Tachycardia?

[Snowgirl65]

As a follow-up to my last post about seasonal allergies and medication, my doctor gave me an injection of Decadron and Depo-Medrol (cortisone) for allergies. A couple days later while doing outdoor chores, I had a tachycardia event, rested, and had three more events in succession, the last lasting 15 minutes and then turning into a full-blown a-fib episode lasting 3-1/2 hours (a-fib was much preferable to tachycardia). The injection may have been the culprit, but my question is, what exactly does tachycardia feel like? My heart felt like it was beating out of my chest, very hard and rapidly -- I truly thought I was having a heart attack. Cleveland Clinic's Doctor On Call advised getting an emergency appointment with my EP this week, which I'm hoping to do. Any thoughts on tachycardia would be appreciated. It was very scary.

[BobD Volunteer]

Tachycardia just means rapid heart beat. As my EP mate once said "When we doctors want to confuse patients we use Greek or Latin words. "

Tachycardia is just any rate above 100 but it will be regular unlike AF. Atrial tachycardia typically has a rate around 140 but ventricular tachy can be much faster.

[Snowgirl65 in reply to BobD]

Thanks Bob. I just received my new Kardia 6-lead device and will be playing with it for a while! I hope I don't have to use it before my next EP appointment. At least I'll know my heart rate though.

[mjames1]

Tachycardia is a general term including afib and aflutter. Did Kardia tell you you had tachycardia or did you just have a fast but regular beat at neck or wrist? What was the heart rate? The shot definitely could've caused it.

Jim

[Snowgirl65 in reply to mjames1]

I just received a new Kardia 6-lead from Amazon this morning so I didn't have info on what my heart rate was when the event happened. It was very fast, and VERY hard -- I didn't even have to check my pulse to know it was racing like a galloping horse. I too feel the shot caused it. Problem is, it was a slow-release allergy medication to last 6 to 8 weeks! I hope there's an antidote.

[pottypete1]

I had Tachycardia for 3 months that started a few months after my last AF ablation.

In the end I was given yet another ablation for the Tachycardia and in the last 5 years since my QOL has significantly improved.

My EP said that Atrial Tachycardia was easier to remedy with an ablation than Atrial Fibrillation. All the same it took him from 08:30 in the morning until 17:00 in the evening using state of the art 3D mapping technology.

Pete

[Snowgirl65 in reply to pottypete1]

Thanks for that information, and I'm glad your ablation for tachy turned out so well. We'll see what my EP says soon. Thanks again for replying.

[irene75359]

I have had a few episodes of tachycardia where I thought my heart was going to jump out of my chest; I could see my clothes jump up and down with each beat. It isn't much consolation to be told it is harmless, I was really worried. But everything did calm down and I haven't had any episodes for some time now.

[Snowgirl65 in reply to irene75359]

Thanks for replying Irene.

[2learn]

Hi, I got tachycardia in Jan, docs called it pacemaker related. Didn't notice rapid heart beat etc cos controlled by bisoprolol, but 3-4 times a day I would feel nauseaus, feel sick and I feel as if I was going to pass out. Sometimes would last for 20 mins other times 2-3 mins. Had ablation in march and so far all ok.

[Snowgirl65 in reply to 2learn]

I'm glad everything's fine again with you. It sounded scary indeed.

[BlueINR]

Tachycardia is a fast heart rate. You may or may not feel it. I wouldn't be concerned about what it might feel like but more what the rate actually is.

[Snowgirl65 in reply to BlueINR]

Thanks for your reply. I've since gotten a Kardia device to monitor if and when it happens again.

[Karendeena]

Ho Snowgirl65 I get tachycardia every time when I get an afib episode and it often goes on for 30, hours plus. The feeling is awful, yes it feels like your heart is beating out of your chest and you get very anxious too. My slows on day 2 and it feels better but still 'fluttery'. I breathe a sigh if relief when I revert to NSR then I spend the next few weeks worrying about the next one. I hate afib

[Snowgirl65 in reply to Karendeena]

Wow, that's horrible. I'm used to a-fib symptoms, but not the hard fast continual beating of tachycardia. I too always worry about the next one to come. Thanks for replying, Karendeena.

[Safariran]

I dont usually comment but read these threads often as I am an Afibber and have had a cardioversion last November but looks like I go back in for another soon for touchup because of what I just read here. I have parox Afib and got down to just 50mg.Flecainide and my Eliquis 5mg a day doing well. But! Any shot of steroid like you just said or even steroid cream I put on for poison ivy twice this summer sets off my heart in to tachycardia or Afib as well. EP could did not want to believe me but in fact the only 5 episodes I had were when I had the Deca shot ,a Zpac 5 day dose and steroid cream. So for me anyway these do trigger my ol ticker. Good Luck and listen to your body!

[Snowgirl65 in reply to Safariran]

Thanks for that, Safariran. I wish I'd known this before my GP (general practitioner) gave me the injection, but now it'll be swirling in my body for the next few months! My cardiologist also just confirmed that the allergy shot was what exacerbated the problem. Do you know if it dissipates in the body after a while?

[Easie]

first of all...get to the ER when that happens..tachycardia and Afib are not anything to play around with..secondly, im planning my regular injection in my knees and I have been wondering what effect cortisone has on Afib..think im going to do some research and meet with my heart Dr first ❤️ be good to yourself

[Snowgirl65 in reply to Easie]

Good advice, Easie. Thanks for replying.

[Karendeena in reply to Easie]

Hi Easie, my EP who is a top man in his field tells me not to go to A & E for fast afib because I am medicated and I should 'sit it out' unless I have chest pains, dizziness or feel particularly unwell. He said they will just monitor you which can sometimes be more stressful. In fact when I was first diagnosed in resus the cardiologist told the nurse to take all the heart monitors off saying "I'm not worried about that!" I was new to it then so I asked what is this afib, his reply "A bloody nucience"

[Safariran]

I had to stop my allergy shots as well as my heart would race a day or so. Eventually wear off but yes any injection now too I cannot have due to my blood thinners according to my EP. So we just agreed a second ablation would be best because if I ever do really need a Zpack or steroid it would be a good idea to do so. Been really good after the first ablation which I held off for 5 years just taking meds. But had so many flare ups it was time. I had Flutter as well he had found out when doing the ablation. I am happy I did so. The anxiety is what drove me nuts for years. Much better now though. Accept it and be pro active.

[Snowgirl65 in reply to Safariran]

Anxiety is a real problem with me too. I checked with my doctor and the steroid (injection) stays in the body 5-10 days. I was active yesterday and today and had no problem with tachycardia. Keeping fingers crossed! Keep well, Safariran.