Is it the heart?

[Imaz]

Hi,

I have been feeling relatively lightheaded  since 2007.  It first started as waking up in the morning and I felt like fainting.  I thought I was low on sugar so I had taken some honey.  It didnt help so I laid down and can see the ceiling as if I was floating.  (not spinning).

After many GP visits(second opinion GP's), ENT, Physiotherepist for Vestibular Neuronitist, Neurologist, Physcologist for Anxiety, I still have no firm diagnosis.

GP thinks its anxiety so I was send for 6 months of Physcologist.  After showing I was not happy, I was referred to an ENT to check my ears.  ENT report (possible ETD, possible Vestibular Neuronitist), ENT referred me to the Physio who suspect(90%VN and 10%Miagraine associated).  Neurologist thinks it is Anxiety as the MRI results were clear.

Here are the tests I have done and the results:

2007/Dec - Full Blood Tests, Normal
2007/Dec - Emergency Room as I felt like faining(but did not), ECG normal
2008/Jan - Emergency Room as I felt like fainting(but did not), ECG normal, Dr prescribe me with Xanax
2008/Mar - ENT, Possible ETDysfunction. possible Vestibular Neuronitist
2008/Mar - Physio, Possible VN and Migrain Associated, gave me a rehab test to do for balance
2008/July - Neurologist, refered me for Hearing Test, Vestibular Test(Cold/Warm water tests) & ENG light test, MRI on the brain and Iams with contrast. All results were clean and Vestibular tests were negative. Hearing tests were clean.
2008/2009 - Phsycologists for Anxiety(anxiety which came after light headedness)
2009/Oct - Saw ophthalmologist to check if eye was causing anything as I get shifty eyes since, clean
2009/Nov - Full blood works, normal
2010/Mar - Full blood works, normal
2010/Apr - Full blood works, Iron, Feritin, normal
2010/Aug - Refered to Physcian

Symptoms since 2007/Dec till now:-
-Light headedness(no spining)/floating feeling
-2008/2009 Palpitations, hear heart beat and can hear it skip??
-2008 stiff neck, ear full/dullness
-blury vision, light sensitivity,
-shortness of breath
-hot flushes
-fatigue
-brain fog
-out of breath when short distance walks/climb stairs, this was sudden since 2007. The same stairs I use to be able to race up at work(2 storey)
-numbness tingling feeling in legs, arms
-weak

An episode for me to describe is:
Sudden chronic light headedness, out of breath, lack of oxygen and feel like I can not breathe even when I try to, weak/unresponsive limbs, tingling/numbness in limbs, sudden hot flushes, palpitations, feel like heart beat skip, eyes feel like they want to shut as I cant stand the light headedness/relay vision,  feel like lack of oxygen going to the brain and feel like passing out.(but dont).

70% of the time, it has happened to me while driving, so it is very unpleasant.

Sorry for the long winded history, but Im looking for an answer.

Thanks

[Imaz]

The last blood works done were to check for diseases.  I'm not sure what kind to be specific. I'll get the results at the end of the month.  Sounds scary.

[ireneo]

Did they do blood work related to auto immune problems like lupus? A rheumatologist might be helpful. You have so many things going on, I was just wondering if it was more systemic rather than a single organ like the heart.

[Imaz]

I had an echocardiogram done today, I wont get the results until I see me specialist at the end of the month.  I also had a 24hr holter attached to me today.  Will be taking it off tomorrow.  Knowing my luck, I wont get an episode during the monitoring period.

[Imaz]

ER said going by the ECG, they say i have  pericarditis.

I am worried.

[Imaz]

In ER at the moment, had some chest pains for a couplle days but it kind of go intense tonight.

[r9c]

I think its better that you get a 24 hour holter test,let the cardiologist monitor your heart rhythm for that period and see if theres any abnormal rhythm causing those blacking out sensations.

[Imaz]

what I forgot to mention, I have had several instances in the shower where I felt like blacking out, till the point I squad down to the floor with my mind blank and no visibility(everything pitch black)...  I then regain to normal after a few seconds/a minute...  

[Imaz]

Thanks for the support.

The lightheadedness is constantly there, like its dorment and gets worst when ever it feels like.

Even Hunger can trigger it....  I check my sugar levels all the time incase its related, but so far nothing "abnormal", but that it maybe low, and even its highest was 8.9mmol/l after I eat a meal.

[r9c]

I think if possible just make an appointment with a cardio,where they can start by doing an echo first but maybe if your test came back good then it could be anxiety yeah i also told my cardio that i do not feel stress or anxious most of the time but they say if its the heart related problem it would have gotten alot worse and just like kay2486 said like fainted already but just see a cardiologist let them do the test without telling them that your symptoms could be anxiety otherwise they would just sent you away with some anti anxiety meds

[kay2486]

it really sounds like anxiety, you've had all tests and if there were a problem with your heart then you would have fainted, ive suffered from anxiety since last october now, i know its difficult but you need to focus on something else i have to keep active by looking after my two young boys, it will help a lot, if you let the dizziness happen and dont let it bother you no matter how bad the anxiety will die away it may take weeks but trust me you'll feel sooo much better than before, it worked for me good luck

[Imaz]

I dont feel stress at all, though my GP seems to think it may be related!  I dont have any worries in my life, and if its Miagraine associated, I dont feel any miagraines, never.  I have felt on a few occassions throbing on my brain which last for a few seconds.  

I am hear to see what you all feel and if I should get some chardio tests done on me...  I have outrulled everything else it seems...

I guess the ECG in the ER is just not enough??? 2minute tests.

[r9c]

Wow,i too get those lightheadness alot and a sensation of fainting and as a result been in and out of the A&E several times.Seen Cardiologist,neurologist and endocrinologist all test were clear and they mentioned it could be anxiety causing all those lightheadness the only thing is i dont feel alot anxious stress and still i feel those constant dizziness and palpitations,tilt table test were normal,so no blood pressure drop during standing for a long time etc..
you dint mentioned about seeing a cardiologist ? have you done stresstest,24holter and an echocardiography ?