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Question:
Can you help with some information for my brother?
My brother has had heart surgery for blockages and been diagnosed with SVTs and fibromyalgia. My concern is that most of his symptoms are caused by HUGE caffeine consumptions and being misdiagnosed because of his unwillingness to admit he has a problem and not telling the docs of his habit. He consumes at least (2) 2 liters of either Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, or Pepsi max in a 12 hr period. He goes for days not sleeping and when he doesn't, he drinks 4-5 2 liters (at least, that's not counting cans). When he finally does sleep, he crash sleeps for 12-18 hrs. He's very moody, extremely irritable, complains all the time with his back, neck and head hurting, passes out when he stands up sometimes, has stomach problems, heart rates increase with activity therefore he does nothing but watch TV and stay on the computer, on several anxiety meds, VERY angry, depressed, is always tired, ringing in ears, fingers turn white and go numb, etc. From what I've read about caffeine, all of these problems can be caused from caffeine intoxication, but he insists it is the SVTs and fibromyalgia. He read on the web on some obscure diet that caffeine is good for you so he keeps amping it up. He says his cardiologist said to drink it if it helps his pain but I went with him a year ago and the doctor said "STOP" caffeine and "STOP" tobacco use. Can you give me information that would make him realize he needs to stop the caffeine (and tobacco) and see if his symptoms go away. My fear is that he will not because then he can't blame medical conditions for the way he is; it's easier to say there's a medical reason than to say you're causing your symptoms. Can you help with some info?
submitted by Priscilla from Marion, North Carolina, on 10/26/09
Answer:
by Texas Heart Institute cardiologist, Reynolds M. Delgado III, MD
Anxiety and depression are very common in people who have cardiac conditions and need specific therapy, either from a primary care doctor or a psychiatrist. If he is smoking, this is the most concerning issue and needs to be addressed as well. Fear of a cardiac condition is common and often leads to other problems not related to the cardiac condition.
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Updated October 2009
