posted
I picked up the report from an Echo I had done about 2 weeks ago, and it said "Possible Hypokinesis Apical Interventricular Septum versus imaging artifact secondary to Echo dropout". My Cardiologist told me at the time of the Echo that the Radiologist thought that it was probably an artifact, although they couldn't be sure.
I also picked up my report from my Event Monitor, which said on the front page ``Diagnosis - Palpitations'', and then on the next page it said
This TTM Study reveals sinus rhythm. Sinus Bradycardia and Tachycardia were also noted. Occasional SVE's shown. Frequent PVC's present. IVCD illustrated.
Since I am so worried about the Echo and Event Monitor reports, I figured I would call my Cardiologist to discuss the results, since it's impossible to get an appointment with her. Luckily, she was in Florida for a meeting and was able to call me back right away and talk during her downtime.
She said that she spoke with Dr. E (my LLMD), and that Dr. E said that if there is a possibility of Lyme Carditis, then maybe we should be treating with IV, but Dr. E hasn't called me at all, nor has she suggested that we move my appointment up. Dr. E also told my Cardiologist I should have a Thallium test to determine if there is inflamation around my heart, but my Cardiologist said that she doesn't think it needs to be done right now. She said that when I see Dr. E next, if she really wants it done, my Cardiologist will order it.
Regarding the Echo, the Cardiologist said there is a good possibility that it was an artifact, and not hypokinesis. She hadn't gone over the Event Monitor, so she could tell me much about that except that the IntraVentricular Conduction Delay could be a precursor to heart block. It just says "IVCD is illustrated", but the diagnosis on the front page is "Palpitations". If there was truly a conduction delay, wouldn't they have had my doctor call me when I called in the event?
I had 3 Normal Echos (or so I'm told), before this, (1 in the beginning of December, 1 in January, and 1 in February) and 1 normal 24 hour Holter Monitor.
Is anyone here familiar with Lyme Carditis? How is it treated? I asked my Cardiologist all this, but she is just all about the Infectious Disease Doctor that I think she just tunes me out when I ask her. She just says "I can't be sure if you have it or not, but we don't want to miss anything".
Do these things sound like artifacts? I'm concerned that they both seem like things that slow the heart down. The Event Monitor report said that "IVCD is illustrated" so I don't know if that means more than once or what? The lowest my heart rate went was 57, which I guess is why it said Bradycardia on there, and the highest it went was 118. Keep in mind, this wasn't a Holter, I was holding the monitor to my chest for a minute or whatever it is, then calling the event in.
Any opinions or advice is greatly appreciated. I'm kind of at the end of my rope here. There are times when I think the Zithromax is helping me, so I don't want to go and switch protocols if it's not absolutely necessary.
[ 15. May 2007, 07:21 PM: Message edited by: *Robin* ]
Posts: 64 | From PA | Registered: Mar 2007
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NP40
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6711
posted
Robin, I'd be suspicious of babesia as it can cause wild swings in heart rhythms. Lyme can also cause paricarditis which can be relieved by certain abx.
I've seen many with heart conditions that cleared up as treatment progressed so hopefully this is the case with you. Additonally, the vages nerve runs across the chest and the keets seem to settle on this throwing a wrench into the works.
I think I'd follow up with the LLMD and have him order further testing to gain clarification and start ruling out other causes.
Posts: 1632 | From Northern Wisconsin | Registered: Jan 2005
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Geneal
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10375
posted
I had an abnormal doppler echo....very abnormal.
Scared me to death.
Went to a cardiologist my younger sister used to work with.
What a dear! He had no Lyme knowledge, but told me that echo's are notorious for seeing things that are not there.
Especially if you are skinny. (I am.)
However, just to be sure, he scheduled a nuclear stress test.
I was in the middle of a major lyme herx when I did the test.
I only lasted 5 minutes on the treadmill.
Had to wait until after lunch to get my results.
The cardiologist told me that my heart was "perfect".
I cried, and cried.....Just so relieved and thankful that at least one part
Of my body was "normal".
You hang in there. Knowing is scary, but not knowing is scarier.
Now when I get chest pains I know what it ISN'T.
Sending you healing thoughts and prayers.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posts: 6250 | From Louisiana | Registered: Oct 2006
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I am skinny too, so I really hope what they saw was an artifact.
I'm so concerned about the IVCD on the Event Monitor, especially since it is a precursor to heart block.
When I spoke to my Cardiologist about that, she said she would have to see the actual EKG strip to determine whether or not there was a conduction delay or not. I just wonder if that could be coming up because the machines are so sensitive, or if I am just fooling myself and I do have a conduction delay.
I'm glad everything turned out great for you with the heart tests. The scariest times are when you are worried about the health of your heart.
Posts: 64 | From PA | Registered: Mar 2007
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posted
Am having heart problems, too...and it is scary!
Just had an echocardiogram but do not have the report. Sceduled for a four hour nuclear stress test in a couple of weeks.
Was in ER with atrial fibrillation, which did not stop for four hours.
EKG shows an R wave delay. Cardiologist needs to find out if it is just an anomoly or ssomething more serious.
He agreed with me that my problems are probably due to a lyme flare after being off meds for 8 months. My heart settled down after four days of 1000 mg. of Biaxin XL and two Septra pere day. Was going to pulse with tindamax but on the second day of tindamax the heart acted up again!
Back in April I posted an article about the heart manifestations of Lyme: see below
This is so scary for me. I guess it wouldn't be so bad if I knew exactly what it was and how to treat it, but I don't. I just feel like I'm never going to be back to normal again. Before Lyme, I never had an issue with my heart.
Posts: 64 | From PA | Registered: Mar 2007
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posted
Update - I just spoke with a man from HeartCare, the Event Monitor company. He said that the IVCD is a conduction defect, but nothing life threatening.
I told him about the Lyme, and how I have read that Lyme does cause conduction delays, but he told me that it was nothing to be worried about, that the tech that took my recording could have seen something once and wrote it down.
I asked why my Cardiologist wasn't notified, and he said that they wouldn't notify for IVCD, but they would notify my Cardiologist right away if something looked wrong.
I still just don't know what to make of all this. I read articles that clearly state that Lyme can cause conduction delays, and my Cardiologist said that conduction delays could lead to heart block, and this guy is telling me it is nothing to worry about.
What do you all make of this?
Posts: 64 | From PA | Registered: Mar 2007
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