Anxiety and Irregular Heart Rhythm

[camsmommy727]

I am a 21 year old female and for about 5 months now have been dealing with severe anxiety (or so I believe). I will get lightheaded and dizzy, hot, irregularly strong or fast heartbeat and feel like I am just going to pass out. I've seen multiple doctors, including a cardiologist, who tell me I'm fine and it's just normal anxiety. But every medicine I take doesn't help. I'd actually rather cure this without medicine but I just don't have the time with my 1 and a half year old son. I know a lot contributes to my anxiety, but I am just so concerned it could be something to do with my heart. Every time I just so much as feel an irregular beat I reach for my pulse to make sure it's still beating. This morning I was woken up in a panic around 5am and couldn't breathe. My heart was pounding and I became lightheaded. dizzy, and hot. I grabbed some water and walked around my house to calm down and my heart started racing probably like 130 to 140 and I did some breathing exercises to calm down. After about 5 or so minutes my heart rate was normal, but I was shaking and cold and felt sick to my stomach. I wasn't able to go back to sleep because when I laid down, I got hot and lightheaded again. If it weren't for the problems with my heart, I would have such severe anxiety. Please help! What on earth is going on??

[JamesAA]

Mandy I just replied to your other post in my thread, now I saw this thread.  How many of these PVCs (skipped beats) do you have per day, or per hour, or even per minute?  Do you know my cardiologist said some of his patients skip beats every other beat all day?  Crazy right?  And that is still considered "safe" or normal if their heart is otherwise ok.  Some people never feel any PVCs, whereas others, like me, feel every single one.  Your dizziness and lightheadedness is no doubt caused from a panic attack/sever anxiety.  Trust me.  You're NOT going to die....just feels that way.  I've experienced that many times and it freaked me out the first few times (when I was 26).  You have a child, as do I.  Don't let those damn PVCs ruin your life.  They make me mad as hell because when I get anxiety from them I know I'm not going to be as good a father to my boy, and that makes me in turn really hate these PVCs.  Our kids need us, but when we are consumed with fear it's hard to be there for them.  So my advice to you, and me, is to focus on them and realize we ARE ok.  The experts (our Dr's) say so, so let's take a deep breath, relax and trust them.  Easier said then done, lol, but knowledge is power here and it will ultimately be our ticket to peace of mind and a happy life!!!  :)

[MichelleP_3811]

Does this beat start and stop suddenly?  Are you sure it was only 140?  Do you have a heart rate monitor watch you can use to get a more accurate count?  When you were at the cardiologist did you have an ekg done?  This sounds more like tachycardia then just plain stress but if your fast rate has not be captured by the cardiologist to see they will simply look at the general function of the heart and deem you fine.   If this is new for you then I would go back to the doctor and see if you can get an event monitor to capture this fast beat.  I might also go to see your GP and get your thyroid checked if you haven't already had that done.  Sometimes having a baby can cause a woman's hormones to go out of balance and the thing about the hormones is they can be out of balance for a while before we actually feel the symptoms of them being out of balance.  What I will say is you will mostly likely not die from what is going on.  I lived for 40 years with episodes of tachycardia with my heart beating at around 230.  It was hard to breath and I felt light headed but overall your heart is a very strong muscle and can handle a lot so keep on top of this but try not to stress too much.  If you are having trouble getting doctors to take you seriously then go see someone else.  Take care and keep us posted on how you are doing.

[Red_Star]

"How to Fix Heart Palpitations or Irregular Heart Beat...

Do YOU want to know how to fix your heart palpitations or irregular heart beat? You won't find this out from your doctor.... they may not know how to fix it.... Here is the SECRET!

The reason for the heart palpitations, skips or irregular heart beats that you are experiencing may be due to a magnesium/calcium deficiency. The answer is all-natural, completely safe and inexpensive. This product is totally unlike the pharmaceutical "solutions" that conventional doctors may prescribe (you know, those pharmaceuticals with the awful side affects like heart attack, strokes and death). You may see a difference in just a few days at the very most. It is incredible, but when you supply your body with the minerals that it is lacking, the body can recover with lightening speed and symptoms will disappear like magic!

