RLR
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Well, I'm an old and tired neurologist from the U.S., although the UK does at times seem very inviting purely from a scenic point of view. As for whining, I never perceive such to be the case with patients regardless of the nature of the complaint. Okay, let's take a look at your concerns:
If you're referring to a transesophageal echogram, then the potential for this procedure to have caused a long-term change in status is quite remote. While the procedure can cause events during the course of diagnostics, it's not been known to have lingering effects in my experience.
It's not uncommon for benign palpitations to change their presentation over time relative to the degree of environmental stress one may be experiencing. I am naturally unable to determine the level of stress you may be experiencing, but I can tell you that the anxiety associated with healthcare concerns is quite remarkable indeed and patients rarely state they "feel" anxious. Nevertheless, its consequences can be very broad and thorough in the ability to influence the nervous system.
In cases where patients experience what appears to be multiple episodes, more common than you may realize, then pharmaceutical intervention for the short term may be wise to help you gain a better emotional foothold on the disorder. Atenolol in the 25 to 50mg range is an excellent choice and at low doses, does a wonderful job in regulating heart rate, but in addition also has a mild anxiolytic effect that helps reduce symptoms relative to labile parasympathetic responses that tend to permit the Vagus nerve to over-respond to the heart. It is not a very invasive drug and unless you're diabetic, then it's a great choice to help relieve symptoms until you've conquered your fears about the presence of the disturbances. Also, depending upon whether you're experiencing GI symptoms, then getting it under control will help reduce the occurences as well.
In any event, it's important for you to understand that regardless of the number of events, they are not doing damage whatsoever, nor will they ever be tantamount to a cardiac event. I've never even heard of such a case in more than 40 years of practice, so that should shed some light on the odds that something bad might happen. It's just not the case. I realize that they frighten you and more lately have come to represent an all out nusiance. Trust me that patients have gone to great lengths to express their particular hatred and frustration with me.
As for feeling "hot" you have to realize that Vagal stimulation is through and through, meaning that it just doesn't affect the heart when it occurs, but rather the signal can transduce to any other area innervated by the Vagus nerve. This is why some patients report coughing sometimes when the events occur, because the Vagus nerve also innervates the larnyx and the sensation can draw forth a cough impulse. Any change is homeostasis, or normal operating procedures by the body, can induce changes in sensory factors. Rapid changes in blood pressure and circulation can make one feel hot and often feel pressure around the ears. The body is merely responding to bring the body back to its normal state.
The entirety of your symptoms appear to rest within the realm of autonomic fluctuations as a consequence of emotional anxiety. You've undergone diagnostic tests with a clean bill of health, so again, while the disturbances are most bothersome, they do not indicate the progression to any serious event at all. I would discuss the use of atenolol with your physician and also make certain that your thyroid values, including an antibody titre, are normal. You're going to be just fine.
Best regards and Good Health
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