What is the medical term for this please????

[margaret]

I am a long time suffer of anxiety attacks (about 15 years now).  I am 35 years old with two small boys.  Anyways on days when I am very stressed or tired or worried about something and I go to bed this is what sometimes happens.  If I fall asleep and I am awaken by something within at least 1 hour of falling to sleep it seems that my adrenaline really lets loose!!!   My heart rate goes up to about 160 bpm and the rhythm is like boom, boom, boom..short pause. then boom, boom, boom.. short pause and it continues like this for about 10 minutes.  I feel all flushed, I can't sit still must walk around, my palms are sweaty and I sometimes feel a bit lightheaded (although I know I am hyperventilating).  If I really start to panick they last long and then I call the doctor on call and once I speak to one of them it goes away.  Other times if I keep my cool so to speak they go away in about 10 minutes or so.  Later I have to pee really bad and I shiver all over with my teeth chattering and I am not cold!!  Then for about one hour later I have PVC"s until I fall asleep.  What would you call this and is this normal?  Been checked out.  Please give me your good opinon

[CCF CARDIO MD JMF]

Dear Margaret,

These sound like panic attacks.  they are best dealt with through behavior modification , anxiolytics and beta blockers.  These symptoms should be discussed with your internist.

[Gina]

Margaret,
Hi, I have tachyacardia but also have Grave's disease.  Before being diagnosed with graves I had a lot of the same symptoms you are having.  Have you had your thyroid checked?  If it hasn't been recently you should maybe have it checked.  Mine was way out of wack and was missed by several doctors.  Let me know how you're doing. Good luck.

[CCF CARDIO MD JMF]

Dear Margaret,

Thank you for your excellent comment.