Hi Heart: Sorry to hear you are experiencing some increasing palpitations. When is the last time you wore a 30 day monitor? Maybe that might be a good idea to see what is going on? I wish you good luck and am hopeful for you that AF is not returning. Just curious...Are you on any rhythm or rate control? Take care, Carrie

Carrie,

The last time I was on an event monitor was a year ago. The insurnace STILL is denying that claim. So, the doc is not eager to order another. I would feel better too, knowing what these are. But Murphy's Law, if I have a monitor on, it will probably not do it. The last time it showed up as atrial tachy.

I'm only on baby aspirin as anticoagulant now. No rhythm or rate control. I hope i don't have to go back on those. I failed on 4 of them!

Hi Heart: Do you have the palppitations every day? Maybe you could get away with a 24 hour holter monitor and hopefully it will catch some activity? Maybe the insurance company may be more willing to pay for 24 hour monitor? I hope you do not have to go back on meds either. It has had to feel so liberating being off the meds since your ablation.

I have short palpitations every day. Those are not as much of a concern, I assume they are PVC's and PAC's. The longer ones are the ones that concern me. I gotta find a way to see exactly how long they are. I usually don't wear a watch, I should start to so I can keep track. Of course it feels like a long time, but who knows? The 24 monitor would probably miss it. The insurance co says they will not pay for more than one monitor /year.

I hated taking those meds. They made me feel bad. One made me pass out completely, amiod make me feel extremely nauseous and all those other bad side effects, Tikosyn didn't work at all, sotolol made me feel like I had the flu and my BP really dropped way too low.

Thanks, Carrie for your input!!

Would one of those Orman portable EKG gadgets be helpful???

I agree, I would be proactive and get my own reading with an ECG monitor. There is also the Alivecor smart phone monitor. It requires a doctor's prescription. My EP gave me one, but I haven't filled it yet, because I like my Omron monitor. And I think I have enough "toys"

In any case I would like to know what these palpations are, and taking your own ECG would tell you for sure.
Wishing you all the best and most of all NSR.

Hmmm, that is a thought. THanks, Carol and sanibel. I know Petey has talked about this machine. How much is it? Also how long does it take to hook up?

I dont' know if I would be able to read it either. Tell the difference between a fib and a tachy??

I think the Omron is 299.- and it takes no time at to set up. You hold one side to your chest and cover the other side with your index finger or palm of hand. Instructions are included.
I had to learn how to read an ECG, I'm still not very good at it, but even if you can't read it, the monitor will tell you if it is a stable or unstable rhythm. You can safe the reading ( it stores date, time, etc) and show it to your doctor at a later date.
Eliminates a lot of guess work in my opinion.

I left a message for my regular cardiologist to see what he says about this home machine. He's not an EP though.

Thanks for the suggestions!

My cardiologist said he doesn't suggest buying one. He said NONE of his patients have one. I wonder if they would tell him if they had one. However, that means no one has come in with tracings to show him. I'm conflicted...

Did Dr. have any suggestions or advice or comments about these abnormal beats?

Do you take magnesium? My EP said 400 mg. Magnesium Sulfate will calm heavy heart beats.
I don't usually have these, but I asked him about taking Mag. because it seems several folks here do take it.