LymeNet Flash: Heart palpatations anyone?

This is topic Heart palpatations anyone? in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php/topic/1/36784

Posted by Kimmi_K_75 (Member # 7438) on :

Hey guys,

I recently ( tuesday) had my PICC line placed and had very bad heart palpitations that same day.

I've had them before, but these were worse.
I ended up in the ER that night, and the next day I had a Holter moniter placed on me for 24 hrs.
Still waiting for the results.

My question is, What could this be?
I know it's a Lyme symptom, but could this be something serious?
Anybody else have this?

P.S. They checked the placement of the Picc, and it's fine.

------------------
-Kimmi
Just keep swimming!

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

Which med are you on? You could be herxing, but that was awfully quick!

I have heart palps which first showed up [at least that's when it became a major problem] when I was herxing on clindamycin/quinine.

I had all the usual heart tests. I have MVP with regurgitation. I don't know if that is what causes the palps or not, but I think it IS responsible for my tachycardia.

Your dr may want to run an echocardiogram to make sure everything it OK. When they did the holter monitor on me, it was "normal."

Hope you feel better SOON!!!

------------------
Do not take anything I say as medical advice. I am not a doctor, but I DID stay at a Holiday Inn Express!
oops!
Lymetutu

Posted by Kimmi_K_75 (Member # 7438) on :

double post..woops!

[This message has been edited by Kimmi_K_75 (edited 12 August 2005).]

Posted by Kimmi_K_75 (Member # 7438) on :

Hi lymetoo!

How are YOU feeling?

I've been on I.v. Rocephin for two weeks and one day.
I haven't really noticed anything major yet. I was reading not to expect anything till my fourth week ( can't remember where I read that).
I will definitely ask to get more tests done if the holter comes back negative.
( it probably will)
I have to get to the bottom of this.
sometimes it takes the wind right out of me!

------------------
-Kimmi
Just keep swimming!

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Kimmi_K_75:
Hi lymetoo!
How are YOU feeling?

I finally managed to post an update over in General Support. Thanks for asking. I'm a tad better each day.

You could be herxing...yepper.

------------------
Do not take anything I say as medical advice. I am not a doctor, but I DID stay at a Holiday Inn Express!
oops!
Lymetutu

Posted by Kimmi_K_75 (Member # 7438) on :

Gosh, I hope it is!

Do I have anything to worry about you think?

Could it get worse? Hear of anyone having a heart attack while herxing?

------------------
-Kimmi
Just keep swimming!

Posted by Biting Back (Member # 6018) on :

Hi Kimmi,

Sorry to hear about the tachycardia. I know how fun (frightening) it is. My resting pulse was anywhere from 120 to 160 BPM on/off for the past 3 years prior to treating lyme.

Anyway, just wondering if you're having a cardiac herx, as I've had them before. When I was hospitalized for meningitis last December I developed and sustained high BP 190/140 and tachycardia for a week. I know without a doubt it was due to a herx from the IV rocephin but the docs transferred me to the cardiac unit. They never did find anything except for a 'benign' arrthymia that mysteriously disappeared.

Another thought is yeast. If I eat too many carbs my heart will start racing within minutes.

Hope the tachycardia slows down soon and it's 'just' a herx.

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

Kimmi....don't panic just yet. But if you begin having chest pain...then go back to the ER.

Do you have one of those BP machines so you can check your BP and heart rate? I keep a close check on mine.

------------------
Do not take anything I say as medical advice. I am not a doctor, but I DID stay at a Holiday Inn Express!
oops!
Lymetutu

Posted by johnnyb (Member # 7645) on :

Could just be a herx, but I agree..... get the echo done too, just in case.

Feel better,

- JB

Posted by Kathy D (Member # 7750) on :

I had a PICC placed 2 weeks ago and had the same problem when I curled up on my left side (line is placed through my left arm) - heart pounding and felt like I had a huge lump in my throat. This went away when I repositioned myself and stretched out my left arm. I'm an RN and use to work with center lines all the time in newborns and so recognized what was happening was that the tip of the catheter had slipped forward (when I shortend the distance by curling up) and was irritating the myocardium (heart muscle) causing the arrthymthia. I had my line pulled back 4 cm (by a nurse friend who puts in PICC lines) and the problem disappeared. I'd suggest you go back to the place where they put the line in and have them reposition it.

quote:
Originally posted by Kimmi_K_75:
Hey guys,
I recently ( tuesday) had my PICC line placed and had very bad heart palpitations that same day.
I've had them before, but these were worse.
I ended up in the ER that night, and the next day I had a Holter moniter placed on me for 24 hrs.
Still waiting for the results.
My question is, What could this be?
I know it's a Lyme symptom, but could this be something serious?
Anybody else have this?
P.S. They checked the placement of the Picc, and it's fine.

Posted by Lymied (Member # 6704) on :

Definitely have the tests but I can tell you just 3 days into only 200 mg of doxy I had a wopper herx which included feeling like my heart was going to beat out of my chest. Pain and sweating along with all the neurological stuff too.

I still get palps as I herx and after I exercise. I am going through another round of testing too now that I am in this a bit further.

Hopefully it is just a whopper herx which means you are killing those bugaboos...

Take care!

Posted by Kimmi_K_75 (Member # 7438) on :

Hi everyone,

Thank you all for all of your advice and suggestions.
I'm going to see what the holter recorded and take it from there. in the mean time if it gets any worse, I'll be back at the ER.
(that will make 6 or 7 this year!)
I'm sure all of the stress I'm under right now doesn't help.

Is there a place for Lymies, like a Lymie retreat? Some island to go and recover?

Thanks for all of your help!

Kathy D - That's exactly what it feels like sometimes!

------------------
-Kimmi
Just keep swimming!

Posted by hodologica (Member # 6408) on :

No PICC, but I used to have up to 10+ palpitations in a row (ie on consecutive heartbeats). I had thousands per day. They came and went a few times and essentially have stopped after many months of antibacterials.