But, are you magnesium/calcium deficient? It has been found that 4 out of 5 people in the US (or 80%) are deficient in magnesium. If you are experiencing 2 or 3 of the following symptoms, you probably are one of them.

- heart palpitations, heart arrythmias
- chest tightness
- urinary spasms
- constipation
- menstrual cramps, premenstrual irritability
- difficulty swallowing, a feeling of a lump in the throat
- insomnia
- light sensitivity, loud noise sensitivity
- high blood pressure
- numbness, tingling, zips, zaps and other vibratory sensations
- being uptight or prone to temper
- muscle twitches, soreness, cramps, spasms, tension, tightness
- back aches, neck pain
- headaches, migraines
- jaw joint problems
- needing to sigh a lot, unable to take a deep breath
- hiccups
- leg spasms, charlie horses, restless leg syndrome
- anxiety, panic attacks
- hyperactivity
- angina"

- Excerpt from Best Magnesium Citrate

[camsmommy727]

Sometimes I get them about 5 or 6 times a day. The ones that are thumping and thudding and actually make me lightheaded are the ones that bother me and bring me to panic mode. Usually if I just breathe through it and relax, the feeling will pass in a few minutes and I return somewhat normal but still worried another one will come. I had read that some people's hearts skip thousands of times a day we just don't feel it! How on earth is that safe?? Our conduction system is set up to keep our heart beating healthy so obviously there's a problem when it skips a beat or beats prematurely. I am thankful I don't feel every other one or I think I'd go into cardiac arrest panicking about it. I still haven't found the trigger for my anxiety, other than the palpitations. I love spending time with my son and raising him.. yes he's a little boy but he rarely stresses me out to the point where I would have panic attacks. They seriously came out of the blue. Your response made me smile and laugh and go run over to Cameron, pick him up, give him and hug and a kiss and tell him that mommy is gonna be ok! Talking with people like you to reassure me that nothing is actually the matter lifts that darkness off and brings out the light! I am taking Prozac right now which is helping me sleep better but I'm more tired during the day. I returned back to school from the break yesterday and I wasn't quite as anxious, just tired. I am going to try it for a week or two more and see how it's really working (it's only been a week). I was so sure it was my heart that I refused any and all medication until my last visit and talking to my older sister who also has anxiety/depression. I am also going to try and find another Doctor. The one I'm seeing now is just too excited to prescribe me medicines without proper testing, not to mention the office is slow and rude. I wait for an hour to be seen for 5 minutes! Anyways  it's SO extremely helpful to be able to talk and relate to others on here with meaningful information. I am still going to see the other cardiologist, who already seems like he knows what he is doing. And I will keep you updated! Thanks and God Bless!

[camsmommy727]

Michelle, sometimes I can feel it stop then start suddenly. The first time I ever felt it skip, it did just that. I was laying in bed cuddling my fiance, I was thinking of our son being asleep early and how nice it was to be in bed early for once and all of a sudden I felt it. I freaked out! I got lightheaded and dizzy and just cried. My fiance didn't help much but to tell me I was ok and nothing was wrong. I didn't sleep ALL night and saw my Doctor the next day. I saw a cardiologist about 3 months ago and wore a 24-hour heart monitor. There were pvc's recorded where my heart beat prematurely and my heart rate was at it's lowest at 30bpm and highest at 130bpm. I never experienced any of that while I was wearing it so it must have been while I was asleep. I'd like to get a 72-hour one with my next cardiologist and do a stress test. I've had multiple normal EKG's and even made my sister rush me to the ER twice while in a panic attack for them to tell me nothing was wrong I just have anxiety and am a little dehydrated. I had all the tests done and everything was normal including my thyroid. My potassium level was a little low but I take a multivitamin once a day. With all of my anxiety I am also going through some weighloss due to loss of appetite and I am already petite to begin with. I'm down to 104, normally 110-112. I force myself to eat at least twice a day and sometimes I feel so sick as to not even able to drink water in large amounts. Every panic attack I've experience has been mild and frightening, but the one I experienced this morning was just out of the ordinary and severely diisturbing. I was just lying there trying to go back to sleep when I felt what I thought was a skipped beat and then I just panicked more than usual and my heart actually raced, normally it will just pound. I'm hoping that this new cardiologist will take me seriously and be able to describe in detail what's going on, if it's dangerous, if I need medication, what I can do to prevent it, and if it can cause problems later on down the road. I'm keeping my fingers crossed and trying to stay stress-free in the meantime. Thanks for everything, it really just helps to talk.

