Huff - Just when I thought things were ok......BANG [Archive]

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Female healthanxiety

07-02-14, 16:34

Hello,

Thank you for opening. My latest post was last Tuesday:

http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=148828&page=2

I was doing OK this week and went, apart from when I had these ectopics (whatever they may be) this Wednesday and yesterday....

I thought I was doing exceptionally well, as I did not even phone my DRs for me to be fitted with the 24hr Holter as yet. Even though I have not been back to the gym, I was planning to tonight.:huh:

I even brought PG Tips DECAF - and have been drinking that all week (even though Coffee does not agree with me, tea has never been a problem) but wanted by body to have no excuse if this makes sense.

TODAY - I received a VW from a locum at my DR's surgery saying she is going through people notes and see's that It was asked that I was considered for a 24hr Holter and asked me if I was feeling OK, my symptoms etc.

I said well my DR there (who was not there that day) said that it was probably anxiety, and she said OK lets make you an appointment on Tuesday with your DR to have it fitted.

I am so worried that her going out of her way to phone me means something more :-(((

Since I come off the phone to her 2 hours ago - my mood has gone from somewhat positive to depressed and anxious and have had a horrible head/eye migrane since then.

I promised my friend that I would go the gym tonight, as you may know from my previous last 2 posts - I have been struggling with this due to HA....

I just feel like I have been pushed to the floor and am feeling extremly anxious and tired, and now feel like I really have something wrong with my heart.......

REPLIES WELCOME XXXXXXXXXXX

clover1201

07-02-14, 18:13

I get really sad when i see your posts because this was me just months ago. Its so heartbreaking to read that your dealing with this. I can promise you though that despite these eptopics your heart can function perfectly. I still get them every day, some small, some massive and some in long runs. Please go to the gym - it will do you good and im sure you will feel much better. Our hearts are pretty amazing and im sure your is in tip top shape x

saab

07-02-14, 20:46

If there was a serious concern about your heart, do you think she would make you wait until Tuesday? Not a chance. Just sounds like she is being organised and thorough.

Btw, I get hundreds, sometimes thousands of ectopics a day and they are still regarded as benign. Scare me a lot, though. However, all info suggests that they are harmless in a structurally normal heart, ie. If you don't have serious coronary disease or damage.

Also, although they are scary, doctors don't even regard them as 'frequent' unless you are having thousands a day. Even if they give you beta blockers for them it is as much to stop them worrying you as anything. I was having 30 a minute in A and E and the cardiologist wasn't concerned and said I didn't need bb's.

Get your monitor done, accept the results, then put this behind you. Don't be like me and waste years waiting for a catastropy that will never happen.

Female healthanxiety

10-02-14, 13:04

Hello Saab/Clover 1201

Thank you for your messages.

Clover - sorry if my post hit a nerve! - It is so horrible isnt it.

Last night - I had one while laying down on my side - and could not relax and slept at like 1.00am.

Today I feel like I need to go number 2 (not that I will at work :doh:) and it seems that I have ectopics now (is this related as well do you think?)....

I read your post and that MADE ME go to the gym on Friday - I did not do to much - and was fine....

Tomorrow is the day that I get my Holter - and musty admit I am feeling very anxious today..........................

xxxx

ohwell123

10-02-14, 13:39

hi if you dont do it you will chew yourself up even more believe me, go and get it done arent you best to be told somethings right or wrong than not know

i was put on beta blockers last week ive also cut down my drinking i feel better already........ Sadly though I like drinking I want to go back to the old fashioned me that went for a good few pints after work like my mates do every night(regardless of whether what there doing is gonna affect there life later there not thinking about it as they sit there smoking there chimneys off enjoying themselves) but I cant do it I have a few beers and it set my HA anxiety off for the next 3 days now,

what a life ay

tk cre
kris

Female healthanxiety

10-02-14, 14:04

Hello Ohwell,

thank you for your response,

I hope you feel better soon xx

I just went toilet and now have the ectopics back :-( xxx

Female healthanxiety

11-02-14, 09:12

Ok so went for my appointments at the DRS, thought I was obviously booked into have my holter fitted.

My DR said to me your ECGs were fine looking at the hospital letter and so was your bloods. He asked me to explain my symptoms, I broke down and said please this is not anxiety DR, I had about 10 last night and about 5 ectopics on the way here. How is this normal.

