Anxiety disorder and heart palpitations.

[christineyvette]

So I just got back from a ER a few hours ago. Why? Well I'll tell you. I've had a panic / anxiety disorder for over 13 years. About 3 days ago or so I started getting heart palpitations while laying down after I took my Serequel to get ready to sleep. They would last about a half hour to a hour and 15 or 20 so palpitations I would eventually fall asleep. I thought nothing of it but then it happened again the next night and the next ect. I started developing panic attacks cause I was concerned that I had a heart problem or something was wrong. I couldn't tell if my anxiety was causing the palpitations or the palpitations developing the anxiety ugh. So tonight I started getting them and they just wouldn't stop and then I went into full panic mode. I thought oh god im gonna have a heart attack I know it. So I begged my dad to take me to the ER and they assessed me and my vitals were about 60-70 BPM when I got there and then they took some blood and I got a EEG or EKG? Not sure I've never had one before but it was the one with the cords they put on your chest, legs, sides and it literally takes 10 seconds and it came out perfect and so did the blood work. The doctor said because of the propanol that I take which calms the heart down during a panic attack that I'm having "extra beats"  because of the calm when I take my propanol. I asked him why this came on all of a sudden and he doesn't know it just happens. He said they're usually benign but to make a appointment with my GP to get a heart monitor to wear for a week just as a safety precaution. I asked him what causes this and he said caffeine, sugar, smoking ect. I asked him what about not eating and drinking enough because I haven't been doing much due to my IBS being pretty bad recently. He said that could be it as well but to still follow up with my doctor. I'm still scared cause im still having them (well I had 1 since I got home) i keep constantly checking my pulse and worrying when the next one will come that it's making my anxiety sky rocket. Has anyone else encountered this problem? I'm still afraid even though I was told it was ok. My anxiety brain is saying that the tests were wrong and they missed something ect. Ugh I hate anxiety. It seems like it's one thing after another. Id love to hear what you guys think of this. Thanks.

[christineyvette]

Thank you. I appreciate it. Such a scary feeling but now I know that I'm not dying.

[pvctom]

sorry, this Ipad is jumping all over the place, sort of like my PVCs. I hit the post before I was finished. to answer your question, I believe that PVCs cause stress, and then the stress of PVCs cause more PVCs. It is a vicious cycle, this latest attack for me lasted from April through June and into July before they started to let up. I'm still here. 38 years of these things and I am still here. I try a good half an hour walk first thing in the morning, and when weather does not permit, I go to the mall and walk. I get to look at the bright stores, and walk briskly without bimping into anyone or being hassled. anyway, I hope this helps you. this is a good place to share with some very good folks that have the same problems with PVCs. take care.

[pvctom]

hello,

yes, like Elli126 menrioned, many of us here are going through your same anxiety with the PVCs. I can't tell you how many times over the years that I have been to the ER with these things. Tons of testings, and without fail, my Doctors, Internal Medicine, EP Cardiologists, they all conclude that they are benign, and are a 'random phenomena'. I know this does not help much when you are in the throws of a horrid PVC attack, or vicious cycle, but try to take some comfort in knowing that this is a very common and scary annoyance. and Elli, I too can relate to the typos on an iphone or ipad.
worrying and focusing on these things does seem to execerbate them. I have found that probably the only thing that "cures" mine or makes them go away is TIME. I know it sounds crazy, but in the throws of my latest worst episode of 2500 PVCs a day, I was still cleared by the Cardiologists (3 of them) for benign non life threatening Ectopic PVCs and PACs.

[Elli126]

Criminy!!! Pulse not polls!!!!!

[Elli126]

Pardon all the typos! I'm posting from my phone and order correct wrecks havoc on these posts! LOL BTW anxiety will definitely exacerbate the PVCs. I can't tell you how many times I ended up in the ER with major panic attacks over these and I spent years constantly taking my polls! As I said previously I've had these since my 20s and I'm now in my late 50s and I'm still here so take heart! (No pun intended lol)

[Elli126]

Hi! Yes, almost every single person on this forum has gone or is going through what you are now, including myself. It sounds like you're having PVCs which if you read the other posts on here very common. If they checked you out and your heart is structurally fine these are nothing to be concerned about. Everyone gets them but not everyone feels for them. I also have anxiety and it is allusion a chicken or egg type thing. Does anxiety create the PVCs or do the PVCs create anxiety? Either way it's stinks! But I've had them for over 30 years and although it took me quite a while to get used to them I have and you will too. Once you are checked out and your heart is deemed healthy it will give you some peace of mind too. Others that post on here give very good information and links to articles were you can learn more about PVCs PACs and other rhythm disorders just keep reading and posting and keep us informed on how you're doing! Good luck and feel better!