Steph, There are a lot of things that can make your pulse change and it doesn't always mean it's "heart" related.

Do you know what your "normal" heart rate is? Do you know exactly when it started going into bradycardia (pulse lower than 60)? Have you kept a journal of what's going on and when?

I can't remember if you started Prednisone or not. Pred can lower a heart rate. Being overhydrated can too.

If it isn't your normal, always check with your primary doctor for a look see. Checking your chemistry (electrolytes, kidney and liver function, albumin, etc.) is a very reasonable thing to do.

wild_cat, That is a very dangerous situation, having such wide swings. I would make sure that they don't assume anything and check out all basic body functions. The endocrine system can cause issues with heart rate too! It might be a good idea to see an endocrinologist to rule out any other condition.

Anacrusis, Have they determined the CAUSE of your murmur? I imagine you've had an echocardiogram. Have you had one recently, as murmurs can change over the years?

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK345/

Due to your clot issues, bny, you may want to get an echocardiogram too. Lying on your left side puts more pressure on the left side of the heart. Most people's muscles get weaker when they sleep and an MGers can get much weaker. It's always a good idea to check out for sure what's going on with the heart because we only have one.

I don't have any heart issues, per se. When I take Pred, I get pretty bad bradycardia.

Anything new or different is worth seeing your primary doctor - and a specialist - about. I hope you'll get it figured out, Steph.

Annie

Thanks Annie, about 4 years ago. No Iīm not used to anyone looking for a CAUSE.
What they were trying to establish at the ultrasound was its location and they didnīt find that either - it was obscured by something or other in the last place possible. But at least determining its sound and knowing which locations it wasnīt in meant they were happy to discharge me with a benign systolic murmur....thanks for checking

[QUOTE=AnnieB3;930479]

wild_cat, That is a very dangerous situation, having such wide swings. I would make sure that they don't assume anything and check out all basic body functions. The endocrine system can cause issues with heart rate too! It might be a good idea to see an endocrinologist to rule out any other condition.

Thanks for your concern, Annie. At present I'm still having trouble getting anybody to take me seriously on this, despite the objective readings. The cardiologist suggested my wide heart range is due to an exceptional level of core fitness, which stumps me because I haven't been able to any form of cardiovascular exercise for three years. Since my GP voiced concerns about MG and CSH my case has been passed onto a more 'senior' GP who reassures me my symptoms are all a figment of my imagination. So, I will see about asking about this - wish me luck!

Annie
Thanks for the thorough and informative response. I do take prednisone for almost 3 months now. I think the lower 40/50's pulse did start after prednisone started. Also think the hard pounding issue did start after as well but that is what is so concerning to me...feels as if my heart is working really hard

I didnt know it was possible to be overhydrated. I drink a lot of water, partly because i always have and partly because it does help somewhat in keeping my emotional overeating in check (MG has done nothing to weaken my ability to overeat!)