I said I've come for the holster to be fitted he said well I have to write to the hospital for you to have one (I don't think that's true!)..... I said how long as I thought I was getting one today, he said a few weeks!!!!!!

I then asked him to listen to my heart, he said it's fast but he cannot hear any regularities. So immediately of course I think something is wrong as my beats are fast arghhhhhhhh

Just feel like crap really.

He said he is not worried about anything.

I don't think I can wait 3 weeks........

Just sitting outside the surgery and scared to move incase I have another.

---------- Post added at 09:12 ---------- Previous post was at 09:02 ----------

Bump

Female healthanxiety

11-02-14, 18:41

Anyone?! Xx

Andrash

11-02-14, 19:00

Anyone?! Xx

Can I ask you a question-why they scare you that much?

Female healthanxiety

11-02-14, 19:23

Hello,

Because everyone I get takes my breath away.

I must have had at least 100 today I tell u.

When I get one I almost feel like holding my stomach and then my throat.

I'm going out of my mind and the funny thing is I'm not stressed as I've lost 2lb this week as I wanna be healthier.

I just drive home from work (all be it just pulled up outside to type this) and just feels like any bump in the road even set it off.

Scared scared scared as they are so consistent now. Worse day ever.

---------- Post added at 19:23 ---------- Previous post was at 19:21 ----------

And to too it all of just scared what my DR SAID to be honest.

Andrash

11-02-14, 19:43

Hello,

Because everyone I get takes my breath away.

I must have had at least 100 today I tell u.

There was (still is) a member of this forum who has (totally harmless) condition called Wolf Parkinsons White. It's aggravated by stress and it causes more stress. I'm not a doctor, but your story sounds a lot like his and I think it's worth checking.

When I get one I almost feel like holding my stomach and then my throat.

I'm going out of my mind and the funny thing is I'm not stressed as I've lost 2lb this week as I wanna be healthier.

Congrats on your weight loss!

I totally understand that the sensation is extremely unpleasant, but still, it shouldn't scare you that much. The doctor checked your heart and found nothing abnormal there. Therefore, whatever's causing them, it's not something to panic about. I know you'll probably roll your eyes when you read this, but you really have to make an effort and try to be rational about it. Just try to bear in mind that it's nothing serious-however unpleasant it is. Harmless things are often more unpleasant than serious ones. For example, when you have sinus infection, you're at your wits end for a month-it's still nothing serious.

I just drive home from work (all be it just pulled up outside to type this) and just feels like any bump in the road even set it off.

Scared scared scared as they are so consistent now. Worse day ever.

---------- Post added at 19:23 ---------- Previous post was at 19:21 ----------

And to too it all of just scared what my DR SAID to be honest.

I made the important parts bold.

Firstly, it feels like this because you think about these ectopics non-stop and are just waiting for one to happen? Right? Well, don't. Please, don't. You really, really have to make your mind wander away from thinking about symptoms. I repeat, I know it's hard. But try to find something to distract you. Anything. Try to face them-when they come, they come. They'll pass.

As for what your DR said-he said your heart beats fast, but normal. Well, when you came to see him you were in full blown panic mode-it's totally normal that your heart beats faster when you're under stress. We all experienced that. Really. I can even give you a medical explanation of it, even though I'm not a doctor-when we're under stress, our glands produce more adrenaline, and main "side-effect" of adrenaline is that it makes our heart beat faster. That's why people get shots of adrenaline when they're having a heart attack or have lost a lot of blood-they need their heart to work faster. Don't worry about that-it's completely, completely normal.

And apart from that, your DR gave you an all clear-take it as your reassurance point. Whenever these stupid ectopics come, remember that the DR examined you and found that everything was normal. I'm sorry you're going through this but it will all go away soon. :)

Female healthanxiety

11-02-14, 20:11

clover1201

11-02-14, 20:15

I always got eptopics when going for a number 2. So much so i got afraid to close the door incase i would die there and someone would have to break the door down. I still get them now when going to the toilet espically if i have to strain. I also get them when i stand up after being sat down. Believe it please when i say that there is nothing abnormal with that. If i die f a heart attack tomorrow then tell me you wre right but i dont think i will. Go for a walk, go to the gym do anything to get your heart rate up. When i last saw my cardiologist in nov/dec he told me i needed to be doing 30 mins of exercise 5x a week (which i almost do) and get my heart rate up tp 180. He said this is the best way to stop the eptopics as your heart is beating too fast to chuck them in (although i sometimes get them even when my heart is that fast, i even got single ones when my heart rate was over 200 on the stress test - they were not bothered by it in the slightest). Please relax, take deep breaths and when they happen dont stiffen up, just relax. If you had seen me 4 months ago you would have been thinking i was a looney, it was that bad! They were literally driving me insane. Dont let these ruin your life like they did mine - they took a year of my life and i wont give them a minute more of them.
Goodluck x

Andrash

11-02-14, 20:20

Thank you Andrash for taking the time to reply....

