Useful technique for SVT attacks
Posted , 85 users are following.
Hi, just had an SVT attack and thought I would share with you all the technique that just worked for me, and it's worked twice before as well.
Basically you just lay on your right hand side, curl up into a bit of ball (ie knees tucked up and head forwards, fetal position) and then just completely relax, make sure you're horizontal, especially your head and neck. Don't know why it works, but it seems like for me it does. Funnily enough lying on my left hand side can sometimes trigger SVT. Weird eh?
I had already tried the 'breath in deeply and hold your breath for 10 seconds' and 'breath out hard through a narrow tube' methods and they didn't help.
Anyway, remember it and hopefully it might help someone.
Simon.
17 likes, 170 replies
stewart71148 Guest
Posted
Old post, I realize but a good technique. At least for the time being this is working well for me. I've been needing to correct my SVT a few times each day. The bearing down had been working for me; it seems for me with any of the techniques it helps to lie down on the floor while doing it.
kmatadobra Guest
Posted
Same, however I lie flat on my back. It's a bit hard as a pregnant teacher, but I have found that to be the only thing that stops it. Staying completely calm and lying horizontal. My episodes are entirely stress-induced, so it is essential for me to find that quiet, happy place as well!
jodie274 Guest
Posted
Hello everyone. I dont usually comment in forums, so hope I do this right. My husband was just having an episode and I found this place from looking for ways to stop the rhythm. I actually had him try Simon's way, of laying on his right side in the fetal position but it didnt work. This attack went on for 2 and a half hours! After more than half that time, he asked me for a Xanax.....I knew he had some, but had no idea his Dr had specifically told him to take one for SVT!! It was even on the bottle. I would have gave it to him right away had I known! Anyway, about 40 minutes later it stopped but not sure if it was the xanax on the threat of the ER, or moving from the bedroom to the couch. Anyone else have success with Xanax, or any other medicine you only take as needed? He has been dealing with this since he was a kid, he is 35 now. He's had TWO ablation surgeries. Doesnt want to take any daily meds. He is a corrections officer- very stressful. Drinks Mountain Dew
He recently went to night shift a couple months ago and it is NOT working for us and our family so going back to day shift soon. He was off last night (Sunday night), but up until around 5 pm Sunday, he had only got 4 hours of sleep since Friday early morning. I read somewhere sleep deprivation can bring on an attack. Also, swimming, rather just being in a pool or lake, would bring it on- anyone else? Anyway, guess I am just telling the big picture of everything and wondering if anyone has any advice for us on anything, but mostly just nice to know we aren't alone. Thanks!
Crsta42r jodie274
Posted
Check out this link.
I just went to the gastroenterologist today and explained my condition and he says it could be because of the food I eat that causes excess gas in my stomach that presses on my heart and the vagus nerve. I'm going to try and change my diet, take an acid reducer, but he also ordered tests. SVT sucks, I'm trying to get FMLA for my job because of this. Sometimes I wake up with this before I'm supposed to go to work and it's hard to stop the attack. I'm sorry he's going through this.
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linda90194 jodie274
Posted
rickper jodie274
Posted
Did the Doc's say why is 2 ablations failed, you would think with the percentage of success they put on it after 2 it would have worked
linda83225 Crsta42r
Posted
At last, I feel vindicated! I've always said (see my post from ages ago) that my SVT is linked to gas in my stomach and if I get rid of the gas by burping the SVT stops. Doctors have never been interested in this. I hope you get a resolution to your SVT.
rickper linda83225
Posted
Crsta42r linda83225
Posted
Hi Linda! I was given a prescription for an acid reducer, the name of it starts with an O. I took one last night ate a piece of pizza with beer and I had no issues. Today I feel great, took one at breakfast and I was able to eat an egg wrap and now I'm eating lomaine noodles with veggies and chicken and I feel less stuffed and I don't feel flutters. Definitely check into getting an acid reducer. I'm so glad that I did. Hope you feel better.
Crsta42r
Posted
It's called Omeprazole
Crsta42r rickper
Posted
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kmatadobra Crsta42r
Posted
Hi Crsta42r,
Have you tried probiotics to heal reflux? I did! I drank fermented cabbage juice anytime I felt reflux coming on, or as a preventative. I couldn't believe it, but I don't have reflux now. A good brand is Farmer's Brand: Gut Shot - the beet flavor is really good!
Also, try to avoid meat while you are healing! Over and over again, a plant-based diet (with some meat, but mostly plants) heals and is shown to heal... https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3662288/
Hoping a reflux free road to recovery for you!
linda83225 Crsta42r
Posted
Hi Crista
Thanks for yr msg. I already take Omeprazole (prescribed to protect stomach when taking Ibuprofen - I rarely take the latter now but I do get acid reflux and take the Omeprazole every other day). I think but I may be wrong that gas and acid reflux are different. I don't get an SVT flutter with acid reflux but I do when I have excess wind in my stomach and as I say burping usually helps. The trouble is the Omeprazole can cause other problems which is why I try to take it only every other day - don't know if it makes any difference but one can but try. If you didn't get excess wind after pizza and beer the O must be working for you.
Crsta42r Guest
Posted
Hi. Thanks for the advice. I used to take pro biotics, maybe I'll go back to that. Thank you
col94592 Guest
Posted
Currently being tested for possible SVT. I've been having episodes for years now without realising what it was as they were very minor and short-lived. but recently they began to be much more frequent and severe, causing dizziness, sweating and general discomfort. So I made a doctors appointment and lo-and-behold I had an episode during the consultation. the doc said my bpm was up 190 and he flicked the panic button and called the paramedics. of course it had passed after a couple of minutes and I'm now awaiting an ultrasound and a 72hr monitor to try and catch it to make a proper diagnosis.
?I can handle it most times but it has a habit of ambushing you when you're not in a position to deal with it. like a week or two ago when I bumped into a friend in the street and in the middle of the conversation WHAMMO!
?Having a bad day today at work today, had two severe ones this morning which leaves me feeling a bit washed out. I can go for a day or two without any and most times they're only short but it I have to deal with it straight away or they can last longer which are not good at all. Hopefully i'll get to the bottom of it soon and find solution but in the meantime waiting for the appointments seems like an eternity!
?I do duffer from some anxiety but i'm beginning to wonder if its a chicken and egg situation and its the SVT that's causing the anxiety and not the other way round.
?Incidentally, the episodes began to be more frequent right around the time I entered into buying my first ever property. They say its one of the most stressful things and maybe they're right!
?Anyway, thanks for all the tips, some of which I hadn't come across before but will certainly try out.
?Here's hoping for a good outcome for me, and also for you all. Cheers!