Anybody Ever have this "strange sensation?"

[jsuter69]

Let me explain this "situation"...I'm riding in the car with my cousin....yak...yak....yak...than all of a sudden...from outta nowhere...BAM....my heart started beating all irregular...like a "quivering"....like it couldn't get a good sinus rhythm going...and at the same time...I felt this pressure in my throat...it was a sensation like...there was no oxygen coming in or out of my airway...I felt like I was going to pass out...after what 'felt" like an eternity(probably 2 or 3 mins..or less) it quit....had a few weird beats...than I felt "ok"....can anybody explain this...I'm scared....this has happened a few times...usually it's just the PVC's and PAC's....that I get...my cardiologists says my heart is structurally normal....but has never seen these episodes...says I'm fine....my fanny!!
I know my body...and without insurance...what can I do?? I'm currently waiting on a CNA card to arrive....before I can start actively working......

[RNRita]

Here is my take in a nutshell.  I had my first bout of PVCs at 19 years old when no one knew what they were.  I went to several doctors who told me my "ticker was touchy."  Weirdos.  So  went for the next 10 years feeling this horrible thing in my chest that no one else had and that was the answer I got.  I developed an anxiety and panic disorder.  Now, since I'm labled, it can be hard for any doctor to get past that and look for real problems, and I don't just mean my heart.   I've had dizziness for years that was caused by migraines and they kept telling me it was anxiety.  I think the PVCs come BEFORE the panic or anxiety in at least half the cases.  I know when I get a ton of them, I get very anxious.  So, in answer to your question...yes, you probably DID have a panic attack....after your heart freaked you out.  I wish some of these doctors got them.  Anyone know any who do?  I don't.  Now THAT is weird.

[jsuter69]

Thanks for the comment....I went and "GOOGLED"...POTS....and you're right...some of it does sound like it.....maybe there is 'hope" for me yet...lol

[madjlp]

I often go through periods where rising quickly from a lying position to a standing position results in mild to severe chest pressure (usually only severe if I've had a few drinks and even then rare) - additional symptoms like headiness, breathlessness and neck discomfort are occasional co-conspirators with the chest pressure - I usually manage it by shifting lying to standing slowly and avoiding alcohol when I notice I'm in a "hot" period and experiencing the discomfort more often (actually posted about these experiences a few days ago and mentioned a syndrome called POTs which fits some of the symptoms).  I have never experienced this pressure while lying on my stomach so I'm not sure what to tell you there.  

Your fast rhythm experience in the car definitely sounbds familiar - you've got lots of company on this board!

[jsuter69]

Thanks for all your responses!!! I almost feel like we are own little "family"....we stick up for "our" own and nobody quite understands us....lol
RNRITA....I'm sure you are a "great" patient....oops...lol....I guess what bothers me is...most people tell me what I am experiencing is a panic attack....my cadiologists told me 5yrs ago that I had "mild,mild,mild,mild,mild pulmonary hypertension!!!!" Said it was so mild he shouldnt have told me...he knows me...very well...haha....I had him check me a few months ago...he said nothing has changed..and I'm fine...whatever...
I swear what I'm feeling isn't a panic attack...I get that feeling(that weird pressurized feeling in my head and throat) after sitting and going into a standing postion....and I don't think I'm getting scared about "standing"...lol...or if I lay on my stomach...it sometimes happens....does ANY of "this" sound familiar to ANYONE?? Yes would be GREAT to hear ;)

[chevy man]

the same here i get this strange not enough blood feeling in my head just out of nowhere but i get nausea with it sometimes

[rr2465]

I think I know what that feeling is - to me its more like i'm not getting enough blood to my head.  Maybe your "whoosh" is when it happens.  For me it depends on how bad it is when it happens - sometimes I can function without too much trouble (I may be sitting at the computer at work so I can just ride it out).  And sometimes I need to lie down to get the blood back where it belongs.  I honestly believe that my anxiety when this happens makes it even worse.  Someone also mentioned a lump in their throad - that definitely happens to me!  A few weeks ago it happened when I was surfing.  It was mild, but I just had to sit there floating on my board for 15 minutes until I felt OK again.  I agree - its scary.  

