At my wits end. . .HELP !!

Ok, awhile back I posted about ending up at the ER.  Here's the lowdown. . .

Had a heart spasm in 2004 that led to a heart attack.  Have had "skipping" since 1991 after some extreme stress situations.

Two weeks ago at lunch my heart started skipping violently. . .continued thru lunch but then settled down.  At dinner, same thing. . .heart skipping violently (could actually feel it with my hand on my lower chest).  Then I started shaking (what I would call convulsing). . .jaw was tight, shaking all over.  My blood sugar was 152, BP 152/96, pulse 104. Hubby called ambulance, went to ER, they told me I was ok-go home.

Last night. . .around 11:50 pm turned on my right side in bed and my heart started the skipping again.  It was flopping around and I felt so cold. . .then the shaking started again.  Was able to get this time to settle down in about an hour. . .fell asleep (not a real good sleep).  This morning my body feels heavy and a little shakey (shaky).  My blood pressure was 142/98 Pulse 99. . .felt my heart racing.

I am diabetic and have checked my bs each time. . .last night was 109.  I am on two different meds for the spasm. . .Norvasc and Zebeta.  Starlix for my diabetes and of course 2 baby aspirin.  I am at my wits end with no answers. . .HELP !!!  I can't even get back to work in this condition. . .

Any ideas ??  PLEASE ??!!

[Michael J. McWilliams, M.D.]

You need a heart monitor to determine what the irregular rhythm.  Once you know what it is, it gives a starting pointing for treatment.  It could be PACs, PVCs, atrial fibrillation or several other less likely things.  Objective data is needed.

The shaking sounds like a panic attack -- getting scared from the extra beats.  You need to see a doctor and get some objective data so you have a starting point.

I hope this helps.

[too_sweet61]

I have had 5 holter monitors and it comes back with:

PAC's, PVC's, superventricular tachy.  How can one have a panic attack in the middle of the night ?  It woke me up. . .I'm just so flustered and confused on this. . .I am on both Zebeta and Norvasc which from my understanding was to stop the skipping. . .I have also had a 30 day monitor that came back with the reading of the above.

While at the hospital they did an ecg which states:

Sinus rhythm with premature atrial complexes, Prolonged QT

Another one that same night says:

Sinus tachycardia, noonspecific ST and T wave abnormality

When I asked the ER doctor about this he said it is all normal. . .how in the world can this be normal ??  He sent me home after talking with me for 3 minutes saying everything was ok. . .it isn't ok because I still don't have any answers. . .

Any ideas ??

[Michael J. McWilliams, M.D.]

panic attacks at night are common.

if you want answer, want reassurance, you need to see a cardiologist.  ER doctors focus on what will cause immediate harm and if it doesn't, they will want you to follow up with your primary doctor.

[too_sweet61]

Ok. . so what I am reading is that a panic attack can wake you from a deep sleep ?  I thought those only happened during waking hours ?  Thanks for your help as again, I am at my wits end.

[thuy25]

25 yrs old, female
question: am I too young for a pacemaker? would you recommend it? My lower chamber heart stopped beating for 6 seconds in the ER. After intensive ICU care and tests w/2 day period, the doctors at Mpls, MN suggested next day pacemaker surgery. I declined. It has been 2 years and no other fainting episodes has occurred. However, I still have frequesnt skipped beats and my heart beats different when I overact to situations. I also get sharp pains right in my heart chest area, time to time. it feels like a knife/sharp and can last of 30 secs-1 minute.