How many of you have experienced paplpatations during early disseminated lyme disease?
I only ask because I am experiencing them several times a day, and it is quite frightening.
i do also suffer from anxiety/panic disorder, but have been doing fairly well with things for the last 6 months.
it is not uncommon to have palpatations or even tachycardia during anxiety episodes, so I'm not sure if the Lyme is causing my palps, or if it is my anxiety being kicked in by being ill and recently diagnosed with Lyme disease.
I did see the ER last night, and they did an EKG, cardiac enzyme blood test and CBC, all of which came back normal.
My only concern is that during the EKG I was not having palpatations, so I don't know if they would see what they needed to see on the EKG.
I have also noticed alot of rib cage pain recently, which also can feel like chest pain at times.
I also suffer from GERD, and 6 months ago had surgery called Nissen Fundoplication surgery done to help correct this problem.
It is not uncommon for me to still get GERD/acid reflux pain in my chest, or even alot of gas sort of centered in my chest since I had the surgery.
I know I need to just chill out and relax, but I do worry about the cardiac complications of Lyme disease, though I probably shouldn't dwell on it so much.
I would like to hear from anyone at all on this matter and your experiences in this area.
Thanks in advance for all the help, I appreciate it so much.
Roger
-------------------- Just looking for answers. i appreciate all the help everyone on the board have provided Posts: 34 | From Missouri | Registered: Jul 2007
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lyme in Putnam
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11561
posted
I've had palpitations and had a heart monitor twice. With lyme, I also had v-tac that put me on beta blockers for the past 3 years. Do you have a cardiologist or can someone give you a heart monitor if it continues? It's common with lyme.
-------------------- He took u to it, He'll you through Posts: 2837 | From NE. | Registered: Apr 2007
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
roger, many of our members have gone thru what you are experiencing now! especially GERD, hiatal hernias....
rib pain is MITOCHONDRIA stuff; very painful; it's located in the fibromyalgia trigger point area.
wouldn't hurt to get a baseline of your heart for the future; my sister did that for her breast cancer.
i haven't for my lyme yet; but do have heart things showing up ... guess i need to get off my butt and schedule that too!
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
i have them too. mine are worse at night, right after i lay down, especially on my left side.
scares me to death.
nothing seems to help
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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i know what you mean. i only have insurance through the VA, and the VA just called me back and asked if I wanted to be seen by mental health since i am having palpatations.
i knew this would happen. they are totally ignorant to lyme, and since i have anxiety, they automatically assume i am having problems with anxiety.
i'm not going to say it's not anxiety, as being sick and worried can certainly cause anxiety/panic attacks.
it just disturbs me that they automatically assume things without looking at the big picture, or even examining me.
thanks again for yor response, looks like i have a battle ahead of me.
Roger
-------------------- Just looking for answers. i appreciate all the help everyone on the board have provided Posts: 34 | From Missouri | Registered: Jul 2007
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quote:Originally posted by randibear: i have them too. mine are worse at night, right after i lay down, especially on my left side.
scares me to death.
nothing seems to help
randi, you are so right about that. i notice them during the day occasionally, but definitely much more pronounced when trying to lay down and go to sleep.
-------------------- Just looking for answers. i appreciate all the help everyone on the board have provided Posts: 34 | From Missouri | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
Hi RogerC. I'm not early disseminated nor do I have anxiety or panic but do have palpitations. I use to feel skipped beats and get a fast heart rate. Now, I will have episodes in the day, it seems more in the late afternoon for some reason, of my heart pounding but the rate is ok. You may need to have a 24 hr holter monitor. Liz
Posts: 383 | From Ar | Registered: May 2007
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posted
I actually just posted about this myself a couple of days ago. I got heart palps early on in lyme infection and have been getting them alot lately. I mean several times in a minute.
2 years or so ago I went for all the tests including ekg, echo, halter monitor, and last year a stress test. All normal. They ruled the palps as PVC's (pre ventricular contractions).
Both llmd's I have seen suggest magnesium potassium asparate suplimentation. I started this and after a few days it seems to be helping. It is very scary and you are not alone.
As far as lyme being the probable cause......I am 29 and never had anything like this before lyme. There seems to be no other explanation.....good luck, Rich
Posts: 413 | From nj | Registered: Nov 2005
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posted
Heart palpitations were one of my earliest symptoms of the disease. I have not had anxiety associated with them, thankfully.
My heart can race when I'm sitting comfortably and relaxed, so I know it has nothing to do with stress or anxiety.
And I never had palpitations before onset of the disease so it is directly related to Lyme, for sure.
Posts: 366 | From MA | Registered: Apr 2006
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posted
wow everyone...thanks for all the replies and support. this board is great! i haven't noticed too many palps today.
i only really get worried when i have the palps and the rib pain that i have been having alot since i have contracted Lyme.
i pretty much have pain everywhere, my hip, shoulder, back, neck, ribs. the VA basically has put me on doxycycline now 100mg 2x per day and vicodin 10/500 3x per day for the pain. and yes, my pain has been that intense.
i guess i really have no idea what to expect for pain in joints, muscles from this. hopefully it doesn't get worse than it already is.
i woke up this morning with a horrible headache in the back of my head, and my neck and back were killing me. the vicodin barely touched the pain.
i'll keep hanging in there, i won't let this beat me!
