Heart palpitations for several days, leading to fatigue

[jrhuh]

I am a 41 year old female.  I have been having heart palpitations for a few days straight now, but today they are worse.  They have made me feel very fatigued today in particular.  My palpitations feel like an anxious feeling, but I am not abnormally anxious or stressed about anything.  Every few minutes or so during the palpitations I get one strong beat that feels like it is in my throat, and it gives a sudden but not severe tightness in my upper back.  Then I feel a sudden shortness of breath, like I need to catch my breath.  I have had palpitations before, very occassionally, for a couple of years.  I had them a lot when I was in my first trimester with my last child, about 2 years ago, but they never went on for days, throughout the entire day.  They only lasted a couple of minutes at a time.  I am on the 250 dose of Advair for asthma, but I only take one dose a day, instead of the prescribed 2 doses a day.  I don't feel a need to take more than that.  I also take LoEstrin FE 24 birth control pills.  I don't smoke (not since age 16), and am not around smokers.  I am not more than 10 lbs overweight, and I drink maybe one glass of wine a week.  I also do not have a history of high blood pressure, and my cholesterol count is good.  Currently though, I have not been exercising.  I have had a lot of headaches lately also, so I have been taking ibuprofin almost every day lately, but only 400 to 600 mgs a day when I needed it.  I have 5 children, ages 17 years to 15 months, and I am a stay-at-home mom and part-time (very part-time) college student.  I have the regular stresses, but nothing worse than before.  Good marriage, wonderful husband, which keeps me sane when the going does get rough. ;-)  I am worried about these palpitations because they seem to be getting worse, and there has been no break in the past few days.  I have aunts on both sides of my family (one each) that have died of heart disease.  I have a large family, but only know of those two (blood relatives) as having a history of heart disease.   Any insight you might be able to share with me?  I know I don't usually drink enough fluids though.  Can this be part of the problem?  Should I get this checked out, or should I see if this becomes more frequent and problamatic?  Thanks for your help!    

[sasha813]

Yes true that it also caused palpitations with advair diskus once, but at the same time I am comfortable since it prevents my asthma attacks. I am keep me away from the drugs that inter act with it. ANy body who wants to know the entire list of drugs that interact with advair. Just have to google to find the drugs. there are also some pharmacies like international drug mart, drug store, wallgreens who also provide full drug information. Make use of this information.

[Pigtigg]

Hi to all as this is my first post. I am up distracting myself from my irregular heartbeat (it's 2am). Had it for years, but only went to the docs 6 months ago and was quite shocked to find out that it was my heart. The scary part for me is the feeling that my lungs aren't taking in any oxygen and I find myself gasping for breath.

I'm 38, fit and otherwise healthy (have had asthma since I was around 14). I have found that over the years I seem to have more fatigue on a daily basis, which I am sure is related to the heart problem.

When I first found out it was my heart - I was obsessed with taking my heartbeat, I even bought a heartbeat monitor (lol), I have to remind myself to chill out every time I reach for my wrist (like an hour or so ago). Doing research though has proved to be more helpful that the doctor, and only tonight I have found out about the link between PVC's and acid reflux, a link I had not made before, and it just so happens that I have had a late meal tonight and have (sorry for details) burped up some acid tasting stuff.

I have some headphones by my bed and I find it really useful to listen to some of the hemi-sync recordings just before I go to sleep (very relaxing). Distraction is also good.

I hope you go and check in with your doctor, although I hope that he was more helpful than mine.

I like this site, it seems to be very friendly and I am sure I will be posting more than just this one.

[finetilthree]

I would bet that if you went off of the b.c. pills your palps would decrease.  I had a horrible reaction to them and my palps went off the chart after only one pill.  I'm not a doctor, but my gut is telling me that its your hormones.  Mine are playing havoc with me after the birth of my third child.  Good luck to you.  

[jrhuh]

Thanks everyone for the advice!

[Joseph67]

Hi there - being new to the board and recently tested up I would encourage the same - get the work up and go from there. Let us know how it goes.

Peace
Joseph

[aussie mum]

Hi well you must be a VERY busy lady !! I'm a mum of three under six and sometimes i don't even get time to scratch myself (LOL)

I total agree with PVC man, for your own peace of mind go and get yourself checked over. When all the results come back "normal" (which I'm sure they will :} ) try really hard not to focus on them which i know is easier said then done but trust me coming from someone who spent more time feeling her pulse then enjoying life, you can learn to live with them once you stop focusing on them.

Take care :}

[maggiemag]

I agree with PVC man above,  However, Advair is supposed to be used twice daily.  It has a steroid in it and it won't be as effective used just once daily.  It is not the same thing as a rescue inhaler which is used for acute asthma episodes.  Advair is a MAINTENANCE drug, and the dose should be maintained as ordered by your doctor.  I would never change the dose/frequency of any drug without an ok from my physician as it can be dangerous and we don't know all the ramifications as we are not physicians.  I think Advair can cause arrhythmias but let the doctor decide what to do.   Hope this helps some.

[PVC man]

I think for your own peace of mind you should get it checked out as the tests are really non-invasive.  I think we all have periods in our lives where palps go nuts so we can relate.

Once you get it checked you should be able to relax a little and that may help.

Also, the doc may prescribe some medication for you which may help a lot.

Feel better!!