I have had it for 11 years. I would describe it like you did. I've never had any body comment about my neck veins, but I felt like some one turned on a switch and my heart was vibrating in my chest. I felt like there was a motor in my chest. I also felt like some one had thier hand around my neck too. It some times would happen when I bend over, other times, I am not sure what triggered it. I don't think you can distinguish AVNRT by feel, only because your heart is going fast. AVNRT is a form of SVT or PSVT its a matter of where the extra electrical pathway is and where its triggering at. I am going to get an ablation this week. I am scared. Also they clocked my rates at around 200-220. They even saw it once at 330!
I had AVNRT for many years, probably 30+, but never knew it was AVNRT until this year. An EP study and ablation in September verified the fact. My episodes would come on without any cause. A lot of times, it would be in the middle of sound sleep. My head would move with each beat and I could see my heart pounding by the movement of my shirt or nightgown. I'm pretty sure the pulse in my neck was throbbing too. It would be in the 200 to 250 rate range. As I got older, the frequency increased as did the time of each episode. I was unable to convert it on my own twice in '07...thus the ablation.
Thanks college girl. 200-250 sounds horrid. I'm really just estimating mine at 150. By the time I found a watch with a second hand it was over.
I used to have AVNRT as well, and i frequently felt my pulse in my neck while in an episode, however it felt more like someone was tapping on my neck.. If i hadnt been so hyperaware of what my heart was doing, i likely never would have put two and two together that it was my pulse... My rate was also much higher than yours.. in the 200-250 range.