Panic Attacks, heart rate, OCD

Hi,
  I was addmitted to the ER last friday for a racing heart rate over 100bpm and dizzieness.  I was told over 10 years ago thru a echo test that I had Mitro Valve Prolapse.  I have over the past several years experienced a racing heart.  So the hopital on friday did a ekg my heart was not racing then.  It came back normal as  did my blood test.  I was told to reschedule an appt. with my Family Doctor to be put on a 24 hour heart monitor.  When I went to the doctor this monday she asked me some questions and had me do a 3 page question answer sheet.  Then Quickly Diagnosed me with PANIC/ANXIETY ATTACKS AND OCD... mind you this is a naval doctor not a civil doctor.  I do realize I have had some stress lately but I'm still not so sure that is why my heart is racing....She prescribed me 20mg of Paxil which I am not taking cause of the weight gain and withdrawal affects.  I'm really glad I read up on this med first before taking it I feel I have saved my life from more stress by not taking it. She also prescribed 1mg of larazepam to ease my stress till my husband gets home from Califorinia next week. She said I had a regular heart rate it was 90bpm then.  But my question is how can she say that this isn't related to them MVP and quickly give me meds for PANIC AND OCD...I do realize I'm stessed right now but I still feel there is more going on with my heart I have not had the MVP check up since I was diagnosed.  And she didn't offer the heart monitor she just prescribed meds and put me on my way home. I'm not even sure I'm having panic attacks and anxiety,  The OCD maybe cause I am obsested with having a clean house. Help Please??????????????

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

I am not familiar with the military protocols, but if I were you I would seek a workup for your mitral valve prolapse independent of this last episode. What you want to know is the condition of your heart. A lot depends on what they saw in the ekg at the emergency room. I would pose the question to a cardiologist.

Regarding the diagnosis of panic attacks, I  suggest you consult a psychologist or psychiatrist if it happens again, and if your house cleaning is a true obsession ( not just a tempoary security mechanism when your husband is away and you are in limbo), then seeking treatment and understanding is something you should do before starting a medication, which may or may not be prescribed in your case.

[tom]

well, i can remeber my first panic attack.. extreme heart beat, feeling insane like i cant control myself, feeling extremely hot and sweating etc.. lasted for a whole week. i too have OCD im afraid of germs and illness wish im sure makes the panic attacks even worse, well i think your doctor may have been right to perscribe paxil.. paxil is what saved me. you said you didnt want to take it because of weight gain and withdrawl (withdrawal)???? well first of all it made me lose weight and im already extremely thin, and i been on and off of it abruptly many times, with no withdrawl (withdrawal) what so ever, i think you should maybe try it , im sure your OCD is making you scared to try it from what you think about it, but weight gain is rare on paxil, weight lose is common, i was on paxil 40mg a day for a year and a half and was forced to stop when i lost my insurance, and noo withdrawl (withdrawal) what so ever its not addictive, xanax on the other hand is... you should do what your docotor says........... if you been tested and nothing shows my guess is 99% chance panic attacks. good luck, and dont be scared of paxil its one of the better ones.