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From: MLR
Date: 4/4/00
Time: 11:08:15 AM
Remote Name: 164.58.200.113
My husband was seen at the doctor because he was feeling hot and started sweating but he was cold to the touch and his body temp was 94.8. I called the doctor and they said to bring him in as soon as possible. The episode only lasted about 20 minutes but really scared me. He was diagnosed with a vasovagal reaction, told to take some tylenol and sent home. I am still very concerned. He has a family history of heart problems, he smokes, he drinks, but not all the time, he is overweight, and tired quite a lot. I am wondering what I should do more for him. Thank you for any information.
From: Jeffrey Lehman fr NJ
I began experience symptoms of near syncope while working full-time during and attending undergraduate and graduate studies at night (1988-1995). I was also exercising at this time. Prior to that, I did have rare symptoms of heavy palpitations when eating large meals, while in the sun on a hot day for an extended period of time, and once when decreasing intervening time while lifting weights (1981-1988). I woke up with tachycardia one night in 1992 which was followed by three succcessive days of angina and dyspnea. I have frequent palpitations which I can tie in most notable with sleep debt.
In 1995, I underwent an EPS about a month after experiencing a full syncope event and a stress test was stopped when I showed possible signs of ischemia. As with the near-syncope episodes, when I sat down I felt better, but when I stood up I expereinced a 'white-out'. I was cleared, but it was confirmed that I had a 0.4 1st degree AV Block and a possible vaso-vagal syncope condition based upon my explanation of symptoms (including dehydration sensations).
In 1999, I strted going for a second MS while working and taking care of family members in a difficult situation. On March 18, 2000 after a particularly fatiguing week during the week and that day, I felt a stabbing chest pain at about 5:30PM when lowering myself into my car seat. The pain was localized in the chest, but I felt a warmth in both nipples and along the elbows. Alarmed, I stood up to walk it off. Then, after about a minute or so, I felt head pressure and then a white-out sensation. I proceeded to sit down again and the pallor faded though the chest pain remained. I called for the EMS and was brought to the Atlantic City Med Ctr where I was almost released until I went into a disorganized, chaotic, Torsaud's VT. I was rushed to Penn Presbyterian in Philadelphia, where I was given an internal pacemaker/defibrillator. I am now on 2x 25mg Metoprolol and 1x81mg aspirin. Caridac output and coronary arteries looked good, but it was found that I had a cardiomyopathy/hypokinesis spot on my left ventrical. They believe that is the source, although I believe-that considering my history-it is an effect of a prior event.
In 1998, I discovered some information on my biological mother, who was diagnosed with systemic lupus about 9 years after I was born. I discovered a sister also who has WPW, SVT, and a possible MI indication. She is strongly tachycardia symptomatic when upset or sleep-deprived. At other times her symptoms seem random and more problematic. In my case, I can tie in the symptoms in to fatigue, over-exertion (after the fact), large meals or fast eating, and stress. Once, I could tie in a mild syncope to an episode of marijuana smoking-which I rarely have done.
My feeling is that any of the three tachycardia events followed periods of perceived low BP and HR. As I mentioned, my cardiologist and her assistants from Penn thinks it is the localized myopathy/hypokinesis. Considering the electrocardiology abnormalities of myself, my sister, and my birth mother I do not accept their conclusion and still am anxious about the array of symptoms and unspecified source.