MVP, panic attacks, etc.

[Elizabeth]

Hi.  I am an 18 year old female who has recently been through some very troublesome experiences.  The day before I went off to college a friend and I decided to try the drug ecstacy.  I knew this was not a good idea because 1-it was a drug, 2-I have always been afraid to take ANY meds. even aspirin due to a fear it would hurt me somehow.  Anyway, for the first two hours after taking ecstacy, I was fine (I think it may be important to mention that I was already checking my pulse right after I swallowed the pill).  However, when I returned home I noticed my heart rate was much higher than normal, I started to panic and so I thought I would try to take a cold shower, no help, I bent over to turn the water on and my heart was pounding and it skipped three times in a row (skip...beat...skip).  For a month after that my heart would race every time I got into the shower. I just knew I was going to fall over dead!  I did not want to tell anyone, although I wish I had now.  I went to college the next day and I felt  a little groggy but not bad after the 3-hour trip.  
That night after everyone had left I was fine, emotions were high of course.  When I laid down to go to sleep I felt my heart skipping again!  This sent me into a state of panic.  This happened EVERY night I was there (three weeks) untill I just could not take it anymore.  I would never go to class for fear of falling over dead, I would do NOTHING that got my heart rate up and forget leaving the room, I wanted to be there in case I needed someone.  I was on the verge of a nervous breakdown and soon after that I withdrew from college and came home.  After this I made an appt. w/ a cardio. and told everyone exactly what happened.  I had an EKG (normal) and an echo (showed a mild case of MVP).  My cardio seems to think that this drug brought the onset of panic.  I have always had terrible anxiety, but never have I felt the fear that I feel when my heart races now.  Could the first episode w/ the pill have been v.Tach.?!!  I am still afraid to exercise and I used to do it all the time ( went to the YMCA 3 times a week and played 3 sports in high school)  I find myself being depressed a lot because I feel like I can not do ANYTHING!! Everyone, even my dr., says I can do whatever i want, but I just can't seem to shake my fears.  Do you think  that this is psychological or physical? Do you think that I experienced V.Tach.?  I have never had an episode like the first, is it possible for a drug to cause a short term problem, what do you think happened that night?  Do I need more heart tests or psychological help?  PLEASE HELP!!  THANK YOU!

[CCF CARDIO MD JMF]

Dear Elizabeth,


It is likely that this drug brought on both the arrhythmia and panic attacks.  You should do your absolute best to avoid this drug and any other stimulants including caffeine as you are prone to these extra beats.  

It should discuss these symptoms with your cardiolgist or internist to determine if more testing is required.

[Elizabeth]

I have been avoiding caffeine and I will definitely NEVER take any kinds of drugs.  Does the fact that I experienced the arrythmia while taking the drug mean that I have an actual arrythmia or that I am just more sensitive because of my MVP.  I am very concerned, even though I have only experienced this one time (after the drug) that I have some kind of serious arrythmia. I have told my cardio., but he does not seem very concerned.  If the drug caused the arrythmia, does this mean that I have an arrythmia now?  What kind of arrythmia was this?

[Jonathan]

Hey Elizabeth. I have arrythmia and panic attacks. Often i feel that i might fall over dead also. I feel my heart skipping beats often and i get chest pains. im 24 now and have had this since i was 18 years old and in my case i think it was also related to excess in college(doing some things i shouldnt have done). Ive been to a cardiolgist and numerous other doctors. Ive found the most troublesome part of this is getting over the psycological part of this. Ive had this for years and it comes and goes. But im still here and as with your cardiolgist mine does not seem to be concerned. Do things to take your mind off of it. exercise is the best thing you can do for it. if you would like to talk more feel free to email me. ***@****

[CCF CARDIO MD JMF]

Thank you for your comments.

[CCF CARDIO MD JMF]

Thanks for your comments.

[Chip]

Elizabeth, I hope you are getting proper care for your panic disorder. This is best accomplished by seeing a psychiatrist who knows how to diagnose and treat anxiety disorders, and is willing to use meds, including benzodiazepines (i.e. Xanax, Klonopin), if necessary.

I've had panic disorder for many years. I'm on Zoloft and Klonopin.

Chip

[Chip]

Elizabeth, I hope you are getting proper care for your panic disorder. This is best accomplished by seeing a psychiatrist who knows how to diagnose and treat anxiety disorders, and is willing to use meds, including benzodiazepines (i.e. Xanax, Klonopin), if necessary.

I've had panic disorder for many years. I'm on Zoloft and Klonopin.

Chip

[Demian]

I had the same experience after smoking pot when I was 21.  Since that time (six years) I've had panic attacks and episodes of racing pulse, feelings of doom, etc.  Only recently have I sought medical help.  I'm being treated with Zoloft for the panic, and seeing a therapist, but let me tell you that you should get help now.  It has almost ruined my life, to the point where I've missed alot of work, been to the emergency room several times, avoided friends, skipped classes and failed tests (I used to be an A student).  I'm feeling a little better now, but the mental aspect of this is the hardest thing to get over.

[CCF CARDIO MD JMF]

thank you for your comments.

[adrian butler]

I get weird sensations in my chest and around my heart, . It feels like bubbles of air running through my heart and a difficulty to breathe for 20-30 seconds- short breaths. CAn this be somethng serious,stress related-panic??. There is no history of heart problems in my family.