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Heart palpitations
So I just got back from a ER a few hours ago. Why? Well I'll tell you. About 3 days ago or so I started getting heart palpitations while laying down after I took my Serequel to get ready to sleep. They would last about a half hour to a hour and 15 or 20 so palpitations I would eventually fall asleep. I thought nothing of it but then it happened again the next night and the next ect. I started developing panic attacks cause I was concerned that I had a heart problem or something was wrong. I couldn't tell if my anxiety was causing the palpitations or the palpitations developing the anxiety ugh. So tonight I started getting them and they just wouldn't stop and then I went into full panic mode. I thought oh god im gonna have a heart attack I know it. So I begged my dad to take me to the ER and they assessed me and my vitals were about 60-70 BPM when I got there and then they took some blood and I got a EEG or EKG? Not sure I've never had one before but it was the one with the cords they put on your chest, legs, sides and it literally takes 10 seconds and it came out perfect and so did the blood work. The doctor said because of the propanol that I take which calms the heart down during a panic attack that I'm having "extra beats" because of the calm when I take my propanol. I asked him why this came on all of a sudden and he doesn't know it just happens. He said they're usually benign but to make a appointment with my GP to get a heart monitor to wear for a week just as a safety precaution. I asked him what causes this and he said caffeine, sugar, smoking ect. I asked him what about not eating and drinking enough because I haven't been doing much due to my IBS being pretty bad recently. He said that could be it as well but to still follow up with my doctor. I'm still scared cause im still having them (well I had 1 since I got home) i keep constantly checking my pulse and worrying when the next one will come that it's making my anxiety sky rocket. Has anyone else encountered this problem? I'm still afraid even though I was told it was ok. My anxiety brain is saying that the tests were wrong and they missed something ect. Ugh I hate anxiety. It seems like it's one thing after another. Id love to hear what you guys think of this. Thanks.
Thank you. It was scary. I'm scared to get the holter monitor but I will and no oh god my schedule is all messed up i never take my meds properly it's terrible. I told the doc that. I've been on proponanol for 2 years after I was put on it after my suicide attemps 2 years ago. I'm currently getting a stool sample done for my IBS and such to rule out anything else. It just seems likes it sonething after another. I had 8 palpitations last night before I fell asleep. They're scary but I'll get through them. Thank you.
Hi again, sweetie....sorry you're going through this.
No doubt palpitations FEEL very scary, and you did the right thing getting checked out, especially considering that this was a new symptom for you. It's always good to be cautious.
The doctor in the ER is correct, palpitations are usually benign and can be triggered/caused by all sorts of things. Propanolol is often times prescribed FOR those kinds of symptoms, but it can also be a cause of those symptoms. If you've been on it for a significant amount of time, I would bet there is another cause...like you said, possibly you not eating very well, etc. If anything, the propanolol is probably keeping the palpitations from getting any worse. How do you take the Inderal? What dose? Have you been taking it every day at the same time of the day?
I know it's hard to reassure yourself when you're experiencing that kind of symptom, because it sure feels unnerving, but just stay focused on the FACTS, not the FEAR.
The FACTS are that you've had a thorough medical work-up and nothing was found, everything looked great. Palpitations are almost always harmless and benign. You're going to follow up and have the holter monitor put on, That's a very good diagnostic test, especially a week long one (some holter monitors are only ordered for 24 hrs). If there was anything amiss, the holter monitor would very likely find something that didn't look right. The other nice thing about a monitor, is that it comes equipped with a button that you would press if you start experiencing various symptoms, AND you'll keep a diary of events, symptoms, etc...that way, the doctor can see any kind of correlation between things you're doing and the symptoms.
The only other advice I would give you is to follow up with your GI doc about the unmanaged IBS. IBS is one of those things that is triggered greatly by anxiety (and vice versa...anxiety will exacerbate the IBS)...so management is very important. If you're not eating properly, it will make you feel much worse, physically AND mentally.
Keep us updated, okay? Fingers crossed that the palpitations ease up for you!
No doubt palpitations FEEL very scary, and you did the right thing getting checked out, especially considering that this was a new symptom for you. It's always good to be cautious.
The doctor in the ER is correct, palpitations are usually benign and can be triggered/caused by all sorts of things. Propanolol is often times prescribed FOR those kinds of symptoms, but it can also be a cause of those symptoms. If you've been on it for a significant amount of time, I would bet there is another cause...like you said, possibly you not eating very well, etc. If anything, the propanolol is probably keeping the palpitations from getting any worse. How do you take the Inderal? What dose? Have you been taking it every day at the same time of the day?
I know it's hard to reassure yourself when you're experiencing that kind of symptom, because it sure feels unnerving, but just stay focused on the FACTS, not the FEAR.
The FACTS are that you've had a thorough medical work-up and nothing was found, everything looked great. Palpitations are almost always harmless and benign. You're going to follow up and have the holter monitor put on, That's a very good diagnostic test, especially a week long one (some holter monitors are only ordered for 24 hrs). If there was anything amiss, the holter monitor would very likely find something that didn't look right. The other nice thing about a monitor, is that it comes equipped with a button that you would press if you start experiencing various symptoms, AND you'll keep a diary of events, symptoms, etc...that way, the doctor can see any kind of correlation between things you're doing and the symptoms.
The only other advice I would give you is to follow up with your GI doc about the unmanaged IBS. IBS is one of those things that is triggered greatly by anxiety (and vice versa...anxiety will exacerbate the IBS)...so management is very important. If you're not eating properly, it will make you feel much worse, physically AND mentally.
Keep us updated, okay? Fingers crossed that the palpitations ease up for you!
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