New here and a question

Hi, everyone. I've been reading and learning from everyone experiences. I have a question though.

 I went to the hospital for chest pain that I'd been having for about six months off and on. I have for as long as my teens a very crazy pulse that the doctor would blow off and say I was dehydrated. Later down the road I would feel close to passing out often but the doctors said it was due to low blood sugar yet I didn't have anything checked either time. I was naive and just went with it. 

My mother had died at 54 from a slew of issues but the bottom line is she had heart attacks for about ten years and ended up with a triple bypass and a mitral valve replacement. Since she had diabetes, she got a bed sore during recovery of the triple bypass and ultimately died from sepsis. So when I went to the ER (I am 43) I was worried about a blockage. 

The hospital said my EKG was wonky, kept me over night hooked up and gave me a chemical stress test which looked fine so they sent me home wiht a 48 hour heart monitor. Everyone seemed to think it was benign and I would have plenty of time to get an appointment to my PCM and maybe a cardiologist if I needed one because it would take about two weeks for the reading. It was all butterflies and rainbows and I didn't think much of it. Continued to have my normal chest pain and heart palpatations but didn't htink much of it and sent in the monitor. 

Out of hte blew a few days later on a Saturday the doctor that had monitored me in the hospital called me and was really passionate that I needed to see the surgeon because I needed a pacemaker immediately. I went to the cardio surgeon and indeed he said I had a grade 2 block 2:1. He also said he could not completely understand what was going on because my heart was so irregular there was no pattern but apparently the monitor had picked up several blocks. The next day I had a dual lead pacemaker put in. It has been painful and depressing to say the least. 

TODAY I went to the cardiologist that the surgeon recommended, as he use to practice with him. The cardiologist didn't have any of the paperwork from the hospital but when he read my pacemaker he said you have a very reactive heart but didn't really explain. He said that he has to do all the testing again becasue he wants to see if I'm really having blocks and if this pacemaker is doing its job. Then he goes on to say I might not have needed the pacemaker. I couldn't believe it! All these other doctors were really freaking out over what they were reading and seeing on the monitors. I asked if I could get it taken out if I don't need it and he said that isn't so simple and it probably wouldn't be a good idea to do that. I'd have to just have it there wihtout working. 

THEN he went on to say he doesn't think this is heart related at all! What the heck? It made me feel like he was insuniating that I was crazy and I made this all happen. I asked him what else would it be and he was evasive and said that he can't tell me anything until I get all these tests back. He even redid my choloresterol because he wanted his own record of it. The hospital did this while I was admitted and I have glowing numbers. 

My question is, have anyone ever heard that a mental issue can make you have heart blocks? Is it possible that the hopstial three separate doctors and the separate surgeon were all wrong? Can these blocks be faked or can I make them happen myself? I know I can't do that in my sleep and there were blocks picked up while I slept. But honestly I'm sitting here stunned right now. I'm near tears becasue this pacemaker really sucks. I don't want it. I never in a million years thought when I went to the ER that day they'd give me a pacemaker. I figured it would be a blockage, I didn't even really know what a pacemaker was used for. Its all so crazy to me. 

Anyway, if you've gotten this far, thanks for listening. I am feeling so upset, I don't know what to think. Any feedback is greatly appreciated. 

 

 


5 Comments

wow that is interesting

by bluevelvetcake - 2018-06-19 20:45:16

Wow, swangirl, that is interesting that your high stress lifestyel caused you to get a pacemaker. Can I ask what it was for? Was your heart stopping or dropping too low? My heart rate will have a small hill lthen a long pause then a whole bunch of beats and then it might go normal for a few beats and then does it all over again. The doctors said the pause is a missed beat.  The new cardiologist is indeed an EP, my surgeon wanted me to see an EP because he coudn't figure out why the top and bottom of my heart weren't communicating as he called it. 

Even during surgery my surgeon said my heart rate dropped so low they had to administer medicine to bring it back up. I just don't know how I could fake my heart to do those things while I'm asleep. 

And, oddly, this is the least stressful period I've hard in years. My husband has a better paying job, my kids are all successful and happy and I'm deeply involved in a passionate hobby that brings me such joy. 

I guess I just didn't realize that anxiety or stress could literally cause your heart to stop and then start back up. Its all just very weird and frustrating. And now if I have this thing in me for no reason, Ill be pretty mad as its a big pain in the butt and fairly painful. 

Thanks so much for the response. I will have more infomration after all these tests are finished. 

 

Crazy

by NiceNiecey - 2018-06-20 01:12:24

First, BlueVelvetCake, I'd want to say that I like your name.  And I want some!