[MichelleP_3811]

I was not aware this was more of a pvc problem.  Unfortunately there isn't much they do for pvcs unless you have something like 20,000 in a day.  I had a bout of them in October ranging from 10,000 to 15,000 a day for about a week.  They made me really sick, so sick I wound up fasting for a couple of days simply because I had trouble eating and it actually kind of cleared the problem up a bit so I might suggest evaluating your stomach.  Try some antacids after you eat to see if it helps though it doesn't sound like you have too many.  I am down to maybe 10 to 100 a day.  I also had svt that was triggered by pvcs.  Your mention of your heart racing is what caught my attention.  It is likely your fast heart beat is simply stress but as I said pvcs can trigger tachycardia that is more structural in nature.  But if you know that this fast beat was captured on one of your ER visits then it is likely you just have the pvcs.  If you haven't had a stress echo I think it is a good idea to get one just to make sure your heart is structurally fine but odds are it will be.  You can also try the magnesium as Red Star suggested.  Some people have noticed a lot of improvement by adding the supplement to their diet.  And final try to find some peace about the whole situation.  The stress you are feeling is going to make them worse.  PVCs feed off of stress.  I know easier said than done sometimes but the more you focus on your heart the more you are going to hyper evaluate everything it is doing which will make your symptoms seem much worse.  The next time you feel something and notice yourself start to panic, sto, take some deep breaths and release the fear trusting you will be OK because you will.   And just take some time to check around the forum.  As you have already seen you are not alone and maybe that in and of itself will help you come to terms with your situation.  Take care we all know what you are going through.

[camsmommy727]

I don't think I have that many in a day, I only am able to feel a few. Which trigger my panic attacks. I've had 3 attacks just today so I know something is going on. I made an appt with a cardiologist for Thursday to see if I can get some answers. As for today and the past week they have been making me sick. I haven't eaten since yesterday afternoon and I don't even feel well enough for water. I feel extremely dehydrated. I've had only a few sips of water today but used the restroom like ten times. Everytime I stand up I get dizzy and now I feel like I have heartburn but I've only been drinking sips of water. I don't know if I should go to the er for dehydration or just try and let this pass. I haven't really had an appetite at all the past few months actually. Is there anything you have to contribute to that problem as well?

[MichelleP_3811]

Dehydrating yourself is not a good idea.  Even if you can't eat you really should drink as much water as you can.  That along with not eating is likely why you feel dizzy.  It does sound as though there is some stomach component to this all.  You could have some sort of underlying virus or stomach bacteria.  When the stomach is upset the vagus nerve gets stimulated and it gives me a stomach ache.  Also, I know when I had the pvcs really bad some sort of chemical was being produced that also caused me to use the rest room often.  I am not sure what it was but it passed once the bad bout of pvcs past.  It is possible it is stress hormones as I was pretty stressed about the situation.  I had just been through an ablation to correct my svt which was stressful enough and then to have the pvcs go crazy on me it was a very emotional time for me so it is possible you have built up some stress hormones in your system that are going wild in your body but I would tell this to the cardiologist.  And I would push for a stress echo.  I still think your heart is likely healthy structurally but I think having that peace of mind may help you stress less.  But please drink some water.  Our bodies can go without food but they can't go without water.  Good luck at the doctors.

