panic disorder? ...or post-ablation issues?

[babyturtle]

Hi.  I had a cardiac ablation done on 2/27 for SVT, and I'm still having issues.  Frankly, I don't know whether I'm experiencing panic attacks or continued SVTs.  Today, for example, my rate has been at 160+ for two hours.  Nothing like the 200+ I had prior to the ablation, but it's unnerving and - at times - debilitating, because it also makes me light-headed.  I went to the ER about a week ago, because I felt on the verge of passing out for several hours.... couldn't shake it.  I took a Xanax to see if it were merely a panic attack.  I've never had an history of panic attacks, but the symptoms are similar.... pain in my chest, shortness of breath, palpitations, rapid heart rate, etc.  The Xanax did nothing.  At the ER, my tests were all fine.  The only thing interesting (to me - but not to them) was that my resting rate would fluctuate between 68 and 135 without any change in position, activity, stress, thoughts, etc.  My blood pressure ranged from 90/50 to 128/82.  Up and down.  Maybe that's normal.  I don't know.  Went for a follow up with the doc... now wearing a monitor, but - the thing is - those are a PITA.  I work full time, and I can't afford for the darned thing to go off when I am with a client... and it's so sensitive to touch that it does start at the most inopportune times.  Anyway, the doc also suggested that I start taking Xanax (.5 mg) 3 times per day.  Well, I started doing that last week, and I've had fewer attacks, but I'm feeling morbidly depressed.... like a chemical imbalance.  I have always had a lot of stress in my life, but - I have to admit - it's really peaking now.... and I feel like I'm between a rock and a hard place.  The doc can't see anything wrong with my heart... other than the rapid rate.  But I can't help but feel that 150+ at least every other day isn't normal.  But is it SVT or is it panic disorder?  If I take Xanax, it helps a bit with the attacks but I can't stand feeling this overwhelming sense of hopelessness.  And the Xanax doesn't completely control it, so maybe it isn't panic disorder.  The doc said I could double the dosage to two pills three times per day, but I'm scared to death of the effect that will have on me mentally.  I've had depression in my life, but nothing like this.... and if it gets worse - if the Xanax is causing this - I can't handle it.  I'm getting so frustrated, worried and depressed because I have to be healthy and productive - especially at this time of my life.... and here I am feeling as if nothing is working.  I can't live like this.  I've always been healthy, energetic and productive... and very good at dealing with stress.  Hell, I don't know what's wrong with me; I need to fix it, though.  I feel as if I'm at a breaking point and don't know where to turn.

[sunset555]

Hi again babyturtle, my you are going through the mill arn't you!!! Just a thought - are you by any chance anaemic (low in iron/iron deficiency)?, and have you got a condition called vertigo?? because a couple of the symptoms that you describe above, sound like you may have either one or both. Might be just an idea to get that one checked out with your doctor the next time you see him. As for keeping the anxiety/panic under control that my friend is the hard part unfortunately, but can be done, trust me I am living proof. It is all about mind over matter at the end of it all, and I know that does sound easier said than done, but it is believe me!! Have you tried yoga, meditation, excercising???

What I am personally going to start is to excercise on a daily basis, even if it is only brisk walks or cycling, continue going to see my therapist on a weekly basis, find out about CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) - excuse the spelling, and to eat a healthy diet, and above all try and get to bed a lot earlier than I have been lately, as I am not getting near enough sleep, I am lucky to get 4 or 5 hours sleep a night. Anyway, that is my personal plan to control any anxiety/panic in my life, so maybe you could try one or two things from it too.

Best of luck

Sunset

[babyturtle]

thanks, sunset.  All of the tests have come back fine.  I'm not wearing a holter monitor - rather one that you turn on when having an "incident".  It's really awful.  I can't wear it on appointments, because it will go off easily and make the most terrible noise.  I have caught several attacks on the monitor, though, but I think they'll likely only show tachycardia (fast rate).  Yes I am seeing a counselor, and - funnily enough - I thought I was handling all of my stresses well... not just pretending they weren't there but proactively dealing with them.  These panic attacks - if that's what they are - just came on out of the blue.  Almost always in the mornings... occasionally mid-day... rarely at night.  The doc prescribed Xanax originally to relax me while I was dealing with the SVT prior to my ablation.  I was experiencing tachycardia nearly every day and for hours at a time.  It was quite severe and the beta blockers they tried me on were horrible.  Toprol made my blood pressure crash, and Cardizem made me completely fatigued all of the time.  Neither was an option, so the ablation was done.  In fairness, I've not had a full-blown, 200+ svt since the ablation.  What I'm experiencing now is different.  I can be having a pleasant conversation with my daughter and - BAM - my palms and feet start to tingle and break into a cold sweat.  I feel like someone is sitting on my chest.  Sometimes I have chest pains, but not too often.  My heart rate will increase to anywhere from 130 - 180 and stay there for an hour... or several hours.  The worst part for me is the dizziness, because I fear passing out.  Actually, the worst part is having no clue when these attacks will take place.  So, the doctor (cardiologist) said to take the Xanax three times per day to see if it helped... and I have been experiencing the mess I described.  I do not have an addicitive personality, but the last thing I need is to get hooked on a drug that requires ever-increasing dosages... and seems to make me depressed.  Or is that not the Xanax?  I don't know.  I look at the meds that are suggested for panic disorder and cringe.  I will not take anything that causes weight gain.  Gaining weight - even if I felt on a more even keel - would depress me to the extreme.  Maybe that's silly, but it's the reality of who I am.  Paxil and Lexapro seem to be very bad in that regard.  Prozac not... but not as effective, so I've read.

Does this sound like panic disorder?  If so, I am desperate for a way to get it under control.  The stresses in my life are going to get far worse before they get better, and I have no control of those.  So I need to gain control of ME.

Thanks for your help.

[sunset555]

Hi babyturtle,

I am currently going through something somewhat simular to yourself as far as the rapid heart rate goes. I have also experienced very fast and rapid thumping heart beat over the last couple of months a few times, and have just this week been put on a 24hr holter monitor (is that the same one as you had on?), like yourself it can become very scary indeed, it almost feels as if you life is put on hold or something to that nature, however, as much as I hate this happening to me, I have to draw a line underneath it until the doctors come back to me with the results, otherwise I will go insane!! and that is not good is it??

You say that you are dealing with stress in your life, which indicates to me that it may be anxiety/panic disorder (but please do not quote me on that as obviously I am not a doctor), but I do have personal experience of what you are currently going through. Have you had the relevant tests done as in a chest exray, ecg, ekg, blood tests and so on? and if so, what have all of the results read, and why is your doctor prescribing you medication? did he diagnose you with anxiety? and more importantly are you seeing a counsellor or a therapist for what you are going through at the moment? because all of the above questions are very important relating to what you are going through at the moment.

I hope that anything I have said to you proves fractionally beneficial, and if you need to ask more or even talk or chat again, don't hesitate, you have come to the right forum, I am so glad that you have joined us.

Keep in touch,

Sunset