dramatic heart fluctuation

[tami1221]

i'm 22 years old female, i experienced these symptoms one day about 4 months ago. (fast pulse, headache, irregular bowl movement, feeling like throwing up, racing thoughts, insomnia, depression, (physically to the point where i cant walk or balance when walking) i was in and out of the er 4 times, the doctors could not find anything wrong with me. i did some research on anxiety and figure that was the case. i went to my family doctor she said i was stressed out, she gave me anti anxiety meds but told me to only take it when i need to because it can be addicting, and she gave me meds (beta blocker) to slow down my heart because through out the day every day for the past 4 months my heart rate fluctuates rapidly lowest being 72 and seconds later (without movement only thinking) can go up to 125 and goes to 100 and 90 (it never stays the same always a diff rate for more than a few minute). The past 4 months i've been basically indoors, when i get outside my anxiety becomes worst, especially the heart rate goes up high ( but it goes down in seconds to about 100s) so im afraid to even be outdoor because i dont want to have a heart attack or faint while shopping or running errand, i dont know if you have the same problem, if you do how did you deal with it? i know i cant live my life hiding in my house forever.. :(

i have two questions with my heart, how it dramatically fluctuates lowest being 72 and seconds later can go up to 125 and goes to 100 and 90 or 80s (it never stays the same always a diff rate). I notice it goes up very high when i'm stress out or when i'm out doors. i was wondering what i can do to make it stay at the same rate because i know in the long run its not good for my heart. The family doctor gave me beta blocker i took two pills but stopped because it made me sooo tired & make me sleepy but cannot sleep because i was scared my beat would go too low. and it did not make a difference in regards to my pulse fluctuating.

Also i read about,"fight or flight" i feel as if thats what my heart and body is going through, what can i do? what medication can i take to help me? any one in my same situation?

[ghent96]

Tami, are you absolutely sure your Dr checked your thyroid levels? (the full thyroid panel, not just T4 or TSH only)  These symptoms sound exactly like hyperthyroidism.

No matter what, I hope you get to feeling better :)

[cindy707]

The first and most important thing you need to do immediately is to stop scaring yourself half to death!!!  You pulse rate is within normal limits 70-120 and all of our heart rates flucuate like crazy throughout our day and even in our sleep.  Its very, very normal.  If we see something on T.V. that we react to the pulse rate goes up, we get a call from our friends to go out...the pulse rate goes up...we drink a pepsi our pluse rate goes up...thousands and thousands of variables make our pulse rate go up or down and that is exactly what our heart is supposed to do...adapt to our situations.  You have age on your side and the chances of you having a heart attack as a female at 22 is slim to none.  I don't think that seeing your family doctor is going to do it for you Tami...you need to make an appt. with a heart doc so he can get you on the right meds and you need to prepare yourself before you go...sit down ...write a list of 1-20 questions and fears that you have so he/she can address them for you and so you are better informed which at this point you aren't.  Also with fight or flight that usually applies to life or death situations and from what you've described on this site you aren't even close to anything that serious.  I know it is scary....we've all been there at one time or another but your best bet is to tackle this head on and take control back of your life.  22 is way too young to be stuck in the house.  A good cardiologist will put you on whatever meds they feel appropriate for you to take only when the incident occurs to re regulate your heart rate and trust me they work, and with the right ones a heart doc gives you you will not get tired and sleepy and won't effect your sleep.  If you feel like you're going to faint you are probably hyperventillating because you're upsetting yourself.  Some of us our heart rates go up into the upper 200's Tami and we are still here to post about it.  Make the appointment w. a cadiologist but it sounds to me like you'll be just fine and may not even need meds. but that of course is up to the doc.  Good luck and please let us know how you are doing.......