Really appreciated.

Wolf Parkinson's White; funny I think a member mentioned that in my previous post; however I think that shows on an ECG??

I will try and have a search through NMP and see if I can find the post you refer to - thank you.

Thanks, I think it was the gym when I went twice 3 weeks ago, I always tend to lose weeks after (as u know haven't been able to go for the last 2) for the fear of doing cardio. Did a bit of yoga last night. Just feels like I'm in a constant trap.....

It's not as if I even think about my ectopics, I work full time, I travel home by car for 40 minutes, how can I stop thinking about them when they are so regular. It's like a constant flutter in my stomach (top of), throat and chest and it's stops me in my tracks as much as I try and ignore it.... I could deal with palpitations any day.....

This is why I put up a post earlier (no one responded) asking what other peoples felt like...... As it is terrible.

Like if I got up now I would have one.....

Yes, it would, but it's not permanent condition, it comes and goes. :) Still, whatever it is, it's harmless-all scary heart-related things show on an ECG. :)

I know the sensation is very unpleasant for you-but as you, together with your doctor, clearly established it's nothing to worry about, try to use that knowledge to get you through the discomfort. Remember that panic, anxiety and stress aggravate every pain and sensation-eliminating them from the equation may not stop the ectopics, but will certainly make them more bearable :)

I know the waiting game is the worst but give them a bit of time-if they subside-good for you. If they don't-your GP will surely not hang you out to dry-you'll get your medication (whether heart or anxiety-related) to control it :)

Idris

11-02-14, 21:05

Please dont be afraid by your hearts occasional eptopic beats, they wont hurt you at all!!

Ive had them for over 10 years, big thumpers, pauses, light fluttery feelings....and they really freaked me out at the beginning. I had them caught on ecgs and holters, and all the doctors agreed that they were absolutely nothing to worry about! Before my google ban I scoured the internet for reassurance about eptopics/pvcs/skipped beats and ALL the advice out there can be summed up as....

Totally harmless in a normal heart
Even if happening every other beat, they are benign
Over FORTY PERCENT of the worlds population get them!
Make absolutely no difference to your lifespan
Do not lead to cardiac death or runs of fatal arrhythmia
They really are made worse by stress and anxiety.

Accept that you are part of a very large group of us who get them, and that you are going to be just fine, as are we all!! The previous ones you've had haven't hurt you, and nor will any you have in the future!

Accept them, and then get on with enjoying your life!

Female healthanxiety

13-02-14, 16:30

Hello All,

Thought I would update you -- I have already got my letter from the Cardioligist - to ask me to make an appointment -- how quick is that!! That means my DR must have been worried and contacted the Hospital as soon as I left the surgery :-((((((((( ???

I called my DR today and he said how am I feeling? (I thought that would be a strange question to ask seeing as he thought I was OK)..... I said I was going to go gym tonight (just to see what he said) and he said that's fine, good. Give the hospital a call and they probably have an appt for you. I said what will the appointment consist of? he said they will probably do some checks, I said will they give me a Holter? he said yes, probably a 24 hour one.

SO - HERE IT GOES AGAIN - BANG BANG BANG...

Hello Clover - thank you for your reply. I feel what your saying about the toilet - I have this constant feeling at the moment, like a tightness in my stomach which sometimes feels like it brings on the ectopics. Well you will be pleased to know that I went to the gym yesterday (more because I was actually saw my DD of £80 on my bank statement) and as soon as I started walking on the treadmill, after 2 minutes, I felt them again. If I knew which area to punch on my body I would have done. Grrrrrr.

I have had them today as well......

I REALLY REALLY want to excercise but these feel so uncomfortable that I think something is now wrong. so Fed up. Am going to try and go to the gym tonight again and just have a swim.................

I wouldnt think you was a looney at all! - I dont know about yours - but mine practically take my breath away, especially when I am walking.....

Thanks ANDRASH - am now worried though as it seems like the appt came very very quick indeed ) I went DRS Monday and have the letter from the hospital today!

