Mitral Valve Prolapse

I suffer from mitral valve prolapse and anxiety/panic attacks. I'm wondering what others do to cope with a racing heart beat and/or skipping beats. I need ideas! Thank you!

Adam Pick..............this is spam as you are the author of this book and it is for sale on Amazon as well as on your website which reads:

P.S. I created a 100% money-back guarantee on my book. If you are not completely satisified, you get your money back. There's no risk to you.

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Thank you in advance for your understanding.

Kitt

Post Edited By Moderator (stkitt) : 12/17/2008 4:46:59 PM (GMT-7)

Aries

Although the relationship is not clear, many MVPers suffer from anxiety or panic attacks. The symptoms described are more consistent with panic disorder, the anxiety disorder studied most often in MVP patients. People have recurrent, spontaneous anxiety attacks that consist of various combinations of symptoms similar to some MVPS symptoms. These symptoms include: fatigue, fainting, dizziness, chest pain, lightheadedness, rapid heartbeat, heart palpitations, and shortness of breath.

The degree and mechanism of association between MVPS and anxiety disorders remains unclear. While some believe the symptoms cause anxiety attacks, others believe extraneous factors trigger attacks. They may occur anywhere, at anytime, even in the middle of the night. Whenever anxiety attacks do occur, they are frightening.

To manage your anxiety you must first break the cycle. One way of doing this is to reduce the severity of physical symptoms by practising relaxation techniques.

May I suggest you visit the Anxiety and Panic Forum as you will found many members with anxiety and they have great wisdom on how to lower their anxiety.

Gentle Hugs to you

Kitt

Aries,

I have both MVP and panic/anxiety disorder, but to tell you the truth I don't know which came first, the chicken or the egg.  They were diagnosed simultaneously and have the same symptoms.  Many doctors I have been too since my original MVP diagnosis don't believe in MVP and say it is a term used when they can not find a diagnosis for the symptoms the patient describes.  Obviously, they do not have MVP!  When my heart starts skipping around, I take a benzodiazopine and it seems to straighten out.  Beta blockers can also treat that symptom though I have never tried them.  But of course, both of these meds are also prescribed for panic/anxiety so who really knows what the true diagnosis is here.  I guess as long as the med works, I don't really care what they term my illness as neither of the two are life threatening though it sure feels like it.  I always try breathing/relaxation methods, walking, talking, getting busy first, but if the catastrophic thoughts interfere with the positive and I start to spiral down I do not hesitate to take my med.

Changes in my lifestyle which have helped immensely are no caffeine, limiting alcohal, getting proper sleep, taking one day at a time, and letting go of perfectionism (still working on the last two).

-Soul

I was diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse about two weeks ago. It has been hard to get used to for me because my symptoms have been severe. about a week ago my doctor put me on Cymbalta and Xanax, I have very shallow breathing most of the time. My doctor took me off Cymbalta and now I am hoping my breathing will return to its normal state. I was just wondering if anyone else experiences shallow breathing most of the time.

Thanks,

Erin

It is breathing like I can't catch my breath, It has been worse since I have been on Cymbalta but now I am off of it. I am still waiting for my breathing to return back to its normal state.

Thanks,

Erin

Hi all , first time on this thread,

My wife has MVP and it has begun regurgitating and her heart is enlarging slightly. Her local cardiologist is alarmed and recommended valve repair asap. We have a second opinion examination next week at the Cleveland Clinic. We already sent all of the test results to cleveland and the preliminary opinion is that he doesn't see the same urgency for surgery, but he will know more after examining her.

Has anyone had valve repair surgery?

We have learned there is open heart, and robotic options. Any experience on either?
thanks,
Barney