Progressing, yet unexplained heart problems.

[jwwood88]

Hello, I'm not entirely sure that this is the exact right place for this post, but here goes, I apologize in advance for the long post. To begin, I am 27 years old. I have been having weird heart problems for roughly 5 years now. It all started one night years ago with an episode of My heart racing, I had been sitting in a relaxed position, doing nothing out of the ordinary, I think maybe surfing Facebook or something. All of a sudden I had a feeling that I could only describe as, it felt like my heart had stopped. So I jumped up telling myself no no no. And then for about the next 2 hours, My heart stayed at a steady 150 ish beats per minute. Ended up going to the ER that night. Fast forward 5 years and many medicines later, I am on propranolol for high blood pressure and tachycardia. I take clonazepam for anxiety, and I sort of regularly see a cardiologist (whenever appointments are actually available). I've recently been having allot off weird problems, I have allot of random episodes where my heart rate will go up and stay up for hours at a time. Without my propranolol my blood pressure will run high usually around 150/100, but with it, lately it's been running between 100/66 and 121/71 ish. The weird part of that, is that my heart rate will often and randomly go up a ways. Also I get really odd palpitations whose feeling I can only describe as similar to the way a pvc feels, only stronger. Also, I have a semi-constant headache, I also have been dealing with an odd light headed kind of fuzzy feeling in my head. And lastly, I have unexplained swelling of my right leg as well as pain. Also, swelling of my fingers. I have also developed a weird hyper-awareness of my body and what it feels (heart beats, pains, twitches, etc ) I also have these weird kind of full body twitches at night or when I'm laying down. And I have this weird, intense fatigue, that Comes and goes. I also get this feeling when I'm lying down, that feels like I'm going to pass out. And I constantly wake up in the middle of the night feeling like my heart is racing, and with a feeling like something is deathly wrong. Anyways, I've had a million tests, at least it feels that way. Ekgs, which always show normal, except for the last one that showed a borderline high qtc of 441. An echocardiogram which showed only mild and trace regurgitation in 3 valves. A treadmill stress test that showed only a low tolerance for exercise. An MRI of the brain that showed nothing, an MRI of the cervical spine (neck) that showed pretty much nothing. An eeg that showed normal brain waves (did have a history of childhood epilepsy though). 3 ultrasounds of my leg, all negative. An ultrasound of my abdomen, also negative. The cardiologist just ordered a 30 day event monitor. I also had one of those a year ago that Only showed mild pvcs. And lastly, a ridiculous amount of bloodwork. The cardiologist seems to think I'm fine, and my family members seem to think Its all in my head. But I can't shake this feeling like something is terribly wrong and we may be too late in finding it. The health problems create intense anxiety and the anxiety pushes the health problems. At this point, fear drives me, and I have no peace of mind. I'm scared, scared to go To sleep, scared to be awake, scared of what's going to happen to me. If anyone can give me any advice Or peace of mind, that would be great. I appreciate your time, and please don't be mean our rude, if that is your intention, than please, don't reply. My main concerns are the symptoms, the heart and dizziness and the nightly waking, and also the borderline high qtc. Again thank you for your time.

James

[Al Dente]

I can't comment if your condition is cardiac or not.  What I can comment on is that young people can have cardiac issues, including early onset coronary artery disease.  However this is the duty and job of a physician to do, not a message board--especially if you are a young patient.  

However some people are not typical.  Most cardiologists and physicians are programmed to think that heart problems, that may present in the old, will not present in the young.  The BIG exception is if you have early onset heart disease directly, in your mother and or father--and especially in both.

Clonazepam has many uses.  It's not just used for anxiety.  It helps people with autonomic dysfunction/high vagal tone/dysautonmia.  It helps to chill out the central nervous system.  If your body tends to be more sensitive in the fight vs. flight response, Clonazepam can help.  That also has an impact on PVC, PACs.  It's not just prescribed for anxiety.  Blood pressure variations have an impact, and having the correct diagnoses and treatment with meds that address this problem is key.  Propanolol is a first line beta that's often used for skips, as well as even migraines, but there are other betas such as Atenolol which may help.  You need to make an appointment with your doctor.  Write down your situations and what you're experienced and discuss them.  Discuss with your doctor what you feel is bothering you, and what you want them to address.

Of course a good diet, reasonable exercise regime, and watching excesses is all part of the program.  If you don't follow these basic precepts, you will not gain ground.  Talk to your doctor (above all else) and good luck.

[achillea]

Several things are clear from your description:  One is that you are young.  That alone makes your risk of heart problems very, very low.

Second, you have had many tests which rule out most serious diseases that could cause your symptoms.

Third, and this is the most important, you have anxiety, for which you take clonazepam.  People who suffer from chronic or acute anxiety  tend to be unusually sensitive to minor symptoms and bodily 'noise,' as I call it--odd little sensations that unafflicted people are completely unaware of--and which have *no* real medical significance, even though they may feel like a big deal to the sufferer.

I have many years of experience with panic attacks, and I can tell you that clonazepam is completely inappropriate for chronic anxiety, the kind of thing that goes on for months or years.

Just as you go to an orthopedist when you have joint pain, or to an allergist if you have allergies, you must see the right kind of physician for anxiety or panic.  What you are experiencing is a medical condition, just as are the other things I mention.

The right doctor will give you the right treatment.  Almost certainly, this will involve one of the SSRI medications (google it) for long-term use.  There are a number of different SSRIs, and one size does not fit all.  In my case, my doc had to try me on five or so before finding the one that worked best for me--and each one required a minimum two week trial.

However, when you find the right one, within several weeks to a month, you will find that your general fear about things is gone--and that your minor symptoms (twitches, little aches and pains, listening to your heartbeats or your own breathing, etc) are gone.  In short, you will get your life back, the life you, as a young person, should be enjoying rather than 'enduring.'

The hardest part of all of this will be picking up that phone to make an appointment with a psychiatrist, which is the kind of MD you want.  These people study the functions of the body just like all other medical students.  They are licensed as physicians.  Then they go on to learn about how the brain functions, and become licensed to treat that, with the correct medications when needed.

Good luck to you.  I can assure you that things can get better for you, though it will take determination and perseverance on your part.