Why do doctors not take this serious?

[suniroze]

I am 32 and I have just in the last month experienced palpitations after eating. The first time it happened at work and I was sent to the ER. I work in a hospital. I was sent home with a triponin of 0 and asked to call 911 if it happened again. It did. That night I took my kids out to eat since I didnt feel up to cooking and I had a breakfast meal. I felt the aura of something happening on the ride home. I made it home them called 911. My neighbor took my kids and I took a trip to the hospital. They gave me a 1 mg of Ativan. I felt really tired after that but I know it was just a bandaid to show they had tried something since my ekg was normal. I followed with my pcp and she ordered a sleep study and a heart monitor( event monitor) I recieved the monitor 2 weeks later and I was feeling great. I rested up and I never felt better. I thought it was anxiety and it would never happen again. I was wrong. 5 weeks later, I went out to brunch with my kids to Souplantaion, a buffet that serves salad, soup and pasta. I was done eating and I admit I felt stuffed and went to the bathroom. I leaned forward as the stall was very small and I felt the aura of the palpitations coming on. I go tto the table and ask my kids to join me for a walk to walk off the feeling. I walked and it got worse. I was hot and clammy and I was trying to stay calm. I then felt like I could not stay on my feet and went into a store to sit. An employee noticed me and grabbed my arm and proceeded to check my pulse. I was 120 and she called 911. EMS came and did my EKG. I was sinus tach again and I didnt want to leave my car and kids there so I left AMA. They assured me if they thought I was unable to do that they would not allow me to leave at all. I went home and put my heart monitor on. The next day was Monday and on my way to work driving, it happened again. It wore down and I drove to work and then said a prayer cause I did not feel good at all.  I took a break at 1100 and ate a cliff bar and a glass of water and it happened again. I went to the cardio team and asked for an EKG> it was sinus tach and the Cardio nurse listened to my symptoms and thought it could be AVNRT. She gave me a handout and said the docs aften give females the "anxiety" diagnosis. But but glad to hear that I was wearing the heart monitor and that should capture the event and be able to be identified. If so then an oblation per cardiac cath were be a nice intervention  and it would go away for ever. I was glad to hear but that was her saying that without the evidence. So I have been actively communicating with the cardio team covering my events and they have advised that my events have shown only sinus tach and to refer to my PCP again. After the event at work I was sent to the ER and there the doctor checked my electrolytes, enemia, blood sugar, my triponin again and all was with in normal range. I was glad to hear that but what in the world is ging on with my body? I cannot say much more than I feel like I will not wake up one morning. and I have 4 kids and my husband is overseas right now serving our country and I just want to see him again. I love my kids and I wish someone would hear me. This is real for me and I am really scared. It doesnt matter if you live at the hospital, if they dont know how to diagnose you , you wont have any peace. I feel for you writers that have gone through this for years... I cannot imagine putting my family throught this for years! If there is anyone in the San Diego area that has any reference of a very good doctor to refer I would appreciate that greatly. I am not ready to leave this world but how long do you have to fear eating ? That is one of our life essentials and is miserable. I am going to look into the MSG blog. I am wondering if that had a role to play. Thank to all who wrote a testimony , you dont how good it feels to hear others with symptoms and stories just like your own.  


This discussion is related to Fast Heart Rate After Eating.

[cuddles421]

I too have this problem. Since having the Bypast Surgery I have experience these symptoms. I believe that I have now slid past my weight goal because I can not eat without these symptoms. I would like to know what it is!! I have found that when my heart races I can take Loratab/Vicodin and the heart rate will start to immediately decrease. In about 10 mins you are good to go. This is the only thing that has worked for me. I am wondering if there are any other meds that will decrease your heart rate besides Vicodin. Because of the fact they can be adictive I want something else that may work. All in all if I can find out what this condition is then maybe there is some cure so I can get some weight back!!!

[wazabooz]

Slightly elevated pulse after eating, for me, was normal; something I only noticed a few years ago. (I'm 46)  But a couple of months ago, and again this last few days, It's been elevated ALL the time.
The heart beat is regular and strong -- so I'm much more aware of the higher rate because I can feel it, and it's really bothersome! I woke up last night around 2am and never got back to sleep because of the the pounding.
I've tried everything I can think of to "relax" with no results. I keep taking a deep breath because it feels like that's what I should be doing, but it never helps and after three days my chest is starting to feel tired. No stabbing pains or heart attack symptoms. I'm not actually short of breath but exertion isn't comfortable.
I can rule out anxiety (hey, we're ALL stressed these days). No medications or history of heart problems. My rate is not as high as some other sufferers (80-100), but it's wearing me down! I can't imagine living like this for years! If there's some drug I can order online that would just slow it down, I might be forced to do that. (No insurance, can't afford a doctor.)
Oh and by the way I have been eating what I consider a generally healthy diet for years. I am sensitive to MSG (but get different symptoms) & avoid processed food AMAP. Rarely eat out. Some would say I'm a bit underweight; have been trying to put on a few without luck.
I just pray this goes away soon!

