Where's Dr. House when you need him?

[Greeneggsnham]

I first noticeably experienced the following symptoms the week after thanksgiving in '07: palpitations, a racing heart, and pain in the center of my chest when I inhale. Gradually, other symptoms started to appear - shortness of breath upon very minor exertion, the pain spread to my left ribcage, excessive sweating (oh, how annoying that one is!), and periodically, veins on my arms and chest becoming so dark it looked like I drew them on with a marker. I was on absolutely no medications at the time these began to appear and I have never abused drugs/alcohol. I do not have anxiety, asthma, diabetes, or a thyroid issue, as these have all been checked for. I subsequently eventually saw a cardiologist who ran a buttload of tests - EKG (5 of them over various doctors), Holter monitor, Echocardiogram (a total of 2), and a saline bubble study to check for heart defects. I have also had a chest x-ray done separately. All of these tests checked out normal except for a few benign PVCs/PACs that showed up on the Holter monitor. I have a new appointment with a family doctor in the next few days and I was wondering what other tests should be done since I seem to be running out of things to look for. My resting heart rate is hovering around 110-120. Perhaps it's autoimmune? Something involving the adrenal glands? It can't be PCOS because I've always had normal periods. Whatever it is, it cannot run in my family because I'm the only one to ever experience this. Any ideas? Oh, and I'm a 25 year old woman who is otherwise healthy except for about 40 pounds of extra weight that I would love to get rid of if I could only breathe well enough to exercise.

[doctornee medical]

Hi
Thanks for writing to the forum!
With your symptoms anemia, low blood sugar and hyperthyroid states should be ruled out. GERD is another possibility which can present with similar symptoms if the reflux is heavy. Hiatal hernia is another possibility. Omeprazole is a good drug to combat this. Along with it you can try over the counter antacids. Avoid heavy meals. Avoid too much of caffeine, tea, fried food and drinks both alcoholic and non alcoholic fuzzy ones. Avoid heavy exercises within 4 hours of a heavy meal. Raise the head end of the bed by pillows to 30 degrees. Go to bed at least 2 hours after food.
Hope this helps. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!

[Greeneggsnham]

Actually, funny enough, right after this started happening, I talked with my brother 45 yo with A-fib) because I was presenting with similar symptoms and he mentioned the diet connection. I immediately went on a low salt, low sugar, and low simple-carb diet which I am still on to this day. I had spent some time working in a coffeehouse so I was still determined to drink coffee, but I cut it down to only 8 oz a day of half-caf and the rest (if any, but not usually) is all decaf. I also do not drink soda, I do not use sugar substitutes, or eat many refined/processed foods. Anyway, my sister is a nurse and she came upon the reflux idea about a week after this started happening and I tried taking some Prilosec, but nothing changed, so I've ruled out heartburn. A-fib has also since been ruled out by my cardiologist. I have also been checking my blood sugar on a regular basis and it also is in a normal range (I'm lucky my cat is diabetic so I have a meter and know a lot about testing). I'm starting to think the excess weight I started slowly gaining after high school is actually a symptom because I've always been rather health conscience. Not to the hypocondria point, mind you. I was healthy before this started happening to me.