again, but a few months ago when they gave me a heart card for a week, did I ever get any? Of course not!
I hope they track it down for you
- JB
Posts: 1197 | From New Jersey | Registered: Jul 2005
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posted
Don't forget: The inflammation from Lyme affects the vagus nerve which leads to alot of irregular heartbeats. Really a benign problem once the Lyme is dealt with. BUT Lyme can also cause endocarditis etc..Usually if you have a vagal problem you will notice more irregular beats after eating or when changing positions: this is benign.
Chris
Posts: 216 | From Upstate NY | Registered: Oct 2004
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posted
Wow thanks everybody for the input. I am glad (sort of)to know that many Lymies also have these heart symptoms.
I have not tried CoQ10 yet but I will be getting some soon. Anyone have a specific brand or source they like? Tell me about the L-carnitine. What is it and how does it work??
When my immune system collapsed and Lyme reared its ugly head early last winter I was put on beta blockers and it did help, but made me feel so tired. But if I have to go back on them I guess I will. Have an appt with my LLMD in 3 wks so I will make note to ask him about it.
Also am wondering if this is related to my babs because this all came out after I started on Clindamycin and Quinine after about 10 days. But I also had the severe nausea, vomiting, headache that is desribed in a reaction to Quinine so I am just so confused. Quinine is known to cause heart arrythmias and very serious things.
Since we don't know if this is the Lyme/babs or the quinine causing the heart issues, what would you do? Then there is the POTS issue. Maybe this tachycardia is autonomic in nature. I notice the tachy more when experiencing a stressor.
I decided to stop taking Quinice now and am only on Clindamycin, butI feel my Lyme worsening slowly. WOuld Mepron cause the same issues and does it have the same side effects on your heart??
Geesh..... so many unknowns....
-------------------- We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand... and melting like a snowflake. Let us use it before it is too late. Posts: 221 | From the hills | Registered: Mar 2006
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posted
Yes, it could be the quinine. I didn't find that out until way too late. I was also taking clindamycin/Q at the time. I did have some heart symptoms prior though too.
Mepron may be OK in that regard. I don't know for sure.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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5dana8
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7935
posted
I had PVC'S- heart skips ect.. Echo normal . Also small Mitrovalve with my lyme.
It flared big time during IV treatment. Die off in my heart. You have to keep a close watch when there is a die off in your heart.
But my heart symptoms didn't go away untill I treated my babs. Now only occational heart skip.
Coughing would help sometimes but not always.
I know the feeling like your heart is stopping . Very scary.
Hope you can feel better soon
-------------------- 5dana8 Posts: 4432 | From some where over the rainbow | Registered: Sep 2005
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quote:Originally posted by snowflake: I have not tried CoQ10 yet but I will be getting some soon. Anyone have a specific brand or source they like? Tell me about the L-carnitine. What is it and how does it work??
Hi,
I think it is very important to take supplements and vitamins to help with our symptoms and recovery. Take a look at Dr. B's guidelines and you will see he recommends quite alot - they REALLY do help with some symptoms.
I have been taking a whole load of supplements and noticed big improvements in heart problems, fatigue, joint pain, brain fog etc...
If you need more info on any supplements just go into www.google.com and type it in the search function, it will bring up loads of info.
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