Irregular Heartbeat and Palpitations

SeattlePoet
  • By SeattlePoet · September 6, 2012 at 12:31 am · 12 replies
  • In All about arrhythmias
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Hello. I am a 39 year old caring, loving woman who feels that my life is being taken from me from these symptoms. I feel totally hopeless and helpless. Therefore, I am a scared person and feel I am the walking dead. I simply do not know how much longer I can go on like this. I spent about three hours a day online looking for answers, and know I have to reach out for support. I am feeling very alone and I simply do not know what to do. I have CONSTANT irregular heartbeat and palpitations, but they are happening ALL THE TIME and my doctor says there is nothing wrong with me. I have had three EKG’s and have been to the ER as well as a 48 hour monitor and a Cardiologist, who was a complete jerk and his staff should not work with people…they were horribly abusive to me in how they spoke to me and did not take me seriously.
I want to state: I do not eat sugar, drink caffeine (I have been off of it for a month), sodium or high fat foods, do drugs, smoke, drink alcohol and am not on any major medications.
I am taking: Hawthorne, Taurine, Co Q 10, Vitamin B 100 and Vitamin D3. None of it has been helping with the irregular heartbeat though a Chiropractor told me I would.
Yes, I do have stress, but I do not feel in any way that I am having panic attacks. Can someone out there give me consolation, compassion, support, love, whatever you want to give? I have been down this road before, but my heart is doing things that scare me. I CONSTANTLY feel the irregular heartbeat and I feel chest pain and pressure. I feel my heartbeat in my throat. Yet, my primary care doctor, who is a woman, thinks I am crazy and that nothing at all is wrong with me.
After his staff lied to my Cardiologist, he told me I was not welcome in his office anymore b/c I had questions! I felt so degraded and overwhelmed and majorly abused. That is a long story. I have called the Patient Advocacy department and they have not called me back. I need help. He did say I had Sinus Arrythmia and it is PAC’s and that it is causing me to feel the irregular heartbeats, but did not explain much else to me. And he wanted me out of his office. I left his office in a lot of emotional pain and fear. I need help b/c the ER did a chest x ray, a chest cat scan for a pulmonary embolism and an EKG, but that is it.
I went to the ER and the ER doctor was rather arrogant (The doctor was a woman doctor) at a major hospital here in Seattle. I was overwhelmed with her telling me it was just anxiety. There was no explanation to me as to why the palpitations happen constantly except to say that I have anxiety, and that is not a sufficient answer for me.
I went through panic attacks back in 2007, and back then, I would have the panic attacks even in the absence of heart palpitations.
Now, I am getting the heart palpitations in absence of the attacks.
Here are the things that are happening in my life:
1. I have been unemployed since June 29th and it has been hard, but I do not feel in any way that I have been having panic attacks.
2. I Had HORRIBLE vertigo and dizziness these past four months and then in the past month, it went away. But I still have ongoing heart palpitations and irregular heartbeat. How can it be panic if I am not having attacks?
3. I have gone off of Prozac and I have removed myself off of caffeine for a month.

I need help for coping. I feel totally alone. I wake up with these Irregular heartbeats and palpitations. I go to bed with them. I pray to God they will stop.
I have suffered so much in this state and recently and I wonder how much longer the suffering will continue…I have been laid off on June 29th and lost my health insurance on July 31st. I have used up my husband’s five visits he had on this limited benefit plan. I have no benefits left. I am completely despondent…I feel I need to see an Electrophysiologist and a cardiologist for a second opinion b/c I have been treated horribly by the doctors here.
I am from the East Coast, and have been VERY UNHAPPY with medical care here in Seattle. I feel that the doctors would rather die than help someone. They are cold and compassionless. I grew up near Washington D.C. and our medical care was a lot better.
Right now, I am wondering if there is something they have not missed…And I feel I need an Echo…then the other part of me is wondering if this is just some weird manifestation of panic or if this is withdrawal from Prozac and caffeine and this is the manifestation…
I have tried: Acupuncture, meditation, breathing techniques, sleeping, herbal remedies (listed above), water, eating very, very healthy and numerous other things to no avail…The Palpitations and irregular heartbeat just continue, and continue.
I also have pain and heaviness in my chest.
Can someone…anyone, please tell me how to cope? I am totally hopeless here.
Rebekah

