I just dont get it

I am a 34 year old Female! I cant catch my breath, my heart feels.like its going to pound out of my chest, Lightheaded Dizzy, and been dealing with this since July 2012! I have had every test you can think of but everything has come out normal! Now I have been so dizzy lightheaded and short of breath going on 5 days with no hope in sight! The EP dr told me I was too young and they cant find a reason to have a PM installed my heart muscles are healthy! Can someone help me figure this out? I need a dr thats going to listen to me! I cant stay home the rest of my life! Taking a shower wears me out these days!

7 Comments

I am your age and had the same issues.....

by Runningmama - 2014-11-06 03:11:59

I am 34 as well and extremely physically fit with no other health issues what so ever. But, I would have split second dizziness, passed out twice, got TIRED of being told it was anxiety, stress, and my inner ears (that was hilarious). I got tired of dealing with the dr.s not listening, so I let it go and learned to cope. Fast forward 1.5 years, I started getting the dizziness again and then started presynocope while sitting at my desk. Of course, my normal dr (she's useless) told me to see a neurologist (For what?? LOL). When this kept happening every day and I felt the "Lub Lub" heart skips (turned out to be pauses), I called my cardiologist. Whom kind of half heartedly said, okay, this may be anxiety, but here, wear this holter monitor, get bloodwork, etc. Five days later, I got a call from him, and he actually apologized to me for thinking I had anxiety. What the holter monitor showed was stage 2 av heart block type 2. Last Friday, I saw an EP, today got a cardiac MRI, and early next week getting a pacemaker to get rid of "Lub Lub" for good.

My point is, because of our age, lack of cardiac reasoning if not established, and in alot of cases our physical physique, the dr's don't look to our hearts for electrical issues. I thank GOD that Dr V found my heart block and it can be fixed. But it did take some persistence on my part.

Have you mentioned an EP study to your EP by chance?Good Luck and let me if I can help anymore. :)

Felt like you

by kmom - 2014-11-06 05:11:25

Similar symptoms different problem but it took almost 9 months to finally get my PM. They actually put me on a month long holter before they could finally catch the problem. Most of the time we don't have a plumbing problem it's electrical and sometimes it's hard to catch. You may have to wear a holter monitor for a while or have you worn one already?? Are you having tachy rhythms?? That can cause the problem too.

Been there

by wescoot2 - 2014-11-06 06:11:34

I suffered like that for years, and of course denial that something was really wrong overcame my better judgement. Finally passed out 3 times in 1 day, and the wife decided to take me to the hospital, where numerous tests were run, and no conclusions as to what caused my fainting spells. After the Dr. heard that this same thing happened off and on for 3 years or so, he suggested, and implanted a http://www.medtronic.com/patients/fainting/device/our-insertable-cardiac-monitors/reveal-linq-icm/ Within 6 weeks, I received the call that I needed a PM which was implanted on Oct 23. Other than some tenderness, all is well.

Really helpful

by dkburnes - 2014-11-06 10:11:43

Your question and the comments have been really helpful. I have had a pacemaker for three months. I don't feel much better at all. The incision is still sore, I am short of breath when I attempt to lift or push something, I have pain going down my left shoulder and arm and up my neck. I have headaches. I get winded when I shower. My cardiologist doesn't know what it is. The EP surgeon sends me back to the cardiologist saying it's up to her to handle that. He only does the implant. Your comments have helped me to remember that I am my own advocate. I will take care of myself. We all need to push back kindly.

Advocate

by Gotrhythm - 2014-11-07 02:11:21

You said you need a dr to listen to you. I agree. I was in somewhat of the same boat. Clearly something is wrong, and clearly the drs you have been seeing are unable to diagnose it. You might want to ask your family doctor for a referral to a large medical center associated with a university. They see more unusual conditions there in a year than regular private practice physicians might see in a lifetime. But in my experience, you won't get referred unless you (politely) demand it.

BTW. you don't say if you've had a Holter Monitor test, only that tests show your heart is "healthy." Rhythm disorders are different from "heart disease." You can have a perfectly healthy heart and still have a life threatening rhythm problem. I do ,and so do a lot of our membership. The Holter test detects rhythm disorders. Sometimes it takes a 30-day test to catch the problem.

"You're too young" is garbage. Even cardiologists do not always take women's heart concerns ( particularly young women's) seriously.

Advocate for yourself. And if possible, never enter a dr's office alone! There is strength in numbers.

I understand

by Sully06 - 2014-11-07 09:11:54

I am 37 and have had my pm for only2 and a half weeks. Everyday I am feeling better and am glad I got it. My pulse would get down to 34bpm, I couldn't think straight, I felt terrible all the time. I was mad that I had to tell my kids I was "too tired" all the time when there were activities. I wore a holter monitor, had a stress test and my highest pulse rate was 114. Mri showed no issues -my heart muscles are healthy too. I was in denial every day. I would wake up feeling good with a pulse of 55bpm (that rapidly dropped to 34-40) I kept telling myself "today I will be better-I'll snap out of it". I'm definitely new in this, but I feel better every day, and glad I made the decision. Every day that I feel a little better, I am starting to realize how long I have felt bad for. I found this site while I was constantly googling info on pacemakers, and I am greatful for all those who also share and comment.

Ditto - keep pushing

by NormaLou - 2014-11-07 12:11:37

Angry Sparrow, you are absolutely correct. We need to be responsible for our own health and not just accept something a dr. tells us when we don't think it's the right answer. We know our own bodies. I have had some unusual symptoms and when I go to get checked they tell me I'm fine and look at me like I'm a hypochondriac. I had some tests run three days ago and was told my dr. would have results on 24-48 hrs. I am sitting here waiting for her call to let me know the results. I have also called and left msg. saying when am I going to get results of my trsts. Called the lab and was told my test results were sent to my dr. Today, you can't even get to talk to a human being - everything is handled electronically and I resent that, too. I am ready to fire my PCP and look for a new one. Am not too thrilled with my cardio either. Our health care system is really screwed up. I didn't mean to get into a tirade but I guess I needed to vent and appreicate so much the people on this forum providing their experiences. Thanks and have a wonderful day.

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