What should I do?

[KCDM]

Hi Again,
I am still being plagued by these new sensations and feeling quite fed up with it all!I am getting an unusual palp sensation that feels like it grips me completely,it isn't a usual palp I can ignor,it comes on STRONG and forces me to listen.I had a bad palp yesterday that afterwards felt like someone was choking me and I had alot of pressure in my face.My face was hot and very flushed as too my arms and chest.It then passed.I am fearing I am having a very bad new arrhymia of some kind.I have tested normal on ecg,ekg,holter,bloodwork and stress test. Can I still be having a heart palp that is potientially fatal even after these good tests?Should I fear these new sensations?What should I do next?I went to the ER and had a 10 sec ekg that was good, but I also didn't feel anything unusual when it was on me.What do you infer about my situation?I am at the end of my rope and need some sort of explanation as to why I shouldn't fear dying from this.I am 23,female,normal weight & currently in councilling for my nervousness over this new sensation.I fear multiple pvcs and v-tach,since v-fib is a great rish at that point. HELP! Help me to understand my risks, what this may be(possibly,the chances that it is what I fear and why I should not fear dying from this. Thanks again for your time and I hope you can really give me some insight as to what to do next and what exactly is going on with my heart.I know you suggested anitarrhymics if pvcs effect my QOL. But if I can get past the stress, do I really need a drug like that?Wouldn't a beta-blocker be safer for me? Thanks again

[anacyde]

I can relate to your anxiety over this.  My palpitations started at 16, when I was diagnosed with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia.  It's pretty benign and stopped for the most part when I cut out caffeine.  I still had lone PACs and some occasional PVCs though.  All of it can be incredibly unnerving!!!

I finally found peace about the palpitations when I found this wonderful forum.  I too shared your fear of having some horrible potentially fatal rhythm.  Even recently when I had a bad recurrence (they come in phases for many of us) I FINALLY caught the really scary stuff on Holter and it was ALL atrial, mostly singles with a couplet once.  I get adrenaline-induced PSVT still, but usually fatigue, too much sugar, poor diet and lack of water play a role in that.

A couple of years back, I was so overwhelmed with a bad run of these things that it pretty much crippled me with fear.  I avoided things I would have otherwise done and was just scared all the time.  I was miserable.  I was existing but not living.  I guess I finally got to the point where I said to myself...what IS the point of existing if I am not LIVING?  And I forced myself to get out of the chair, and I forced myself to start living my life again, and I forced myself to ignore the palpitations after numerous assurances that I was fine.  I think you have to get tough on yourself too ;)  I know, it's easier said than done, and it's easier from my side than yours right now.  But believe me, you can beat the anxiety, and it's really worth it to have your life back.

A lot of us here have had these since our teens.  I've never heard of anyone dying after being diagnosed with benign palpitations.  Keep that in mind, hang in there, and when you're feeling doubt read the archives :)

[CollegeGirl143]

This was just on a ? in this forum maybe a month or two.. (i think its) 4 or more pvc's in a row is NSVT... NSVT lasts less than thirty seconds... VT requires a reentry loop like svt does.. ur usually either born with this or its brought on by scarring due to a heart attack..Im not sure if you can develope one out of no where.After everything else that you've had done, your only other option is really an event moniter. its similar to a holter, but you wear it for a month. Some people (in this forum too) get more than 32000 pvc's in a SINGLE DAY.. With these kind of heart problems it helps to look on the bright side and be greatful its not this bad. it helps you put into scope your own issues and deal with the anxiety..

[CollegeGirl143]

i thought maybe reading this might make u feel better... if u look further into the forum u can find a million other threads about problems just like yours to help put your mind at ease :)
http://209.51.172.19/forums/cardio/messages/35001.html

[tickertock]

I had them since I was a teenager, yes and I still find that a real big one will stop me in my tracks, but instead of feeling impending doom for the whole day after a BIG one, I just keep on going , instead of worrying about the next big thump. I've finally come to accept after all these years and nothing worse has happened to me, it is just uncomfortable and not life threatening.My echo , stress test and ECG , holter have all been normal, only thing I do have mild left ventricular hypertrophy probably caused by mild hypertension says the cardio and nothing to worry about, just keep the BP controlled. I do have a connective tissue disease, ankylosing spondylitis that is very painful at times, other than that I'm in reasonable good health.I have a very supportive wife, we've been married now 21 years and 2 sons. Having a supportive family is very helpful in dealing with these things. Best wishes and good luck. Keep the faith.

[woodruff]

KC, if you have had several tests which show that your heart is healthy, you might want to check out info at this and similar sites:

http://www.anxietypanic.com/

"The symptoms of a panic attack:

raging heartbeat
difficulty breathing, feeling as though you 'can't get enough air
terror that is almost paralyzing
nervous,  shaking, stress
heart palpitation, feeling of dread
dizziness, lightheadedness or nausea
trembling, sweating, shaking
choking, chest pains, distress
fear, fright, afraid, anxious
hot flashes, or sudden chills
tingling in fingers or toes ('pins and needles')
fearful that you're going to go crazy or are about to die"

[KCDM]

Thank-you, thank-you so much for your words.It really means alot to me.You have had them since you were a teenager then huh?It is a struggle, but I will try to take your advice.The fact that I get these different sensations is the hardest part, if it always felt the same I wouldn't question it.So, besides tachycardia,pvcs and such have you ever developed anything worse? I am 23 and I had mine since I was about 15yrs old. It seems that I am getting worse at coping over the years instead of better :( I am really starting to consider a beta blocker to help decrease the powerfullness of these palps.I am very in tune with my body and thats why I find it hard to ignor that little voice inside saying something is wrong with you, get help!Do you get that at times? Did you in the past? Thanks again for your post, it's much appreciated :)