Heart Palpitations

[CAM93]

43 year old female with history of MVP(trivial regergitation), fibromyalgia, ibs.  Meds: 25mg Toprol XL daily.  Recently started having very strong palpitations,fleeting sharp pains in the upper left quadrant of my chest, & burning sensation between shoulder blades.  Went to ER, EKG was normal and was sent home. My doctor ordered a 24hr heart holter and blood tests to check electrolytes/thyroid.  All came back normal other than showing PVCs and premature atrial contractions.  Doctor wants to follow up this coming week with echo and stress test to make sure there are no other issues to address.  Started having what I believe to be panic attacks:  strong heart palpitations, increased blood pressure, nausea, dizziness, urgent need to have a bowel movement.  These attacks last about 10 -15 minutes. I am not sleeping well which causes the fibromyalgia symptoms to reappear ( I can control symptoms with proper sleep) because I am afraid that I will have a heart attack in my sleep and not wake up.  The doctors do not seem to be too concerned as the pain is fleeting and I have no shortness of breath.  Also, there is a place where my ribs meet the sternum that is very tender and when pushed on can cause pain to radiate to left side of chest.  Thought this may be costochondritis as I recently started doing crunches on an exercise ball and I have a tendency to be an extremist (all or nothing kind of girl).  Doctor thought because I have such a stressful job and a type A+++ personality that taking 10mg of Paxil might help me relax and sleep, however I do not like taking meds to control every ailment that comes along and know that this medication has its own side effects.
My questions are:
1).  Are there any other tests that I should ask about?
2).  What could possibly causing these attacks that have no rhyme or reason?
3).  What are these strange sharp fleeting pains that I am feeling?
4).  Can I relax and sleep knowing that this is not a heart attack?

[Barb64]

It is so  hard when you have fibromyalgia, heart issues, and GERDS. My SVTs, PVCs, and PATs drive me nuts. They were under control with toprol XL before  I had a Heart cath but since then they seem to be more active.  My chest pain is so minor compared to the pain I had prior to the cath that I'm using that as a guideline.  I also have costa chondritis which is painful in and of itself.

I am told I am too aware of my body but when you have the princess and the pea syndrome body everything is brought to your attention.  

Age has its advantages, at least for me.  My anxiety level has decreased a great deal, but , if I don't feel I am being told the truth, my level increases.  Sounds like your doctor is telling you the truth. - how do you feel?

My experience also tells me the palpitations have to last a whole lot longer than mine do before there is a medical need and I will have plenty of time to act.

I think it is amazing you can sleep without sleepaids having fibro.  That was the first indications over twenty years ago that I had fibro.  I slept two hours and that was it.  Good for you.

[pookie970]

how was stress test

[Cleveland Clinic]

Your doctor is treating you well and has ordered the appropriate tests. Keep the future appointment and make sure you have this stress test, since if this is normal then you won't need to worry about this chest pain being a heart attack.

[CAM93]

Completed stress test (non-nuclear) - normal.  Still waiting results of echocardiogram.

[pookie970]

i can relate i to have issues with reflux and heart skipping beats and wonder if they are related they say it is anxiety i dont know scary

[CAM93]

Also, forgot to mention:  If I eat a large meal (which seems to be less than usual) I have high stomach discomfort (just below where the ribs meet the sternum) which will last for several hours.  Accompanied by excessive belching but do not pass gas.  Have been taking Prilosec daily with some relief.  Example:  ate a hamburger for lunch at 1:00pm, it is now almost 6:00pm and am just as full now as when I finished.  Don't know whether I am dealing with heart issues, gastrointestinal, stress or a combination of all.