Extrasystoles during a panic attack

[jha]

I have had, I think, a reacurrace of panic attacks. I can say that I have had a history of them going back to being a teenager when I was hospitalized for atrial fibirlation. Shortly after that experience I would have panic attacks everyonce in a great whil. I really didn't know what happen but I let it go. I have a congenitl heart condition (Ebstein's anomoly) and have it checked every year by a Cadiologist. Everything is normal, realitivly speaking. I didn't start having serious anxiety and panic attacks that were crippling to my way of life until Sping of 2002. I saw a phychatrist and went on a couple of different meds and finally went to Paxil. It took a good while it seems like until I felt normal again and what I mean by that is I constanly worried about my heart to the point I can feel it beating in my chest and feel the pulses in my hands at rest. This makes me uneasy and the problem gets worse to the point that when I get up I feel it really pounding in my chest like 120bpm, but it comes down when I sit. I have had my share of panic attacks also. I wanted to start avoiding things in my life like climbing up stairs or working out and eating. Eventually though, I did get back to my life and stopped obsessing over my heart.

Now I'm back to square one again. the same things are happening. I went off the Paxil in August of last year and was fine until the end of November when I got Mono. THIS REALLY STRESSED ME OUT CONSIDERING i FOUCUS ON MY HEALTH A LOT AND ESPECIALLY MY HEART. sO, I GUESS YOU CAN SAY i HAD A RELAPSE. My questions are do people have extra beats during a panic attack when their heart is racing, because I have experienced that about a handful of times where my hear is beating fast and it feels like it skips and starts pounding again. I know people have them but does it happen whil their heart races during a panic episode. Also, is it normal for your heart to beat fast when you go up stairs because I live on a third floor apartment and everytime I go up the steps, any steps, it goes up to 150 bpm and then comes back down again in about a minute. I know its not an arryhthmia just because of how it feels but is it normal for someone who is 26? It seems to coincidental to be something else. The only thing that is bothering me though is the extra beats when I'm a full blown panic attack.

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

Being out of breath going up stairs, and increased rate,is perfectly normal.so are extrasystoles, but check this with your cardiologist.

Preoccupation with health, and the relapse that occurs with mono, seems to be the right explanaiton for these new episodes, so do what you did before...get your medical information straight, and then get back your well grounded perspective.

[armymom]

I have PVC's during panic attacks. I hate the darn things. I know what you are going through. I have constant sinus tachycardia that is very disturbing also. Do you ever get PVC's while taking a deep breath? I can't seem to find anyone that has this. I have an Echo which only showed Physiologic Mitral and Tricuspid Regurgitation and Trace Aortic Regurgitation which I have to do Antibiotic Propylaxis before Dental and Medical Procedures. I didn't really start having PVC's until I got pregnant over a year ago which excaberated them. I am just glad I am not alone on having PVC's and anxiety due to the heart. My first psychology appointment is February 17th...we will see what they do and say. Any suggestions on depression/anxiety medication as I am very sensitive to medication for some odd reason.

armymomof#1

[jha]

Thanks for the comments Dr. and Armymom they really make me put things into perspective and I don't feel so alone.

Armymom,

I can't tell you how good it feels to here from you and other people that I've talked to through this other site www.panicsurvivor.com, this forum has people just like you and I who experience the same thing. Yes, they have PVC'S during panic attacks; it's normal. Took me a while to get it because when your having a Panic Attack it feels ten times worse than when your at rest. I have also had the sensation my heart skipping when I breath in deeply; it seems to happen when I'm laying down or that's when I noticed it. I have had that for years. I don't have Sinus Tachycardia normally only after a panic attack. I was on Paxil a couple of years ago and that is what I have went on recenlty again and it works. If they didn't have these medicines, I don't know how I would live life. So, when you do see your doctor ask him about Paxil, I've heard it's the best drug for Panic disorder and Anxiety. The thing you, me and everyone else that has this problem needs to know is that panic/anxiety has never killed anyone, so don't worry about that. I know it's hard especially when you have no medicine to balance your brain chemistry out. things start to really make sense then. As far as you being sensitive to medicine you have to remember that you have an anxiety disorder if your like me and tend to dwell on your health like I do, especially my heart every little thing that happens in my body I pay attention too. So what I'm trying to say is that it might be you and not so much the medicine. I hope this helps and you can relate. Thanks!

[fearfactor]

Hi - I have PVCs during panic and anxiety, too.  They suck and are SO scary to me.  The heart symptoms are the worst part of panic, I think if I didn't have fast heart rates and PVCs during attacks they'd be much easier to handle!

[jha]

fearfactor,

I couldn't agree with you more. The racing heart and the PVC's acociated with panic are horrific and panic/anxiety would be so much more easier to deal with if they wern't part of the disease.

Thanks,

jha