[camsmommy727]

I can eat lightly, like toast and crackers and bland chips. I've been sipping water as much as I can and I have started to feel better. Since I haven't had an appetite since all of this began do you really think it could be something esophageal? I will talk to my doctor about this when I go because it definitely seems reasonable. Do you know of any tests they will do to rule that out? I definitely do have a lot of stress playing a role in my anxiety and I am one of those people who let it all build up. I try not to let things bother me that really, deep down do. It's emotional for me as well with my 18 month old, school, stress of not being able to have a job, boyfriend and him sticking his nose up to my problems. I am a pretty emotional person and cry way too easily, but lately I haven't been able to cry. I will get upset about something and just get angry and freak out instead. Which isn't normal. I'm for sure going to ask for a longer holter, ultrasound, and the stress test. I don't have any family history of heart disease or anything. I have one grandparent still alive and she is healthy as a horse. My other three died of old age. I lost an uncle to leukemia, but that's not specifically heart related. I know for sure once I see the cardiologist and get the underlying diagnosis, even if it is just "nothing", I will be able to have the peace of mind I need. I just don't understand why I would have such horrible severe anxiety at such a young age to where it comes with side effects as bad as heart problems like this. I worry WAY too much and I think I may need to see a therapist as well to deal with all of this. I'm doing my best to stay hydrated, thanks for all of the helpful information. I know it comes from the heart, and it really means so much.

[achillea]

Having been where you are, I really sympathize with you, kiddo.  You are wise to entertain the possibility of anxiety.  Many people would much rather have something SERIOUSLY wrong with their hearts than even consider a problem between the ears, and you must know that panic and anxiety really tend to increase the frequency of erratic heartbeats.

Of course, true heart problems do occur independent of anxiety, and a few people on this board have apparently suffered misdiagnoses based on this. However, given that you are a very young woman and have had multiple (!) EKGs which have indicated a healthy heart, the odds are overwhelming that you are suffering from garden variety PVCs, which everyone--and I mean everyone--has, coupled with panic.  The two are strongly related.

It is a rotten throw of the genetic dice to have anxiety at such a young age, as you note, but illnesses do not respect age very much.  We have to accept this fact, for we all know young people smitten with cancer or diabetes, for example.  It is not fair, but there it is.  Anxiety and panic are NOT moral issues, you know, to be overcome by will power or positive thinking.  They are malfunctions of the nervous system, and as such, medical problems as real as the other disorders I mentioned (and some pretty strong genetic indications come from the fact that your sister has a similar problem).   So what do patients with diabetes or cancer do?  They go to the proper specialist. For the diabetic, it's an endocrinologist.  For the cancer patient, it's an oncologist.

And for those with anxiety and panic, it is the psychiatrist.  I am not joking here.  The average GP might have quite a few patients suffering from anxiety, but he/she will not have taken many advanced classes in the subject.  A good shrink can prescribe--and better still, will know the pros and cons of various psych meds regarding cardiac issues.  I have been there, and tried no fewer than five, count 'em, five, different SSRIs.  Each one has had quite different effects.

For example, you note that you have been prescribed Prozac.  It is a good sign, really, that you feel a little sleepy on this med, because it means that it is somewhat calming for you.  For some patients, it is one of the more stimulating of the SSRIs.  Zoloft might be a better choice for patients who find it so, but if you are doing OK on Prozac, stay with it for a full month.  It takes that long to change the balance of receptors in the synapses, and you cannot rush things with SSRIs.  

So, make an appointment with a real psychiatrist like tomorrow, and if he/she prescribes meds, go for it.  You may find--as I did--that doing this removes your awareness of the PVCs.  Not to say that they go away forever, but you come to understand that they are a simple glitch, and that the heart and circulatory system compensate very nicely for the occasional misfire.  Wonder of wonders, as you become less conscious of your weird beats, their frequency MAY also diminish, as mine have.

