Frustrated and Freaked out in Japan

[Ryujin]

I am a 29 year old male, in reasonable shape but heavier than I ought to be.  Last month, I had what could be described as a classic Anxiety attack.  I went to the hospital and they ran a whole lot of tests on me, and told me there was nothing wrong, other than higher than avereage cholestrol levels (runs in the family) and a slightly irregular heartbeat (I've always had that)  It seemed to have been a one time event but 3 weeks ago, I suddenly had a pounding heartbeat that would not calm down, it came while I was in bed, and I couldn't get to sleep for a long time as a result.  The next morning, my heart was still beating hard, though not much faster than normal...just hard.  This continued on and off for a week.  I went back to the hospital, and the doctors took blood tests, urine tests, blood pressure, hooked me up to a CKG, and the best they could tell me after all that was that while my blood pressure was a little higher than usual and other than that, none of the tests turned up anything.  They put a Holter monitor on me and I will not hear the results of that test for another week.  I am in Japan, and the medical system here is much different from what I am used to where I'm from (Canada).  Furthermore, while my Japanese is pretty good, it is not always up to the task where medical vocabulary is converned.  Could these palpitations be stress related?  I certainly have enough of it right now. These palpitations occasionally are accompanied by a day or two where I have to urinate frequently.

[CCF-M.D.-CRC]

Dear Ryujin,

I would broadly place your symptoms into two different catergories - likely electrophysiologic (heart's electrical system) vs. likely anxiety related.  In order to diagnosis the later however the former must first be excluded.  A Holter monitor is a good test IF you have symptoms during the test.  If you don't have any symptoms during the Holter test it is worthless.  If this is the case you should ask the doctor for an "event recorder" or "loop recorder".  These are like long-term Holter monitors that can be worn for weeks at a time.  When you have an episode you press a record button and the heart's rhythm at the time of the event can be recorded.  If the heart beat is normal or just shows a sinus tachycardia during the event then the most likely cause is anxiety.  However, if the event recorder reveals a arrhythmia then appropriate treatment can be made for that.  In either case there are good medications that can help.  Let us know how things turn out.

[Rachel]

I am sort of going through what you are right now.  I have been diagnosed with PSVT and PVCs.  Last night I got about 45 minutes of sleep because my heart was racing.  I decided to go back on the Verapamil and I hope it helps.

What I found interesting is that you said you have frequent urination, I have that also!! For a few days after a bad episode I have frequent urination and I lose weight.  I once lost 9 pounds after a really bad episode when I was pregnant.  I would be curious to find out if others have had the same problem.

I think they will find some good information with your holter monitor.  If they find nothing, you should try an event monitor.

Good luck and HUGS.  I understand what you're going through.

Rachel

[urrl77]

I had a heart skip after every beat. Then came the intermittant fast beats. I decided to check into a hospital and was in there a week. They did a catheterization and an electrophysical study but could find nothing, yet I noticed my symptoms fading. I reasoned the only different thing I was doing was eating low salt hospital food. These symptoms
only grew worse before I went to the hospital. Now they were subsiding. Still the Doc put me on an antiarrythmic drug that can cause liver problems in certain people. It gave me nightmares, insomnia and headaches. Finally I resolved to go on a VERY low salt diet consisting of  Kashi, a multigrain cereal with no salt, sugar or preservatives. This was my main food.  I also had fresh fruit and vegetables. I noticed I was not constipated anymore (I used to find blood in my   stools) and also there was no diariah. My heart has calmed to 1 skip in about every 100. I also eat lightly seasoned fish.
I noticed eating "regular" food cooked by others or found in restaurants increases heart skips. I noticed after eating my heart does not beat as fast as opposed to eating "regular" food. I think this is the way God wanted man to eat, but man has thought up many ways to indulge himself, insomuch as he is not satisfied unless he does. I have been off my medication for 3 days and do not advise anyone to do this, yet I do urge you to try the diet. If you cannot find Kashi (eat right out of the box; no milk or sugar!) there is puffed rice or some other sugarless, saltless cereal. You may see results even before the week is out.

[urrl77]

Things were going so well I decided to eat a meal my friend cooked. That following morning the heart skips were back; about 1 every 3 beats! I found out later that the food was sesoned with Accent (Monosodium glutamate) as well as having a high salt content. There is too much a relation here
to dismiss what is happening to me as coincidence. Not many realize MSG is in practically EVERYTHING we eat disguised with other names.  I will again restrict my diet and
post my findings, going without medication again this week if possible. My heart has resumed beating normally and I see no problems, though being anxious during my "attack" I downed an atenolol tablet.  I'll keep in touch on this thread, as every time I attempt to start my own the forum says there is no more space to post.

