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Heart palpitations and body jolts
Hello everyone, new here and have a few questions I really need answers to.
About 4 months ago I was in the hospital over night, I was out with my friend and I just felt off and then we were driving home and I felt like I couldn't breathe. She raced me to her apartment so her room mate could check me out (she is a nurse). My heart was pounding and beating super fast, my arms and legs felt weak and they were tingling. I was really scared and didn't know what was happening so she took me to the hospital. They did all of the tests EKG, blood work, the scans everything came back normal except I had low potassium. My diet before this incident was complete crap. I would eat two meals a day and mainly it was fast good. My sleeping habits sucked and I was a smoker. Also before this incident, I would feel my heart palpitate, almost every night, it could happen once or twice and I never really thought anything of it except hmm maybe I should get that checked out.
So ever since my night in the hospital (which was my first time there since I was born) and they told me all they think happened was I felt something off in my body and had a panic/anxiety attack from there. I even did the 24 hour heart monitor and that came back normal.
The day I left the hospital I quit smoking and haven't had one since. I also quit drinking caffeine. I shocked my body pretty badly but honestly I was really scared. Since then I have been seeing a therapist and am on 25 mg of zoloft. I have only felt my heart palpitate a few times over the past 4 months, which is good but Every time it happens, it really scares me. I know my heart is healthy and they didn't scare me before, but now they do and I don't know how to get past it. I will get these body jolts or zaps too that really bother me. I eat a banana almost every single day, the longest I have gone without eating one would be 3 days. On the third day I was worried about it and then I felt my heart palpitate, twice, and I was left wondering and scared that maybe my potassium dropped again. When I had my follow up all of my levels were good. Is it anxiety or is my potassium dropping low??
I also really miss my coffee, but I'm afraid that it might set off an attack. I can't stand the dizzy, nauseous, tight chest feeling, and extremely tired feeling. There are days I can get through it but it feels like I am constantly preparing myself for an attack. How do I not do this? I just feel like I am going crazy.
I know this was long, I appreciate any and all help I receive. Thank you!
About 4 months ago I was in the hospital over night, I was out with my friend and I just felt off and then we were driving home and I felt like I couldn't breathe. She raced me to her apartment so her room mate could check me out (she is a nurse). My heart was pounding and beating super fast, my arms and legs felt weak and they were tingling. I was really scared and didn't know what was happening so she took me to the hospital. They did all of the tests EKG, blood work, the scans everything came back normal except I had low potassium. My diet before this incident was complete crap. I would eat two meals a day and mainly it was fast good. My sleeping habits sucked and I was a smoker. Also before this incident, I would feel my heart palpitate, almost every night, it could happen once or twice and I never really thought anything of it except hmm maybe I should get that checked out.
So ever since my night in the hospital (which was my first time there since I was born) and they told me all they think happened was I felt something off in my body and had a panic/anxiety attack from there. I even did the 24 hour heart monitor and that came back normal.
The day I left the hospital I quit smoking and haven't had one since. I also quit drinking caffeine. I shocked my body pretty badly but honestly I was really scared. Since then I have been seeing a therapist and am on 25 mg of zoloft. I have only felt my heart palpitate a few times over the past 4 months, which is good but Every time it happens, it really scares me. I know my heart is healthy and they didn't scare me before, but now they do and I don't know how to get past it. I will get these body jolts or zaps too that really bother me. I eat a banana almost every single day, the longest I have gone without eating one would be 3 days. On the third day I was worried about it and then I felt my heart palpitate, twice, and I was left wondering and scared that maybe my potassium dropped again. When I had my follow up all of my levels were good. Is it anxiety or is my potassium dropping low??
I also really miss my coffee, but I'm afraid that it might set off an attack. I can't stand the dizzy, nauseous, tight chest feeling, and extremely tired feeling. There are days I can get through it but it feels like I am constantly preparing myself for an attack. How do I not do this? I just feel like I am going crazy.
I know this was long, I appreciate any and all help I receive. Thank you!
One small sweet thing a day should'nt give you any problems. Cutting out the caffeine was a great idea.
Many women have increased anxiety during that time of the month. I think it has to do with hormone fluctuations. I used to take Pamprin and it helped with the cramps, mood swings and anxiety a little. It can be bought at any drug store.
Yes, some anxiety meds will work very fast and stop you from going into a full blown panic attack.
Many women have increased anxiety during that time of the month. I think it has to do with hormone fluctuations. I used to take Pamprin and it helped with the cramps, mood swings and anxiety a little. It can be bought at any drug store.
Yes, some anxiety meds will work very fast and stop you from going into a full blown panic attack.
I'm sorry I'm not sure why that posted twice like that.
In response to your last comment, I allow myself one sweet thing a day, I may not have it every day but I seem to be handling that well depending on what sweet thing I eat. As for caffeine I gave up soda, my coffee, iced tea basically all of it, all I drink now is water, milk, and occasionally orange juice.
Maybe that will help, I'll discuss going up slightly with her at my next appt. Does the rescue med just make it go away right then and there?
I also have another question, when my menstrual cycle comes up for the month it seems to bring out my anxiety even more. How can I get around that?
In response to your last comment, I allow myself one sweet thing a day, I may not have it every day but I seem to be handling that well depending on what sweet thing I eat. As for caffeine I gave up soda, my coffee, iced tea basically all of it, all I drink now is water, milk, and occasionally orange juice.
Maybe that will help, I'll discuss going up slightly with her at my next appt. Does the rescue med just make it go away right then and there?
