Can thinking of palpitations bring them on?

[gizmoxx]

I have an ectopic heartbeat, which causes most of my anxiety, when i get a palpitation my thoughts are obsessive over them. I was just wondering, is it possible that i am bringing them on myself by thinking about having palpitations all the time? I had some yesterday after about a week free of them, then today as soon as i woke up i was thinking if i would have another one. Ive just had one! They make me so anxious. I know they cant hurt me but the feeling is horrible, frightening, and i feel sick etc. I am also waiting to have CBT to help me, will this help?
Thank you
Sherrie
xx

[Booberch]

Sometimes the come on when relaxed but the instant response is a panic sinus tachycardia. Which irons them out for a bit but then they're back. Vicious circle. alcohol can get rid of them but then-next day-you get them from the withdrawal. (I'm an alcoholic). I ask people; 'does your heart ever skip a beat or thump?'' and 90% of people say ..'er..no?' Lucky b********s!

[Booberch]

Sometimes the come on when relaxed but the instant response is a panic sinus tachycardia. Which irons them out for a bit but then they're back. Vicious circle. alcohol can get rid of them but then-next day-you get them from the withdrawal. (I'm an alcoholic). I ask people;does your heart ever skip a beat or thump? and 90% of people say ';er..no?; Lucky b********s!

[gizmoxx]

thanks for that post, its good to know the CBT is working, i just hope my appointment comes through soon! ill have a lok through the anxiety forums and probably post on there, i have been diagnosed with anxiety dissorder and i know ti makes things 10 times worse, its just so hard to overcome

[scaredjo]

hiya i obsess about my heart which causes all sorts of palpatations, pains etc. i have had tests which were all normal, im experiencing some ectopic beats today and its worrying me but my CBT is kicking in and my brain is starting to realise its just one of them things. im not trying to steal you from this forum lol but have you posted on the anxiety forum? loads of people on there obsess about their heart, palpatations etc cause it sounds to me that you are suffering from anxiety. hope the CBT helps i have been doing it for 8 months and although im n ot yet cured it really helps

[gizmoxx]

thought i was doing ok, then today ive had some palpitations! my thoughts have done a nose dive and im back to square one! cant cope with this any more

[RNRita]

I hear ya!  I am having a bad time again.  It was so fun for a while.  They will get worse and worse before they go away again.  

[gizmoxx]

thank you everyone for your posts. it is reasuring that others believe the same as me! once i notice one happening the more i stress about them, the more i get,but it is SO hard not to think about them! this cycle is SO vicious.
sending possitive thoughts to you all
xx

[dolfnlvr]

I would agree.  I do think that we can bring them on by thinking about them.  And the more we obsess, the worse they get.  Now, does that mean that we CAUSE them by thinking or worrying?  Not likely.  But once you have the "condition" thinking about them, or increasing stress or worry can definitely bring them on, or at least make them more noticeable.

Many of us take a low dose of an SSRI or other anti anxiety med.  It isn't because we are crazy or messed up, it is because these drugs help to limit the chemical outpouring that can result from fear, anxiety, sadness, concern etc.  The chemicals cause the thumps and bumps, but the emotions certainly trigger the release of a lot of those chemicals.

HAPPY THOUGHTS EVERYONE :-)

[RNRita]

I've brought them on MANY times by thinking about them.  Your mind is very powerful.  And the more you stress over them, the worse they get/the longer they stay.  I know I have a trip to Disney coming shortly.  I have cancelled a trip once because of them.  Last time I went, it was just after having runs of NSVT.  I ran to the doc and they told me to, "Go, it will be fine,"  It was almost fine.  I didn't have runs until on my way home.  The drive down scares me because we are not near hospitals for long periods....even though I never go up here.  Also, I don't have insurance right now.  So, I now have them again.  I was just thinking the other day, "What if they start again for the trip"...VOILA!  Yup, I truly believe you can bring them on by thinking of them.  

[gizmoxx]

woke up feeling really anxious today, ran to the loo then was sick! cant stay still,really fidgity. then i had a papitation, then all the old thoughts start coing back, god i hate this

[gizmoxx]

ive been to see my GP today.he ahs increased my Propanalol from 80mg a day to 160mg a day. we'll see how i get on with that, i really hope it helps the damn palps!!

[gizmoxx]

I am exactly the same! If i think of a past time i had a palpitation i wont go into that situation again "just in case"! It is hard to distract yourself though. I am carrying on with my normal everyday activities but they keep coming. I really hate them. Maybe thats why they keep coming! Its a vicious cycle isnt it?!

[ireneo]

My heart is tempermental and skips and races throughout the day. But any kind of stress, physical or emotional, can trigger more PVC's. For example (try not to laugh now) if I think about going to my cardiologist, my heart will stutter a few times. It's almost funny.

[lagoya]

i would feel over thinking about it all the time wont help in the long run ,but when they happen for whatever reason it is hard not too ,i have found that myself i guess a person has to accept that these beats are just a nuisance and nothing else and once they have being verified as ectopics thats all they generally are .i think it is all about gaining confidence with them again and learning new ways to feel ok when they happen ,but it is hard as they can be offputting and stop your train of thought.i think cbt is a good idea if these are interfering with your day to day activites ,i get a lot of them as well sometimes they go into runs and i try very hard not to pay them attention .i have started taking fish oils everyday and find them helpful and i see so do a lot of others in here also keeping the body well hydrated and getting enough sleep should play a small role in keeping these at bay
hope u feel better soon