probably new to this

Since having had surgery (hiatal hernia) earlier this year, I've been very tired, light-headed and had several episodes where I would feel weak and then break out into a cold sweat. These have lasted anywhere from 5 - 40 minutes. No tightness in chest, pain or other symptoms and haven't fainted or blacked out.

went to my pcp and after noticing that my heart rate went from high-50's during check-in to high forties a short while later did an ekg which showed my rate as running between 38 and 42. Did a referral to a cardiologist who put me on a holter for 48 hrs - my average was 47 with a low of 41.

Did the thyroid blood test and all was normal so had a referral to a Cardiac Electrophysiologist. Told me it was very likely I'd need a pacemaker but they wanted a couple of more tests as it was borderline - both to verify that the heart was otherwise OK and for insurance purposes.

Put me on a 30 day Act monitor and just did an echo (during the echo my rate was 42).

So, in a couple of weeks I'll be going in again - hopefully for some resolution and being able to move forward. Complicating all of this is that my insurance company (on Medicaid) is changing come Jan 1 and so I'm not looking forward to more delays as a result.

Would love feedback/insight from anyone who has gone through this and especially anyone who has had the weakness followed by cold sweats thing happen to them.

Thanks in advance.

3 Comments

ruled out meds

by techiej - 2015-11-23 08:11:24

Appreciate the info...

On initial visit with the cardiologist we went through all meds and OTC items and ruled them out - initially thought that the Trazodone I was taking (as a sleep aid) was the culprit but over the course of a couple of weeks got entirely off of it and it didn't change things at all.

Only meds I have been taking for the past 6+ weeks are simvastatin and Flomax - both of which I have been on for several years. Only OTC that I take are Align (probiotic) and Tylenol from time-to-time.

FYI - my PCP initially thought that it might be dumping syndrome due to my surgery (haital hernia w/nissen wrap) but we tried forcing it to occur - by timing consumption of liquids, sweets, etc. -- and ruled that out -- the cardiologist and my original surgeon also ruled that out.

You don't say

by Theknotguy - 2015-11-23 08:11:28

You don't say what medications you are on. Also don't give any info on your PM - if you have one.

The symptoms you are describing, i.e. the weakness, followed by cold sweats, are consistent with a possible problem with medication. My wife just went through that same scenario. But, that's a wild guess on my part because you don't give us too much information. You may want to discuss medications with a pharmacist.

If you're not sure of a pharmacist, you can contact your medical insurance and see who they have on staff. While the pharmacist at the health care provider may not be able to give you a definitive answer, they may be able to point you in the right direction. Health Insurers in the US usually have a nurses' hotline and that's another good place to initiate a conversation.

Hope you can get some answers quickly.

clarification

by techiej - 2015-11-23 08:11:32

Quick clarification - don't have the PM yet - waiting on final test results and insurance approval...which is what the remaining tests are for to get that far.

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