Heart Palpitations...ugh...

jaime33 · Post by **jaime33** » Sun Jun 28, 2009 9:52 am

Okay so this is my first week and I could really use some advise. I've had every heart test in the book and been to the ER more times than I can count for heart palpitiations. This is where my heart flutters or feels like it's flip flopping or skipping a beat. Then I also have had racing heart where it pounds out of my chest. Every doctor I have been too told me that it's anxiety--including my heart doctor. I just don't understand because sometimes it will happen throughout the day (not just during a panic epsiode) and at those times I won't be thinking about anything that is stressing me out. Usually when I have panic episodes, I have the racing heart not the palpitations. It's when I'm cool, calm and collected that my heart starts skipping a beat or flip flopping. AND THEN I get anxiety about it and start freaking out. I'm at my wits end. I'm so tired and I feel like I am going insane. I feel like there is something wrong with my heart that the doctors aren't catching. Can anyone give me any advise?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 5:03 am

OK I can totally relate to you and am glad you posted this. I have the EXACT same thing happen to me, it started in Dec of last year I would feel palpations and went to the doc in March. I had an EKG and wore a monitor and they found nothing, she also listened to my heart for quite a while and heard no strange beats. Now in the last week I feel my heart flip flopping and it actually stops or skips a beat. I can also feel before it happens in my throat so I went back to my Doc and she was not concerned so she gave my Xanax and told me to take as needed and see if it helps. So I have kept a record of these heart episodes and will show it to her when I go back in 3 weeks and see what she says. When it happens it will happen for about 5 minutes at a time off and on and then stop and 3-4 hours or more later do it again, some days more now than before it will only do it one single time all day but it still worries me. If you look back at all the older posts you will see we are not alone and this is VERY common. Also mine does this when at rest or not anxious and then it makes me anxious and then my heart will pound or speed up because of the palps, but not when I am anxious it happens so I am in the same boat you are and am frustrated that we don't know what’s going on. Hope you have a great day and let me know how you’re feeling. Bobbie

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 6:21 am

I've had those most of my life and have gone to the ER a few times also. I finally had a Dr. tell me I have PVC's premature ventricular contractions that are really harmless so they don't stress me out any more. At least that's one thing I have mastered. I just started on the program today with session 1. It really is great.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 6:23 am

Finally some folks out there with same symptoms. I have been to multitple doctors and had every heart test imaginable as well only to be told that there is nothing wrong with my heart. Prescribed XANAX which seem to help the anxiety at night and when relaxing. We have to look at that as good news although very scary. I have found that blood pressure medication I was taking had a pronouced affect on the condition. Finally convinced my doctor to reduce dosage and have had fewer episodes of irregular heartbeats. I also feel them in throat and stomach area when they occur. I am on Week 10 and still not comfortable relaxing or at bedtime. Get tremor-like feelings in stomach and chest area and tingling in feet and hands. Sleep awakening panic-attacks have diminished I believe as a direct result of some of techniques suggested in the program. Still not beyond what-if thinking and scary thoughts of dying. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

samcat · Post by **samcat** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 6:27 am

I am going through the same thing right now too!!! I hate it! It's like a constant worry and struggle! My heart always races! And I am constantly checking my pulse or my blood pressure which goes way up at the doctors because I have white coat syndrome. My husband and I are trying for a baby which has brought more anxiety to me, because I have MAJOR HEALTH ANXIETY! I just went to my doctor 2 weeks ago and he was listening to my heart and he said I think I can hear a slight murmur, let's have you go get an echocardiogram! AHHHHHHH I freaked out! It's wierd because I was at the gyno 2 weeks before that and she didn't hear anything. So my echocardiogram appointment was last week and my husband took off work to go with me. When I got there I had to take an elevator down to a basement were they would do the echo:( The ultrasound tech was so rude to me. I was crying and saying I needed a minute becuase I was so scared, and she walked out and rolled her eyes at me. So I left I couldn't do it and now I am so dissapointed in myself!!! I am jsut terrified!!! Now my anxiety is through the roof!

So try and take some deap breaths and realize you have been completley checked out and you are fine!!! I am in awe of you because you could actually get the test done! Look how strong you are:)

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 6:51 am

Early on in the condition had similar episodes with testing. Was in emergency room so many times I think they were going to "name" a room after me. I now try to tell myself it is better to know and hopefully catch something early than but it off because of my fears. That is not to say I do work myself up into thinking the worst. Go and have the test, more than likely they will not find anything of serious and it can be treated with medication.

Good luck.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 7:40 am

Oh, I can totally relate. I started noticing the flutters/skipped beats and my anxiety hit the roof. I've been to the ER, called 911, wore a monitor, echo, ekgs, etc. Nothing. All normal. The skipped or extra beats do take my breath away at times, but after all those episodes of panic after feeling the skipped/extra beats and even episodes of a racing heart, I was fine afterwards and still am. I had to realize that I was okay even feeling those things. So now when I feel them, I don't notice them as much but I still notice them, you know? They don't scare me as much but I admit, I do get a little anxious when they're particular strong or when I get a few in a row. Just know and tell yourself "it's normal, dr. said it was okay, and you were fine afterwards like you are now."

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 7:55 am

Hey all,

This topic has been talked about very much in the past.I won't waste your time look through the archives,you should find a lot of info and things people have done to help themselves,best to you !!!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 9:59 am

Just thought I'd reply to this one - I know everyone is different, but I had this exact symptom. You know, where your heart feels like it flutters or thumps and kinda takes your breath away. Turns out, for me, it was my thyroid and I had hypothyroidism. Had it 8 years before a doctor decided to treat it. Hypothyroidism for me gave me alot of peri-menopausal symptoms....I am on synthroid now and will occasionally have that thump still, but at least know what it is and it doesn't bother me anymore. So sometimes it's not even our heart...good to get it checked out though. Have a nice day!