Palpitations

I read in the fibro 101 that palpitations is one of the symptoms of fibro.  How many of you experience this and what do your's feel like?  I have been having them and it feels like a thud in my chest.  I hate it...relly scarry.  about a year or so ago I had a heart exam (echo, nuclear stress test, ekg..ect) and nothing was found.  I am going to the doc again tomorrow to have him put the holter monitor on me again just to make sure.  Seeing as I have a panic disorder as well ( health anxiety) this is getting really hard to deal with.  It would put my mind at rest if I know you all experience them as well.

The heart palpitations started about two years ago for me.  I felt that "thud" in my chest and checked my pulse in the veins in my neck and realized that my heart was skipping a beat.  Of course I went to the doctor and he did an electorocardiogram, echocardiogram, an ultrasound of my heart and had me wear a monitor for 24 hours and my heart is just fine. 

 

I think anxiety plays into it and, when this happens, the anxiety kicks in big time.  I don't usually suffer from anxiety attacks because I won't allow them to start to control me.  They did for several years and I was on valium for them but I decided that I could handle them.  It is fear that causes them and it makes you feel so miserable.  The valium was changing my personality, too.  So, I decided that, when the anxious feelings would come, I could recognize it and I would "dismiss" the feelings and start focusing on something else.  It took some practice but I don't really have anxiety problems now and take no medication for that either.

 

I hadn't had any palpitations in over a year but, two days ago I had it happen three times in one day.  But, since I know my heart is fine I didn't allow the anxiety to rise up in me.  It tried to but, again, I "dismissed" those feelings and just got busy doing something in my home.  If I dwelled on the feeling and started worrying about my heart, I would be a mess.  I know my heart is fine so I just don't worry about it.

 

I'm glad you are seeing the doctor.  You really need to put your mind at ease.  Everyone should see their doctor if this happens to rule out heart disease.  More women die of that than breast cancer!  So, be sure to get checked out.  If you see there is not a problem then you can be in control of yourself again.  Hope you feel better soon!

 

Sherrine

I have a LONG history of these "skippnig a beat" thumps, and even sometimes, tachycardia. Mine started around the perimenopause years. I have had all the tests, including holters, echoes, and finally, heart catheterization because the 2nd stress test I had indicated an abnormality. My cholesterol has always been high (genetic thing) and when they called to tell me I needed a cath, I about died of anxiety right then and there. I got through it and it showed that everything was quite healthy - no blockage, or narrowing of any kind. I had also been on a Beta Blocker for a year or so....it did seem to help, but there were side effects for me, so I got off it.

Finally the cardiologist told me he didn't think there was anything wrong with my heart, the arrythymmia's were probably caused by GERD ( which I noticed is a problem for many of us)and recommended I see my PCP about a scope. I wasn't too excited about another test, so I did a little research on GERD and decided to try DGL - recommended by Dr. Andrew Weil - which is a form of licorice that has something taken out of it....just can't remember the name, it's long and hard to pronounce. You can find it at most health food stores, and comes in tablet form, which you chew before meals and bedtime. I didn't care for the taste at all - but it worked well. After a month or two of fairly regular use, the palpitations faded to just an occasional thump. It's been about 2 years since I stopped using the DGL and I still have very little trouble with them - and every once in awhile when I do - I can usually trace it back to something I've eaten, or remember having some reflux. But just to be clear, licorice or licorice products in general are not advisable to take - they can elevate your BP. The "DGL" has specifically had that potential removed.

That said....I think the palpitations happen as a result of a variety of things. The fibro makes us more sensitive to stimuli. Hormone fluctuations, stress, dehydration, lack of sleep, indigestion, flare, etc. etc. all play a part. A doctor once explained to me that if we have chronic disrupted sleep - our bodies can't make our next days supply of adrenaline (which it does only when we are sleeping) so it runs out. When it does - and we have a little fright or some stress of one kind of another - the body utilizes the "substitute" for the missing adrenaline - catacholamine, maybe - not sure - anyway - something that doesn't work as well as adrenaline. Like putting the wrong gas, or gas w/ water in it in you car tank.....and that can cause a fluttery, thumping heart as well.

Exercise, meditation, and eliminating caffiene are supposed to be helpful as well. I still eat some dark chocolate, but don't drink any kind of caffienated beverage. I really understand how scarey and unnerving the palpitations are.....when they're bad it's difficult at best to ignore them, and they produce a good deal of anxiety. I always wondered which came first...did the anxiety produce the palpitations, or the palpitations produce the anxiety? The tests & doctor visits are important to rule out other probs...but after that, like Sherrine said, it's important to breathe and relax. And maybe try the DGL.

I have palpitations off and on. I know too much caffeine can cause them. I had an EKG and stress test done when I was going through all the testing.

 

Meg, like you I can control the panic attacks but the GAD I can't always get a handle on. Thank God for xanax. I can usually figure out what is causing it. Yesterday was a bad day but I was stressing over this never ending mess in this family room and how to organize it.

 

luv and hugs

Marlee

I have them too. mine feel like I'm skiipping a beat. I was put on Cymbalta and the palps were stepped up to almost ocnstant. I was terrified! They put a monitor on me for 24 hrs. I had soemthign like 634 palps in that time. The dr told me that ocmpared to how many tiem your heart beats in a day it wasn't as bad as it sounded, but wanted me off the Cymbalta. I got off and they went back to only occasionally.

The heart dr told me that women have palps during the menstrual cycle and anxiety, and they are perfectly natural as long as it's not a constant thing. He also told me that even though it's feels like it's a skipped beat, in reality it is a extra beat. Mine feel like an adrenaline rush, a kind of fluttery pounding.

Brie, the few men we have on here are use to us talking about PMS, peri-menopause, menopause and cycles so don't worry. We have been trying to shock John with our talk but I don't think anything shocks John.

 

luv and hugs

Marlee

 

 

Hi Meg - I was in my mid thirties when the palps became an issue for me as well. And they did always increase around that time of the month. Glad the doc reassured you. But what is GAD? I see it in a couple of the signatures....not familiar with that at all.....

Lucy

Yes...GAD is Generalized Anxiety Disorder.  It's like having itty bitty panic attacks all day long LOL

I used to have terrible PVC's when I was under a lot of stress. I don't have them anymore but I do have this tight feeling that wakes me up at nite. It's very uncomfortable. I get those anxiety attacks where my heart is pounding out of my chest and I have to talk myself "down". I can never figure out if it's psycological or physiological.
Carolyn