DJ's story continued........ back to personal stories from people who have IST
Around this time I noticed that I was getting palpitations again with my pulse rate being 160 bpm during these attacks. I wondered �is this what happens when you get old and die of a heart attack�. I made a mental note to mention these episodes to my doctor. However shortly afterwards was my hospital admission.
The diagnosis took a while to come with hiccups on the way. The first prescription for Inderal was not strong enough to keep it under control so a higher dose was needed. The cardiologist, who wasn�t an EP, felt that it would �settle down� and took me off the Inderal. The heart rate became very high, however when I went back to the cardiologist to report this I was told not to come back. My workplace �counselled� me over my health prompting me to change jobs.
However the higher dose of inderal did keep it more in check. After collecting copies of all medical tests, reports and records I sought a 2nd opinion this time from an EP who stated it was IST. The EP has recommended a longer acting beta blocker, exercise program and explained the possibility of a para and sympathetic nervous system inbalance (dysautonmia).
I�m still learning about the condition and identifying the triggers. Doctors need to take patients complaints of fatigue seriously so they get diagnosed and thus treated more quickly. I feel doctors, especially in relation to female patients, are too quick to assume that the cause is depression or anxiety (but offer no treatment to prove or disprove this theory). I know to listen to my body and to pace myself, however still have fatigue. Workwise I�m awaiting the outcome of a part time job I�ve applied for and if unsuccessful will request a part time working arrangement.
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