Serious health question

[Mr.DooDah]

Hey guys, I have been having heart palpitations for years but latley they seem to be getting stronger and more frequent. This morning I was awaken at 4:30 with a grip of fear that I was having a heart attack.
It finaly subsided and I am realizing that yes Im not having a heart attack but a full blown Anxiety attack, do any of you guys have this problem?

What do you do to fix it when you go through it? I am not taking medication for it although I have, I stoped taking it a few months ago. I was told that Kava is good for anxiety but I have also heard that it can cause liver problems.

Any help in this would be very helpful, even just talking about helps me.
Thanks guys!

[Roo719]

I'm far from a doctor, but my intial advice will probably be like everyone else's...go seek professional help. Such an attack is a sign of something larger. YOu might be under a huge amount of stress or there might be something physically going on you aren't aware of. Any advice given here is good, but not good enough. Take to your doctor and get checked out!

And then report back what happened, so we know you're okay.

The mere fact you've not reported to a doctor means that this is something new you've never experienced before or that you might not think it's severe enough.

Go down the line with your own diagnostic. What has changed in your life (mental or physical). Are you on medications that could do this? Are you under a different, emotional stressor?

I'm of the firm belief that sickness is a sign of something else not right in our lives. When I'm sick, it's due to stress and my immune system giving way. I start there and find out what's bothering me, and make sure that's removed or, at least, lessened.

But, like I said before, speak to a doctor as soon as possible.

Feel better and peace,
Roo

[Mr.DooDah]

Oh yeah I guess I did forget to mention, I have seen doctors over the years and I have had stress tests and ekg's and xrays and all have come back negative for any heart problems. Yes I do have major stress in my life and think it stems from there. As far as diagnostics my doctor said my blood test came back better than hers.

I think its mostly Anxiety..

[Mac Daddy]

Mr. Doodah...

We were just KIDDING about your execution!!

In all seriousness, if you are still having them today, get to an ER and have them check you out. I have the same thing and was told it was the amount of caffein I was taking in. My palpitations usually start when I have 14 mountain dews or if I hang out at starbucks all day.

But DEFINITELY get checked out! This isn't something you want to procrastinate on! We really DO want you around, so take care of yourself!

[Churro]

More than one person close to me has this type of problem. Both of these people were sent home with a portable heart monitor that detects any palpatations or irregularities and records them. Then when you turn the monitor back in, the doctor goes over them to see exactly what the problem is, and how to fix it. You may be experiencing something called PVT's and this is fairly common, but still needs to be checked.
If it is just stress though, there are many anti-anxiety medications available now. Good luck.

[Hakuna Makarla]

Aww Sorry bud I do not have any advice, but I do hope you are doing well and seek out a doc to get some thing to help you. If its stress, you ned to get onto something for it. I hope all is well, take care of your self, I look forward to seeing you on here

[Hakuna Makarla]

oh I miss your avatar again, I just love the knee;s now I am feeling some sort of anxiety Love ya, and remember we are here for ya!!

[jes77]

You definitely need to get re-checked -- just in case (better safe than sorry -- I would hate for you to be having a heart attack and just blow it off as an anxiety attack) We want to see you around for a while

I am a pharmacist, and I do have anxiety attacks -- which really freaked me out cause it started when I was 24. I was scared I had some kinda of heart defect or something, but I had all the tests (stress, EKG, blood, Holter monitor) and the only thing they found was that my heart seems to beat really fast sometimes for no reason and NOT when I was having chest pain or anything (like when I am sleeping, reading, etc) The doctor wanted me to go on meds for this, but being the pharmacist that I am, I felt the side effects where not worth the benefits. So I went on antidepressants for the anxiety, and it actually really helped.
(Even with the fast heart rate I think - which leads me to believe it really was really just the stress/anxiety all along; must have been something subconscious) So there are things that may help but you definitely need to speak with your md before you try anything (even herbal medication - cause YES they are medications too)

So, take some deep breaths--try to do something relaxing today--and make an appointment with your MD Monday

And don't forget to tune in next week same time same channel for your next installment of Pharmacist Corner where I will be answering more viewer questions such as "What is anal leakage and what can I do about it?" and "Do these OTC Viagra supplements really work?" (whoo hoo I can't wait )

Don't forget -- laughter is the best medicine!! (Oh and BTW -- These are all true questions I have been asked by patients -- wow!)


