EEK!! Not again

Hi everyone, I'm new on here and have been reading up in the last hour or so. It seems a very sympathetic and helpful forum, well done.

I suffered from anxiety a number of years ago and was prescribed Inderal as a beta blocker to help me stop smoking and drinking (which I attributed as the cause of the anxiety). After 6mths I developed signs of aggrevated depression and came off the beta blockers. I had managed to stop smoking but began to drink more heavily (120+ units a week) The following two years were spent in and out of the doctors feeling stupid and suffering chest pain anxiety on a daily basis. Two years later I divorced and the symptoms disappeared when I started taking 300mg of SJW daily. I still needed alcohol as a crutch to go out and my unit level was around 50-60 units a week, something that I had to force down to this more acceptable level.

I started blinge smoking having between 5-10 three evenings a week and then not smoking for up to a week before having a box in an evening with a bottle of wine.

Silly thing is that I'm a male single parent of two children and hold down a respected job. The alcohol dependance has always been to prepare me for flying/dating/socializing etc but has not interferred with my daily life.

Anyway, I recently got a new girlfriend and have cut down drastically on smoking and drinking and the missed heart beats are back, sometimes severely. I suffer no pain and my resting rate is 55bpm. During palp attacks it still only rises to around 65-70bpm. During CV exercise the irregular beats stop.

[CCF-M.D.-KE]

Dear TanMan,

You are describing palpitations. I would recommend seeing a doctor and having a holter monitor test done, which records the heart's electrical activity for 24 to 48 hours. This will help characterize whether or not a rhythm disturbance is causing your symptoms. I would also recommend seeking professional help for your anxiety, which may also help with your symptoms. Also avoiding caffeine, alcohol, tobacco and stimulants such as those found in decongestants will also help to improve your palpitations.

Thanks for your question,

CCF-MD-KE

[garyr]

but what's your question?

This ain't Oprah.

[CrzyMom756]

You need to get to a cardiologist to check out the raised heart rate.  Hope you keep the smoking and drinking to a minimum

[AmosDoyle]

I'm going to be blunt here.  You need to get your life and health back in shape and continuing to use alcohol as a crutch is not going to help you to do that. Whether it is 150 "units" , 50 "units" or 1 "unit", it is too much for YOU.   As an alcoholic you probably know that you have a medical condition that needs medical care.  Although alcohol probably helps you to feel "normal" in the short run, in the long run it will destroy your life.  You have two children to look after.  They need you.  They need a HEALTHY you.  Try to find a physician experienced in treating alcoholics and other anxiety disorders. Someone you can trust and respect.   There are medications which will make you feel normal, just as alcohol does.  But, they are much less damaging to your health.   And after you have withdrawn from alcohol and the medications, get in touch with a support group to help you be the best person you can be for YOU and your kids.

[TanMan69]

Thank you for your advice and sorry that I didnt ask a question. My problem is alcohol being a crutch, I honestly dont think I'm an alcoholic because dont feel physical symptoms when withdrawing. I can also go without a drink or cigarette for days if I am with my girlfriend. The drink stops me feeling nervous before having to go somewhere that is outside my normal routine. It is a drinking problem though and hopefully in time things will get better as my confidence returns. I couldnt go into a shop without having severe panic and now I can.

My question was really whether the alcohol and cigarettes were causing the palpatations and whether they could be termed palpatations when my heart rate remained relatively stable. It was also why the palpatations formed the symptoms of my hangover the following day after having drunk to excess and not whilst I was actually consuming the alcohol/cigarette.

[squeala7]

You DEFINATELY MUST get off the cigs and the liquor. It is most definately causing most of your distress! They are both known stimulants and will reak havoc on your heart - much more the rest of your body and MIND.  It numbs you for the time being - but afterwards, the next day whatever - your suffering the consequences.  I too have anxiety chest pains at times - you just need to relax - maybe try some xanax occasionally as a sedative instead of alcohol.  Once you get clear of the cigs and the booze - psychological treament and relaxation classes can really help a lot.  Good luck! Get off the roller coaster! You can do it - get some will power from somewhere or it will never get better...God Bless

[Linda123]

I had a really bad palpitation episode one day after having a lot to drink (for me) the night before.  I don't drink at all now and I must admit I do miss not being able to have a few glasses of wine but I have decided it's just not worth the price (physically)you have to pay.  Stay clear of alcohol - it's definitely a trigger for palpitations.

[TanMan69]

Thanks. I've tried 3 days without any drink and would feel a bit better if it wasnt for a stinking cold :o( As for smoking, I havent touched one for a week. I've had a couple of flutters this week but not a prolonged attack and they have been sporadic to say the least.

Thanks again all the way from miserable cold London

xx

[squeala7]

GOod for you! You know - it will take some time - but now that you have whipped the worst causes of your palps - try relaxation now / especially since u dont have the cigs anymore to relax (mentally Ha).  But if you still have flutters - try something like Toprol - a low dose - I feel FANTASTIC since being on just 25 ml a day - more than that can cause side effects like dizziness etc - but with the 25, my bp went down below normal , my pulse went from high 90's to 70's and my palps were at least cut in half. The rest of them are from stinking hormones!!!! But for you - it might just take care of all of them - or try some form of beta blocker if your dr says its right for u
good luck!

[mslilbit]

Hi... I am new here so I am just going to write what I need to know.. I just found out that my mother has an anurysm in her heart, it is 2 cintimeters in diameter and I want to know what can be done (if anything). she is 59 years old and 15 years ago she had a massive stroke, which left her with about the mantality of a 5 year old.. Please let me know what can be done for this.... Thanks
Kelley

[squeala7]

You will need to post a question to the Cardiologists w/all the pertinent info. Once the original post question has been answerd by the dr - everyone else can just throw their comments in - so your post wont get answered until you post the question - Good luck!