What should I do?

[KCDM]

Hi Again,
I am still being plagued by these new sensations and feeling quite fed up with it all!I am getting an unusual palp sensation that feels like it grips me completely,it isn't a usual palp I can ignor,it comes on STRONG and forces me to listen.I had a bad palp yesterday that afterwards felt like someone was choking me and I had alot of pressure in my face.My face was hot and very flushed as too my arms and chest.It then passed.I am fearing I am having a very bad new arrhymia of some kind.I have tested normal on ecg,ekg,holter,bloodwork and stress test. Can I still be having a heart palp that is potientially fatal even after these good tests?Should I fear these new sensations?What should I do next?I went to the ER and had a 10 sec ekg that was good, but I also didn't feel anything unusual when it was on me.What do you infer about my situation?I am at the end of my rope and need some sort of explanation as to why I shouldn't fear dying from this.I am 23,female,normal weight & currently in councilling for my nervousness over this new sensation.I fear multiple pvcs and v-tach,since v-fib is a great rish at that point. HELP! Help me to understand my risks, what this may be(possibly,the chances that it is what I fear and why I should not fear dying from this. Thanks again for your time and I hope you can really give me some insight as to what to do next and what exactly is going on with my heart.I know you suggested anitarrhymics if pvcs effect my QOL. But if I can get past the stress, do I really need a drug like that?Wouldn't a beta-blocker be safer for me? Thanks again

[anacyde]

I can relate to your anxiety over this.  My palpitations started at 16, when I was diagnosed with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia.  It's pretty benign and stopped for the most part when I cut out caffeine.  I still had lone PACs and some occasional PVCs though.  All of it can be incredibly unnerving!!!

I finally found peace about the palpitations when I found this wonderful forum.  I too shared your fear of having some horrible potentially fatal rhythm.  Even recently when I had a bad recurrence (they come in phases for many of us) I FINALLY caught the really scary stuff on Holter and it was ALL atrial, mostly singles with a couplet once.  I get adrenaline-induced PSVT still, but usually fatigue, too much sugar, poor diet and lack of water play a role in that.

A couple of years back, I was so overwhelmed with a bad run of these things that it pretty much crippled me with fear.  I avoided things I would have otherwise done and was just scared all the time.  I was miserable.  I was existing but not living.  I guess I finally got to the point where I said to myself...what IS the point of existing if I am not LIVING?  And I forced myself to get out of the chair, and I forced myself to start living my life again, and I forced myself to ignore the palpitations after numerous assurances that I was fine.  I think you have to get tough on yourself too ;)  I know, it's easier said than done, and it's easier from my side than yours right now.  But believe me, you can beat the anxiety, and it's really worth it to have your life back.

A lot of us here have had these since our teens.  I've never heard of anyone dying after being diagnosed with benign palpitations.  Keep that in mind, hang in there, and when you're feeling doubt read the archives :)

[CollegeGirl143]

This was just on a ? in this forum maybe a month or two.. (i think its) 4 or more pvc's in a row is NSVT... NSVT lasts less than thirty seconds... VT requires a reentry loop like svt does.. ur usually either born with this or its brought on by scarring due to a heart attack..Im not sure if you can develope one out of no where.After everything else that you've had done, your only other option is really an event moniter. its similar to a holter, but you wear it for a month. Some people (in this forum too) get more than 32000 pvc's in a SINGLE DAY.. With these kind of heart problems it helps to look on the bright side and be greatful its not this bad. it helps you put into scope your own issues and deal with the anxiety..

[CollegeGirl143]

i thought maybe reading this might make u feel better... if u look further into the forum u can find a million other threads about problems just like yours to help put your mind at ease :)
http://209.51.172.19/forums/cardio/messages/35001.html

[Curmudgeon76]

To KMDC,
---------

I know how you feel about these damn things.  I would recommend to you a program called "attacking anxiety and depression", which is a program started by a woman named Lucinda Bassett.  I heard about this on the radio and checked it out.  It is an EXTERMELY valuable tool in helping people deal with anxiety.  She went through horrible anxiety and depression and got out of it and helps others do the same.

I've been suffering from anxiety and depression since I was a little kid, and have always been on meds.  Now I'm off and I'm finding that the palpitations (especially what it seems are runs) are making it difficult for me to life to the fullest (sounds like it's affecting you similarly).  I found the Attacking Anxiety program to be really helpful.  It's like a 12 disc set and I've been listening to one a week.  It's helping me alot, and you might wanna look into it.  Don't be afraid to see a therapist - they teach many of the same coping skills that can be learned in Lucinda's program, and it's great to be able to talk to someone face to face.  Also, as I've learned, it's best to make the effort to find a therapist who feels comfortable to you, and you will probably be able to determine that within a few sessions.

Good luck, and know that you are not alone in dealing with these symptoms.

[Curmudgeon76]

Collegegirl,

I asked about this on another post, but you seem quite knowledgable about the palps.  The other day (and this happened once before this bad, about a year ago) I was just sitting at my computer and out of knowhere I felt this adrenaline rush type feeling, which kind of knocked the wind out of me.  It felt like a total flip flopping roller coaster feeling in my chest, and I immediately took my pulse, noticing there was nothing there (absolutely terrifying).  Within a couple seconds, it was back, and my heart rate returned to normal.

Have you ever experienced this?  They caught it on the event monitor and my PCP told me it was a "few beats in a row".  Which is kinda vauge.  I'm going to see a cardiologist finally (I can't wait, need some reassurance) and will ask him more in detail, but from your own experience or knowledge, any ideas what that could be that I was experiencing?

[CollegeGirl143]

The first time i had an episode of svt, it was a very similar experience to what you describe..BUT thats also very textbook of anxiety.. its so difficult to tell the difference sometimes.. But i felt the HUGE rush of adrenaline.. i felt my pulse in my neck, it was irregular and beating so fast i couldnt keep up with the count.. I agree on the very vague thing.. A few beats in a row of what?? or did he just not say? lol.. Did you have any other symptoms? (dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath?) Its good your going to a cardiologist, he/she will lay it out for u. Dont be afraid to ask your doctor to elaborate either if you dont understand.. i see so many questions on this forum of people just asking the doctor to clarify what their own doctor told them.. Either way.. if its NSVT, or SVT.. they're very treatable.. I had my svt cured with an ablation in april :) i no longer have palps either.. it was the best thing ive done for myself!