Suddenly feeling sick, thumping heart, increasing rate

[lolburg]

Hi, quick background; I'm 23 "healthy" male. I don't drink, don't smoke, excerise regularly. 5' 6", 9.5 stone.

I'm in the middle of being diagnosed with some kind of tachyarrhythmia (flutter, abnormal rhythm, high heart rate (170+). But something different happened yesterday..

I was in the middle of eating lunch and all of a sudden I felt ill, my face felt like it had drained (gone white) or flushed (gone red), I can't quite remember. It wasn't really nausea, I don't think I felt like I was going to throw up, but a certain feeling that I was not right. I checked my pulse and my rhythm was normal but the heart started pounding. My breathing seemed to be affected, I think it was slightly harder to breathe but that could be down to the stress of the moment. My heart rate just seemed to steadily climb, still thumping, still feeling "off". It must have reached 150/160 when I started to go back to normal again (started at ~ 50/60). I certainly think I felt weaker. That lasted for about 5-7 minutes, all I could do is sit there holding my knife in one hand, checking my pulse in the other.

About 5 minutes after that my hands started to feel a little tingly, but again I don't know if that would be just stress/being nervous about what was happening.

I felt no pain whatsoever. Anyone have a clue as to what it could have been?

[lolburg]

Thanks, I'll be sure to check those out :)

[dolfnlvr]

I have experienced this.  In my case, what you just described is textbook vasovagal syncope or a fainting spell.  First you feel kind of sick, but not exactly sick, and you feel heat rise up through your core to your head and you get kind of dizzy.  Your heart beats harder, and you get clammy, then you get all weak feeling.  For me, the next step is unconciousness.  This is all the result of my blood pressure plummeting and my heart rate slowing.  

There are several conditions that can cause the range of symptoms you describe (tachycardia AND vasovagal type response)  one of which is called POTS or postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome.  Go to this site for more information http://www.dinet.org/

It sounds as though what you are describing may be a form of Dysautonomia.  There is a forum here called the dysautonomia forum where you may find more people who can relate to your symptoms.  In the meantime be sure to speak with your doctor about this episode.  It is important that you have this diagnosed as soon as possible so that appropriate action can be taken.

Let us know what you find out.  We cannot diagnose, but if there are people here who have the same issues, the support you find is outstanding.

Take care,