[urrl77]

This morning a very rare thing seems to be happening. I have had this condition for about a year now and now, this morning, for once I cannot feel anything. Not one skip. Could it be the single atenolol pill I took last morning? It has been 24 hours. I am on my Kashi diet. It would be great to live like a normal human being without the heart thing. I will keep on the diet and not take my meds to be sure of the Monosodium glutamate/high salt thing. Again I do not recommend anyone do this, except for trying the diet. Perhaps it is just in my case, and people like me that have a reaction to this food/flavor additive.

[urrl77]

Found out today that MSG is sprayed onto fresh vegetables and can be found in lowfat milk. Glad I have been eating the cereal dry; it's got a nice taste. I figure it would not hurt to peel my apples from now on... I honestly feel I could get back into jogging; the heart is behaving that good.

[urrl77]

Felt a few palpitations as I woke up but once on my feet all through the day I only remember perhaps feeling one. I am still eating Kashi, banannas, fish and drinking mostly water. I am not even taking any more vitamins because the may contain gelatin (MSG) and they may not even say it on the package.

[scarlet]

I too have noticed a relationship with eating out  now that you mention it.
  

In fact I would like to just drink pure water for a few days  and maybe give a pint of blood when my heart is beating alright in the morning,  and see if this helps.  sort of like cleaning up the blood a bit.

[Rachel]

Hello all...

I've been following the no MSG diet for a few weeks, maybe a little more.  I now know that MSG does trigger my PSVT and PVCs.  Not eating MSG has NOT gotten rid of the skipped beats completely but it has helped.

If you are interested, I would check out the web page:

http://www.msgmyth.com/

There is a list of other names for MSG.  You will be shocked by how many foods have MSG in them.  One of the common symptoms of eating MSG is palpitations.

budDV -- you should try to add more variety to your diet, especially if you stopped taking your vitamin.  You should look for a health food store near you that sells organic food.  For example, in the bay area we have Whole Foods, New Leaf and a couple other markets.  They sell vitamins that are 100% vegetarian with no MSG.  They also have many foods that don't have MSG.

I am curious if other people have tried getting rid of MSG and how it has helped.

Good luck!

Cheers,
Rachel

[Rachel]

Hello all...

I've been following the no MSG diet for a few weeks, maybe a little more.  I now know that MSG does trigger my PSVT and PVCs.  Not eating MSG has NOT gotten rid of the skipped beats completely but it has helped.

If you are interested, I would check out the web page:

http://www.msgmyth.com/

There is a list of other names for MSG.  You will be shocked by how many foods have MSG in them.  One of the common symptoms of eating MSG is palpitations.

budDV -- you should try to add more variety to your diet, especially if you stopped taking your vitamin.  You should look for a health food store near you that sells organic food.  For example, in the bay area we have Whole Foods, New Leaf and a couple other markets.  They sell vitamins that are 100% vegetarian with no MSG.  They also have many foods that don't have MSG.

I am curious if other people have tried getting rid of MSG and how it has helped.

Good luck!

Cheers,
Rachel

[kelly54]

I think you guys maybe onto something..I will try avoiding MSG more than I already do, and see if it helps...

[urrl77]

It's good to hear about others finding good results after avoiding MSG. While being wheeled into the emergency room my sister had a stick of gum. Her heart really started
going haywire and the next thing she knew she had a triple bypass. It seems incredible that MSG can be found even in chewing gum. I still feel an occasional skip and confess I have not stuck with my strict diet; But I still watch my food intake, checking for MSG. I no longer take the arrythmic medication, but will take an atenolol when I do decide to occasionally go on a food binge, knowing even though MSG may not be listed in the ingredients it may still be there, and so far this arrangement is still working fine.

[urrl77]

Yesterday I had a triple decker burger with cheese and a
slice of pizza. This morning the palpitations returned. I am still not sure if it is MSG or the high salt content in what I ate,
but one thing for sure: DIET DOES MATTER.
After downing an atenolol the heart returned to normal at
about 12 PM today.

[Mike G]

I am a 47 year old male and I have had A fib for  about 12 years now. I am in pretty good shape. I swim 3 days a week on a masters swim team for about 2500 to 4000 yards per workout. I also lift weights twice a week, so I am not a sedentary person. I have been taking  Lanoxin this whole time. I too have found that eating pizza will send me into A fib. My episodes will usually last about 6-8 hours with the longest being about 48 hours. I am intrigued about the diet thing, what  info or web site would be helpful to visit ?

[urrl77]

You can get info about MSG from;

http://www.msgmyth.com/

but like I say, I am in the process of finding out whether
it it MSG or salt that is causing my heart problems. But this much I know; it is either one or the other or both.

