Unusual Rhythm

Hi please can a specialist answer this question. I am about to go for new Echo and want a confirmed diagnosis of nothing serious; or else to know what to do. When leaning back in a straight chair i can feel in my mid lower back with each heartbeat (systole) a 'squirt' sensation. Throughout the day if i check carefully, there is a noticeable pause between heartbeats and in that pause, a murmur or 'rggghhh' pulsation. I can't feel the pulsation (or don't dare to) but at night when i lie down it is impossible to miss. I have great difficulty sleeping; the pulsation is there and it grows in intensity. My heart rate stays normal and my valves sound normal (as far as i can tell with a stethescope), although if i was to guess i would suspect slight aortic stenosis. I currently have a cold with phlegm but no sneezing (i sneezed once starting two weeks ago); this all started two weeks ago. It is a repeat of almost exactly the same symptoms i had in 2005. But then, i did not feel the 'pause' between beats nor the 'murmur' just a lot of 'machinery' noise in my left chest. I visited 17 doctors but nobody could detect any murmur until doctor 17, who put me on Propranalol 120 mg a day. I was diligent and took this until 2007 at which time i felt well enough to stop taking it. I was off it until 2008. My 2005 Echo was normal (trivial mitral reflux); my echo in 2009 showed trivial MR and mild Tricuspid reflux. I worry things have progressed; valve problems progress from one valve to the next if left entirely untreated (is this true?). I ran out of Propranalol for one week ten days ago and i went through a Hell of major Afib (at least it felt like it) and rampant violent swinging beats. Back on the Propranalol, things have calmed down a lot (i also was given Metroprolol as the local hospital did not have Propranalol). I am taking 25 - 50 mg a day of Metroprolol and 40 - 50 mg a day of Propranalol. My symptoms have subsided a lot but i cannot sleep; a slow 'vibration' starts (seems to originate from the 'pause' but i don't know) and it increases (like rowing a boat, it has a vertical push to it and it goes into my head where i can feel a 'bobbing' sensation) in intensity; it prevents me from sleeping. If i do manage to sleep, i sometimes wake up with chest pain. I was diagnosed with moderate Sleep Apnea in 2005 but i did not believe the test was thorough and felt the company wanted to sell me the CPAP machine. I worry now that i have damaged my cardio system and 'pulled a valve' and cannot avoid surgery. I would prefer to die than pay $20,000 for a repair that could turn out worse than doing nothing.


This discussion is related to Strange pulse feeling in different parts of body.

[CCF HeartMD5]

Its difficult to give a diagnosis over the internet. I suggest that you begin with a visit to your cardiologist. Your cardiologist will be able to take a good history,  perform a physical exam, review your ECG, and get an echocardiogram if needed. From your description, I am not able to tell what valvular or rhythm problem you may have, or what surgery you may require.