Neuropathy and heart ablation
 

Hi everyone,

I'm mostly a lurker, but was in need of advice. My neuro believes I have neuropathy in my feet and legs. I have all of the symptoms, as well as, family history (daughter and mother). I am in the process of having the nerve testing. During this time, my cardiologist is recommending an ablation for my fast heart rate (SVT). Meds did not work for me and he believes I have a good chance with the ablation. Anyhow, I worry about the procedure possibly making my situation worse. My appointment for the nerve testing is currently scheduled after my ablation. I was wondering if it would be in my best interest to wait until the neuro testing to have the ablation? Problem is my heart symptoms are quite unpleasant and I really don't want to wait. However, I want to to do what is best.

What do you all think?

Thanks so much,

Kay

I had a heart ablation in 2007. It cured me of the bad SVT I was having. (Heart rate 180 - 200 bpm for 5 to 10 hours straight.) I didn't get peripheral neuropathy until 2014. My heart is almost normal now. My symptoms of SVT and neuropathy were caused by Lyme disease. I did not know about the Lyme disease at the time I had the ablation because no doctor ever told me this could be the cause.

I had cardiac ablation a few years back...and it didn't make my neuropathy in extremities worse or better at all. I don't think there should be a problem or risk of affecting your neuropathy by doing the ablation, but ask your neurologist for his/her input.

Your SVT may be an extention of your peripheral neuropathy...as in autonomic neuropathy. My ablation was for cardiac rate/rhythm problems related to autonomic neuropathy.

Hi, I can't speak on the ablation but a friend is newly dealing with afib and has mentioned ablation and right now on heart drugs BUT she is now taking all these supplements. I take them all except the L Carnitine. I don't have heart issues and work with prevention as best I know.

http://www.drsinatra.com/best-heart-...s-to-consider/

Good wishes on what you do.

I wrote a long reply to Kay about autonomic neuropathy (dysautonomia). It's lost somewhere. However, Kay, I strongly suggest you check it out with both your Neuro and your cardiologist. Meds and anesthesia all work differently with dysautonomia. *admin edit* Can tell you a lot and prepare you to deal with typically mystified docs. (Which yours must be...since they have not put your two conditions together). They have hand-outs to download for doctors!

My neuro insisted I could not have dysautonomia because I had high blood pressure and did not faint (POTS is a type of dysautonomia with precipitous drops in bp, rise in hrs, and fainting). I and my PCP had to gang up on him for me to be biopsied....positive results. I have both sensory and autonomic neuropathy....now verified by a dysautonomia specialist.

Anyway, if my other post goes through this will redundant...but it is can important message.

Best of luck...

Thank you all for your responses. I have had the heart issues since I was a teenager. My daughter has POTS, confirmed by the Tilt Table test. I do not believe that I do, but I will look into it. My daughter has Ehlers Danlos Syndrome as well as CIDP. I am familiar with all of the testing. I will see that I get what I need tested.

The SVT is just annoying and uncomfortable. I have had other surgeries and no issues with anesthesia. The ablation will be done under a twilight sleep, no heavy sedation.

Thank you all again, I really appreciate the responses.

Kay

Does sound like separate things....which is good.

Yet, as I wrote...all POTS is dysautonomia, but not all dysautonomia is POTS.

Just want to add..

You obviously know these disorders all too well.

I wish the best for you and your daughter....

Sylvie

Sylvie,

Thank you for taking the time to post. Your information is very valuable. Most docs don't have a clue regarding POTS etc.

Thank you again,

Kay

Hi Kay,

You're welcome.....I posted for you and for general information purposes. Ironically, I was diagnosed with POTS on Monday....my own Neuro (who did my skin punch biopsies) said I could not have it because my blood pressure dropped "only" 20 pts.,
from sitting to standing. At the (new) cardiologist's on Mon. it dropped 30 points. This doc. said the cut-off was 20 points!

I'll have a tilt table test in a week.

Best of luck with your surgery.

Sylvie

Some doctors use 20 points as the cut off, and others use 30 points...both are pretty acceptable numbers and should be 'considered' for a Dx. The tilt table is the gold standard test for POTS. The other in-office checks are just for initial 'preliminary' Dx. Many people can have a 20 point drop in BP in the office when just simply dehydrated. The tilt table will be the confirmation.

I'm glad they are now taking your BP drops seriously as POTS and tilt table is being done next week.

The ablation was really not that big of a deal for me. I was terrified of it and put it off for years. But after the third time ending up in the ER, I went ahead and had it done. So glad I did. My heart is so much better now. They did a radiofrequency catheter ablation.

Thank you all for your replies. I have decided to wait to have the ablation until after I see my Neuro. Ablation will be the second week of March.

Vonda

As far as I know BP drop when standing is called neurally mediated hypotension (NMH).
POTS is increased heart rate when standing.

Good luck with the tests and the surgery!

Actually, the heart naturally increases if the BP drops...it is called a compensatory reaction, or in other words it compensates for the low BP. When your BP drops, the body automatically knows it needs more blood to get to the brain, so the heart rate picks up and goes much faster. So many people with NMH or OH have tachycardia when they stand...simply because their BP drops too low and the heart must compensate for the drop. However, POTS is when this increase in heart rate occurs WITHOUT any drop in BP. Two separate conditions...one where heart rate increases all by itself when they stand, and the other where it increases because the BP drops when they stand.

There are several names for BP dropping when standing...NMH and orthostatic hypotension are the most commonly ones used.

Yes, thats why I think that SylvieM probably has NMH/OH, although her neurologist diagnosed POTS.