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What Causes Cardiac Arrhythmia?
Question: Hello,
I am contacting you at the advice of my GI doctor. I have been treated for an overgrowth of Candida Parapisilosis in my mouth, throat, nasal passages( due to long term use (5 years) of broad spectrum antibiotics for acne )for about a year and have been treating this with topical Amphitericin B mostly successfully. 8 weeks ago I was prescribed Voriconazole (Vfend- 200 mg 2x day) to hopefully eradicate the Candida once and for all. 5 days into this drug I started feeling nausea and pressure in my esophagus area. I stayed on this drug for 14 days and finally had to stop due to these side effects. I fully expected this to subside but I am still having the same debilitating nausea and pressure in my chest (esophagus?) and upper stomach pain (gnawing pain) 8 weeks later. I recently went to a GI Dr and had an endoscopy which was normal. No visable sign of stomach irritation, ulceration, or acid. Lab work and biopsies all normal. A quick stain for esophageal fungal was also negative. I am so miserable....only able to stomach rice noodles and small amounts of liquid and my symptoms never let up. I am 26 yrs old, very healthy and have never had any gastro issues in the past. My symptoms are not affected by any foods. My symptoms do not fluctuate. My diet for years has been eating 100% organic, no meat, dairy, eggs, or gluten. I eat preservative-free, and take a high quality probiotic daily. I have never had any gastro issues until taking Voraconazole. My GI doctor is baffled and suggested that I see a cardiologist to check for any heart problems. Is there anything in my story that would lead you to think "heart problems"? I am desperate for relief...Thank you.
I am contacting you at the advice of my GI doctor. I have been treated for an overgrowth of Candida Parapisilosis in my mouth, throat, nasal passages( due to long term use (5 years) of broad spectrum antibiotics for acne )for about a year and have been treating this with topical Amphitericin B mostly successfully. 8 weeks ago I was prescribed Voriconazole (Vfend- 200 mg 2x day) to hopefully eradicate the Candida once and for all. 5 days into this drug I started feeling nausea and pressure in my esophagus area. I stayed on this drug for 14 days and finally had to stop due to these side effects. I fully expected this to subside but I am still having the same debilitating nausea and pressure in my chest (esophagus?) and upper stomach pain (gnawing pain) 8 weeks later. I recently went to a GI Dr and had an endoscopy which was normal. No visable sign of stomach irritation, ulceration, or acid. Lab work and biopsies all normal. A quick stain for esophageal fungal was also negative. I am so miserable....only able to stomach rice noodles and small amounts of liquid and my symptoms never let up. I am 26 yrs old, very healthy and have never had any gastro issues in the past. My symptoms are not affected by any foods. My symptoms do not fluctuate. My diet for years has been eating 100% organic, no meat, dairy, eggs, or gluten. I eat preservative-free, and take a high quality probiotic daily. I have never had any gastro issues until taking Voraconazole. My GI doctor is baffled and suggested that I see a cardiologist to check for any heart problems. Is there anything in my story that would lead you to think "heart problems"? I am desperate for relief...Thank you.
Brief Answer:
No evidence of cardiac involvement, facing your complains.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for asking on HCM!
I understand your concern, and would like to explain that both of your prescribed drugs (Amphotericin B and Voriconazole) are considered to carry a great burden of potential side effects. Nausea, vomiting and gastro-intestinal disturbances are the main side effects observed with their use.
Regarding potential cardiac side effects, there have been identified cardiac arrhythmia (supraventricular tachyarrhythmia, and even life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia), heart failure development, hypertension, or hypotension, etc, with their use.
But facing your complains, there is nothing specific for any potential side effects. I could hardly find any suspicions on possible cardiac involvement (regarding your prescribed complains).
Nevertheless, I would recommend you to perform a cardiology check up, with a careful physical examination, a resting ECG, some lab tests (cardiac enzymes), and cardiac ultrasound, to definitely clarify any possible cardiac implications on your actual status.
Besides, I would recommend to perform a general check up with some blood tests, such as liver and renal function tests, electrolytes, complete blood count, etc, as they may cause respective organ dysfunctions (liver, renal dysfunction, hypokalemia, anemia, etc).
Hope to have been helpful to you.
Feel free to ask me whenever you need.
Greetings! Dr. Iliri
No evidence of cardiac involvement, facing your complains.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for asking on HCM!
I understand your concern, and would like to explain that both of your prescribed drugs (Amphotericin B and Voriconazole) are considered to carry a great burden of potential side effects. Nausea, vomiting and gastro-intestinal disturbances are the main side effects observed with their use.
Regarding potential cardiac side effects, there have been identified cardiac arrhythmia (supraventricular tachyarrhythmia, and even life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia), heart failure development, hypertension, or hypotension, etc, with their use.
But facing your complains, there is nothing specific for any potential side effects. I could hardly find any suspicions on possible cardiac involvement (regarding your prescribed complains).
Nevertheless, I would recommend you to perform a cardiology check up, with a careful physical examination, a resting ECG, some lab tests (cardiac enzymes), and cardiac ultrasound, to definitely clarify any possible cardiac implications on your actual status.
Besides, I would recommend to perform a general check up with some blood tests, such as liver and renal function tests, electrolytes, complete blood count, etc, as they may cause respective organ dysfunctions (liver, renal dysfunction, hypokalemia, anemia, etc).
Hope to have been helpful to you.
Feel free to ask me whenever you need.
Greetings! Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Pradeep Vitta
Answered by
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