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Hello everyone!

I pray that you all are safe and well. As for me things could be better. Recently I've been having more episodes of presyncope. The lights haven't went out yet but boy has it been close. It's been happening at such random moments that it sounds odd even explaining them. I lay down at night on my left or right side and I immediately feel this rush in my chest, this tingling in my neck and head and I have to sit up or else I'll pass out. I bend down to wipe my dogs paws and I get that lightheaded feeling. I took him for a walk, got to the corner and almost passed out. It seems to happen with little exertion and at random times. I helped hang a mirror on the wall. I pressed it to make sure it would stick, turned back around and almost passed out. I took a shower this morning, bent down to wash my feet and almost passed out. It's driving me INSANE!!

I've been to the ER twice in 9 days. Both times for the same things. SOB, dizziness and presyncope. Both times everything checks out fine but today the ER doc brought something to my attention. I've read about it but none of my other docs have mentioned it. Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS).  He asked if I ever had a Tilt Table test and I told him no. So I emailed my EP & Cardiologist for an appointment ASAP! The other two items on my EKG today which were new as well was an abnormal R-Wave progression, early transition AND left ventricular hypertrophy. I've never seen either of these but the doc didn't think much of them. He said they weren't anything to fret about. Has anyone heard of either or know anything about it? I'm still struggling over here and just want things to get somewhat better for me. It doesn't even have to get back to normal, just better! Anyways thanks for listening as always and I appreciate any feedback. 
 

Alejandro


7 Comments

tilt test

by Tracey_E - 2020-04-26 11:12:09

I read the first few sentences and my first thought was have you had a tilt test. You're paced so your heart won't stop but it's possible for blood pressure to tank on change of position. Good luck getting some answers. 

Keep pushing for answers

by Gemita - 2020-04-27 07:17:36

Dear Alejandro,

Getting a diagnosis can be all about timing and catching the problem as it actually happens.  It can be a frustrating and long difficult process but you need to keep pushing because our bodies are incredibly good at hiding the evidence !

A Tilt Table test and any other "autonomic testing" that is offered to you should be immensely helpful.  I had extensive autonomic testing at the start of my paroxysmal arrhythmia journey for (AF, Flutter, Atrial Tachycardia, SVT, NSVT)  but as you know intermittent arrhythmias are exceedingly hard to catch in the act.  It took several years for me to be diagnosed with arrhythmias, bradycardia, pausing, syncope and only through long term implant monitoring (Reveal LINQ) was the picture fully appreciated and a pacemaker implanted.  I have had syncope events related to eating (swallowing) which is a daily hazard due to high pressure contractions in my oesophagus.  Make sure you take a list of all your symptoms, when they happen, what you were doing (bending, lying, standing suddenly, turning suddenly).  The more information they have the more they can tailor the test for you individually.

I do not believe all your presyncope events are caused by anxiety.  In the absence of a diagnosis, I can see how you may have become labelled with such a condition.  Good luck with finding a cause for your symptoms

Gemita & Tracey - THANK YOU!

by arent80 - 2020-04-27 11:41:48

Thank you both for responding. It's been incredibly frustrating especially with having to go to the ER twice during the COVID-19 pandemic. I wish they would have put more effort in earlier so I could have avoided this exposure. But I will keep pushing them and hopefully today they will call me to schedule an appointment. I need answers because I am not the same man I was 7 months ago. My life has completely changed. I just want to be back to a somewhat normal. It doesn't even have to be like before, I just need it to be better. I will keep everyone updated and thank you again for taking the time to respond to my post. God bless you both! 
 

Alejandro 

Emergency Rooms

by AgentX86 - 2020-04-27 15:03:01

Remember, the purpose of an emergency room is to stabilize the patient, treat any ovious and minor injuries, and as a triage for the hospital.  It's not their function to diagnose or cure illnesses.  If they can, great.  But that's not their job.

If someone is brought in, in the meat wagon or other, who's had a syncope event, their choice is to hospitalize or discharge the patient (with a strong suggestion to see their cardiologist ASAP).  If there is no evidence of anything wrong, what else can they do?

Most ERs don't have a cardiologist on duty and those that do (IMO) have cardiologists in name only.  In my case (at a major metropolitan hospital), the guy couldn't even read an EKG strip but he did have the sense enough to hospitalize me so my doctors could figure it out. Perhaps they should have in your case, too, because syncope is really serious stuff.

AgentX86

by arent80 - 2020-04-27 17:20:11

You're right. It is serious stuff. That's why I'm shocked that I've had to resort to the ER twice instead of the doctors calling me in to see them. Primary says it's my anxiety and Cardiology says my Apple Watch EKG's look fine. They say my PM transmissions are fine and I only use it 4%. Do I have to be unconscious for them to do something because I swear that's what it seems like. And anxiety YES! But who the heck wouldn't have anxiety over THEIR HEART?!! I'm just going to stay in their face until they do everything in their power to help me. Sad healthcare system we have. It really is! Thanks for your comment sir. I appreciate it!

Serious stuff

by AgentX86 - 2020-04-27 22:34:16

It's not the healthcare system.  Your doctors are quacks.  Don't bother to get in their face (stupid is forever).  Fire them and find a more responsive doctor - one you can trust with your life.  You really don't have to put up with this.  At the very least, you should have been wearing a monitor for a week or four. 

AgentX86

by arent80 - 2020-04-27 23:04:02

I live in Los Angeles. I have done most of this with the West Los Angeles VA. I also got private insurance once this happened to get a second opinion. The second opinion Cardiologist is a joke and he's actually the head of Cardiology at the Northridge Hospital. The 2nd opinion EP is a Summa Cum Laude grad from Columbia University. He was even the head of the EP Dept at Mt. Sinai in New York. He says I'm fine on the EP side and refers me back to the Northridge Cardiologist. Northridge Cardio wanted to do a right heart cath but the EP said heck no the leads are too new. UGH!
 

Then the VA docs were good at first but I feel like I have to pull teeth to get things done. Everyone thinks I'm fine. UM OK! Anyhow the VA called today and I'm scheduled for a tilt table test, a carotid ultrasound and a cardiopulmonary exercise test. Let's see if these get me anywhere! I will keep you all posted. Thanks for the comments and support!

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