Can someone please help me?

[tyenix]

Hi everyone, I am a 19 year old male.  I have had a stress test, Echocardiogram, a calcium heart scan (i don't know the exact term for it), and several EKG's and chest x-rays over the past 2 years.  I have been told by every cardiologist and emergency room doctor that nothing is wrong with my heart, although i have benign palpitations and a heart murmur.   I've been diagnosed with panic disorder as well as gastritis(inflammation of the stomach) and a hiatal hernia.  However I've been taking lexapro for over a year and a half for my panic disorder and I really haven't had a panic disorder since.  For the past year or so I have also drank pretty excessively, probably 7 - 12 drinks every 3 or 4 days a week, which i know is bad for my gastritis/hiatal hernia.  However, I haven't had a drink since last friday (it's currently tuesday night) and i put myself in the E.R. room sunday for the umpteenth time.  I had an EKG and they tested my thyroid, checked my blood, and gave me another chest x-ray. I've also had my gallbladder  checked in the past, and that was fine as well. Anyways, they said my EKG was normal (as well as my x-ray and thyroid test) and let me go. But ever since that day i went to the e.r. I've been lightheaded and have had frequent dull chest pain. But the odd thing is my pulse...when i stand up or even just walk around my heart starts to pound and i don't understand it. could someone please please just give me some input/suggestions on what they think it might be/what i should do? I'm really worried and I don't know what to do anymore : (  
   thanks,
       tye
        

[bgrimes86]

     WHOA!!! While reading your post, I had to double check your name over and over again just to make sure that I wasn't the one who wrote it. I've got the EXACT same problems as you...I mean everything (except the hiatal hernia). I too have brutal anxiety with occasional panic attacks, along with gastritis and those dreaded palpitations that occur whenever I'm on my feet. It all started last year, shortly after coming off of Paxil, Xanax, Klonopin, and copious amounts of marijuana. I noticed that my heart would begin to race whenever I exerted myself or stood for too long, and then, those awful PVC's started showing up. I have had a mild form of dysautonomia called Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) since I was a teenager--it's the result of an unbalanced autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system keeps your heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, digestion, as well as other bodily functions in check, and any disruption to this delicate system can give you a whole host of problems. I feel that the massive drug withdrawals I experience and the major stress that accompanied it further exacerbated my already screwed up nervous system, and now I wonder if it will ever go away.
     There are two parts that make up the autonomic nervous system: the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions. The sympathetic division is what's responsible for the well known "fight-or-flight" response; heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate increase, while digestion decreases. In people with anxiety disorders (especially Panic Disorder), the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system is chronically over activated, resulting in excessive amounts of adrenaline rushing through your veins, which can lead to all of the symptoms you described above. Whether the anxiety disorder triggered the ANS imbalance, or the ANS imbalance triggered the anxiety disorder, is pretty much a mystery. The parasympathetic division does the opposite; it's known for the "rest and digest" response. Heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate decrease, while digestion increases. Obviously, any imbalance of the ANS is going to cause problems. It sounds like your sympathetic nervous system is over activated, and treatment must be targeted at reducing your adrenalin levels. If it is psychological in origin, psychiatric drugs and therapy should reduce or eliminate your symptoms. However, if it’s physiological in origin, more aggressive therapy will be needed.

P.S. Ironically, alcohol, which is a depressant, is known to activate the sympathetic nervous system, so consuming too much is going to make things much, much worse. I know it’s hard to say “no,” but I myself have had to completely abstain from all alcohol and drugs (including caffeine), and I have one of the most addictive personalities on the planet. I’m also a guy…22 years old and struggling everyday to keep away from alcohol and drugs. I have lost many “friends” as a result of my decisions, but Jesus is my friend, so that’s all that matters. Perhaps your body is trying to tell you something, or maybe someone else. Personally, I get the feeling that your problems may be a blessing in disguise. Good luck and God Bless.

P.P.S. I am not a doctor, so do not consider my little lecture as solid medical advice.

[tyenix]

to momto3: actually yeah i've worn a holter monitor and the "event" monitor. results were normal as usual. and actually i went yet again to the doctor today and had bloodwork, x-ray, and another EKG. still normal. but i still have the pounding heartbeat when i stand up. i don't understand it. thanks for the suggestions : )

to srm6598: yes i'm in college and i'm just living a college lifestyle i guess. but i've definitely laid off and i'm going to have to quit soon anyway (drinking that is). i actually saw a panic specialist here in town for a while who really helped me and taught me some helpful methods. i just need to figure out where these pains are coming from. thanks for your concern : )

[srm6598]

I have posted before about being a rookie with these heart issues but here is what I do know. 19 year olds! I have a daughter exactly your age and even without your problems with anxiety life is stressfull!  I don't know if you are in college or what but just trying to figure out who you are and who you want to be can be very confusing.  

Do you have people you can talk to? My daughter went to talk to a counsiler when she 1st started school because she was so overwhelmed with all the "newness".

Ok, now, talking as a Momma...you gotta knock off the drinking! What are you thinking drinking that much?  I am sure you are aware that alcohol is a depressant in itself. You are better than that and you deserve better than that.

So many things in life are determined by the choices we make... how are you going to determine YOUR life? This is your life and everyone else is "just in it".

God bless you today.....

[Momto3]

Hi tye

Has your doctor mentioned a Holter monitor?  It's a monitor you could wear for 24 hours to record your heartbeats.  There's also an "event" monitor that you can wear (usually for 30 days).  You press the "record" button when you are having symptoms and then transmit the data over the phone line.  The doctor will let you know the results and if there is anything to worry about.  Given all of the tests you've had, it's probably anxiety, but the monitor may give you peace of mind.  If you can transmit exactly what's going on, when it happens, then you may feel better with the diagnosis.