Re: Fast racing heart

Posted By Lora on February 26, 1999 at 11:33:08:

In Reply to: Fast racing heart posted by Linda on February 21, 1999 at 17:01:46:






Hello,
I am a 40 year old female, weight is 320 pounds, have lost about 110 pounds in the last year using a 1500 calorie program similiar to Weight Watcher, ex smoker since 1992,chronic asthmatic .  I also suffer from Panic Disorder since the age of 25.  I take Luvox for my Panic Disorder, and also Take 2 puffs of Serevent 2x a day.  I take my abluterol inhaler as needed as a rescue drug.  I also take 2 puffs of Flovent 2x a day.  Yesterday morning upon waking, I became distressed to find my heart beating very fast. This was very diquieting so say the least. I decided to call 911 cause it just scare the heck out of me.  I knew it wasn't a panic attack cause it was lasting too long and I could seem to talk myself down.  My symtoms (symptoms) were so weird.  I felt like someone ran warm water through my veins, and a rush that was so weird.  My heart was racing and I felt lightheading and a bit confused.  I was scared for sure.  I waited for the ambulence to arrive, and by the time they got to me, I was feeling a lot better.  I almost felt silly for having called them.  They hooked my up to the Oxygen sensor and the heart montior.  My oxygen was good, I think, at 93 or 94.  My heartrate was up at 120 or so.  The paramedics said that they were going to take me in anyway. Just to be on the safe side.  Suddenly as quick as it started before, my heart started to race this time going up to about 180 to 190 beats per min.  I felt sooo scared.  I thought this is it.  They decided that I had exceeded what they called the magic number.  They gave me two doses of Addenosine.  First a 6 the didn't take, then a 12.  This stabilised me to about 110 and by the time I got to the ER, was coming slowly but surely down.  Upon doing an EKG, they found nothing wrong with my heart.  I spoke with my Asthma Doctors partner via the telephone last nite.  Told him what happened. Told him that I was afraid to take my asthma medications.  Especially the Serervent.  He said to just take 1 puff 2 x a day instead.  He also said that if I needed to take something for my asthma as a rescue med, that I should take my albuterol solution.  Last night, when I took my asthma machine, I had that racing problem again.  This time it only lasted about maybe 10 minutes, maybe not even.  And I did vomit.  I think the vomiting was from fear though.  I think I wanted to get rid of the medication cause I was feeling it is what cause the racing heart problem. I had this happen one year ago.  And needed 3 IV pushes then to correct this situation.  I am doing all that I can to reduce my weight.  I am going to make an appt. with and Intern and Cardiologist this week.  I should say the the first time this happened a year ago, I had taken my Serervent about 10 minutes after taking my machine treament.  I have never done this since.  I always wait at least 1 hour before taking either drug together.  I am usually controlled for the most part with just the Serevent and the Flovent.  I have been sick with a cold, and this is when it seems that I need to take the albuterol as well.  Or if I am very stressed. I should also mention that the day before this terrible incident, I had went to my Asthma Doctor.  All was well.  My Oxygen level was 98 and my pulse was 66.  My blood pressure is always very good.  115/75.  I requested them to give me a sample of serervent as I was out, and wouldn't be able to get to the Pharmacy before the end of the day.  Had to work.  So they did.  I went to take a puff of what should have been a metored dose, and it came out non stop like hairspray.  I don't know how much of the serervent I got.  But it was a heck of a lot more than 2 puffs.  I told them about it, and they gave me a new one.  This dose I took was about 10 am.  I took my normal 2 puffs at about 12 midnight.  I am wondering if this caused my problem the following day.  The fast heart rate problem that is.  I also know that last nite when I took the Albuterol, it gave me the same symtoms (symptoms).  I am so scared to take the drugs now.  I know that I have to take something cause my asthma is to bad to go with no meds.  I could do without the serevent, it just makes my life normally easier cause I am not a reliant on the rescue drugs.  I would appreciate any feedback on this. I am so scared about what is going on.  This of course is not helping the Panic Attack Syndrome that I suffer.  But if I had to choose which I  would rather suffer from, it would be the Panic Disorder.  Thank you for your time.
Linda




Hi Linda,
This note will probably not help your situation, but I felt compelled to write. I can relate with many feelings you have.  Will you tell me some of your past health history. I am especially interested in panic attack information and
sleeplessness.
I am a 30 yr. old female, 100 pounds. I have had ongoing panic attacks for about 3 yrs. When I was in highschool I would hyperventilate in the mornings, before getting ready for school. Of course, I did not know what was happening at the time. And when I was about 6 yrs. old, I was diagnosed with asthma and allergies.
Currently, I go for allergy shots every 2 weeks (I'm in the top 5% for severe allergies) which at times has caused me to lose sleep that night.  A reaction to the shots would be a faster heart rate and/or sleeplessness.
I just started taking Allegra, for allergies, again and Flonase.  Which I may stop taking.  I have been doing fine just going for shots, but had a very bad allergic reaction last week and a doctor put me back on these medications.]
My asthma occurs usually if I am around pets for an extensive time or over-exersion from playing sports. Sometimes at night in the summer with the windows being open.
For my panic attacks, which have dissapated, and my inability to sleep well, I take a low dose of Xanax. On average, about twice a week at night.  The xanax allows my mind and body to relax. Often, my mind races and I can't think clearly. To assist my sleep further, I put on my Delta Sync Sleep tape and that helps.  But sometimes, I lie awake for most of the night even though I have taken these steps.  Which causes me to feel worse during the work day.
About 3 years ago, I was on an anti-depressant for about 2 weeks, but had such obvious side affects in that short amount of time, that I decided against that medication.  Plus, I did not feel I needed it.
Recently, I have been depressed and might look into taking an anti-depressant again.  But I am much more interested in taking vitamin/mineral supplements.
I take Calcium/Magnesium, B Vitamins, Selenium, Vit. C, Vit. E, Beta-Carotene and a multi-vitamin.  These vitamins have helped me considerably with more energy, better concentration and a regular heart rate.
Also, I take an antibiotic for acne. I should be off the antibiotic by May.
My skin has totally cleared up.  I believe the vitamins have helped with my skin substantially.
I do moderate exercise such as fast walking, some running and I am very active
socially. For the most part, a happy person.
My concern today is that my blood pressure used to either be normal or a little low. The past five times I've had it taken it was very high.  The nurses/doctors commented that at my age and the fact that I 'look' healthy
is very 'wierd'. And that was the end of it.  For the past 2 weeks or so, my heart rate has been high. Uncomfortable at night and the Xanax does not help as much.  My resting rate is between 80 - 95 bpm.  When I do light activity, my heart races as if I just ran a marathon.
My gut tells me that my rapid heart rate is due to not enough sustained aerobic activity, not enough sleep and stress related to job/personal issues.
I would like to go get a massage, sleep a lot and lie on a beach for a week and see how much better I feel!
Thanks for letting me vent.
Please let me know how you are doing. Best Wishes!
Lora