Aa
palpitations - why can't they diagnose anything????
I am a 38 year old female who has really been through the ringer getting my heart checked out. I have been for ultrasounds, EKG's, two unsuccessful ablations and probably any other testing that you can imagine. The doctors say that I have a structurally normal heart and not to worry about what I feel.
I have been diagnosed with PVC's, short runs of SVT, and non-sustained v-tach (which I don't think happens too frequently). I have been on numerous beta-blockers which I do not do well on and I still feel every skipped beat that I get. I find I get really bad headaches and my blood pressure is super low 80/56 when I am beta blockers. I naturally have low blood pressure so I think the beta blockers make it even lower.
Why can't they find out why my heart acts up all of the time? I constantly feel skips, a fluttering sensation and sometimes it just starts pounding for no reason at all!!!! I can't stand it anymore. There is not a day that goes by when I don't feel something funny going on in there and it really scares me. Is there not some operation that can fix what is going on???? Since they have found all of these things that are happening (ie: the PVC's - approximately 10 a day, but really hard ones, svt and non-sustained v-tach), why do they tell me not to worry????? They have said I could go on an anti-arrythmic if I wanted to but it was not necessary. I DO NOT want to go on an anti-arrythmic, I am too scared to go on it.
What else can I do? I am driving my doctor crazy, I go back to her probably once per month and tell her I can't take this heart issue anymore. She is always very nice to me but I am at the point I am embarrased to go see her because she says she does not know where else to send me.
What can I do?? Am I driving myself crazy with this. I really feel there is something wrong in there but everyone tells me there is not and a lot of people get weird sensations.
I have been diagnosed with PVC's, short runs of SVT, and non-sustained v-tach (which I don't think happens too frequently). I have been on numerous beta-blockers which I do not do well on and I still feel every skipped beat that I get. I find I get really bad headaches and my blood pressure is super low 80/56 when I am beta blockers. I naturally have low blood pressure so I think the beta blockers make it even lower.
Why can't they find out why my heart acts up all of the time? I constantly feel skips, a fluttering sensation and sometimes it just starts pounding for no reason at all!!!! I can't stand it anymore. There is not a day that goes by when I don't feel something funny going on in there and it really scares me. Is there not some operation that can fix what is going on???? Since they have found all of these things that are happening (ie: the PVC's - approximately 10 a day, but really hard ones, svt and non-sustained v-tach), why do they tell me not to worry????? They have said I could go on an anti-arrythmic if I wanted to but it was not necessary. I DO NOT want to go on an anti-arrythmic, I am too scared to go on it.
What else can I do? I am driving my doctor crazy, I go back to her probably once per month and tell her I can't take this heart issue anymore. She is always very nice to me but I am at the point I am embarrased to go see her because she says she does not know where else to send me.
What can I do?? Am I driving myself crazy with this. I really feel there is something wrong in there but everyone tells me there is not and a lot of people get weird sensations.
Thanks "Med student" I appreciate your input. As a matter of fact I saw my family physcian yesterday morning and he upped my dose of Zoloft to 75 mg per day. I switched my atenolol 50mg to the long acting one same mg. I feel alittle better and I'm trying to not jump up everytime I feel these horrible pauses and thumps. It's terrible to spend your day trying to think back on what did I eat or what am I stressed out about that could make this act up again after all this time. Zoloft literally saved my life because I was to the point that I just wanted it to finish me off so I wouldn't have to live in terror. My doctor assures me that it is stress related, which doesn't make me feel mush better realizing that I am doing it to myself. As I read everyone's comments here I see so much of myself. I pray we can all be healed of this horrible feeling. At least I can read how others feel which helps me not to feel so alone.
Here is some information for those of you interested in trying magnesium. In "The Total Guide to a Healthy Heart," the author Seth J. Baum, M.D., F.A.C.C. says the following regarding magnesium: "Of all the minerals employed in the treatment of cardiovascular disease, magnesium is far and away my favorite. Unfortunately, most Americans are probably deficient in this vital substance. While the RDA for magnesium is 350 mg., it has been found that the average American consumes merely 143-266 mg a day."..."Magnesium is involved in the activation of numerous enzyme systems including those impacting the cardiovascular system."..."The most dramatic and rewarding benefit of magnesium that I have noted, however, is in treating patients with palpitations and minor heart rhythm disturbances. One of the most frustrating disorders to treat, from a cardiologist's perspective, is palpitations. Most medications aimed at the elimination of this symptom are toxic. Of the natural approaches, including taurine, the omega-3 fatty acids, coenzyme Q-10, and magnesium, my experience has revealed magnesium to be king. It is truly wonderful to witness the dramatic responses of many patients to this simple mineral. I would estimate that 3/4 of the patients I've treated with magnesium have found their palpitatons to be either completely eliminated or markedly improved."..."In light of magnesium's common deficiency among Americans, and its clear benefit in the treatment of many disorders - cardiovascular and otherwise, I strongly recommend daily supplementation with at least 250 mg. As long as you are not suffering from kidney disease, more is probably better. Be careful however, when starting magnesium, as it can have the side effect of diarrhea. I would therefore, recommend starting your regiment with 300 mg. a day. If you do not develop diarrhea (unusual at this dose), continue or increase the dose if necessary. ..."The chelated forms of magnesium, such as glycinate or citrate, are both less likely to cause diarrhea and are better absorbed than the inorganic form such as oxide."