And for goodness' sake, keep your fingers away from your pulse.  Doing this kind of thing is a sure sign of an emotional disorder, for the info you, as a lay person, get from compulsively touching your pulse, is totally (and I mean completely) useless.  If you can walk around; if you lack crushing pain in the middle of your chest; if you are not drenched in a bizarre, whole-body cold sweat, then fiddling with your pulse just like picking obsessively at a scab.

[MichelleP_3811]

I really do think there can be a stomach component to the pvcs.  I know I get most of mine after I eat.  Stress and anxiety are the other big trigger but eating is definitely one that happens a lot for me.  To get your stomach evaluated though you will likely need to go to a gastroenterologist (sp).  Either go to one straight away or go see your GP and let them know you are having trouble eating.  In the absence of having a lot of pvcs, a big reason I couldn't eat for a couple of days, you definitely should go get your stomach checked out.  Not being able to eat is not something to mess with.  You need to eat.  But please do keep up drinking as much water as you can.  

[achillea]

If you are not eating, your potassium will be low, because diet is the only real source of this element.  A vitamin pill, or even a bunch of them, won't provide enough to be measurable.  Google "potassium-rich foods."

Low potassium can be a factor in irregular heartbeats, and lack of water only makes things worse.

However, you surely know that anxiety, panic, and  depression can also destroy  the appetite?

[camsmommy727]

I am extremely sure that I, no doubt, have anxiety with/without depression. And I strongly believe that the fear I have of my heart is contributing largely to that. Every time I feel one of these PVCs, I immediately freak out and get hot and reach for my pulse to make sure my heart has kept on beating. Obviously, I do have a mental problem then. Until I figure out for sure there is nothing wrong with my heart, I will continue to do it.

As I've stated to not be getting much help from my GP, I would like to see a psychiatrist. I would like to be reffered though, but not by her. I am thinking about not seeing her at all anymore.

If the Prozac seemed to be wokring, and I really thought so as well, why did I all of a sudden start experiencing the panic attacks again? My doctor did mention Zoloft and I think that will probably be the next one she sends my way. I'd really like to get over this the natural way, but at this point I really need some help.

I've been eating lightly, but I know I'm not getting all the vitamins and nutrients I need. I've been better at drinking more water throughout the day though. And yes, I have realized that all this has destroyed my appetite. I haven't been able to eat full meals without feeling sick since about October.

[camsmommy727]

I definitely agree with you. My mom mentioned maybe seeing a nutritionist. But I don't think I will need a nutritionist until I figure out if I have a stomach problem. I will look for some doctors around my area compatible with my insurance. I'd like to be referred, but at this point I don't feel like my GP is helping me much!

I also have a fear of developing an eating disorder. Even when I do eat, I can't eat a lot. But I used to eat 3 meals a day and be just fine. I've lost weight and my appetite. I can feel the hunger pains in my stomach at the appropriate times I should be eating, but the fact that I still feel so sick overpowers my will to eat.

Again, I am seeing the cardiologist this afternoon. Hopefully I can get some answers and be able to focus on what the next steps will be. And I will definitely keep you all updated. You have really been an enormous help to me and all my concerns. Thanks so much.

[camsmommy727]

After 2 weeks of no medicine and just breathing mechanisms with my monitor we've been able to figure out I may have an arrythmia. I take my monitor off tomorrow, mail it in, and should get my final results back fairly quickly after the evaluation. Hopefully they catch all of those palpitations including the PVCs, PACs, skips, flutters, pounds, weak beats and be able to start helping me! I've been working on controlling my anxiety by myself and it seems to be progressing, which is a definite relief!

I did regain my appetite, finally! But I usually experience the arrythmia's more severely after eating a lot and having just the smallest amount of caffeine. So I've been trying to drink nothing but water, juice, and sprite. I also feel sick and frequent heart burn after eating, which is leading me closer and closer to seeing a gastroenterologist.