Hello Idris, I get them quite frequent!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Andrash

13-02-14, 16:47

Four days from the initial appointment to the letter, and you're yet to make an actual appointment with the cardiologist? Well, that's smooth, but not THAT quick at all :)

Don't worry, that just means you have a reliable and caring GP, not that you have a heart condition :)

Althea

13-02-14, 16:50

Thought I would update you -- I have already got my letter from the Cardioligist - to ask me to make an appointment -- how quick is that!! That means my DR must have been worried and contacted the Hospital as soon as I left the surgery :-((((((((( ???

I called my DR today and he said how am I feeling? (I thought that would be a strange question to ask seeing as he thought I was OK)

You broke down in his office and said you couldn't wait for weeks. That's why he expedited things and why he hoped you were feeling okay. He's reacting to you.

Female healthanxiety

13-02-14, 17:00

Well I think it is rather fast, considering it was 3rd party!!! :hugs:

Just feel like I am trapped and cannot do anything when I have these long episodes - it is so disabling....

xx

katielou80

13-02-14, 18:11

please read some of my posts xxx i have many regarding this xx

ohwell123

13-02-14, 19:55

hi youve made a point a few posts back "im going out my mind but Im not stressed"

WRONG you are stressed your mind is overloaded with your constant fear you are throwing some serious adrenaline into your body it will get worse for you mentally but nothing will ever happen you just think it will for 1 year 2 years ????
when you socialise and have a few wines do you notice it so much and when you have lets say a good 3-4 people chatting at a table so your mind cant wonder is it there then? all these occasions sound to me like you have become a cardiopath like i was theres nothing ever wrong but you bring these episodes on because you are looking out for them when nothing else occupies your mind

i believe you wouldnt be typing this is something was seriously wrong with you

Female healthanxiety

18-02-14, 18:19

I am sorry to babble on - these ectopics are getting worse- I have had them for the past 3 hours and their really really strong - to the point I feel that I cannot relax or move for the fear of getting another - AND when I DO MOVE... I get them ;-(((

I am so scared now.

Can I please explain mine to you..................

I can feel a missed hard heart beat (almost like when you are starting s car up and it don't start) -sometimes feels like its 3 at a time. At the same time it feels like the top of my stomach feels this beat as well, and the worst is my throat, I can feel it really hard in my throat. I go to feel my pulse and it is quite fast, however my breathing is not.... I then have this feeling in my throat of a flutter.

I am now sitting here at work and feel like im going out of my mind, just waiting for the next one - which will come.

I had a letter through from the Cardio Department and have an ECG AND Holter booked in for this Thursday and then a consultation the week after.

WHY OH WHY Is this happening - to say my life has been put on hold at the moment since these new happenings is an understatement...........

---------- Post added at 16:12 ---------- Previous post was at 16:05 ----------

Feel like I have a hole in my heart or something..........

---------- Post added at 18:19 ---------- Previous post was at 16:12 ----------

Anybody please! :winks: :unsure:

Leslie735

18-02-14, 18:43

Are you taking any medications? I had a year of acid reflux issues back in 2010. My Dr. put me on an acid reducer. It worked great but the problem was it would give me that same feeling. Like my heart was skipping beats. It took me a little while to figure out it was the medication. I discontinued them and the heart beating issues went away as well. Just a thought! :hugs:

Althea

18-02-14, 18:58

You've been struggling with this anxiety for a while, Femalehealthanxiety--can you remind me of what you're doing for it? Are you doing CBT or taking any medications?

Right now you're describing a pretty harmless heart thing that you've already had checked out in A&E, I believe, so it's not going to do you any damage between now and Thursday. So what can you do for your anxiety in the meantime?

Female healthanxiety

18-02-14, 19:50

Hello,

Thank you for replying.

No have never been offered medication. I personally don't agree with it and plus am scared of side effects. I'm a great believer in holistic therapies, but at the moment cannot think straight or apply myself to anything. I was declined CBT because I worked! Ironic I know.

My ectopics are so scary I just feel like not going on for the fear of an episode. I walked today down the high road and they came on and I couldn't even walk as every step they were getting more viscous.

I don't just sit at home worrying about it I go to work and really want to go gym but actually this is disabling to say the least :-((((

Althea

18-02-14, 20:07

You can still do the online CBT4panic, though--it's free, and it doesn't care if you're working.

And if holistic therapies work for you, that's great, but right now it doesn't sound like they're doing much; maybe it's time to consider other methods?