So, here it is straight from a cardiologist. I highly recommend this book as it has lots of valuable information beyond just magnesium.
Another book, "Heart Disease," by Burton Goldberg and the Editors of Alternative Medicine Digest states in part: "Magnesium deficiency has been implicated in MVP and supplementation may reverse symptoms. A recent study lends new support to these findings. Of 141 people with heavily symptomatic MVP, 60% had low magnesium leavels, compared to only 5% in the control group. After 5 weeks of supplementation, the % of those with chest pain dropped from 96% to 47%, palpitations from 93% to 51%, anxiety from 84% to 47%, low energy from 74% to 34%, faintness from 64% to 6%, and difficulty breathing from 84% to 39%. Magnesium helps to dilate arteries and ease the heart's pumping of blood, thus preventing arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat)."
There are many other books out there that corraborate these findings. I personally take magnesium glycinate, but I'm sure certain types work better than others for different people. Although magnesium oxide worked for me, it did cause diarrhea. I take 600 mg. a day. I have found that divided throughout the day works best for me -- a constant infusion into my system I guess! I therefore take 200 mg. morning, noon, and night. You will probably notice some difference within the first few days if it is going to help you. Within this time period, I noticed a marked decrease in my anxiety level. The next thing I noticed is that I no longer experienced palpitations upon lying down at night (what a great relief)! If you are deficient, it will take a while to build back up your intra-cellular level. Stress causes magnesium to be deleted from the kidneys, so if you are under a lot of stress, you normally require more magnesium. And, who with these awful palpitations and skipped beats isn't under stress? Magnesium should be taken in a 2:1 ratio with calcium -- twice as much magnesium as calcium intake. I find that taking calcium supplements increases my palpitations, whereas drinking non-fat milk doesn't. Maybe it is just me. (Calcium causes the muscles to contract, magnesium causes them to relax.)
I am not a doctor and don't claim to know it all. I do know what has worked for me and what I have found in my research. (I also take co-enzyme Q-10 and flaxseed oil because they have proven cardiovascular benefits. However, like Dr. Baum, I find magnesium to be king.) I hope this information helps.
So, here it is straight from a cardiologist. I highly recommend this book as it has lots of valuable information beyond just magnesium.
Another book, "Heart Disease," by Burton Goldberg and the Editors of Alternative Medicine Digest states in part: "Magnesium deficiency has been implicated in MVP and supplementation may reverse symptoms. A recent study lends new support to these findings. Of 141 people with heavily symptomatic MVP, 60% had low magnesium leavels, compared to only 5% in the control group. After 5 weeks of supplementation, the % of those with chest pain dropped from 96% to 47%, palpitations from 93% to 51%, anxiety from 84% to 47%, low energy from 74% to 34%, faintness from 64% to 6%, and difficulty breathing from 84% to 39%. Magnesium helps to dilate arteries and ease the heart's pumping of blood, thus preventing arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat)."
There are many other books out there that corraborate these findings. I personally take magnesium glycinate, but I'm sure certain types work better than others for different people. Although magnesium oxide worked for me, it did cause diarrhea. I take 600 mg. a day. I have found that divided throughout the day works best for me -- a constant infusion into my system I guess! I therefore take 200 mg. morning, noon, and night. You will probably notice some difference within the first few days if it is going to help you. Within this time period, I noticed a marked decrease in my anxiety level. The next thing I noticed is that I no longer experienced palpitations upon lying down at night (what a great relief)! If you are deficient, it will take a while to build back up your intra-cellular level. Stress causes magnesium to be deleted from the kidneys, so if you are under a lot of stress, you normally require more magnesium. And, who with these awful palpitations and skipped beats isn't under stress? Magnesium should be taken in a 2:1 ratio with calcium -- twice as much magnesium as calcium intake. I find that taking calcium supplements increases my palpitations, whereas drinking non-fat milk doesn't. Maybe it is just me. (Calcium causes the muscles to contract, magnesium causes them to relax.)
I am not a doctor and don't claim to know it all. I do know what has worked for me and what I have found in my research. (I also take co-enzyme Q-10 and flaxseed oil because they have proven cardiovascular benefits. However, like Dr. Baum, I find magnesium to be king.) I hope this information helps.
Hi everyone. I'm sooo happy I found this board.
8 years ago, I saw a cardiologist, and was diagnosed with PSVT's after having the holter monitor, an EKG and echocardiogram. I have to admit I found them quite frightening, but over the years, I've become less apprehensive above them. I still experience sensations lasting only a few (10 or so) seconds fairly often, but they usually abate when I do the usual twisting, turning, bearing down, etc. type of maneuvres. The last lengthy episode I had was two years ago. It just kicks in so suddenly, with such fast hard beats, usually around 200 bpm. This episode lasted just over ten minutes, and quit as suddenly as it began........I was on my way to the hospital and was actually hoping it would continue until I got there, hoping that perhaps they could hook me up and maybe figure something out.....I'm not quite sure what though. Anyhow....