I also have another question, when my menstrual cycle comes up for the month it seems to bring out my anxiety even more. How can I get around that?
I think that's when they happen to me too. Is there any food you stay completely away from? Today I didn't have the greatest of foods and I felt my heart flutter and from there it didn't escalate to a panic attack but I was on the verge. It's like I have these mini attacks.
Will this eventually all subside or will I be living like this forever?? How has it been for you??
I've been debating on talking about going up with my zoloft. I'm just a little nervous of that with how it went before. As for a rescue med would you recommend a certain one? And, I'm not sure how I feel about taking one, I wouldn't mind the extra help at all but I've unfortunately seen the horrible possibility of what that coul lead to. I'd like to be able to get through without having to rely on that. I just don't know. Sometimes I feel like I am at a loss.
Will this eventually all subside or will I be living like this forever?? How has it been for you??
I've been debating on talking about going up with my zoloft. I'm just a little nervous of that with how it went before. As for a rescue med would you recommend a certain one? And, I'm not sure how I feel about taking one, I wouldn't mind the extra help at all but I've unfortunately seen the horrible possibility of what that coul lead to. I'd like to be able to get through without having to rely on that. I just don't know. Sometimes I feel like I am at a loss.
I try to stay away from sugar. I do stay away from caffeine because it can really make anxiety worse. I've read that milk and turkey can help with anxiety. Turkey has natural tryptophan in it, I know I spelled that wrong. It can be calming.
I know it can be a hard decision to increase your meds. Especially if you've had a bad experience. That's why I suggested trying 37.5 mgs. You won't be doubling your dose by doing this.
If you get a small script for an anxiety med at a very low dose you should be okay. It's just for when you have a full blown panic attack. I would like to recommend a couple but it would have to be up to you and your Dr to decide what might be best for you.
I know it can be a hard decision to increase your meds. Especially if you've had a bad experience. That's why I suggested trying 37.5 mgs. You won't be doubling your dose by doing this.
If you get a small script for an anxiety med at a very low dose you should be okay. It's just for when you have a full blown panic attack. I would like to recommend a couple but it would have to be up to you and your Dr to decide what might be best for you.
I think that's when they happen to me too. Is there any food you stay completely away from? Today I didn't have the greatest of foods and I felt my heart flutter and from there it didn't escalate to a panic attack but I was on the verge. It's like I have these mini attacks.
Will this eventually all subside or will I be living like this forever?? How has it been for you??
I've been debating on talking about going up with my zoloft. I'm just a little nervous of that with how it went before. As for a rescue med would you recommend a certain one? And, I'm not sure how I feel about taking one, I wouldn't mind the extra help at all but I've unfortunately seen the horrible possibility of what that coul lead to. I'd like to be able to get through without having to rely on that. I just don't know. Sometimes I feel like I am at a loss.
Will this eventually all subside or will I be living like this forever?? How has it been for you??
I've been debating on talking about going up with my zoloft. I'm just a little nervous of that with how it went before. As for a rescue med would you recommend a certain one? And, I'm not sure how I feel about taking one, I wouldn't mind the extra help at all but I've unfortunately seen the horrible possibility of what that coul lead to. I'd like to be able to get through without having to rely on that. I just don't know. Sometimes I feel like I am at a loss.
About two months now at 25 mg. they started me immediately at 50 mg and I could only give that 3 days in the beginning. It was absolutely horrible, then when I dropped down it felt much better.
How are you doing with yours now?? I'm seeing a therapist and trying to work through it but sometimes like I said it's just really hard. They also have me on zoloft which seems to be helping me, thank god, before I was put on it I was even worse. Sometimes I wonder how can you tell when it's anxiety and when it's not?? How did you become not afraid of the flutters??
Please combat it quickly before it gets out of hand! i have attacks every day despite being on anti-anxiety medication and have these heart flutters once or twce a day i started off like you and it got worse and worse and worse!
The attacks have been here and there, I am really working in my control of breathing and my thoughts. Sometimes I find it harder than others. Like this morning I was just sitting watching tv and all of the sudden i felt the tight chest and it felt like my heart was going to just take off or explode, I caught myself going with it but it's hard to pull yourself out of it when your body almost makes you reallllly feel it. How do you "control" yours??
Thank you so much for taking the time to help and give me some advice I truly appreciate it!
Having a banana everyday is so good for you. You can also drink orange juice and eat potatoes to get potassium.
If you do feel a panic attack coming on talk yourself out of it. Say, I know what's going on, this is anxiety and I know I'm just fine. Make sure to have the things I mentioned to keep your potassium levels up. You can also look up other foods high in potassium. I know when I'm eating terrible and I'm low on potassium I get those heart palps too. Make sure you're getting enough B vitamins and staying hydrated too.
If you do feel a panic attack coming on talk yourself out of it. Say, I know what's going on, this is anxiety and I know I'm just fine. Make sure to have the things I mentioned to keep your potassium levels up. You can also look up other foods high in potassium. I know when I'm eating terrible and I'm low on potassium I get those heart palps too. Make sure you're getting enough B vitamins and staying hydrated too.
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Zoloft can be scored. I'm wondering if you can try 37.5 mgs? Those increases can be so hard and you doubled your dose. Another option would be to talk to your Dr about a rescue anxiety med. You said you don't have panic attacks alot, right? It might help if you had a med for those awful panic attacks. Many of us here on this site are on antidepressants but also have a rescue med. Talk to your Dr to see what he/she thinks.