at witts end

[Lisa62066]

I have suffered from what i thought was panic attacks for 15 years. Then 2 years ago I started to try and lose weight doing light walking and bike riding.  I lost some weight and still struggle with it because I dont seem to be able to work out too much because these attacks shut me down.  I purchased a Polar heart rate monitor to help me lose weight which I only wear it when I work out.  I was doing well riding my bike about 12 mile 4 times a week and longer on the weekends.  Jan 3 2009 I was on the bike trail coasting and my I felt a sharp pain ( in shoulder) and wave of weird  (like a panic attack but was not stressed). My heart rate when up to about 210 for about 5 minutes - then came down to 120 - I got back on my bike trying to ride to the hospital.  Then it started again.  I called 911 and went to the hospital where they did chest xray, cat scan on chest, blood enzymes, ekg ect. I then started seeing a cardiologist, where I have stress test, sonogram multiple ekgs, wore a monitor, blood test and so on.  They cant find anything I take a low dose of Metoprolol Tartrate low does.  So now the only time this happens is when I work out - specifically when my work out includes my heart rate going up and down.  If I do the treadmill start low and work my way up and then warm down - nothing happens.  However, if I ride my bike ( which I miss horribly) or use the treadmill and go slow fast slow fast slow it seems to trigger an episode.  These episodes trigger the slippery slope of panic it takes days for me recover mentally.  It a taking over my life I am afraid of ... well I am not sure really just it happening and not coming back down I guess.

anyone out there understand this
Lisa

[TatiSD]

Hello, I too started my palps after the birth of my second son and 2 major infections.  Esp. in the beginning when I was not use to these events I felt chilled, numbing sensations in my finger tips, waves of lightheadedness, punches of butterflies in my stomach.  All this can happen within a fraction of a second after having a thump in my chest.  All these are fear responses and even though we don't necessarily feel fearful in that immediate time, our bodies already reacted.  
Aside from that, cold weather very much affects my palpitations.  If I go out in the freezing cold and inhale cold air, I get pvc's.  Adrenaline again kicking in.
There are people who live long lives with these things.  My priest told me when he was 85 that he's been having arrhythmia since he was in his late 30's.  So that's comforting, right?!  Take care.

[TatiSD]

I was diagnosed with benign pvc's and pac's.  For years I took Toprol (small dose) but I didn't feel like it made much difference so I stopped it 3 months ago.  I don't take anything now, except for some natural supplements (vitamins).  My biggest concern is having the pvc's and although I do not get many by clinical evaluation, it still throws me for a loop.  It's a day by day push.  I go through periods where they're very light, and then heavier.  I think these are mostly driven by changes in hormones.  I try to also look at this whole situation as an exercise in mental control/fear, abandoning myself to things that happen in life beyond our control.  This doesn't happen over night and I struggle still.  I've been having these for 16 years.  As you read most of the posts in this site, people live with these inconvenient, aggravating manifestations of the heart. This is encouraging to me.
I just want to point out, in a friendly way, that it's not beneficial to say to other fellow members that you feel bad for them and that they have it worse than you.  Even if that's the case, it lets the reader feel panicked and worse off.  As you know, we all deal with a very sensitive issue here where panic thoughts run rampid, so even though I'm sure you meant no harm, I just wanted you to know how comments like that can be interpreted.  In the end, no one knows exactly how bad we are compared to one another.  Please don't be offended by this suggestion.

[macaylla]

Hi there,Ive been haveing heart flutters now for a year, since i had my son a year a go.... the docs told me it was stress and also at that time i was stressed and also worried because i had it in my head i was gonna die for some silly reason, I see my doc again as they said it was NORMAL .....They then told me it was a heart MURMER and sent me for a HECO SCAN ..... They said my heart was working fine and all was ok and also put this down to ...anxiaty attacks and also panic attacks...... When i see the heart doc they also told me its NORMAL and they also see a lot of this in people age 20-30 ..... years old ..... Its worrying when this happens i must say and also it can go off and start again ..... if i feel cold it happens then ..... i also go heavy heads and some times light head ...... i hate going out in case i get took bad and also got it in my head i have bad heart and im gonna have a heart attack.....But the doc and also the heart docs say im fine and to try and keep chilled !!!!!  This as made my life hell to tell you the truth im worried to drink tea or coffee now because it does happen a lot if i do so ... and also if i go out of my home town i panic and also start to get 1 then and it will go off when i chill out .......I was just siting o the sofa not thinking of anything bad and i got one then it was like my heart had stoped and then just a bang and started again and then like little butterflys going over my heart .... really worrying !!!!! But as im told dont worry try and chill move !!!!!! EASY FOR THEM TO SAY HEY !!!!

[Lisa62066]

Well, I feel a little better knowing that Ima not alone but also feel back for you because it seems your issue is worse then mine.  So do you have an actual diagnosis?  Are you on any kind of meds?  
I am so frustrated with this because it is taking over my lofe, like you I am afraid to go out and do things and I feel like I am missing out.  it is a cycle of I have an actual tachy episode then for days I think Iam having them - I know that it is in my head but how do you get it out.  

Thank you for the post

[TatiSD]

Hello,  I have had the same issue with bike riding.  I do the stationary, since I'm afraid of being outside in case these episodes start.  When I do a program that requires hills, I  start having pvc's.  Sometimes I try togo with it and ignore them, however, they just get amplified.  I have read and was advised by a cardiologist friend that it's best to do consistent, even types of exercising, without the spurts of sprinting.  Our hearts may be more sensitive while it's in full activity to the excess of adrenaline, therefore spurring the pvc's or the tachy in your case.  It's frustrating to be limited to a certain type of exercise, but through an even, constant workout you also strengthen the heart's capacity for regularity.  So that's my focus now, to teach my heart to be in exercise mode and beat regularly.  At times I'm so sensitive, that even going up the steps (with the sudden shot of adrenaline) will start my pvc's, so even doing such a mundane effort that does not get me tired at all, leaves me scared to go upstairs.  SO through even, consistent effort type of exercising, I'm hoping to mellow my adrenaline response.    
I agree though, it's very frustrating when mentally you're ready to fly, yet we have to hold back.  My cardiologists insist though that I should not hold back.  Still struggling with how one can continue doing what they're doing, feeling the arrhythmia which can only amplify the event, as you push through it.  Be well.