Something new has been happening. It has happened fairly often for extremely short periods of time (maybe 2 seconds), but twice it happened longer and scared me. About 6 months ago, I awoke from a dead sleep (and I NEVER wake up in the night) to a total fluttering. I immediately checked my pulse in my neck and I didn't really have one. Freaked me right out. It's hard to describe the sensation.......it's kinda like your pulse can't quite decide whether it's going to totally kick in hard (like the SVT's) or just fizzle out. It's like a quivering sensation. I think what also really scared me was the fact that it actually woke me up. What if I hadn't woken up? Seriously? It was soooo strange.
Then, about 3 days ago, I got out of bed, had been up for about five minutes, was just walking around the house, and the same thing happened. No "real" pulse. Just this weird fluttering, quivering sensation. No real beating. It lasted about 15 seconds, which might not sound like much, but Yikes!! What if it hadn't gotten back on track to a regular beat.
I'm feeling quite lost and don't know what to do. Maybe it's nothing to seriously worry about, but it's really hard not to. I really don't want to go through a whole slew of testing again. When episodes can be so far apart, what's the sense in even doing stuff like the holter monitor. Chances are, it's not gonna happen in that specific 24-hour period.
By the way, I'm female, age 43. Don't quite know what to do. It's nice to have found this thread of postings. Does anyone know of a good cardiac type message board?
Thanks. Just had to get this "off my chest"!
Carol
p.s. I lied. I turned 44 last month.
8 years ago, I saw a cardiologist, and was diagnosed with PSVT's after having the holter monitor, an EKG and echocardiogram. I have to admit I found them quite frightening, but over the years, I've become less apprehensive above them. I still experience sensations lasting only a few (10 or so) seconds fairly often, but they usually abate when I do the usual twisting, turning, bearing down, etc. type of maneuvres. The last lengthy episode I had was two years ago. It just kicks in so suddenly, with such fast hard beats, usually around 200 bpm. This episode lasted just over ten minutes, and quit as suddenly as it began........I was on my way to the hospital and was actually hoping it would continue until I got there, hoping that perhaps they could hook me up and maybe figure something out.....I'm not quite sure what though. Anyhow....
Something new has been happening. It has happened fairly often for extremely short periods of time (maybe 2 seconds), but twice it happened longer and scared me. About 6 months ago, I awoke from a dead sleep (and I NEVER wake up in the night) to a total fluttering. I immediately checked my pulse in my neck and I didn't really have one. Freaked me right out. It's hard to describe the sensation.......it's kinda like your pulse can't quite decide whether it's going to totally kick in hard (like the SVT's) or just fizzle out. It's like a quivering sensation. I think what also really scared me was the fact that it actually woke me up. What if I hadn't woken up? Seriously? It was soooo strange.
Then, about 3 days ago, I got out of bed, had been up for about five minutes, was just walking around the house, and the same thing happened. No "real" pulse. Just this weird fluttering, quivering sensation. No real beating. It lasted about 15 seconds, which might not sound like much, but Yikes!! What if it hadn't gotten back on track to a regular beat.
I'm feeling quite lost and don't know what to do. Maybe it's nothing to seriously worry about, but it's really hard not to. I really don't want to go through a whole slew of testing again. When episodes can be so far apart, what's the sense in even doing stuff like the holter monitor. Chances are, it's not gonna happen in that specific 24-hour period.
By the way, I'm female, age 43. Don't quite know what to do. It's nice to have found this thread of postings. Does anyone know of a good cardiac type message board?
Thanks. Just had to get this "off my chest"!
Carol
p.s. I lied. I turned 44 last month.
Correction: I just want to clarify that the RDA for calcium is twice as much as magnesium, and not the other way around! Sorry for the confusion.
carol,
look into taking a beta blocker....or maybe even seeing an electrophisiologist about a EP test and possibly an ablation...but i would definately get my GP to start me on a beta-blocker...this will probably take care of the problem...
look into taking a beta blocker....or maybe even seeing an electrophisiologist about a EP test and possibly an ablation...but i would definately get my GP to start me on a beta-blocker...this will probably take care of the problem...
This note is to Holly, I too took all caffine out of my diet. Which helped reduce the PVC's, also stopped drinking all alcohol. Started drinking caffine free tea instead and the PVC's came back more than ever, there might be something else in tea that starts the PVC's so monitor your tea intake and see if you too have more PVC's when drinking it.
I also found this chat line helpful with my stress over PVC's and helped me to ask more informed questions of my doctors. I also learned that I am not alone and that too relaxed me. Thank you all for helping another sufferer.
Nancy
I also found this chat line helpful with my stress over PVC's and helped me to ask more informed questions of my doctors. I also learned that I am not alone and that too relaxed me. Thank you all for helping another sufferer.
Nancy
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