Still not feeling good - UPDATED

A year & a half ago, my dad experienced a syncope episode (out of the blue & for the 1st time) & was taken to the hospital. After a bunch of tests, he was diagnosed with A Flutter. However, he was also experiencing bradycardia. So, his heart was beating too fast, then too slow. His heart also paused for 4-5 seconds, which is when the doctor decided he needed a PM. He received a Boston Scientific Essentio L121 PM (dual). He has not really felt good or like himself since. He has days where he feels sort of decent & days where he feels terrible (lightheaded, dizzy, fatigued, legs feel heavy & weak, no stamina). On good days, he still feels a little weird & lightheaded. A month ago, he had a presyncope episode & went back to the hospital. They ran every test on him they could think of & still don't know why he's having these symptoms.

The cardiologist brought in a neurologist, & neither of them can figure out what's causing his symptoms.

The tests I am certain he received are: EEG, CT of head & neck, & chest X-Ray. PM won't allow MRI, unfortunately. I'm sure he received more tests, but I'm just not sure what they were. I am extremely worried about him & have decided that I must learn as much as I can & try to be a good advocate for him.

In my research & learning so far, I'm wondering if the problem could be:

1) PM adjustments needed?

2) Sick Sinus Syndrome (maybe he was misdiagnosed)?

3) Tilt-table test needed?

Also, his meds are Eliquis & metatropol(sp?).

Finding this website gave me a gut feeling that someone here might have some good advice.

If anyone has any ideas, please let me know. Thank you!


6 Comments

review the reports of the tests and the PM report

by marylandpm - 2017-04-20 22:00:40

Get copies of all the test and the PM report. The PM report should show if the a-flutter is occuring. The PM will not fix the a-flutter. Learn what is in the reports.  If a echo was done make sure you go over the report yourself. 

 Jack

Thank you

by ZooKeeper - 2017-04-20 22:59:31

Jack, Thank you so much for the info. Since I'm so new to all of this, I only knew to ask for the PM report. I didn't know to ask for the others. Can you enlighten me on what I can learn from the echo?

Possibly

by AuntieMame - 2017-04-21 12:07:54

Echo will definitively show flutter.  Two treatments for flutter - cardioversion and ablation.

i chose ablation bc success rate is much higher than with cardioversion.

if straight flutter, good chance that 1 ablation will resolve issue.

PM is to resolve bradycardia.  Sick Sinus is catchall dx for heart electrical block.

Yes, pester device techs to change settings.  Read posts in settings. Helped me a lot!

Consider sleep study.  Sleep apnea effects heart rate.

 

meds

by BOBJ - 2017-04-21 15:16:13

What meds do they have him on?

Some of the symptoms you describe could be caused by standard medication protocol.

Examples = my ace inhib i had to start taking at night - 20 mintues after i take i get short of breath for about 2 hours

antiplatlet that i was on caused light headed, dizzy, fatigue, and i felt bloated all over

 

Thank you

by ZooKeeper - 2017-04-22 13:23:49

Thank you, everybody! This is very helpful info, & I'm doing all of it! I really appreciate your help!

BOBJ, his meds are Eliquis & Metatropol(sp?).

MEDS

by BOBJ - 2017-04-24 10:33:28

How long has he been on these?

 

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