Female healthanxiety

24-02-14, 13:33

Thanks for your replies.

I actually do want to get on and do stuff - that is the difference- but this is stopping me, and that is not for the lack of trying, as I have - I just can't!

I had my Echocardiogram last Thursday and all was fine, and then had my 24 hour monitor fitted on Friday, took back on Saturday and have my appt with the Cardiologist this Thursday.

Am still having the beats.....

Just wanna get on with my life, I feel like it has ended at 30 years of age......

xx

Althea

24-02-14, 13:54

So what about trying the online course then?

Female healthanxiety

24-02-14, 15:47

I have and it seems to concentrate on panic attacks and adrenanlin rather then health anxiety as such x

Round in circles

24-02-14, 21:12

Hi Female. I'm sorry you're having these episodes. I understand how terrifying it can be. I got really bad palpitations and dizziness for the entire first quarter of last year. At first I was told it was most likely anxiety, though it seemed to come out of the blue. I eventually realised it was related to my diet. Since cutting out loads of triggers such as caffeine and sugar (to name a few) I rarely get anymore funny turns. Maybe once every two or more months.. Sometimes longer.

Right now I'm getting tested for inflammation due to suspected chrohn's disease. At least now I know what was happening was real and I found a way to make it lessen. The worst was when no one was listening to me saying that it wasn't just anxiety. I think the GP finally listened the day I suffered a near faint in the reception area. At least I was in the right place at the right time.

Hopefully your holter will come back ok as mine did. I just had an extra beat apparently. Nice to know I have extra to spare :) anyway, just wanted to give a little moral support. Take care :)

Female healthanxiety

01-03-14, 15:01

Update

So went to my cardiologist appointment as planned at 2.00pm on Thursday and was greeted by a full up waiting room (which I was not prepared for) so of course added to my anxiety. It got to 2.30 and a nurse called my name out and said can I take your blood pressure please. SHOCK HORROR! I was not prepared for that. She took it and it was 134/94 and my pulse was 122 BPM. She said that's quite high for someone your age..great I thought.

She asked me to sit in the waiting room again (great) and then wait for my appointment.

I was them called into see the cardiologist (fact time). He shook my hand and sat me down.

He asked me to explain my symptoms and I had to hold back my tears while explaining how I felt and how scared they made me and somewhat disabling.

I then noticed he had my folder in from of him and he then proceeded to tell me my results.

The heart scan that was done the week before (when I went to have my holter fitted) was fine. He then went onto tell me about my 24 hour holter reading. He said my beats per minute during the 24 hours was between 80-100 as am average and 60 when I slept. He said I had 8 ectopics, 1 at 10.00am and 7 between 7-9pm. So in total i had 8.

He said my heart was fine and the probability of me dropping down dead with a heart related issue was very very low.

I them explained to him that I am scared to go to the gym as every time I finish cardio the ectopics like to come. He then explained to me that ectopics are normal and it's your heart having an early heartbeat and then the electro producing an extra heart beat hence the thudding and mis beat feeling. He said I know they are uncomfortable, he said that he had his first one about fine years ago and glad he did as he now know what his patients feel like and could sympathise.

I them did the treadmill test with his colleagues and only lasted 10 minutes. She advised me that my heart rate takes quite a long time to come back to recovery (normal stats).

I then went back to the cardiologist and with humour he said you lasted the same time as a 55 year old lorry driver! Go to the gym and get your fitness levels up. Your heart is fine and the more fitter u are the less your heart will beat fast. I had no ectopics on the ECG stress test. He then discharged me and said that he can prescribe me very low MG tablets that I can store in my cupboard just I'm case I have a day where I don't feel like getting them.

I went to the gym yesterday did 15 minutes on the cross trainer (heart rate went upto 170) after 5 minutes and thought greattttttttt.... Then went for a gentle swim. I went home at 9pm and felt soooooo tired.

Xxxxx

Fishmanpa

01-03-14, 15:15

Way to go! A good report, an all clear from the cardiologist who basically reinforced what you already knew :) Get to the gym, get healthy and things will be even better.

Positive thoughts

ohwell123

01-03-14, 20:37

once again a nurse passes comment and probably fuels an already anxious person who is probably perfectly healthy

someone was having an ecg done a while back next to me at hospital and the cardiolgst said it was fine but when he went the nurse said it looks a bit scoopy still lol how dare her do this gets me well angry