Roger
-------------------- Just looking for answers. i appreciate all the help everyone on the board have provided Posts: 34 | From Missouri | Registered: Jul 2007
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quote:Originally posted by sixgoofykids: Roger, is there any way you can get to see an LLMD? That amount of doxy isn't enough ... 300-400 mg per day is more typical for Lyme treatment.
I also get the heart palpitations and skipped beats. I don't get it as often now that I've been being treated for a few months.
hi six,
i talked to the ER doctor said they won't give me more than doxy 100mg 2x per day until the tick panel blood tests come back, and if it's positive, they will consider a higher dose.
the only way I'll be able to see an LLMD is if the VA has one or if they refer me out to one (good luck there I think).
On a separate note, I've had lots of pain all over, but also getting some muscle/joint pain in my shoulders and upper arms, elbows. does anyone else have problems in these areas?
i guess my question is, besides large joints (i've been getting alot of pain in my right hip, and now the right knee), what other muscles, bones, joints can be effected?
Roger
-------------------- Just looking for answers. i appreciate all the help everyone on the board have provided Posts: 34 | From Missouri | Registered: Jul 2007
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quote:Originally posted by RogerC: i guess my question is, besides large joints (i've been getting alot of pain in my right hip, and now the right knee), what other muscles, bones, joints can be effected?
Roger
I know I've had pain EVERYWHERE, and that is not uncommon for Lyme patients.
I guess in your case, we'll have to pray for a positive test so you can get the help you need.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96223 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Geneal
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10375
posted
Dear Roger,
I had palpatations, rapid heart beats, feelings of skipped heart beats,
Prior to being dx. with Lyme.
Initially, magnesium seemed to help.
Just a couple of months ago, this started for me again.
Blood pressure was very low while at LLMD (64/44).
Had some blood work done, and LLMD put me on cortef (205mg a day) for
What he believes to be adrenal fatigue and NMH caused by Lyme.
It has helped a lot.
My legs don't feel like they weigh a ton anymore.
I don't get as dizzy when I go from sitting to standing either.
Heart palps have stopped. Although, at times my heart still seems to beat too fast
For the level of exertion.
Hang in there.
BTW, I don't know of a joint or muscle that hasn't hurt at one time or another
With Lyme. My first major joint involvment was my right hip.
However, I have had pain even in certain toes.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posts: 6250 | From Louisiana | Registered: Oct 2006
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CD57
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11749
posted
I too, have heart palps, and they were one of my earliest symptoms. I had the full workup as well, stress test, holter monitor, heart card, etc. Ruled as PVCs, same as Rich.
They seem to come and go. I am hoping that they will improve with Lyme treatment. My LLMD says that they are a result of vagus nerve inflammation by the Lyme.
One thing that has helped (despite my initial skepticism): a homeopathic product called corocalm by Pekana, a german company. It's a tincture--10 drops and I really notice a difference.
Posts: 3528 | From US | Registered: Apr 2007
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savebabe
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9847
posted
I just saw my cardiologist today regarding my palps and irregular heartbeat. He actually told me that he is seeing so many lyme patients come in with palpitations and notices a big difference once they are treated with abx.
He is also very aware of the lyme heartblock that has killed some lymies.
Finally, I am seeing a cardiologist who is starting to get it.
Posts: 1603 | From ny | Registered: Aug 2006
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Vermont_Lymie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9780
posted
I had alot of heart palpatations and fluttering before starting treatment.
After one year of treatment, they are mostly (up to 75%) gone.
I have taken high-dose amoxy for many months; high dose doxy for about 3 weeks; and malarone for the last 5 months. A couple of weeks of zithromax with the above.
I do not know what has made it better, but it is better with long-term antibiotic treatment. The higher doses of amoxy and doxy made a difference, they are far more effective. Hope you feel better.
Posts: 2557 | From home | Registered: Aug 2006
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posted
I had another EKG today. The doctors thinks it's my anxiety coming back again. My EKG was perfect as well as being on the monitor, and all cardiac blood tests. I am going to go back on atenolol, celexa and probably Ativan for my anxiety.
I had stopped taking them months ago because my anxiety was feeling better, so I tapered off them.
I think my anxiety has flared up because of my worry regarding this disease. Anyone who has suffered from Anxiety/Panic Disorder can probably relate.
The Atenolol is good for palpitations and regulating my pulse so it doesn't go so high when i'm anxious. I only take a small dose of 50mg per day. I will prob go back to 40mg of Celexa too.
Only thing I don't like about Celexa is the weight gain it causes. When I stopped Celexa a few months ago, I went from 176 lbs to 150 lbs in about 3-4 months! That's what Beta blockers and anti-depressants will do to ya!
I'm still on the doxy as well for the next couple of weeks and my VA doctor prescribed Vicodin 10/500 3 times a day for all the pain I've been having in my neck, back, hip and knee joints. Hell, I hurt everywhere! I've noticed I've been sleeping 9-11 hours a night and I still feel exhausted. I hope I get to feeling better soon, and that the doxy will knock this down.
My best to everyone.
Roger
-------------------- Just looking for answers. i appreciate all the help everyone on the board have provided Posts: 34 | From Missouri | Registered: Jul 2007
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