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12 replies   

rbc7293

Find a new cardiologist asap - more to ease your mind than anything else. When I went to the ER with a heart rate of 150+ and it barely hitting 110 before leaving, I was told anxiety anxiety blah blah blah. YES I have anxiety. And panic attacks. But there was something wrong. Since I started taking even a super low dose of beta blocker, I feel A LOT better, but this was after one cardiologist and an ER doctor who told me to RELAX! Ugh! If one more person was going to tell me to RELAX to solve my heart problem . . . Anyhow...you get the point. Yes, anxiety can cause palpitations, but wouldn't it be better if a doctor took you seriously and completely checked you out and THEN told you nothing was wrong?? So, my advice is to go to another cardiologist and maybe even another one after that if you need to. As I've read around these boards, a lot of doctor dismiss heart patients as just having anxiety, and that's just a shame!

Please don't feel hopeless! Things will get better!!

take care!

laurali

Hi! So sorry you are going through such a hard time right now.
A few things jumped out at me from your note: how long ago did you discontinue taking Prozac? I know people who have had terrible withdrawal symptoms -- for a long period of time -- after quitting this Rx.
You sound somewhat isolated: Do you have a friend or relative who can accompany you to a doctor's appointment? Having someone with you who isn't feeling desperate and ill can really help you and the doctor sort things out.
Are you eating healthy food, on a regular schedule? Are you drinking plenty of water throughout the day?

I have experienced panic attacks in my life and know that the symptoms are not always the same. Do you have a therapist in the Seattle area? There are always people who will see you on a "sliding scale" type of payment. Or, call Seattle's Public Health Dept. and get a referral from them. A good therapist can help and support you while you continue to seek satisfactory medical advice. Have any of the doctors you've seen suggested an Rx to help with your anxiety? If your conditions worsen, go to a nearby ER; they are required to help you. Hope things get better for you.
Hugs, laurali

BeeBush

Have you had your electrolytes tested? When they are low, you will have a rapid heart beat and an irregular heartbeat. Your problem could be something as simple as that. Or not. Laurali is giving you good advice to contact your health department. Don't know about your state, but here in Texas, you can call 211 and they can refer you to programs for help.

mamaellie

Hello,

I hope you do not mind my input. Why have you gone off Prozac and how much were you taking?

I use to take 10 mg a day and it really took the edge off ever so slightly, but enough for me to function
without freaking out when I went grocery shopping. wHO KNEW GROCERY SHOPPING COULD BE
ENOUGH TO FREAK ANYONE !!!!!! And why are you off of coffee? Is this a dietary
restriction. Going off coffee would not be the source of your symptoms.

Panic attacks happen differently in individuals and yours could be manifesting themselves differently
than before. not unusual at all. Whenever I got a panic attack, my eye would twitch, so everyone is
different.

Panic attacks can cause a fib, so maybe it would be worth going on a low dose of prozac to see
if there is an improvement.

Seattle is a big city, so finding another cardio should not be difficult. Did you have a cardio back
east?
If so, contact the office and maybe they have a recommendation.

The heaviness in your chest is definitely a serious symptom and you should get another opinion.

eflie

I agree about beta blockers. Why did you stop your Prozac? That should help a bit with anxiety.
Last year I was having irregular heartbeats and felt it in my throat. I went to an electrophysiologist and was diagnosed with Mahaim syndrome. It is where your ventricles miss a beat, and the heart beats funny for a while. Because the blood backs up, I felt beating and fulliness in my throat. I could have an ablation done to stop this - it is an electrical issue in the heart, but it is not so bad. I just live with it for now. Knowing what is going on helps alot with the fear.
I live in Illinois, but I know most major hospitals have clinics for patients who do not have insurance or limited insurance. Check out the hospitals in Seattle. Kaiser Permanente is supposed to be excellent. Find out about financial aid.
Good luck.