[hollylh]

I am a 24 year old female and I have ahad the same problems. Been through all the testing as well, stress test, ekg, echo and more. Have to say that- I stopped eating foods with MSG, and aspartame and I have also been drinking more water, going to a homeopathic doctor and it has helped alot. I went through a period of time having a racing heart and anxiety so bad that I didnt want to leave my house--they tried to put me on medication as well- but after visiting a nutritionist, I changed my eating habits to mostly natural foods, and lots of veggies and I have improved almost 100%.  I never believed in these silly changes would work before until I experienced them... I honestly think everyone should try it!! Let me know if any of it works for you.  Once in a while i still get the racing heart and anxiety, but not every day like I was having in the past!

[kjohns10]

I am 32 and have been going through these symptoms for 4 years now.  I have 5 kids and know how you feel about not wanting to live like this when there are kids involved.  I have been to all the doctors around the town where I live.  They all diagnose me with anxiety.  However, this coming week I will be going into surgery for gallstones.  When I was sent to EKG for one, it came out abnormal.  I was having arrythmias.  The next doctor to see me said that he would find out what is going on with me.  When I look all my symptoms up over the internet, it brings up sick sinus syndrome.  Why haven't the doctors found this yet?  I am sick and tired of the doctors not listening to us.  Right now I am sitting here crying, because I am scared.  I have had bouts of a-fib, svt's, pvc's and bradycardia.  What kind of anxiety would do this to a person?  I wish they would actually listen to us, they just talk about mortality rates, maybe if they actually listened, it wouldn't be so high.  I wish you the best of luck, I hope they find out what is wrong with you.

[dnlh]

OMgoodness....do I ever understand. I'm a 31 yr old woman and have went through the sinus tachy, and a whole host of other complications. Whether the docs will admitt it or not .......we are often diagnosed as being silly women with stress issues. Take a pill and it will go away. I got very proactive....I went and got every last test and blood work copies for myself. It turns out that my lil bit of cardiomyopathy is actually Apical Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.........very rare and often misdiagnosed. EKG's may show a problem, however it is only a start point and cannot diagnose all problems....in my case they are always normal but my echo was the true answer for me. It showed my abnormal apex which I was born with......it explains all the passing out when I was growing up, after having kids, working doubles as a waitress. Admittedly sometimes It can be anxiety......my advice for that is to limit the caffeine, the cigs, and stress triggers and see how you do. I'm not big on the take a pill thing and found it offensive when I thought I was dying and they are treating my like a fool......be proactive and remember the docs are working for YOU! No harm in getting a second opinion or a third........don't let being scared rule your life.......

[cadeneal]

It is sooooooooo frustrating to be a sane person suffering from UNEXPLAINED, UNDIAGNOSED medical conditions.  I too have PVC's and PAC's.  I am 42 and have had these off and on for many years.  Lately they have become more frequent and more bothersome.  I went to the ER a couple weeks ago, sitting in the passenger seat of a friend's car, saying a prayer that I honestly believed could be my last.  Then, you almost feel foolish when they send you home because there is "nothing wrong".  I've done everything the medical community has suggested.  I take 50mg Toprol daily along with Prozac.  It's no way to live.

[cookienkikin]

I also know what you are going through, and I honestly believe that it's anxiety.  I suffer from the same things, I've seen 3 different cardiologist's, and had stress test, echo's, holter monitors, event monitor, blood work and the whole 9 yards.  I will feel skipped beat feelings and then my heart will start to race and i will feel really hot and clammy and kinda dizzy just an awful feeling and it will last no more than about 30 to 45 mins and it will go away.  My Dr gave me a low dose of xanax to take when I feel like this and when I do take it and it kicks in after awhile I feel ALOT better.  We often become so concerned with our bodies and our hearts that we are so scared of dying that we're not really living we're just merely existing.  We can't be afraid all of our life and worry, only God know's when our numbers up and we can't do anything about that.  Just believe in him and live your life.  I still suffer from the same things you are right now and I'm trying to live how I'm telling you right now. Please just live your life and enjoy it.  Worrying all the time is just a waste.  Take care.