I am not alone??

[myownprison]

I have suffered from SVT, PVC's, and other weird, unnamable heartbeats for about 11 years now. At first they caused me severe anxiety and I ended up in ER's with doctors telling me it's all in my head and stop using the ER. But it's scary when you think you're dying. I got to the point where I was afraid to drive or go out in public because I might have an episode. I am now on a beta blocker, which  works 90% of the time and Xanax, which is not recommended for long-term use, but my doc keeps giving it to me.

I've been reading some of the posts on here and am amazed that I am not alone. My doctor of four years has repeatedly told me that all of my physical symptoms are in my head, has made remarks about my mental health to nurses right outside the exam room door, and acts as if she doesn't believe a word I say. I hate this. I am not insane. I am graduating magna *** laude this May with a bachelor's degree and have applied to grad schools. But I feel limited by the fact that I have to depend on meds to be semi-normal and wonder if I'll even be able to make it in the real world.

I know this isn't the forum in which to bring up my fibromyalgia, but I've also been on hydrocodone (Vicodin) for about five years now. I never take more than prescribed, but it feels like a prison living  like this.

[Barbmag]

You are definitely not alone and I can relate to you when you describe how you feel when you have these arrhythmias!!!  I have had them for years and years and years and still get v worried and stressed when I have runs of the darn things. Do not let anyone make you feel bad about the way you are.....it is a normal reaction and we are all here for you anytime!!!

Congrats on your degree!!! That is great and I am proud of you!!!!

[sueinns]

You are definitely not alone and this condition is not in anyone's head.  I am the most easy going, non-anxious person around and I developed it.  For most people here, it is an electrical problem with the heart.  The symptoms are real, not imagined.   Just get anyone to take your pulse when you are having a bout of PVC's.  It's downright weird.

If the meds are helping you for the majority of the time, that's great.  I would have stayed on mine had they not stopped working.  I had very symptomatic SVT.   It's not for everyone but I opted for ablation which has worked well for me so far.  

You may want to consider switching doctors.