Arrhythmia or something else?

[MummaSoap]

I had a review with my cardiologist today regarding the symptoms that I’ve been experiencing and he was a bit puzzled by my symptoms and the episodes that I have described.

When I told him that several of my palpitations/racing heart “waves” have swept over me instantly soaking the back of my neck (and hair) with cold sweat followed by d and/or v he didn’t think that the 2 things were linked and almost tried to say that maybe I had a bug which caused the palpitations and racing heart. I know that this is entirely possible but my gut is saying that isn’t it and questioning wouldn’t it be the other way around if that we’re the case?

I’m also being referred for an implantable loop recorder so if anyone can provide information on that, I would be really interested to hear others’ experiences please.

Apologies for the long post and many questions! Just trying to get my head around everything.

As always, thank you for reading.

Best wishes

Soap 🧼

[Tos92]

Hi MummaSoap,

I can’t help you I’m afraid but would be interested in the responses.

Do you know why when your heart races, the back of your neck/hair is soaked in cold sweat? This has happened to me more than a handful of times now.

Hope some other members come along to help.

Tos x

[MummaSoap in reply to Tos92]

Hi Tos

Thank you for your reply, it’s really appreciated.

I’m not entirely sure but if it happens in the daytime, I’m essentially fighting to stay conscious by trying to slow my breathing as much as I possibly can and only once have I actually ended up passing out (briefly) before the wave passed. However if it happens at night, I wake feeling like I had stopped breathing or I can’t get enough air in my lungs but the same wave with sweat and dizziness/unstable feeling.

Sorry I can’t share any insight as to what causes the sweating, it is very odd!

Best wishes

Soap 🧼

[Westie2012]

Hi, sorry I can’t offer any info on having a loop recorder fitted but I’m glad that your cardiologist has referred you for this to see what’s happening when you get the episodes of palpitations and racing heart . You are right to trust your own instinct when it comes to your symptoms and how you feel, no one knows our bodies like ourselves, it took me many visits to a&e with my symptoms before a dr decided that my symptoms could be more than just stress/anxiety and after months of going to my gp and hospital to be told it’s all anxiety I eventually had a7 day holter monitor that revealed heart arrhythmias and that I needed a pacemaker . I hope someone will reply who has had a loop recorder to offer you more information . Take care and hopefully you’ll get your referral soon xx

[MummaSoap in reply to Westie2012]

Hi Westie

Thank you so much for your reply, I really appreciate it.

I’m sorry for the tardiness in my response and thank you for the reminder of how important it is to listen to our bodies; I’m glad that you were heard but saddened that it took so long to happen - that must’ve been so frustrating for you!

I’ve been told that I should get an appointment for the ILR within the next 3 weeks so hopefully not too long to wait 🤞🏼🤞🏼

Hope you’re not feeling better 🙂

Best wishes

Soap 🧼

[Horse6]

hi, I had a loop monitor fitted 18 months ago. The fitting of it was fine and really easy. I have a monitor that is plugged in beside my bed which records everything. The hospital usually asks me to do a download every few months to see what my heart is doing. I also get the sweats and sometimes feel very hot for no reason but the cardiologist didn’t seem to care about that but I think it is connected. We have just moved house and area so Iam waiting for a new appointment. Hope all goes well for you.

[MummaSoap in reply to Horse6]

Hi Horse6

Thank you for your reply, I really appreciate it.

I was told that I won’t need to do anything and any readings will get sent to my phone - does that sound right?

That’s interesting that you’ve experienced sweats and hot feelings too - I really hope the ILR will help to shed some light on the situation or at least rule out anything sinister 🤞🏼

Thank you, I hope that you don’t have to wait too long for your new appointment and all goes well too.

Best wishes

Soap 🧼

[Horse6 in reply to MummaSoap]

I think the readings go to the hospital, you just have to do the download when they tell you.. It’s all very high tech !!!

Best wishes

[Crystal614]

Hi, It is a simple procedure to have a loop recorder inserted. It takes just a few minutes the area will be numbed with local anaesthetic and before you know it the loop recorder will be inserted, its about the size of a USB stick. You will be given a monitor to take home with you that is kept plugged in at the side of the bed, just follow the instructions on screen to connect it to the loop recorder. You will be given a separate device that you can use to activate recordings manually when you feel any symptoms, these I downloaded myself and sent them to my local hospital. Your LR will do its own automatic download every night. Its all very easy to use just follow the instructions on the screen. My battery lasted over 3 years and the LR was only recently removed. Its a clever piece of kit.

