Irregular heartbeat that lasts all day long

[LeToomPup]

Everything started about a month ago, when I was having a hard time getting a deep, satisfying breath.  Nothing too serious, but I was getting slightly lightheaded and couldn't quite get a deep enough breath to satisfy my lungs.  (that is the best way I can describe the feeling).  Anyway, went to my GP and he took blood and a chest xray.  Xray came back normal and blood test revealed that I do not have hyperthyroidism, diabetes, or anything of that nature.  One thing I should mention is that in June09 I contracted Lyme disease, but I was able to notice the bullseye rash and get antibiotics within only a few days.  I took them for a little over a month and was told that the Lyme disease should be 100% cured.  Anyway, after my GP visit, he said it was probably just anxiety and gave me Xanax (.5mg)  I took the Xanax everyday for the next week and a half, taking half a pill (.25mg) in the morning and the other half later at night.  If I felt strong anxiety that day I would take a full pill at night.  I also started taking Ranitidine (Zantac75) for possible GERD, after telling the doc I experience some acid reflux, and thought that was probably the case for my shortness of breath.  Everything was going fine for about a week until I started noticing terrible heart palpitations.  They would happen a few times a day at first, but now they are happening at every waking moment.  I think they are PVCs after doing some research.  They start when I wake up and last all day until I go to bed.  This is very distressing and causes a lot of anxiety for me.  I read that they are normal and shouldnt cause any worry, but it is impossible for me not to worry about them.  The doc couldnt get me back in until the 20th (9 days away).  I read that ranitidine can cause irregular heartbeats in rare cases, and I havent taken that in 3 or 4 days and I am still feeling the irregular heartbeat all day long.  I also stopped taking the xanax a few days ago as well, and now I only take that every 3 or 4 days when my symptoms get unbearable, instead of taking it every day.  I've read that anxiety can cause all of these symptoms, but I have absolutely no reason to be anxious.  I started taking a multivitamin (MegaMen from GNC) and a calcium/magnesium oxide supplement.  None of which has decreased the amount of PVCs I experience a day. The doc also perscribed zoloft, which I have yet to try because I dont really like taking an SSRI (had me on celexa about 2 years ago and hated it). I stopped drinking all caffeine when I noticed the breathing problems about a month ago.  Before all of this started, I was drinking alcohol about 2 nights a week, smoking marijuana everyday, and drinking caffeine everyday.  Never had a problem with any of those substances, until the shortness of breath started, and I stopped smoking weed, drinking, and stopped all caffeine.  The symptoms are only getting worse though.  Pretty much my main question is: should I be worried?  I cant get to the doc for 9 days like I said but I might try to schedule the appointment sooner if there is a reason to.  

[clages]

I don't think crambone was terribly helpful, but his point about lifestyle is well taken and you seem to be moving in the right direction. Having suffered like you for years and years now, I will give you my 2 cents.  First, go immediately to a cardiologist. If your insurance requires seeing your GP first, go today to see him/her and get an appt with a cardio ASAP. To go from normal to feeling short of breath to having day long palpitations is not a good progression in a relatively short period of time.  You want to rule out disease/mechanical defects in the heart ASAP.  Next, anxiety, alcohol, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, caffeine (stimulants), and fatigue are the 6 non-heart disease related things that can trigger your PVC's/arrhythmia ( besides having a jacked up electrical system in your heart, which is what many of us have ).  Taking a Prozac or Zoloft daily can help a lot if anxiety is a trigger for you. Stay away from Xanax as the withdrawals make arrhythmia worse ( my experience ). Xanax, lorazepam, etc. are short term band aid anxiety solutions, not long term calming drugs like the prozacs, zoloft, etc. Make sure you take an antidepressant that helps with anxiety because not all do. Low doses are all you'll probably need, and your body will tolerate each antidepressant differently, so it may take several weeks to find one that works for you. Be patient. I tried Magnesium supplements for several months with mixed results. Your doctor can do blood tests specifically to check your magnesium levels. If they are within normal range, then the magnesium probably won't help a lot, but you never know until you try. For me, I think it was a placebo effect more than anything.

So, get to a cardiologist quickly to rule out any real problems. There are antiarrhythmatics that they can give you that can help - beta blockers can do some good once they dial in the right dosage.  Also, stay off the weed, go easy on the alcohol, and start exercising once you get clearance from your doctor. You're way too young to be having these issues!

[Madge270]

I'd like to try Natural Calm too, but would like more information first.  I'm experiencing about 8500 PVCs a day, on average. I don't feel them often, but it's a lot of PVCs. Beta blockers are out of the question for me because I have bad acid reflux. Please let me know how Natural Calm works for you.

[LeToomPup]

I just received the magnesium supplement "Natural Calm" in the mail today.  I have heard a lot of people have had positive results in getting rid of their irregular heart beat while taking this supplement.  My question is (to anyone out there who uses Natural Calm) if i drink the recommended dose everyday, how long do you think it would take to slow my heart palpitations?  They really bring me a lot of anxiety so the faster it works, the better!

[Jerry_NJ]

It does read like you are taking the correct corrective life style changes and I think they will help.  As far as alcohol is concerned, getting drunk isn't good for anyone, but I'd think a social drink (is that possible at age 21?  I don't think it was when I was 21) or two in an evening or day shouldn't be a problem.  

I think smoking anything is a bad practice, I have no experience with marijuana, but did smoke tobacco until about 25 years ago and I am very happy I quit, in fact I think I'd not be alive today if I kept on smoking.  Remember too, if you don't "screw up" you too will someday be old and your body will be much the better if you treat it in healthy ways while you are young.

Given you have palpatations constantly it should be easy for your doctor to "catch" them on an electrocardiogram (EKG/ECG).  You may want to discuss with you doctor the benefits of seeing a cardiologist too.

If you have a flexible time frame, you may be able to catch a canceled appointment and get in to see your doctor sooner.  Talk with his "office" - the appointment person and tell them to give you a call if any time opens up that will get you in earlier.

Good luck,
  

[LeToomPup]

also should probably mention that I am only 20 years old, male.  I will be 21 in about 4 months and am going back to college in just a week or 2.  I would really like to drink during those times, but I've noticed that drinking increases my PVCs and anxiety a lot.  Everything wasnt like this 3 weeks ago, I felt completely fine.  I hate feeling like this and just wish that it would all go away and I want to just feel normal again.  

[LeToomPup]

Also should mention, Ive smoked marijuana every day for the past 4 years and it has helped my anxiety and depression immensely.  I only stopped when I realized the shortness of breath and realized that the weed was making it worse.  I smoke it every few days (just a few hits) and everytime I smoke it I notice a lot more PVCs.  I drink more than enough water everyday, probably upwards of 10 water bottles, eat a lot of fruit, meat, and veggies.  I have also noticed I've been experiencing very sweaty palms as of the past few days.  Also have been experiencing somewhat of a brainfog, just dont feel like myself recently.  I just cant put all of this together to realize what is wrong with me.