I found out my older sister (28) also has an arrythmia, which triggers her anxiety. She's pregnant right now and been in and out of the hospital because she is dehydrated, can't eat or keep water down. And her blood pressure is low 95/55.We have the same father, but not the same mother. I am not familiar if my dad has any of these problems, but he never seems to have problems or mention anything to us.

When I saw the cardiologist my blood pressure was 104/60, and just a week before then it was 110/65. I haven't had it taken since last week so I'm not sure if it's dropping or anything. I'm going to purchase an at home blood pressure kit when I can afford it.

Depending on how sever my arrythmias are, is dependant on the treatment. I just read a chapter in my A&P book over cardiovascular diseases and treatments and medications, but not sure what they can do for an arrythmia? Any knowledge?

I'm anxious to get my results when I'm finally able to take this monitor off, which is making me have to write in the diary more today than any other day. I'm praying for an honest answer and diagnosis. I'm very satisfied with this cardiologist and the office and nurses. They have reassured me and make me feel like I am going to be ok. I know I am going to be ok, this is just a hard time trying to figure out EVERYTHING that is going on!

[montrealaise]

I used to have PVC's quite often around and after menopause -- the holter monitor did not record anything unusual.  They only happen infrequently nowadays, but I experienced something new lately.  Twice in  a matter of of a week, after going to bed, I felt as if my heart stopped beating and I could feel no pulse.  That lasted 6-7 seconds, then I could feel my pulse again.  I had no pain or discomfort and was mentally alert throughout the episode.  What could be causing this?

[camsmommy727]

Hi, I experience the same thing. Quite often though. I have anxiety which causes me to be extremely alert about my heart rate, almost obsessive. If I feel like I can't feel my heart beating I will immediately reach for my pulse for reassurance. Somtimes it's slow and weak which causes me to worry and then it will rapidly pound. I recently learned that it's normal for our heart rates to drop while we sleep or are lying down and calm. Mine gets all the way to 30bpm at night. That's why I am more alert at night, because it normally drops and I obsess about it dropping so low to the point where it won't beat anymore and I'll die, which causes me to panic and then my heart rate will rise and I freak out.

What I'm trying to say is that when we're extra alert about our hearts beating or think that it's not beating enough, it causes us to panic which makes the palpiations worse. You may think you cannot feel your pulse, but it's still there. I always have to remind myself that as long as I'm breathing, I'm still alive.

Mine generally has no pain, I just get that anxious (butterflies in the stomach) feeling when I think something is wrong. Try not to panic, I promise it only makes things worse. I'm still trying to work through the fact that because I obsess so much about my heart, that's definitely the cause. Do you have anxiety?

[montrealaise]

Thanks camsmommy for you comforting reply.  Yes, I do have anxiety (am taking Zoloft, which helps but not entirely).  I lost my beloved mom last year and am having a very hard time dealing with it.  

In your first post, you mention you sometimes waken to a racing pulse.  You don't mention drinking wine, but in my own experience, a glass or 2 of wine with dinner would wake me up at night with a racing pulse as well, so I've cut the wine.  God bless and good luck to you!

[camsmommy727]

You can call me Mandy! Haha, sorry forgot to put that.

You're very welcome! I love that I can help, sometimes it makes me feel better when I get replies from others with experience orknowledge for reassurance.

Anxiety definitely causes those palpitations, no doubt. I'm trying my best to control mine naturally. I've tried a few types of medicine, my doctor kept putting me on anti-depressants. They made me feel ok for a while, but every one caused more chest pain and pressure and increased my palpitations. So, I'm trying to take the all naturale road this time. I'd like to be able to get over this as soon as possible!