Your wrote: I guess I just didn't realize that anxiety or stress could literally cause your heart to stop and then start back up."  

I think "emotional regulating" is highly IMprobable in your case.  I can understand stressful circumstances causing a temporary episode but not continuously.  I could be wrong but I think it would be highly unusual.  And stopping your heart completely?  Hard to believe.

Questions: How old are you?  How long were your pauses?  How often (percentage) are you pacing in each chamber? 

I, too was diagnosed with Mobitz Type 2 heartblock at age 55 (probably had it long before that, just didn't realize it).  What you're describing with the funky rhythm is what I'd call an arrhythmia and it's nothing to mess around with. That's why they shock people: to get them back into sinus (or normal) rhythm.

Keep in mind that Mobitz Type 2 can very quickly become Complete Heart Block aka Third Degree Heartblock.  It happened to me sometime during the first year I was paced.  I found out only when I went for a check-up and learned I was pacing 100% in both chambers all the time.  I'm glad the PM was already onboard when this occurred!

Go for another opinion "for the fun of it"!  It's hard to believe that 3 other doctors said you needed the device and then along came another guy who has made you doubt it.  I wonder why he said that???  I, too, would be very troubled.  Seek your second (5th?) opinion at an unrelated facility.  Just assume it was the right decision to get the device unless or until you find out differently.  

I'm anxiously awaiting to hear Chapter 2!

Niecey

 

Thank you guys

by bluevelvetcake - 2018-06-20 06:40:02

Thanks for all the feedback. I am 43 year old female and I do not know the percentages or the length of the pauses.Yes this new cardiologist is an EP,  that is why the surgeon wanted me to see him and he would be able to explain more to me. I thought that I'd have a lot of answers yesterday and instead I left completely confused and frustrated. I do not know why he made these assumptions as he continually said he can't make any diagnosis until I finish witht all these tests. I really dislike doctors that give you just enough information to unsettle you and then tell you to be patient. 

He put a 2 week ZIO heart monitor on my chest and said he wanted to see if I was still having blocks and if the pacemaker is doing its job. Can you see a heartblock on a monitor if your have a pacemaker kicking on? I guess one could or he wouldn't have ordered it. 

I will get another opinion but for now I will wait for all these new tests to be finished and see what comes from them. But if this shows nothing, I will be pretty upset that I have a pacemaker inside of me! 

If heart pauses aren't caused by heart rhythm problems, does that mean you're just crazy? Not at all

by Gotrhythm - 2018-06-20 15:04:10

Never having heard of a "very reactive heart" I had to look it up. Lo and behold there is such a thing and it's not a sign of craziness--it's just that while everyone's heart reacts to stressors, some hearts react a lot.

Here's an article I found by typing in heart reactivity http://www.macses.ucsf.edu/research/psychosocial/reactivity.php

I just did a cursory read, but I gathered that "reactive hearts" are statistically more likely to develop what we a Pacemaker Club refer to as plumbing problems.

So I'd say, give this doctor a passing grade for now. I don't know exactly what he means by "it might not be heart related at all" but saying that doesn't mean he thinks you're nuts. There are conditions where the heart behaves in certain ways that aren't actually being caused by a problem with the heart. Neurocardiogenic syncope, NCS, is a good example. My friend's heart stopped for 16 seconds because of NCS.

It sounds to me like this doctor is not just jumping to the easy diagnosis, but really looking at all the possibilities. Getting good medical care depends on getting the right diagnosis. If you have some unusual condition, getting the right diagnosis is often the hardest part.

About having a pacemaker that you maybe don't need. I think it's way too soon to worry about removing the PM. Who knows what further testing will turn up? You can still have heart block in addition to any other conditions that might be affecting your heart.

I know you're upset and feeling all at sea. Who wouldn't be?You've had a lot thrown at you recently. But even though this doctor might not be a skillful communicator, it does sound to me like he's on the ball, and you can afford to wait and see, while trusting him to be thorough.

Let us know how it goes.

Gotrhythm

by bluevelvetcake - 2018-06-21 07:29:16

Thank you for the kind reply and the article. Your reply made me feel a lot better and actually gave me some topics to explore during my month long wait for results, lol...I can't help myself from googling...I'm sure you know how it goes.

Yesterday my heart was very "reactive" and I also had one bout of strong dizziness and so forth. I marked them with my Zio. I'm honestly not sure if these are the instances that led to the PM or if my blocks were during times I am not aware of. Who knows?? 

I'll let you guys know when things get more active with the doctor. Right now its a hurry up and wait situation...

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