palpitations

To: anyone
I suffer from chronic neck and shoulder pain due to nerve damage and disc problems.  I have been taking codeine for about 4-5 years and about 8 months ago began experiencing heart palpitations.  I freaked out thinking I am having a heart attack.  I was taking zanax at the time for panic attacks so I stopped taking that thinking that was causing the problem but that didn't seem to make any difference.  I saw a heart specialist who did a stress test and determined my heart is just fine but when I finished the test my heart was palpitating so badly I could barely breath.  My regular doc put me on blood pressure medicine to help the symptoms. It helps somewhat but they are still there.  I wake up first thing with shortness of breath and palpitations until I take my heart meds.  Does anyone know if long term use of codeine can actually cause palpitations even though I took the codeine for years without any heart issues.  I would like to get off of these anyway but would really like to know if this is the cause.  Thanks!

[toxictome]

Welcome to the forum. I don't know whether long term use of codeine causes palps or not...but if your Dr. said your heart is ok..it probaly is....it kind of sounds like panic attacks or stress related to me...but i'm no Dr...i had the same issue and got checked out by a cardiologist...he told me it was caused by stess.
Good luck and keep posting!

[gizzy32]

im bumping this post to top, so you get a response. im not sure the answer.

[gizzy32]

thanks toxic, lol, that was quick

[toxictome]

I'm really not quick..i was prol' already typing...by the time i fix all the mistakes...it takes about 5 mins for me to do a short post...LOL..i type soooo slow!!

Lots of times it will be a new post..and by the time i get my answer typed (and corrected) there are 3 or 4 responses...hehe

smart..but slow!!!!  lol

[worried878]

I have the chronic neck and shoulder pain as well......not saying this is your problem but I was having a gripping sensation in my chest...this is before i used narcs...It was awful and would wake my up at night and I felt like I could not breath...did the stress test and all and my heart was fine...Some of my problems are in my thoracic spine and was affecting my ribs where they attach to the sternum...it will spasm and I feel like i can not breath and have to wait it out...My chiropractor is the one who finaly helped me with this...still happens from time to time

[charliecallie]

Palpitations:  I would want to know if you are a female within the perimenopausal/ menapausal age range.  If you are between 40-60 years old with palpitations that could be part of menopause and truly nothing to worry about.

[flmagi]

I was just going to mention the menopause thing, because I did experiance some palpitations during menopause.
Some other possibilities are:Caffeine, sugar,chocolate, energy drinks,body building powders or pills, antihistamines.

[Palpitations]

Thanks for the info.  Yes I am a female age 43 and my doctor did mention that to me as well.  I am under alot of stress too so I really don't know what to think just that it has been going on for like 8 months.  It came on suddenly and I am wondering if it is menopause how long can it last?