Losing a loved one will definitely pay a toll on anxiety. Mine all started in August, in July I lost my grandfather whom I was very close to for a long time until we moved here to Texas. I still feel regret because I didn't get to see him as much for the past ten years. It really upset me, as well as worrying about my dad because that was his last parent. Now both of his parents are gone and I just worry about him. I worry about losing my parents and I worry about my son losing me or his father. I just live in a world full of worry and I sure should learn to control it!

I find that if I eat before bed or am extremely worried about something, I have trouble sleeping and usually wake suddenly with a racing pulse. I have completely given up caffeine and alcohol since my stress levels are so high. The caffeine makes my resting pulse around 95 for a good 30 min to an hour.

Good luck with your battle, and I'm glad I could help! God bless!

[montrealaise]

Thanks Mandy, and keep us informed about the monitor results.  You will be fine hon, if you can hold your anxieties at bay (easier said than done)!

[camsmommy727]

Hey, just some more information about my monitor results...
I had a few ectopic (abnormal) beats within my two weeks of wearing it.
She said that it had beat prematurely in my atrial regions about 3 to 4 times. She said they were benign and nothing to worry about. She also said I need to practice managing my stress (gonna take some time!!) and keeping caffeine, alcohol, and nicotene out of my diet. I ALREADY DO THAT! And they still tend to happen. I used to smoke in my teen years (about 3 years ago) and I drink absolutely no caffeine, and actually haven't even wanted to drink alcohol for fear of them happening since this all started. But at least they aren't happening that much. Maybe once or twice a week. But my anxiety keeps me just awaiting the next time it happens so I can panic again. Then again, I only panic like crazy probably once a month. I've been able to get myself together and try and get through this, but just not knowing why it happens and why I feel so tired and dizzy and anxious all the time is driving me nuts! Hopefully since I have the diagnosis and THE DOCTOR SAID it's nothing to worry about, I guess I shouldn't spend too much time worrying! That is until I feel any kind of symptom that relates to the PAC. It's just crazy how some people can live normal lives when there's so many people like us out there who spend almost every other day in fear. Well, I'll be working on coming to terms and hope all is well with you!

[montrealaise]

Hi Mandy, I just read the good news!  See, the doctor said you have no need to worry, so don't worry so much hon.  Your anxiety is the real culprit here.  Kudos to you for trying to beat it in a natural way -- your resolve and strength of spirit is commendable. I wish you all the best, so you can concentrate on being Cam's mommy.
I'm fine, but tired as heck today, as my husband and I just returned from a full schedule trip to NYC; one of the highlights was seeing the Broadway play "War Horse" -- it was sooo worth it!

[dividedsky86]

