Newbie here

[Karzme]

Hi all I just joined. My name is Karina. I am 43 years old. On Nov. 17,2017 I started passing out. I went to Neurologist office and ER a few times ( I have MS 11 year's end of April hence Neurologist).

I have passed out repeatedly everyday since. My legs also jerk( which I call seizures). I was tested and don't have epilepsy. Am glad. But still no answer from doctors until I get a new primary doctor.

I saw him on Dec. 26th and on Dec. 28th. I went in on 28th to get results from lab work. He listened to my heart and asked if I knew I had an irregular heartbeat. I said yes. I have been told this in the past. No one tried to figure out why. So I didn't think it was a problem.

He told me I had AFib after doing an EKG. All the ER doctors said was I was having Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures. Basically they said it was Psychlogical not medical.

I see Cardiologist on Jan. 11th 2018. I am scared alot. Since all this happened I use a walker. I usually get a headache before I pass out or after I pass out. I live with an older sister who has helped alot. Also my Dad has come from Montana ( I live in Washington) to help out so my sister can work. I looked up Cardiologist I am going to see. He has good ratings. Hope to get answers and no longer pass out. Then my Dad can go home and I can do more for myself hopefully.

[Naomi63]

Hi Karina,

I don’t know much about your condition but I wish you well with your cardiologist visit. I hope you get some answers and feel better soon. X

[Karzme in reply to Naomi63]

Thanks

[Sebhel]

Hi Karzme

Welcome here!

When I was diagnosed with AF I knew nothing, and had never heard of it! I was in state of panic... Could not sleep etc! I was scared of the medication options! But the more I learnt what AF was from doctors and this forum the more I calmed down and accepted it! You must ask for all the information about it...even ask what questions you should be asking... Even where there are no clear answers, Knowledge helps

Best wishes for New Year

[Karzme in reply to Sebhel]

Sebhel Thanks. You said you had trouble sleeping. Was that due to diagnoses or did you have it before? I had trouble sleeping before being diagnosed. I now have some pills to help me sleep.

[Sebhel in reply to Karzme]

Yes, I had trouble sleeping before I knew about AF and was not drinking enough, so was dehydrated! I went through stress and anxiety whilst waiting long time for appointments to see cardiologyt and EP specialists have tests, get prescriptions.

My EP was very helpful explaining everything - pros and cons etc

I am liquid enough now and mostly sleep ok! (Maybe there's a link)

Fingers crossed

Best wishes

EP = electrophysiology

[Karzme in reply to Sebhel]

What is difference between EP and Cardiologist

[Sebhel in reply to Karzme]

EP is the specialist to see for AF and rythm issues and after low odds possible effects causing risk of clots / strokes! He has to decide pros and cons what's best for each individual! We are all different - not easy!!!

[Sebhel in reply to Sebhel]

Also explain so we can choose - not easy either - you have to ask as many questions as possible

[Karzme in reply to Sebhel]

Thank you. I googled questions to ask. Wrote some down.

[Karzme in reply to Karzme]

So if I do have AFib will I no longer need to see a Cardiologist?

[Hidden]

Before you see the cardio, bone up on sick sinus syndrome and also anticoagulants in AF so you are prepared if she/he says your fainting episodes might be due to heart block and separately that you need stroke protection.

I haven't heard of psychogenic non epileptic seizures, sounds like a diagnosis that should only be made after careful investigation for the many physical causes of syncope, including Stokes Adams.

[Karzme in reply to Hidden]

I looked it up thanks

[fib4]

sorry to hear all this it must be scary. i hate when you to to docs and the er and they say nothing is wrong. so frustrating or they miss diagnose i've had irregular heart beats for over 40 years. had tests and tests and nothing wrong shows up. sometimes they look at you like it's all in your head and you've brought it on yourself. so unfair. passing out all the time with headaches should tell them something is up. hope you get answers from the cardiologist. let me know how you make out i live in pennsylvania

[Karzme in reply to fib4]

So the first Holter Monitor I was on didn't read. So I had to go back today and get new one. Nurse was great. Made sure it was reading my heart beat. Was pretty cool I got to see my heart beat on it. She answered all my questions. This one is 48 hr monitor, one before was 24.

So my Cardiologist said since my EKG in his office was normal as well as documented ones in ER, he said he doesn't think I have AFib. What??? I told him my and gave them a copy of primary doctor EKG that he ordered. I asked him how that can be positive? He said they could of put leads on wrong. What?? And he is a specialist how?? Boy am I confused.

So he read my EKG's done in ER. He looked at my chart. Nothing going on in his office. Ok Holter for sure. Almost had to ask. I have an echo cardiogram done on Jan 30th. I just hope one of those shows something.

My Dad was in office with me when he is telling me this. After I come back from having Holter put on, he tells me he texted my sister I live with, that he said I don't have AFib. Needless to say. I was mad. I had to talk to him about it.