Slow ecg and constant palpations

[becky_c21]

Hi

I really need to speak with someone who understands what I'm going through, as I feel like I'm banging my head against a wall when speaking with doctors! I had a miscarriage in June and since then, I've had an irregular heart beat and palpations and it keeps getting worse. At the time I was probably having the miscarriage, I had an ecg with St John's ambulance because the palpations were so severe I thought I was going to pass out.i didn't realise at the time I was misscarrying and just put it down to this. The ecg was irregular. Since then I went to the doctors as the palps didn't go away and they just said it was anxiety due to the miscarriage. It's now 4 months on and they are getting worse. I had a 24 hour heart monitor fitted 5 weeks ago and still waiting the results.. I went to the emergency treatment centre this morning as they have worsened over the past 2 weeks and was given another ecg. I didn't see a doctor as there was a 4 hour wait but the nurse practitioner said he had spoken with the doctor and although the ecg was "slow compared to a normal person" he wasn't worried and said I could go home. I just feel no one understands how I'm feeling and sometimes the palps are so bad on a night I don't think I'm going to wake up. I know there's something not right and I know it isn't caused by anxiety because I know what anxiety is and this is physiological. I just want to know what's wrong as I don't want to try for a baby again until its sorted as I'm scared that the miscarriage was caused by my irregular heart rate. I went to a and e last year before I was pregnant because my heart felt like it was skipping a beat and again came back irregular. I was written off as stress. Although I wasnt stressed about anything at the time. Please help!

[bantam12]

Have you had your thyroid function tested ? pregnancy can effect it.

[becky_c21 in reply to bantam12]

Yes I was diagnosed with under active thyroid 2 years ago.. Although I've never struggled to lose weight nor am I over weight.. So i was sceptical about being put on thyroid meds. I haven't had it tested since I had the miscarriage but the results were normal when I had it tested when I was pregnant. I'm also exhausted all the time and my mood is extremely low recently, but put this down to circumstances

[bantam12 in reply to becky_c21]

There is no such thing as "normal" with thyroid results, you need levels that relieve symptoms and make you feel well, typically TSH needs to be below 1 and T4 T3 high in range.

I'm sorry to say miscarriage is fairly common when thyroid levels aren't good plus palpitations and exhaustion are also common if you are undermedicated.

Ask for a copy of your latest results and post them on ThyroidUK forum for advice.

[becky_c21 in reply to bantam12]

Thank you that's very helpful. I think I'm going to ask for my levels checking again then get a copy of the results

[becky_c21]

I understand that and appreciate your advice. However I havent been stressed or anxious until recently and that's probably why my symptoms have worsened. But it's making me more stressed and anxouis because I don't feelike I'm being listened to and people are saying it's because I'm anxious. I've suffered with anxiety before and never experienced symptoms which impact on my heart in this way.. Especially when I feel perfectly normal and have nothing to feel anxious about.

[becky_c21]

Thank you I will definitely have a look. Also just to make you aware I weigh 8 1/2 stone, excerise 5 times a week and eat healthy. My bmi is within normal range.

[Moggiek]

Have you had your haemoglobin levels checked? I had the most dreadful palpitations for months, eventually decided to get them checked out, and was rushed in for an emergency blood transfusion, which fortunately solved the problem.

[becky_c21 in reply to Moggiek]

I don't think I have.. I'm not sure what bloods I have an have not had done to be honest.. So I will ask for this one, thank you

[benjijen]

5 weeks and still waiting for results is unacceptable. I would certainly keep chasing them about that!

[marypw]

Phone your cardiologist's secretary to chase up your results. Actually getting letters signed and sent out can take forever!

A quick ECG shows very little but a 24 hour one is much more informative.

Best wishes

[michdev]

Hi Becky. Sorry to hear how you feel but as someone has suggested you should get your bloods checked again as you state you are constantly tired and this could mean you are anaemic and I read somewhere that this can bring on palpitations. Keep on at them about your results and I hope you get this sorted out

[becky_c21 in reply to michdev]

Thank you that's really kind. I've booked in at the doctors next week to get my thyroid done again so if all is fine there I will ask about having the rest of my bloods done.