[urrl77]

Today I'm going to find out which is the main culprit; salt or MSG. I am going to eat some fish and veggies seasoned with herbs, pepper, garlic and a fair amount of MSG. There is no salt in this meal. If I do not post in a few days you'll know I am either dead or hospitalized. At this time before the meal I am on no medication yet my pulse is very steady. For me 300 beats without one skip is very good...I stopped counting after 300 beats. It is 3:PM

[urrl77]

The reaction I did hve may well been due to the quantity of food that I ate, as it tasted so good compared to my usual low salt diet. Anyway the reaction was reletively mild after MSG consumption. I fried two eight inch fillets of salmon with many veggies in the teflon pan without grease. Seasonings had no salt but a liberal amount of MSG. Since I know eating hamburgers or pizza at fast food places really effect my heart; I believe salt is the main culprit from this test. MSG may play a small role or none at all. I know salted food has me drinking large quantities of fluid, even hours afterward I remain thirsty. I think this would not be noticed by people who are not on a low salt diet. So salt not only increases fluid in the organs of the body, raising blood pressure and constricting blood vessels of the body, but it is my belief that salt may even effect MY heart's electrical system. Most of us know that salt is a natural electrolyte which can increase electrical conductivity in fluids. Imagine what extra salty blood does to the heart, perhaps actually causing other areas to fire electrically when they should not; short-circuiting, if you will. These are only my ideas and not a medical opinion. Conclusion; I stay away from salt. End of story.

[Rachel]

Hi Bud,

That  is a very interesting finding.  I have been careful with salt and msg but I've found that removing MSG did not help things.  It's worth a try though and still good to stay away from it in general.

I'm exploring other causes at this time.

Good luck!

- Rachel

[urrl77]

I agree, I'm gonna stay away from it too. I am starting to feel skips again.

[DSTEPHENS]

AFTER READING ALL OF THESE COMMENTS I REALLY WONDER HOW A DOC COULD AFFIRMING THAT EATING HEART PALPS AE NOT A REALITY.  ITS PRETY STRANGE THAT I CAN FEEL GREAT WITHOUT ANY KIND OF SYMPTOM,  THEN I EAT THEN AFTER ABOUT 20 MINUTES THE SKIPPED BEATS BEGIN AND VIRTUALLY DO NOT GOP AWAY UNTIL THE FOOD DIGESTS. SO I SUPPOSE I COULD BE A FLIPPIN NUT CASE BUT I KNOW WHAT IS REAL.. ALSO IT REALLY DOES NOT MATTER WHAT IT IS THAT I EAT. I HAVE TRIED HEALTHY CHOICE..NOT SO HEALTHY CHOICE, ETC..  BUT ALL OF THIS KIND OF FLOORS ME.. OH WELL

[Chris-a]

I am wondering if you have been diagnosed with any heart trouble, as eating can cause angina. I have coronary artery disease and I often feel ill (faintness,weakness and palpitations) after meals - extra blood goes to the stomach to aid digestion leaving the heart short of supplies if you have CAD. I am reluctant to eat out because of this and eat small home prepared meals - low fat and low salt- not too near bedtime.
Otherwise perhaps you could have some sort of allergy?
Hope you get it sorted!!

[ElizabethAnne72]

I also suffer the fast heartrate after lunch- and sometimes dinner. I have pretty much narrowed it down to salt.
If I eat ketchup, mayo, mustard, salad dressings, or any condiment (I have cut out all the other processed foods due to allergies for years) within like 15 mins of eating my heart jumps to 115-140 beats per min. It lasts like an hour to two hours then slowly disappears.
I am sure it is the salt- that is the one thing besides vinegar all the condiments and dressings have in common. I have also had a problem with heavy seasoning on French Fries or anything else for that matter. I also suffer PVC's. (Wore a heart moniter for 24 hours that found the PVC's and also the Light Tachycardia I descripbed above after meals) They act up when I dont drink enough water, and also eat anything with caffine. Like I could eat a piece of chocolate or even drink a soda, and within 15 minutes I would have a PVC or two or three... So I have isolated that problem partially. I still experience them on occasion when stress is present.
I agree with the www.msgmyth.com site. Says alot!
Also- for those of you who cut out chocolate- white chocolate does not contain caffine! So check that out!

Best of luck to everyone...

[andré]

i'm a 32 year old male with pvc's since my 16th year. they come and go. on bad days'll have 10-50. i know in comparison to some people here it's no so bad. my pvc's definitely increase with anxiety and anticipation of the next ones. today i had one that doesn't occur very often but is very scary. namely, a series of skipped beats that usually go back to normal with the vasalva manouver or a strong cough. my pvc's usually trigger an anxiety attack especially if i'm away from home and in public places. the feeling is misereable. i feel the world closing on me and my heart races unbelievably. my only comfort is that i don't have any pain, fainting or diziness, but i do feel weak.i also have an elevated heart rate after eating a big breakfast ( which i don't for that reason ) and lunch. salty foods, fries, hamburgers dehydrate me greatly bringing upon high heart rate, feeling of fullness, and skipped heart beats. my symptoms have not changed since my teenage years. i used to experience the nightime arrhythmias long time ago and these days they are normally isolated incidents but leaving me in an anxious state for hours. btw, drinking water is key for me and most often being thisty is my early warning of oncoming pvc's.