kittysheart

Dear Rebekah,
Unfortunately the signs of these times affects the stress of so many of us. I'm sorry you are experiencing this on top of your medical conditions. What you describe in what you are feeling are serious concerns. Please continue to find a primary care doctor to recommend blood work-up tests, etc. to pinpoint because there are so many things that can mimic different kinds of illness. Energy drinks, even natural fortified vitamin ones, can spike your adreniline and give you paps too. Hopefully it can be simply diet related out of sync. What are some side affects of Hawthorne? While it is natural, not everyone has tolerance or may have allergy reactions. We know our bodies the best and if you are not feeling well please continue to seek care. Please don't let a rude medical physician influence you and continue to find one who will listen and check it. Sometimes cardiologists do not like to get too close to their patients so keep distance so they don't get emotionally hurt too they do not realize their own rudeness towards the patient. They can be short to the point and dismissive. There are many doctors out there are i'm sure you can find a more caring one to have these medical concerns checked out and bring someone close to you with the visit like your husband as an advocate for you. Did you contact the Department of Human Services in your State? They may have some suggestions and a good area for additional resources for finances with medical. In the meantime, you will need to learn some things about yourself - to keep a log of when and what you are feeling, what activity you are doing at the time, etc. What relaxes you? It can be closing your eyes and envisioning peaceful calm ocean waves as entering shore sand with sweet smell of fresh salty air while you silently count 1-2-3 taking in deep breaths through your nose and exhale slowly out of your mouth. Maybe listening to soothing music can relax you. In my prayers, I'm asking for comfort for you, help you find doctor with wisdom to check your conditions more thoroughly, for employment opportunities, for family and friends to help with your immediate needs and may the angels be looking over you always ...^j^

shamal

I think all of the advice people responded with are excellent. My first thoughts were:
heart rhythm problems can cause anxiety
anxiety can cause heart rhythm problems
over the counter herbs are not controlled substances so who knows what you are getting
foods are the best source of vitamins and minerals to help control the heart rhythm-such as bananas
a couple of blood tests over about 6 months time can help identify malfunctioning thyroid,low magnesium levels etc. which can influence the heart.
Valium,Prozac etc. can all help with anxiety to a certain extent, but abruptly stopping them or even cutting back dramatically can be a problem both mentally and physically.
Taking deep deliberate breaths can really help slow a racing heart down to a normal rate.
moderate exercise is helpful
caffeine sometimes shows up in places like chocolate,energy drinks,tea etc.
Finding an excellent health care professional who will LISTEN rather than JUDGE is vital!!

mhills

Rebekah,

I'm sorry about what you're going through, but let me give you some quick suggestions for your arrhythmia and PACs, based on the experience of the atrial fibrillation patient community. Magnesium is important to help calm the heart (magnesium glycinate is the best form, not the oxide, citrate, or aspartate forms). And staying hydrated is crucial - water is good, mineral water is even better, initially, until your body is stable. The CoQ10 you're taking is good; also consider fish oil (for Omega-3s) as there has been some research that it can help quiet the heart. And since you're having arrhythmias and are female, are you taking aspirin?

Once you get the heart under control, then find yourself new doctors.

Is there any possibility that you might have sleep apnea?

Good luck.

Mellanie (of StopAfib.org)

shamal
  • By shamal
  • Reply 3363631 · In reply to 3363171 by mhills
  • September 10, 2012 at 12:42 pm
  • Report post

Mellanie,
Great suggestions but I have a question regarding tripling up (aspirin,cq10,and fish oil) on blood thinners. Couldn't this make the blood too thin(which could lead to bleeding problems)?My husband tried all three(at the same time) and he got so bruised he looked like a bunch of rotten bananas(he was also taking Plavix. He cut back on the fish oil and cq10 and now things seem to be going well.

mhills

Shamal,

Aspirin, CoQ10, and fish oil should be fine together, but I wouldn't take them with Plavix or any other blood thinning agent. Anyone on Plavix (antiplatelet) or an anticoagulant, such as Coumadin/warfarin, Pradaxa, or Xarelto, should ask their doctor about taking these over-the-counter items with their medications due to the potential for interaction or for them to interfere with one another.

Mellanie

Chicken74

I take the new blood thinner, Efferent but I have some unpleasant side effects from the medication but I figure that is better than dieing from a stroke:-)

Chicken74

I do have have a irregular thuding that the surgery was suppose to take care of but when I get upset that happens or very rarely when I don't. I think stress or medicine could be doing it. I go see my heart surgeon Monday.

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