Good Luck
Jessica
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[penguinsoda]

I'm going to tell you the same thing everyone else has. Even though they have not found anything before, its always better to have it checked out everytime no matter what. Just because they didn't find something the first time, things can change. Most likely its just to much caffeine, maybe even a slight imbalance of your electrolytes, and yes, stress is a big factor and can affect your parasympathic nervous system. And actually what you feel are caused by PVC's (premature ventricular contractions)or rarely but sometimes a rhythm called atrial fibrilation. I'm a monitor tech at a hospital, I look at and diagnose heart rhythms for a living, and I started out as an EKG technician. A lot of people have these palpatations and never notice them. They can also come and go for no apparent reason. (Yeah, I've had them, I hook myself up to the monitors at work sometimes when I'm bored. ) If you haven't ever had a 24 hour holter monitor, I'd ask for that next. They may still not be able to find anything, but never assume that it will take care of itself and go away.

In the mean time, try to avoid to much caffeine, alcohol ( ), and try to practice some type of relaxation techniques such as meditation.

[Mr.DooDah]

Thank you guys so much for your advice, right now my heart is beating out of my chest and I am seriously considering going to the ER, but every time I go they take an xray a stress test and give me morphine and tell me its nothing. And send me home witha prescription for xanax or some other type of mental drug.

I also notice that it goes awayu when I become involved with other things like writing and thinking on other stuff.

But incase I dont make it just know that I love talking to you all and I consider you all my friend. Yes I know Im all drama. lol

But really I think its all stress.

[Mr.DooDah]

"Do these OTC Viagra supplements really work?" (whoo hoo I can't wait )

Don't forget -- laughter is the best medicine!! (Oh and BTW -- These are all true questions I have been asked by patients -- wow!)


Good Luck
Jessica

I cant wait for this one.

question, I notice I get alot of belching during the episodes and the palpatations subside for a little bit and than come back. Can stomach problems bring it on?

[Radiobarry]

My wife, the emergency room nurse...says get to the ER pronto...it's nothing to be fooled around with.

As for me, I'm a spritual counselor of sorts, and I believe that there is an underlying mental/emotional cause that needs to be addressed here also.

In the meantime, I speak for word for the power of prayer (however you wish to accept that) and know that healing is at work in YOUR BODY right now.

Don't forget -- laughter is the best medicine!!

I like Marx Brothers movies, Dick Vam Dyke and I Love Lucy episodes. That's the Rx.

Blessings to you -

Barry

[Alchimedes]

I had some of the exact symptoms before the Holidays. I went to my Doctor, and had a Holt(sp) Monitor for 24 hours. Didn't really find too much other that I needed to cut out my Caffeine intake, and get more rest. There were some work loads piling up.

So since I have cut back a bit on those particular areas(in my case) It has not returned. I'm not a doctor but please get that checked out. All the best to you Mr Doodah.

[MAXandBELLESmom]

my hubby had similar episodes and after trying xanax was eventually diagnosed with reflux, hasnt had a "panic attack" since he started taking the reflux meds. with your tummy issues, might be somethingto look into
hope you feel better.

[Mr.DooDah]

Originally Posted by Radiobarry

My wife, the emergency room nurse...says get to the ER pronto...it's nothing to be fooled around with.

As for me, I'm a spritual counselor of sorts, and I believe that there is an underlying mental/emotional cause that needs to be addressed here also.

In the meantime, I speak for word for the power of prayer (however you wish to accept that) and know that healing is at work in YOUR BODY right now.



I like Marx Brothers movies, Dick Vam Dyke and I Love Lucy episodes. That's the Rx.

Blessings to you -

Barry

I serriously think your onto something there. Im so gratefull for your prayers. Also Last night I began meditation and I also took bayer and it stoped palpitating. Im not sure if it was the relaxing or the pills since they both work for me.