[dolfnlvr]

That is EXACTLY what has happened to me on at least 5 occasions.  I've been tested for everything under the sun, and I've been able to "catch" the PVC's and stuff, but this other thing has never happened during monitoring.  My cardiologist is almost certain that it is SVT and recommended that I take a low dose beta blocker to avoid episodes.  Unless the episodes begin to become extended they say it won't hurt me.  I'm with you though...."MY FANNY!!"  That thing scares the living daylights out of me!!!

[RNRita]

I had the same thing happen to me for about 6 minutes coming home from work.  I was CERTAIN I was dying this time.  I was driving, it was winter and I had to start taking off my coat, seatbelt, etc. I probably would have been nekky by the time I got home if I'd had another hand!  It continued the full ride home and stopped as I pulled into my driveway.  This was the worst my heart EVER felt, and I didn't die. It was over a year ago.   I also get the feeling of a lump in my throat sometimes with them.  I've said it before:  there is a multitude of feelings associated with these.  I love to hear other people's.  Then I don't feel so weird.  Also, I am a nurse and I'm a very GOOD patient.  lol

[jsuter69]

Can I ask you this? Do you ever get the "feeling" that I described above? I hate that feeling....where my head feels like it has this weird like pressure in it.....it's like my blood pressure zooms sky high....but only literally...it's in head!!!

[jsuter69]

Thanks for writing back....I also get this(not to sound like a hypochondriac....get that often because of my "many" complaints...lol)
When I stand up...from sitting for periods...I get this sudden rush of "pressure" in head...it's weird....or when I'm laying down on my stomach....my head starts feeling like a pressurized cooker....so strange...my cardiologist...who says I'm fine....said I have "mild pulmonary hypertension"....so mild he shouldn't have told me....what's that suppose to mean?In my mind I'm thinking if I'm fine....why'd you even bring it up?

[nikgirl28]

i got something like that since my early twenties....it lasts for like a min or two...but scares me senseless....it feels like a run of pvcs...not being able to catch that relaxing beat...guess the best way to describe it...i had this like almost every month after my second child...doctor has never been able to catch it though...

[rr2465]

Hi,

Thats exactly what I'm experiencing.  I've had it for a while now but it was always dismissed as something else.  The cardiologist had me on a halter monitor and I was able to catch it at 250 bpm.  They think I may have SVT so they have me on meds (that I'm not happy about).  I don't have an outcome to the situation but most importantly - you are not alone!!!

Good luck.

[kateinmadbeach]

I can definatly relate to the weird throat sensation. I have had that many times during an episode- where the base of your neck almost throbs. Anxiety can definatly play a role in this too- being scared all the time is horrible.

[jsuter69]

Doubt it....lol....I've heard that nurses and doctors...make the worse kinds of patients....haha...
Believe it or not....still have 2 MORE YEARS!!!.....

[lagoya]

u will be fine so u will be a nurse soon --u will be telling us all what to do

[jsuter69]

Thanks for that...believe it does help when you realize...you're not alone...hopefully soon I can get insurance and get something done...just tired of being scared all the time...makes life and everyday living...sometimes unbearable...don't get me wrong...I'm not suicidal...but makes working and finishing nursing school...difficult to pursue....

[lagoya]

hi
what u wrote about is nearly the same thing that happened to me when i first noticed my heart beating fast i too was driving and got a very fast heart-rate like that lasted about 1 min but floored me for the day.
after a lots of tests later and a couple of monitors it revealed i had pvcs going into runs of svt and what u describe sounds like svt.but you need a cardio to diagnose that --it might not be.
short bursts of tach it can give u masive anxiety as well
the fact that your heart is structurally sound is good but the best way to catch a run like that is an event monitor that u press when this happens and record the heart-rate and they will see if it is normal or not.
i see u dont have insurance so i dont know what u do from here or if u have to wait for insurance to get to see a cardio
anxiety will also give of the same type symptoms so for now try not to worry --easier said than done i know but it may be nothing specific

take care