heart skipping

[nursechrista]

im sure there has been stuff on here about this before but im new here.  I have had trouble with my heart skipping for years and everytime it scares me as much as it did the first time.  I have had every work up known to man on my heart and its all good but that doesnt seem to help me.  Every skip brings me into a panic.  I just went to my cardio doc and he said to just get over it, its fine.  Does anyone else focus on their heart like me.  

[AmorDeJay]

Yup, I focus on it EVERY DAY. Have actually been having heart palpitations today and it's making me so nervous even after having every test imagineable.  You are not alone but if you have been checked out physically then please believe it IS just anxiety, although it's very bothersome.  Believe me, I know.

[Goldmoon]

I'm not sure how old you are, but I had the same thing when I was younger. For me, it lasted until I was in my early twenties after which time I didn't notice the skipping anymore and my heartbeat actually got to be more regular. I recall my doctor saying that most people will grow out of an irregular heartbeat. Every once in a while, I get heart palpitations, which I really hate. Sometimes it feels like my heart actually stops beating for several seconds, which makes me check my pulse to make sure it is still beating. Fortunately, it always is!

[fuzzy882]

Yes, and you know why? because we have such beautiful hearts. lol, that's what I was told by my cardio. I have gone through this off and on for over 30  years. I know it's scarry, I know they can take over, but if your dr. told you your heart is fine and you have had every test known to man then I guess you are just going to have to believe him.  It's tough, but you will find with time and good support that they will ease. I imagine you have been told that the more you obsess the more there gonna be?  Believe me, one day your going to wake up and something else will be in your thought's and this will all be put well behind you.

Have a wonderful evening.

[gentle51]

I have the skip problem a few times a week. I notice it happens when I am in a anxious state. I just remind myself I am ok and move on. I realize it is not so simple but worrying about it makes things way worse.

I hope you find the comfort you need here, Take care.

[nursechrista]

I am 50 by the way so i should of out grown them lol.  

[be still my beating heart 13]

I feel for you!  I call it "heart anxiety" and have been dealing with the palps and heart skipping for 7 years now!  I have had atleast 5 skips today, and I am proud to say that I am finally able to allow them to happen without over-reacting to them.  They are such a pain in the a**, but after you have so many of them and fear for your very life with every episode, and then survive it everytime, you eventually have to tell yourself that your docs are right, they are benign.  I just had another as I typed the last sentence.  Please go to my profile by clicking on my name, then go into my posts.  By reading my posts you will be routed to MANY posts regarding heart palps/skipped beats/extra beats, and be able to hear many people's story regarding this particular anxiety symptom.  It should save you alot of time :-)  I hope this helps you and that you had a palp-free day today!

Cori

[nursechrista]

i read your posts and it was helpful..  I am suppose to be exercising but im afraid to because of the skipping beats.  I have put on about 50 lbs since i sit around doing nothing to try to not cause them.  do you exercise with you have them

[loraeliz]

It sounds like MVP to me...even if you have had it checked and showed nothing that does not mean you do not have it...it will cause anxiety and panic attacks if it is bad enough...continue to have your doc send you for the echocardiogram...they will detect it sooner or later...I had to have several of them before a good tech actually found it...b y now of course...it shows up very clearly.  beta blockers or calcium channel blockers will help...especially klonopin...sad but true...one hates to take meds.

[nursechrista]

I have had several echos, plus everything else.  It confusing i go weeks without it then all of a sudden i have them for weeks.

[urdacrazy1]

No one fears these palps and skipped/extra beats more than ME!!!, lol. Believe me u are not alone. Every time I get them, it sends me into a panic. I could be out or at home having a great time and the second one comes on it ruins my whole day or even week for that matter. I just sit around waiting for the next one. It sucks!! ANNNNNNNNNND like you, I avoid doing anything physical because I'm afraid to bring them on. And when i say anything physical, I mean ANYTHING physical (my husband is not too happy, if you know what I mean), lol. Don't get me wrong, there are days where its not too bad when I'm a little brave. But most of the time I try my best to avoid any physical activity. My kids must think I'm the laziest person in the world. I wont carry any bags (especially up the stairs) or even push the baby's stroller. Its pretty bad. EXERCISE?? HA!! N-E-V-E-R!!!!!!!!!!
So like I said U R NOT ALONE.

