Awareness of heart pounding all the time and neurologic type symptoms

[Bekki]

Hi there. I REALLY hope that someone can tell me that they have had simular symptoms as mine. I really feel all alone.
Starting in June of LAST year, I became aware of my heart pounding....mostly in my neck and lower arms / hands. I finally went into the hospital one night, because I could not take it anymore. I had an EKG, and a stress test done for the ole' ticker. Then - because of these wierd syncopal symtoms, I also had my 'noggin" checked via CT scan. (I was having these weird sensations on the top of my scalp and in the back of my neck) The tests all came back NORMAL. Huh?? I thought for sure something would be found. Every since last June, I have NOT felt like my old self. (I am 53 years old now) I have some very strong emotions going on with me.....dealing with ALOT! So, I am not ruling out the possibility of it being all stress related. But, has anyone else gone through any of this??
Sometimes, when I go to stand up, my head feels strange....like a "shock" sensation. It "feels" as though everything in my head is getting squeezed off. This only happens when I sit for a really long time at the computer. (Uh oh. I better get up now)
Seriously, I really wish someone would give me some type of re-assurance that I am alright. I am not so convinced that I don't have SOMETHING really "rare." I am mostly consumed with the awareness of my pulse. This is not just panic attacks. Because I can feel my pulse all the time. Why, all of a sudden did this happen to me? It never goes away. Two doctors say....tension.

[Deege]

I have also been experiencing heart pounding.  Mostly occurs when eating a big meal late in the day or evening.  Pounds so hard I can not get to sleep.  Pulse is normal (72) when this happens.  I suspect it may be vitamins that I am taking.  I ran out for two weeks and did not have any episodes.  Started them again 3 days ago and last night it happened again.

[widge]

Does sound like stress but you cannot count on it. Did they check the carotid arteries in the neck for blockage? How about potassium and magnesium levels?  Thyroid levels? Need to have them all checked out. Good luck.

[amberch]

sounds like your blood pressure is spiking from anxiety or stress- can cause numbing, tingling, etc.
when you stand up from a seated position that you have been in a long time and you feel strange in your head etc. that is orthostatic hypotension- not a problem just rise slower
might want to ask Doctor about an exercise regiman
this could really help the stress related symptoms

[boninclyde]

Have your heart checked out. Then check other thngs if you feel the need. Which ever to feel comfortable. I have had ever test imaginable and nothing.  Well I found something but I suffered from anxiety for 15 years so what they found was not related to the problems I was having at the time.Your mind can make your body very sick. Remember that.

[Bekki]

I truly want to thank both of you for your caring comments. I do feel a bit better after reading your posts. I will keep an open mind. I am seeing a neurologist in August, and I am getting a biopsy done this week. (this IS real) I am having some spotting, and I am post-menopausal. So, this could be quite serious. Believe it or not, I am more worried about the expense from all of this as I am single and quite alone. I am also helping to care for my aging parents. So, I do have some reason, I guess, for anxiety. I am REAL close to my parents, for they are all I've got. My sons are grown and have moved away from this area. I miss them so!!
    Well, I am signing off now. I am going to try and go to sleep. I just took my "wonder pill" Xanex, so I am going to beddy bye! Take care, and God bless!!

[Hityty]

Told you you're not alone! :)
Yes, I can feel my heart beat all the time. It intensifies some times more then others, but I'm always aware of it. (I have FMS/CFS also, but new symptoms developed past yr.) I have to take sleeping pills too, otherwise I have insomnia. I believe wholeheartedly that anxiety can lead to terrible health conditions, but also health problems can lead to anxiety. Seems like they feed on each other. I also know to well how we need to hear from a medical professional if there is anything else it could be. I don't think there is anything wrong with seeking medical help for symptoms we're having, including anxiety.  I hope your circumstances become more tolerable, or you can find a way to relieve them some how. I agree with Cuda, we can make ourselves sick by worrying too much about our health. But also, I think the net is a great source of information, this website is proof of that, but we CAN overdo it sometimes, it is important to be reasonable & level headed w/it all, that's all. It sounds like you have an open mind about your symptoms. Don't give up.
I'm just a fellow "patient", not an MD, but I DO understand!

[cuda 1]

i also have  the same pounding heart i would also like to add ive had all kinds of crazy symptoms off and on latley very dizzey weak numbness just very spaced out feeling i went to the er in santa barbera california because i was at the beach and i felt like i was going to drop over and die and the doc came in and asked me some of my symptoms and we talked for about a full hour about my simptoms my concerns and previous tests and that doc changed my life forever he said i have anxiety very bad and to stay off the internet and stop abseesing about my health ive been told for two years by docs that its just anxiety but i never listened because i had such crazy real symptoms but this doc looked me in the eye and was so educated on anxiety that i finally trusted a docs opinion and ten minutes later i felt completley normal and enjoyed the rest of my visit at the beach and for the past two days ive still felt great so now after my symptoms are gone frome a talk i will nevr under estamate the power of anxiety!!!!!! stop worying its a wast of life i promiss im living proof if you read about other peoples symptoms too much you will feel them too!!!!

[Bekki]

Thank you so much for responding. Now, I do not totally feel alone.
    I do have alot going on in my life that is not good right now. Basically, I am not happy with my present conditions. BUT, I still think SOMETHING is off kilter in my system. I can feel my heart beating right now in my neck as I am typing. I just do not think this is normal. I am 53 and getting older. Some people will tell me that my body is aging, while others think I am a BIG worrier/hypochondriac!! I just wish SOMEONE out there in the medical field could give me a diagnosis. One that makes total sense. But instead....two doctors tell me that it must be tension. I am beyond frustration with this mysterious malady.
Can you feel your heart pounding all the time?
I have to take Xanax (.05) to sleep at night. Otherwise the pounding keeps me awake.

[Hityty]

Just wanted to tell you that you are NOT alone. I'm going through a lot of the same symptoms, had a lot of tests done too, all say "normal" except for hypothyroid which I already knew of. (which do cause a lot of these symptoms.) I too am aware of my heart beating, I "feel" it beating & I can even see it in my eyes, sounds weird, I know, but I do understand what you are talking about, and I think others will too. If it IS stress causing you these symptoms, that doesn't mean you're "fine" or "okay". You still need to treat this!

I can only offer my empathy! I'm sure you'll get some advice here as I have lately. Don't give up, our bodies tell us when something is wrong, even if the doc's say otherwise. Keep researching, there's an answer for all this, just takes a little time to find it, I'm still looking, but I'm getting closer! Let me know how you're doing, K!

[mungufuata]

Talk to your neurologist about a tilt table test.  It may come in handy in this situation.