introducing myself

[joyce g]

Hi everyone
I've just found this site and thought some mutual support and chat would be a good idea. I've been suffering with ectopic heartbeats for about 7 months now and they've made me feel so unwell I haven't worked since January. I feel so tired, have little appetite, I often feel restless, 'twitchy' and 'jerky' and my chest feels bubbly and often painful. I don't smoke, rarely drink and don't have a lot of caffiene so it could be the stress I had at work that's caused it. My GP seems to be quite fed up with me and hasn't been particularly understanding although a consultant I saw at the hospital the other day was. What worried me even more was that 9 years ago I was told I had a slight heart murmer and I was worried that it was:D connected in some way. I was finally able to have an echocardiogram last week and I was told that there was no connection and it's still only slight and shouldn't cause any problems. I have started taking a low dose of Propranolol 3 days ago to see if that helps. I was told as it's only a low dose there should be no side effects. We'll see.
If it is caused by stress I wonder why it has not happened before as, like most people, my life has hardly been stress-free. I do wonder if the menopause has anything to do with it as I'm 46 and beginning to get first signs of it. (GP took no notice when I mentioned this).
Looking forward to hearing from others with this condition and sharing experiences and who won't just tell me it's all in my head.

[Two heads]

Hi joyce!
Glad you could join us.You will get all the help and surport you need hear so dont worry.
I my self believe that the menopause has alot to do with it.I had a baby last year and have suffered ever since.Ispoke to my doc and she said its hormone related,as i was ok befor apart from haviong a little OCD as a child!Hopefully it will go as quick as it came for you.
The ectopic beats are very common,most people on this site suffer with them.They are harmless!
It isnt in your head its just that good old anxiety.We all really do no how you feel.
Stick with the paropranolol as i was on these and they did help with the ectopics.They take a round aweek to settle but after that you dont no your even on them!And if the cardio saids heart murmur shouldnt cause probs then please try and believe him hun!I no its easy said than done.
If you ever need a chat just PM mexxxxd

[Daisybun]

Welcome Joyce
I get palpitations and missed heartbeat every now and again - all part of stress! Stress builds up in the body and releases all sorts of chemicals that affect us in different ways. Last time I had 'bad' anxiety i had a lump in the throat for months, this time I'm getting panic attacks and also infections brought on by stress - which thankfully have just been identified. There are so many varied symptoms that they can come and go. the key is to reduce your stress evel and bring down the anxiety to allow the calming/rest chemicals to be released. Easier said than done. There's some great advice and info on this site and there are others too. Just be careful how much you look up symptoms though - sometimes ignorance is bliss. If you feel your Dr isn't listening - find one who will!! That's what they're there for and your health is important - there are some drs out there who are very helpful! :)

[nomorepanic]

Hi Joyce

Welcome aboard and lovely to see you here and I am sure we will be able to offer you some support and advice.

Try these previous posts ....

Palpitations
Palpitations (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/NMPcms.php?nmppage=palpitations)
palpatations (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2284)
Missed heartbeats! (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=3186)
sorry for being silly....but.... (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=3320)
Palpitations? Reassurance needed and some answers! (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=3371)
Missed heartbeat question again (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=3550)
IS THERE ANYMORE I CAN DO???? (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=3784)
ectopic heart beats (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4664)
Doc made ectopic fear worse (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4849)
missed heartbeats, still worried (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5061)
Skipped Beats (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5078)
Heart reassurance (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5282)
New to site.....Palpatation freinds!!!!! (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5204)
STILL SOOO SCARED OF MISSED HEARTBEATS-LOADS AGAIN (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5404)
Multiple Skipped Beats (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5424)
Skipped Beats AGAIN!!! (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=5639)
Obsessed with my heart (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6535)
Palpitations (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7258)
Eptopic Beats..im sorry please help..xxxxx (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=8055)



Nicola

[Alexandra]

Hi Joyce

Welcome to the forum.

You will find lots of help & support on here.

Take Care

Alex

Many People Will Walk
In & Out Of Your Life
But Only True Friends
Will Leave Footprints
In Your Heart

[trac67]

Hi Joyce,

welcome to the forum, you will get a lot of good advice here and make some new friends.

Take care

Trac xx

'Live your life with arms wide open, today is where your book begins, the rest is still unwritten'

[chucklehound]

Hi Joyce and welcome to NMP!:D

[giddy]

Welcome Joyce!
Love Helen

[Piglet]

A big welcome to you.

I also have/had a slight heart murmur but never been told that it's connected to ecptopics which I also get from time to time.

Have a good read of all the posts as I am sure you will feel reassured.

Piglet xx

"Supposing a tree fell down, Pooh, when we were underneath it?" said Piglet.
"Supposing it didn't," said Pooh after careful thought.

[shiv]

Hi, as with Piglet and Daisybun, I too am prone to funny heart episodes, but since my anxiety has lessened, they have actually completely disappeared!

You may well be right about the menopause being partly to blame. There are plenty of women here who get their worst episodes around their periods, during pregnancy (and after child-birth) and during "the change". All I can say is bl***y hormones!

Anyway welcome, and take care

Shiv x

[marie ross]

Hi,

After my panic attacks disappeared and my panic disorder began (Hooray!!!) not, i suffered from terrible chest pains and my heart was racing constantly, in the end i ended up at the doctors explaining my problems, 2 doctors later he said i had a panic disorder, and prescribed the meds that you are on, it did take about a week for them to kick in but once they did they were brilliant, my heart rate slowed down and i was'nt feeling anxious any more, because i thought i was'nt going to drop down dead of a heart attack of similar!!!

about 10 years ago, a doctor said that i had heart murmer and to keep an eye on it, two children later and various tests later it seem to have completey vanished, do doctors make these things up to give you panic disorder!!!!!

Anyway, take care and welcome.

Marie XXX