[iamfaithful]

I totally understand and yes, I focus on my heart non-stop, it's HORRIBLE.  I will have a few good days and then bam a skip out of nowhere.  It gets really bad around that time of the month.  While I do not consider myself a veteran I have had them long enough now to get used to them.....right, no way!  I don't think one can ever get used to their heart skipping, but at least I'm not at the ER every other week.  I had a few yesterday and I just closed my eyes and went to sleep (had the day off from work).  I do notice that they are worse when I have not gotten enough rest.
I have had my whole weekend ruined because of one, or if I get a really bad one....I am in tears and afraid to move!!!!  They are the source of MUCH anxiety and a lot of times it is very hard almost impossible for me to believe they are caused by anxiety.  I too have had the test, worn montiors.........it's rough!  You aren't by yourself-for sure.

[urdacrazy1]

Yeeeeaaah, I'm like that too!! When I get them, I too am afraid to move. Afraid that I'll bring on another one or that I'll send my heart rate through the roof. Its such a pain in the a$$, lol. I've been having a pretty bad week with them. I dont know why. I've been good for  a while before this week. Still having anxiety and everything but not much of the palps. but they're back again this week. Afraid to go anywhere or do anything physical not to bring them on. I hate this so much. It makes me feel so weak (not physically), just vulnerable. It's depressing!!

[cj29]

Oh yeah, I am EXACTLY like you.  I actually got back from a doc's appointment today and was concerned because I could see my pulse in my neck and on the inside of my elbows. I can feel myself rock to every beat and am very sensitive to any bodily sensation and even seeing my foot rock back and forth when my legs are crossed bothers me!  I experienced my first panic attack 3 years ago and have had EKGs, stress tests, Holters, and even a heart cath...everything is squeaky clean.  I had been panic free for years until last month and it came back with a vengence.  I talked to my docs and they said not to worry about everything because of all of my tests a couple of years ago.  Trusting them is very hard to do.  

But confronting the issue is how I beat it.  Threw therapy, medication, and a good support group, you would be amazed how much progress you can make.  During the last couple of panic free years, my neck still bounced, my arms pulsated and I could feel my heart beat but I did not care and would divert my attention.  Only when I would catastrophicsize something, would I get into that panic cycle.  Now it is back and it is hard to deal with, but I realize through hard work and patience I can it threw it again.

[nursechrista]

I got up feeling good and even went for a walk but tonight they are really bad and even though i have them for 15+years it still scares the hell out of me.  I seem to be getting really depressed about it and it seems like life isnt worth it if you can enjoy it

[iamfaithful]

I know it's hard...very hard.  It can make you so sad and depressed that you don't know what to do, but you MUST keep plugging away.  There will be bad days, but they can't STAY bad, there has to be some sunshine somewhere.  I had a really bad night with dizziness-thought I was going to hit the floor, but it finally went away.  Palps are a different story, I know.  I haven't really been able to enjoy myself in a really long time, but I know that if I let this thing continue to keep me down how in the world will I ever recover.  I pray you have a better day tomorrow!!

[nursechrista]

i have heard great things about GABA helping with anxiety, has anyone tried it

[urdacrazy1]

What's GABA?

[firemantodd]

Hi. I worry about my heart almost every waking moment. Today I have been having palpitations more than usual and decided to check out this site. My work keeps me away from home for 24 hours at a time, and this makes me feel so helpless if something happens with my kids, wife, etc. You are not alone worrying about your heart and health in general. For me, worrying just makes it worse. Try to find something to take your mind off of it...like reading, walking or anything that helps you relax. Not easy to do, but it will really help you be the one in control.

[firemantodd]

Here's a good site for GABA info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GABA. Too hard for me to explain. I think you can buy it at most health food stores.

[nursechrista]

i just wondered if anyone else has used it and had any results with it