SVT controlling your life

[grandalbo]

I'm an SVT sufferer and was diagnosed in 2004, aged 17. I had been having subtle episodes since i was a kid but i thought it was normal until it got worse when i was a teenager. I suffered attacks just about every day, but they are less frequent now than they were 4 years ago. I took Beta Blockers (propronalol) when i was 17 but didnt like how drowzy they made me so finished them and just put up with it. The condition made me very nervous and anxious and even squeamish, which i wasnt particularly before, it inhibited my ability to fly in comfort and for a short while when it was fresh news i couldnt even take the tube (subway), i similarly stopped being able to talk to large groups or relax for interviews. After a time i realised that drinking alcohol not only calmed down the SVT episodes but also made me obviously less worrisome, and so being a naive teenager I tended to just drink when i had a bad one. 4 years down the line i luckily havent developed an alcohol problem, but would not recommend that method of 'self help' to anybody, it sctually worked, but its only a short term solution and alcoholism is a much bigger problem than having SVT. My symptoms are gradually disappearing to some extent, however i still get a bad heart if im run down, over excited, had a rough night etc.
I have periodically suffered from another symptom over the last few years, which is much scarier, where i become dizzy, lightheaded and get hot and cold sweats, and feel intoxicated when i am not, i feel constantly out of breath and have to breath deeply in a particular way, a little like a yawn, in order to pump comfortable amounts of air into my circulation. These symptoms often prevent me from leaving the house or even my bed, as standing up makes me feel pressure in my skull and i feel like fainting, and usually last about 2 torturous weeks, no amount of healthy drinking, eating or exercise seems to make a difference, a recent attempt at getting back into Beta Blockers (so i could fly to Italy) brought this on again.
Does anyone else suffer these symptoms? Sorry for the long essay post.
Cheers.
Alex, UK

[Jerry_NJ]

I consider your breathlessness symptom of recent times (end of your post) should be checked out by a doctor.  I have little expectation that a Beta Blocker would help for that, it could make it worse.  

Have you checked you HR and BP recently, best when you are feeling short of breath, dizzy?  If your HR is below 40 bpm or you BP below something like 90/60, that could be the cause, the cure you'll have to discuss with your doctor.