[Tos92 in reply to Crystal614]

Hi Crystal,

Did you find the loop recorder to be uncomfortable in any way and did you notice it whilst going about your day to day activities at all?

I have a possible loop recorder waiting for me in my future.

Tos

[Crystal614 in reply to Tos92]

Hi Tos, I was a bit sore for a few days after the implant but a dressing was put on to cover it (Its only a tiny nick in the skin) the only time it was a little uncomfortable is if I accidently put any pressure on it or knocked it, otherwise I didn't know it was there.

[Crystal614 in reply to Tos92]

If you do have a loop recorder inserted. Keep a diary of your symptoms. If you do any manual recordings make a note of the time it was done.

[Tos92 in reply to Crystal614]

Thank you 😊

[Horse6 in reply to Crystal614]

how did you download from the separate device?

[Crystal614 in reply to Horse6]

Hi, On the monitor press the middle button this will wake the monitor up. Follow the instructions, when it is ready a picture will show up on the screen telling you to lift the hand held scanner of the monitor, hold it over the loop recorder once it has a good signal it will connect with the loop recorder and start downloading any manual recordings that have been done. Keep watching the screen and you will see a green bar showing the progression of the down load. Once it is done the monitor will beep replace the handset and the recording is transmitted. When that is completed the screen will change, a tick will show with the date, after a few minutes the screen will go dark and it's all done.

[Horse6 in reply to Crystal614]

thank you can you download the patient assistance gadget the same way ?

[Crystal614 in reply to Horse6]

you cannot download any information from the patient assistance it is used purely to activate the LR to do a recording. All information is stored on the actual LR itself.

[MummaSoap in reply to Crystal614]

Hi Crystal

Thank you for your really clear and informative reply, I really appreciate it.

It sounds like a very useful tool and hopefully it will either help get me the right support or help to alleviate my concerns/rule out anything sinister 🤞🏼🤞🏼

Best wishes

Soap 🧼

[Crystal614 in reply to MummaSoap]

Hi, it is a very useful device. It got to the bottom of what symptoms I was experiencing. Not only did I need a pacemaker but I was also diagnosed with SVT. All the very best to you, I hope you get answers.

[Kristin1812 Heart Star]

Thanks to Crystal you have a great summary. So glad she saved me doing it, as it wouldn't have been nearly so clear.

Mine did pick up AF which turned out to be meds related. Now meds and AF gone.

[Captain_Birdseye]

Hiya, I'm just going to throw something else into the mix here, but it sometimes gets missed in women in their 30s... but could it be related to perimenopause?

Sorry if that's sensitive.

[Heyjude31 in reply to Captain_Birdseye]

it’s a good point, and helpful to consider 🙏

[MummaSoap in reply to Captain_Birdseye]

Hiya Captain_Birdseye

Thank you for your reply, I really appreciate it.

Not at all, this is actually something I have been considering recently myself. However, both my mum and Nan were over 40 so that was the only reason I was doubting that being a potential cause. I have recently been told by a friend that there’s a blood test now which can indicate if you have become peri menopausal so perhaps I’ll explore this further.

Best wishes

Soap 🧼

[Captain_Birdseye in reply to MummaSoap]

Oh I didn't know about a blood test... I'll maybe have a look into that as well 🙂

[MummaSoap in reply to Captain_Birdseye]

Just a little update - I asked my GP and she said you can have a blood test to check hormone levels. She also said something about the test I’m referring to only being an option when mother nature’s monthly visits have stopped.

Thought I would share this response with you, just in case it might be helpful 🙂

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to MummaSoap]

You might find this information helpful. nice.org.uk/guidance/ng23/i....

[MummaSoap in reply to Milkfairy]

That’s it, she was talking about checking my FSH levels!

Thank you Milkfairy , that’s really helpful 🙂

[wilsond]

Diarrhoea and vomiting

[MummaSoap]

Hi BlossomsInSpring

Thank you for your reply, I really appreciate it.

Yes, wilsond very kindly confirmed 😁

It’s interesting that nothing has been picked up but I suppose as you say, episodes can be missed.

Ironically, since stopping dapagliflozin these episodes have reduced and it’s now averaging 1 episode a month whereas previously it was almost 1 a week whilst on the Dapa. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Best wishes

Soap 🧼

[MummaSoap]

I have no idea as it’s second hand information unfortunately but I have a GP appointment on Tuesday so I will ask about whether it’s possible and confirm 🙂