Palpitations that scaring me

[smithjr1981]

Hi...I am 26 yrs. old...male....226 lbs....6'3". I have been having palpitations and s.o.b. for over a year now....they all started last year after taking caffeine pills for about four months straight...usually 2-3 a day. These palpitations have been feeling really heavy the past few days, and sometimes, the pvc's make me dizzy. I have had over 20 ekg's, ultrasound, stress test, 24hr. holter monitor, and 30 day event monitor...they have all been negative. My doctor says that I have anxiety, and he put me on Klonopin 0.5mg. If I have anxiety...why are my symptoms only worsening...could there still be something wrong with my heart after this extensive cardiac workup???? I am so scared...every day I think I am going to die from this. Please somebody help me out here.

                      Thank you,
                             Jeremy

[RNRita]

Anxiety can cause shortness of breath very easily, which the mind is attributing to your PVCs or SVT.  Someone asked if they were the only one sitting there with PVCs.  Are you kidding?  Tons of people here get them constantly.  I am having a good spell right now, but I know they'll be back, just like my next birthday!  SVT can be treated easier than PVCs.  When you are having symptoms, check your pulse!  SVT is a pulse rate of over 150.  If you can't count it, good chances it is SVT.  You can go to the ER to try to catch it on a monitor, but be sure you can tell them that you checked your pulse and what the rate was.  That might make a difference in how you are handled.

Why do we hate PVCs?  Because they feel like something is terribly wrong.  It doesn't matter how long you've had them.  You can get used to them, somewhat, when you have a lot for a long time, however, once you go through a good stage and they come back?????....it's like the first time all over again.  That is why I love this board.  It makes me remember and get back on track.  As soon as you let them scare you, you're gonna take a ride with them at their discretion.  Keep your chin up!

[smithjr1981]

thank you all for taking time out of your day and letting me know you really care. to Greendave....thanks for your advice too, but I haven't had a sip of alcohol since New Year's eve....to everybody...thank you....and I am gonna hopefully start regaining control of my life.

[10rednails]

what is svt, what was your symptom and what did the dr do for you. am i the only one sitting here having pvc?! isnt this site wonderful!?! nad why is pvc scaring all of us sooo?
it s weird how we all have the same effect!!

[greendave]

Hi Jeremy
So the good news is that you've had loads of tests and all have come back negative so that leaves the 'small' problem of 'anxiety' to sort out and of course 'triggers' that affect your heart rhythmn. Lagoya gives good advice on avoiding caffeine as you seem to have a strong reaction to that, and have a look at your next day reaction to alcohol as a few of us are extremely sensitive to the after effects of alcohol on our hearts.
It is easy to dismiss ' anxiety' but the effects on your body produce very real symptoms which are made even worse by overbreathing. These symptoms can be controlled so it is worth a bit of effort reading up on anxiety and deciding how you want to tackle it.
You are not going to die from this so decide to fight back now.
I have wasted so many years being frightened and if I had known about this site and all the help from the people on it I would have not done so.
Good luck - get rid of the fear first and we're here to help.
dave

[CNickels77]

I like you had all of the tests and nothing showed up.  Finally, one day I forced myself to go to the ER and they got it on a monitor as SVT.  At this point, see if you have palpitations for an extended period and try to get to the ER to get it on a monitor.  It's frustrating trying to "prove" your problem but try to hang in there...

[lagoya]

hi
u have been through a pretty good work up for your heart and should consider taking your docs advise on board.i get palps too from an arrthhymia and sure enough when i let them they will give me anxiety.anxiety and the heart play off one another .caffeine is the biggest player in causing palps in healthy people and in folks who may be prone to getting them in the first place.i would say for now a few weeks come off all caffeine ,,coffee ,tea ..fizzy drinks,,chocolate,.and others and see if this improves ..are there other areas in your life making u feel anxious and if these symptoms are getting worst for u maybe the only other thing u could do is ask for an event monitor this is worn for longer periods and is only pressed or recorded when your symptoms are at worst and u can write down exactly what u felt and what u wre doing at the time ,,so the docs can put a better picture together for u and give u piece of mind in relation to this....
if u feel the med needs to be adjusted talk to your doc sometimes these thing's take a little time and having to go through all those tests is going to make a person feel aware about their health and that is perfectly normal ....pvcs in a structurally normal heart are considered benign alltough they can be upsetting and uncomfortable

i hope that helps a little
i wish u well