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Heart Rate 72 to 120 and back to 72. Has anyone had sporadic fluctuating rates like this? I’m in a dire straits 😕

Tantaanna profile image
9 Replies

This is new for me! I get an extreme headache when this happens and it also subsides also causes my BP to rise

Last ablation successful I felt- watchman install- no anticoagulant- but 81 gram aspirin - used 30mg Ditalzam during blanking period- no problem

No meds needed till

NOW: tried 30mg Diltiazam- sorta worked- BP high. Dr advise taking Metoprolol fast acting- 25 mg - bad headache Then given 180mg Diltiazam from ER Dr- whoa bad headache

HISTORY: first AF episode 2014- ( had funky beats prior only when lying on L side- Metoprolol- 2008-)

Flecanide 300mg PIP - 2015- 2018. Three ablations and numerous cardio versions, various meds most given me during blanking periods in my home state last ablation in Texas

I’m trying to seek help at my previous Drs in Minnesota- I can’t take these meds

Today I just stopped my dose - felt like I was another person on another world

Gotta go

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Tantaanna profile image
Tantaanna
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9 Replies
mjames1 profile image
mjames1

Try and capture the events while they happen with a home ekg device like the Kardia 6L. It can help guide your ep as to next steps. Both those medications may need getting used to and can put you in zombie land. I never got used to Metoprolol, so I just take Diltiazem when indicated. Depending on what the ekg shows, they may want to alter your dose, switch you to a different kind of medication, offer a touch up ablation, or simply tell you not to worry and it will probably pass.

Jim

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50

I used to get the same fluctuations with my heart rate going up and down. It would wear me out. Must admit I've not had it since my third ablation. Sorry you're suffering this way. Wish I had something I could recommend, had forgotten about that experience until you mentioned. It didn't happen often enough for me to seek help. Just wanted you to hear that I know what it's like. Wishing you well.

Jean

PS. Avoid eating anything that contains artificial additives. X

Tantaanna profile image
Tantaanna in reply to jeanjeannie50

Thank you for your reply. It’s comforting to know this is another form of AF. Previously in AF. I’d have a continuing high heart rate, although never as high as some folks post. Never had this intermittent onset of high and low. Each time with headache that’s sharp and then subsided to a dull headache. I skipped a dose of the 120 mg Diltiazam yesterday. (48 hr absence of med) to see what would happen and I got two-instances of the heart rate up and down with a powerful headache that lingered. Took pain med and the 120 dose. Slept all night and now it’s in the am as I write. Beginning to think it’s the AF that causes the headache not Diltiazam.

Either way I’m missing my ole self that I had after my last ablation in 2020

Thanks for listening

Bucerias profile image
Bucerias in reply to Tantaanna

Yes! 3 ablations, 2 in 2010 and last one in 2017. Unfortunately none of them have worked. I go in out of AF numerous times a day. My heart rate goes from 40-200 + over the course of 24 hours . It can raise and drop for no apparent reason and usually I feel nothing. The lower heart rate (40-60) is unusual for me. I have never felt unwell with Afib. I do have Aflutter and I understand this can cause the higher heart rates. Mine charges often 30 times hourly. I take 90mg of Diltiazem ( just started) prior I have taken nothing. I also take 20 mg of Xeralto.I understand from my cardiologist this is unusual after so many years to still be going in and out on my own especially several times a day.

Alan1947 profile image
Alan1947

When I had fluctuating heart rateI thought it was sick sinus syndrome. My EP though said it was a form of AF. I haven’t had the problem since my second ablation in July 2020.

Tantaanna profile image
Tantaanna in reply to Alan1947

that’s great news. I’m pleased to know others have had the fluctuations. I’ve just had continuous highHR Although cardio versions and meds lie Flecanide have helped in the short term. I can’t be on Flec now because of long QT wave

JOY2THEWORLD49 profile image
JOY2THEWORLD49

Hi

I taje Diltiazen 120mg AN and Bisoprolol PM 2.5mg.

CCB AM for mainly H/R slow release.

BB PM for BP.

You need to rid your headache.

You need anti-co.ahulant instead of aspirin. AF can cause a stray clot.

My H/R doesn't swing as nuch as yours but 47 at rest at might and 69 - 88 H/R avge DAY. It's got to be at REST 15 Nims no talking and still. Nomitor raised hifger than heart level.

cheri JOY. 74. (NZ)

Willy-N profile image
Willy-N

Mine jumps all over the place even within a few seconds. It all happens at rest sitting is my chair watching TV or on the computer. Goes from 45-187 BPM for no reason at all. My O2 Levels are all over the place. Dropped to 42% this morning then back up to 99% in a short time. I shallow breath and sometime forget to breath. I have Sleep Apnea too. I use a new O2 Meter checked at the doctors. I have A-Fib they just figured that out. I also have COPD and Uncontrolled BP. They have run about every test, and I kept saying it is in my neck and I am sure my Spinal Cord is being pinched. They just did a Full Body CT and a MRI of my neck. Suprise, I have 3 spots on my neck alone pinching the Cord I saw on my Disk of them. I have a Celiac Artery blowing out to 15mm last check they did the CT for, also to see if it is getting bigger. When they read my CT and MRI, I will post what they found. I am 71 years old male exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam. So the doctors have a real job on there hands to pin point why. Never would have got this far except I changed doctors and did a lot of reading on my problems. So many things can cause things like this and the Doctors are not all trained to find rare things. I have seen the gantlet in tests and different departments. My new doctor is listening to me and were finding answers. Mark

Sozo profile image
Sozo

So sorry Tantaanna, I had similar effects when I was on the meds which never improved. I had to get off! But my symptoms were the opposite of yours as far as blood pressure. It ran very low as well as my pulse rate. Then fluctuating from very low to upper 80"s. I was very fatigued etc. I told the doctor to take me off the meds, they were making me much worse off. I had an ablation a couple month later. I now am doing well with still a fluctuation of pulse rate in the 90's to at times the 70"s. This to eventually level off. I pray you find some relief!! And answers!! 💕

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