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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
MVP, panic attacks, etc.
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MVP, panic attacks, etc.
by Elizabeth, Nov 26, 1999 12:00AM
Hi. I am an 18 year old female who has recently been through some very troublesome experiences. The day before I went off to college a friend and I decided to try the drug ecstacy. I knew this was not a good idea because 1-it was a drug, 2-I have always been afraid to take ANY meds. even aspirin due to a fear it would hurt me somehow. Anyway, for the first two hours after taking ecstacy, I was fine (I think it may be important to mention that I was already checking my pulse right after I swallowed the pill). However, when I returned home I noticed my heart rate was much higher than normal, I started to panic and so I thought I would try to take a cold shower, no help, I bent over to turn the water on and my heart was pounding and it skipped three times in a row (skip...beat...skip). For a month after that my heart would race every time I got into the shower. I just knew I was going to fall over dead! I did not want to tell anyone, although I wish I had now. I went to college the next day and I felt a little groggy but not bad after the 3-hour trip.
That night after everyone had left I was fine, emotions were high of course. When I laid down to go to sleep I felt my heart skipping again! This sent me into a state of panic. This happened EVERY night I was there (three weeks) untill I just could not take it anymore. I would never go to class for fear of falling over dead, I would do NOTHING that got my heart rate up and forget leaving the room, I wanted to be there in case I needed someone. I was on the verge of a nervous breakdown and soon after that I withdrew from college and came home. After this I made an appt. w/ a cardio. and told everyone exactly what happened. I had an EKG (normal) and an echo (showed a mild case of MVP). My cardio seems to think that this drug brought the onset of panic. I have always had terrible anxiety, but never have I felt the fear that I feel when my heart races now. Could the first episode w/ the pill have been v.Tach.?!! I am still afraid to exercise and I used to do it all the time ( went to the YMCA 3 times a week and played 3 sports in high school) I find myself being depressed a lot because I feel like I can not do ANYTHING!! Everyone, even my dr., says I can do whatever i want, but I just can't seem to shake my fears. Do you think that this is psychological or physical? Do you think that I experienced V.Tach.? I have never had an episode like the first, is it possible for a drug to cause a short term problem, what do you think happened that night? Do I need more heart tests or psychological help? PLEASE HELP!! THANK YOU!
That night after everyone had left I was fine, emotions were high of course. When I laid down to go to sleep I felt my heart skipping again! This sent me into a state of panic. This happened EVERY night I was there (three weeks) untill I just could not take it anymore. I would never go to class for fear of falling over dead, I would do NOTHING that got my heart rate up and forget leaving the room, I wanted to be there in case I needed someone. I was on the verge of a nervous breakdown and soon after that I withdrew from college and came home. After this I made an appt. w/ a cardio. and told everyone exactly what happened. I had an EKG (normal) and an echo (showed a mild case of MVP). My cardio seems to think that this drug brought the onset of panic. I have always had terrible anxiety, but never have I felt the fear that I feel when my heart races now. Could the first episode w/ the pill have been v.Tach.?!! I am still afraid to exercise and I used to do it all the time ( went to the YMCA 3 times a week and played 3 sports in high school) I find myself being depressed a lot because I feel like I can not do ANYTHING!! Everyone, even my dr., says I can do whatever i want, but I just can't seem to shake my fears. Do you think that this is psychological or physical? Do you think that I experienced V.Tach.? I have never had an episode like the first, is it possible for a drug to cause a short term problem, what do you think happened that night? Do I need more heart tests or psychological help? PLEASE HELP!! THANK YOU!
Doctor's Answer
by CCF CARDIO MD JMF, Nov 26, 1999 12:00AM
Dear Elizabeth,
It is likely that this drug brought on both the arrhythmia and panic attacks. You should do your absolute best to avoid this drug and any other stimulants including caffeine as you are prone to these extra beats.
It should discuss these symptoms with your cardiolgist or internist to determine if more testing is required.
It is likely that this drug brought on both the arrhythmia and panic attacks. You should do your absolute best to avoid this drug and any other stimulants including caffeine as you are prone to these extra beats.
It should discuss these symptoms with your cardiolgist or internist to determine if more testing is required.
Elizabeth, I hope you are getting proper care for your panic disorder. This is best accomplished by seeing a psychiatrist who knows how to diagnose and treat anxiety disorders, and is willing to use meds, including benzodiazepines (i.e. Xanax, Klonopin), if necessary.
I've had panic disorder for many years. I'm on Zoloft and Klonopin.
Chip
Elizabeth, I hope you are getting proper care for your panic disorder. This is best accomplished by seeing a psychiatrist who knows how to diagnose and treat anxiety disorders, and is willing to use meds, including benzodiazepines (i.e. Xanax, Klonopin), if necessary.
I've had panic disorder for many years. I'm on Zoloft and Klonopin.
Chip