NOCTURNAL TACHYCARDIA

Hello everyone, first post. Had a Medtronic, dual chamber pacemaker implanted for fainting spells during episodes of AFib with rapid ventricular response.  It was also implanted so that my doctors could safely give me medication to lower my heart rate when in fast AF because when I am in normal sinus rhythm my blood pressure and heart rate are always on low side.  I am taking Flecainide and Bisoprolol. I have developed tachycardia, which occurs mainly at night, which started after PM implant (May 2018). It feels like a regular tachycardia initially before it deteriorates into AF.  I am on wait list for my first AF ablation.  Tachycardia is now frequently  affecting my sleep or occurring as soon as I lie down to sleep.  Maybe this is all the natural progression of my arrhythmias, but could the tachycardia be PM related I wonder??  I had my usual post op PM check at six weeks but nothing since then. There is so much to learn.  Any thoughts on what might be causing this sudden tachycardia would be welcome (or to hear from anyone with a similar experience).  Many thanks

5 Comments

NOCTURNAL TACHYCARDIA

by pogerm1 - 2018-12-30 18:57:43

I was having problems about a year ago, my pacemaker was pacing at 80 bpm, my regular heart rate is in the 60s.  I know that 80 isn't real fast but it was for me i was also having a lot of episodes of AF and the 80 bpm would last for a number of days.  I finally went to get my pacer checked and told them to stop pacing me at 80 (I don't know why they were pacing me in the first place as my pacer was put in because of a 1st. degree heartblock).  After they stopped the 80 bpm pacing, I felt a lot better and my AF episodes dropped, I went about 4 months without an episode, before I was having an episode every few weeks.  So have them check out your pacing and the pacer.

As for getting an ablation make sure you get the best in the country, there are many EPs that only do a few ablations a year, don't go to them.  One of the best in the country is Dr. Natalie in St. Davids, Texas, also look up a very good site on AF called AFIBBERS.org. they are great.

All the best

Liz

AAIR>DDdR

by marylandpm - 2018-12-30 19:46:27

  I have a Medtronic in the same mode.My Pacemaker switches mode if my pulse rate drops below 60. Usually at night. I never had a problem with the pacemaker switching modes. 

 The thing that helped me with Afib/ afluter the most was getting two ablations. 

 

NOCTURNAL TACHYCARDIA

by Gemita - 2018-12-30 19:52:23

LThank you so much Liz (pogerm1). Am new to this site and not sure if this is the way to respond to you?? Yes my HR is set at 70 bpm even at night and initially it did seem rather fast and I felt overwarm in bed but I got used to it until more recently my HR has been climbing and climbing at night and it is often over 130 + bpm and this I think is triggering my AF/Flutter.  I live in London UK so attend a good arrhythmia clinic with lots of good EPs. Tried PM because was hoping apart from helping with syncope, pauses and low heart rates, it might help to pace me out of AF but nothing has improved as per my post.  Yes I know all about AFibbers.org. and about all the wonderful EPs in the States.  You are truly blessed Liz

 

NOCTURNAL TACHYCARDIA

by Gemita - 2018-12-30 20:02:05

Thank you marylandpm.  Yes I have been told it will probably take two ablations to fix my arrhythmias.  Am very frightened to have an ablation, although I had an EP study two years ago where they fed catheters into heart to have a good look round and to check my coronary arteries.

Self check with EKG

by marylandpm - 2018-12-30 20:33:53

 I thought I would add that I know what mode my Pacemaker is in because I have a real EKG machine and I learned how to use it watching YouTube. 

I can also check myself if I suspect I’m in Afib etc. 

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