hey! i know this post is somewhat old now, but how comforting it was to read, as you sound 100% like me! i just turned 26 in may, and the day after my birthday i had a horrible panic attack which prompted me to call 911 and spend a whole night in the ER. My blood pressure had shot up to 177/113 with all kinds of crazy racing heart/skipping beat/thudding beats going on. tight chest, cold sweat, trembling/shaking. nothing crazy was really happening either, i had just smoked a cigarette but.. it was 11:30 at night, i shouldve been tired.. i think i was even in bed trying to fall asleep when it happened. but, I really got no answers from them  - I felt like i was, literally, dying, and they are all walking around like nothing is going on.. i remember asking the nurse like, when is this gonna stop?!!!!! why is this happening?!! lol it lasted 3 hours. but she just so calmly replied, oh, sometimes anxiety can cause that.  the ER doctor himself told me it was an esophogial spasm, gave me some pepcid in an IV, then sent me home.? I am not sure what is wrong with me still actually, as it is still occuring quite frequently (daily at least but they are less severe, last a shorter amount of time now as i am slowly learning to control them).. i just saw a cardiologist, had an echo done yesterday, got sent home with a 24 hour holter.. and i find out the results in 2 months. 2 months!? i can only assume the Drs didnt find me to be in too critical of shape, if i dont go back for two more months?  
I think what is helping me is.. I believe they are anxiety fueled. moreso than heart issue fueled. its just so scary, physically when they happen man! I have 2 small kids, family history on both sides of anxiety & high blood pressure (but absolutely no "heart disease" which is a big plus), I just split with my boyfriend of 5 years.. well am still in the "splitting" process.. he is a weirdo, an alcoholic, a drug addict, with a horrible temper.. not physically violent but just about. getting away from him has been/still is a grueling process.. come to think of it i think this began right when our breakup began. hmm. but yeah.. im trying to move to a new town, all this stuff.. it was just weird because these panic attacks just manifest so randomly.. alot of them actually happen more often when i am at rest. and they began so suddenly, i have had  zero health concerns til BAM that one day 2 months ago.. and ever since the initial one, and the trip to the ER and what not.. i think about it alot, and by think i mean extreme worry that itll happen again anytime i feel my heart rate raise at all. But I have come to realize, and keep reminding myself.. that i am fine. it is normal for your heart rate to rise after meals, after caffeine marijuana or nicotine consumption.. i get it nearly everytime i smoke maryjane lately, which is a little disheartening as i used to love it.. it was my "natural" anxiety cure.. something i really enjoyed.. now i almost fear it because i never know if/when it will cause palpitations.. but even with that, an elevated heart rate is a "normal" side effect of smoking herb..it is a "normal" side effect of "anxiety".  i was just never this worried/sensitive to all of this! i used to love my coffee, weed, cigs, now i fear all of these things as i believe they are triggers for me. i mean this could be a blessing in disguise honestly because i have abolished some unhealthy habits, eat better, and take more vitamins.. in an effort to control the panic attacks. i too have also lost my appetite and force myself to eat.. sometimes the fact that i dont get hungry worries me, guess its normal during anxiety/depression though. i take Vitamin D, Magnesium, and a B vitamin mix. eat bananas, drink milk :) i too had low potassium in the ER... also i have not slept well for the past few days or so either.. every single night i have been awoken at like, EXACTLY 3am with a racing heart.. cant get back to sleep til around 6ish.. then boom my kids are awake, and so am i. i hear lack of sleep can cause heart irregularities. you know, really, i hear a heck of a lot of different things can cause them. i just never used to be sooo darn sensitive to it. i think i need to exercise more too. this also kinda started around the time that i quit my job and because somewhat sedentary, perhaps that could also be related. when i find out the results of my echo/holter i am sure ill have alot more piece of mind as well. assuming its normal lol. but i have had a few ekgs and theyve always been normal so.. idk. hope you are all doing well though! oh yeah and no meds for me.. my dad gave me about 12 peach xanax when this first began, and i started taking 1/2 every night to help me sleep.. then added another 1/2 in the daytime to keep myself "even"... then, i ran out of xanax. :) so i am coping with it on my own. i refuse to take any morsel of an SSRI.. do not believe in them. i just believe becoming healthy and cleaning myself out , nixing my bad habits, lessening the amount of chemicals i put in my body... exercise... breathing.. that is what will help. i do not believe putting more chemicals into my body will help, i know many may disagree and to each his own but.. i have taken literally every popular ssri on the market, from ages 15-21.. they never helped me. do they REALLY make you "happier"? do they really get rid of your anxiety? no, its still down inside you somewhere.. you need to deal with it headon i believe.. covering it up wont help, and once you start these meds expect to be on them forever. seriously. and if you dont stay on em, expect a hard hard time coming off of them when you do. expect rebound panic attacks. noo thanks. my doc recently just tried to throw buspar in my face when i told him about my problems. i took it for a week and it actually increased my nervousness/panic/anxiety, i guess some people are like that. but i highly commend anyone who deals with this naturally.. i believe the pharm companies are bad news, and some of these drugs may even perpetuate the very problem they are designed to treat! google it! especially antianxiety meds and ssri's. alright i am done with my rambles, just wanted to share my exp. :)

[ahadi862]

thank you i think i fee all the symptoms you stated above... i am going to a pharmarcy right away. thank you very much again