[VickyRN]

SVT is a common cause of syncope. The heart is racing, which is cutting down on diastole in each cardiac cycle. Cardiac filling occurs during diastole. Less blood in the ventricles, means less cardiac output, which means less oxygenation to the organs (especially the brain). Hence the syncopal episodes.

[mattcastens]

Healingtouch is right. The best way to catch these arrhythmias is with a holter monitor, as I mentioned before. Of course, if you're having a good day then it won't pick anything up. I don't think it would hurt to try it again.

[BABYGIRL_RN]

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TOLD THAT YOU HAVE MITRAL VALVE PROLAPSE/SYNDROME. I DO AND HAVE A LOT OF YOUR SYMPTOMS. JUST ASKING.

[MickeymomRN]

To: BabyGirl_RN

I don't have MVP. I have mitral valve insifficiency with moderate regurg. The first cardiologist just said it was from degeneration but with my history I'm beginning to think otherwise.

[Doey]

That's what I was thinking too, MVPS. I've had a couple of patients with the symptoms you've mentioned. Apparently the syndrome consists of MVP,NCS,headaches,fatigue,chest pain,palpitations,SVT,PVCs. Some physicians will say that none of the symptoms are related because there are many who have MVP and have no symptoms whatsoever, and there are those who have these symptoms with no MVP. I think it could be because we have not yet found the physiological connection between everything. And of course there are the physicians (and others) who just see a hysterical woman, and because nothing concrete can be found, it must be all in your head.
I have seen pacers used with NCS that have been successful in controlling the symptoms and I have also seen it used where it hasn't. That alone tells us there is something else going on that we haven't put our finger on yet. (implantation of a permanent pacemaker is generally a very safe procedure. But as Matt stated there can be complications but these are rare).
With one patient, the doc ordered Florinef, TED stockings, and increased fluid intake and it worked. Dehydration, even mild, can exacerbate the condition for some.
It sounds like you've had appropriate diagnostic tests, but have you ever had a tilt table test? That is supposed to be the gold standard for diagnosing NCS.
Beta blockers are used because of the increased adrenergic activity that accompanies this syndrome, hence the PVCs or SVT. In NCS there is a malfunction in the nervous system.
No matter what, I feel that if you present to the ED with CP etc. you should still be treated as a r/o MI and have the same diagnostics as everyone else. But that's just me.
Along with the beta blockers, SSRIs (like Prozac,Zoloft) maybe ordered. Now don't freak out, it doesn't mean you're crazy. The SSRIs have been found to work in some with controlling the symptoms.
Here are a few sites I found that ight help you out. At the very least you'll know you are not a crazy,hypochondriac female.
http://www.mvprolapse.com/
http://www.ilovejesus.com//myhome/mc...Prolapse.shtml
http://www.aafp.org/afp/20000601/3343.htm
http://mdchoice.com/searchframes.asp...x_content.asp?
Good luck, and keep us updated.

[MickeymomRN]

Dear Doey,
Thanks! you have really lifted me up! Even though I'm "only" an OBRN (And I'd love for those who say that walk ,I mean run, in my shoes for a shift on my hi-risk unit. ) , I still have some idea about the heart. And with all these heart symptoms you'd think that they would be related somehow. I am just so glad that I am getting some answers but I guess not quick enough for me. I returned to work last Friday since being on leave since last November. My doc really didn't want me to but financially my DH wanted me to. After 2 shifts I don't think that I can do it more than once a week. Which won't make a dent in our debts. I worked Monday night for 8 hrs and ended up almost passing out at work. I had to call my DH and friend to come pick me up and the truck. I puked all the way home and kept "greying out". When I did get home, I passed out again and then went to sleep since it does exhaust me even more. As for the TTT, I did have one done and it was +

I have an EP appt this afternoon. I'll let you all know what transpires.

[Doey]

Sorry Mickeymom, I must've been writing as you were posting.
But is your MR caused by MVP? Did you ever have rheumatic fever? Any collagen disorders? These can all cause MR.

[Doey]

Mickeymom,
That sounds awful!! Obviously this is not just a rare thing for you and definitely effects your day to day life. (what da ya mean, you can't stop running on your unit for a few minutes to pass out and puke!! LOL Just kidding)
I hope you get some answers at your appointment this afternoon.
I don't know what your EP doc is like but don't let him/her get away with the it's nothing/it's not all related/your anxious/nervous/etc crap. I have a feeling you won't!! And do let us know what happens. Will be thinking about you.

[Jas honey]

hi Mickey,
I am an EP nurse, have been for the last eternity..ok the last 18 years. If you havent had one, ask your doc for a 30 day event monitor, this you have for a month. the monitor records a continuous one minute loop of ECG recording. the monitor is the size of a pager, and has two leadwires. you wear it all the time (not at night if you dont have symptoms at night) and press the record button when you have an event. it then saves the previous 30-45 seconds from when you push the button (that setting can be programmed per md preference) and saves the next 15-30 seconds after you have pressed the button. the recordings can be sent to the doctor office over the phone. generally you can record 5-10 events, and some have automatic event recording if you go over or under a certain rate setting (this is also programmed by the md)

we have discovered the source of many syncopal events and dizzy spells, etc., using this monitor, and it gives you more time and opportunity to have an event that you can record (better than a holter for this instance) holters are good if the symptoms happen reliably every day, but if they dont, you are sure out of luck with a holter. and who wants to wear that thing more than once anyways!!LOL

i sympathize with you, it is sometimes very hard to fine tune a therapy program for all of these problems together. i wish you good luck.

best regards,
Nancy
Jas honey

[MickeymomRN]

Thanks for all your ideas here!
As for an event monitor, no I haven't had one. Only a holter as I said when I was having good days. Only once it did good and got all my PVCs. I don't know if I can wear one for a month straight though. Do you just put it on when you feel something? It sounds like it's similar to a holter.
Anyways, did see my EP. Yes, I let him get away with telling me that he's going to focus on my NCS first then my PVCs then my MVPS. My DH came with me cut he was too preoccupied with the babies that I don't think he heard a word we were saying. Took me off of beta blockers totally. Placed on ProAmatine. Wow! What side effects! It feels like my hair stand up on end and then it just crawls down my back or right side. Usually only the right and not the left. Really dizzy when I turn my head too fast. then when it wears off in the evening, it's nighty night. So glad though b/c I'm finally sleeping thoughout the whole night. YEAH!!!!!! No nightmares, no teethy characters, no waking up every hour on the hour. So we'll see.

Question: How high do they usually go with the ProAmatine? Do the s/e go away? I did notice that I got headaches at night. Something new. Wondered if that reflected my b/p.

Another question: should I ask if I should get an EP study done?

Thanks everyone! Hope all is well in your household and having a great weekend. It was beautiful here in sunny florida. High of 85.


, Leilani

I'm so happy b/c I cleaned 3 rooms these past 2 days. And I worked 7-11p last night. ( Only had 2 pts. though)