Shortness of breath = MVP? Anxiety?

Hi folks,

I usually hang out on the Anxiety and GERD forums, tho I wanted to get the advice of you wonderful cardio folks.

Relatively new member to Healingwell, my full intro is here:
www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=45&m=2798089

The last few months I've been experiencing feelings of shortness of breath (dyspnea). Like I'm not getting a full breath (tho every time I go to visit my PCP, oxygen levels are like 98%). Sometimes these feelings are sudden, like I almost want to take a gulp or need to catch my breath. The don't ever lead to me physically gasping, though. These feelings go off and on; I have a string of good days, and bad days. I've had a bad episode the last couple of days, where I'm having these feelings all throughout the afternoon/evening.

I've had anxiety problems and I do have low dosages of Ativan to take (0.25 mg to 0.5 mg per day). When I'm experiencing these feelings, though, I can't really say I'm anxious and nervous--although when it gets real bad, I do start getting worked up and start feeling anxious.

Ruling out: lung. I've seen a pulmonologist in the spring, who ordered a pulmonary function test--a CT showed lungs are clear and PFT was normal.

Ruling out: GERD/reflux issues. Although I've been diagnosed with GERD before, last month's 24 hour esophageal pH test revealed normal results where the clinician did not think GERD was the cause.

Incidentally: recent CTs showed enlarged thyroid, and confirmed fatty liver (I was diagnosed with the fatty liver disease a few years ago tho it has seemed to be in check).

Back to heart:
The clincher is, a few years ago (maybe 2005-2006?) I got an echo of the heart and I do believe mitral valve prolapse (or regurgitation?) was on the results. I'm reasonably confident of thise because soon after, my PCP started recommending antibiotics before dental work (though this recommendation stopped about two years ago).

I have read that MVP and anxiety are linked. As the shortness of breath has only seemed to surface as a noticeable symptom from early this year, I dunno, maybe it's getting worse? I had an echo stress test done like in January, (before my S.O.B. was really prominent) though the results were not too remarkable (I remember my doc saying there wasn't evidence of ischemia so I viewed that as good news).

Then I read about PACs and PVCs. I'm not sure if I have these. I mean, I've felt my pulse during these S.O.B. episodes and I've felt my pulse go real slow a couple beats, then speed up. I'm too scared to monitor my pulse more fully during these episodes otherwise I'm gonna obsess over it. Although I won't be afraid to see a cardiologist (and believe me, I'm ready to go back and see one).

My question to you guys, especially those who've been diagnosed with MVP. Do you suffer from anxiety too? Reflux? Do you get bouts of shortness of breath? And how do you deal/cope?

Trying to find answers. Getting tired of not feeling normal. Thanks for reading!

Ruhr

LB1976,

Yes, thank you. It's reassuring to hear that I'm not alone. MVP+ dyspnea + anxiety, not a great combination.

From all that I'm reading, MVP can be a rather benign condition and I guess I'll just have to deal with it. Knowing that MVP may be linked to some symptoms like anxiety. My GI doc (still seeing him until we totally rule out reflux type issues) is going to put me on Elavil. I hope that calms me down and I don't get at least the dyspnea and anxiety part.

As for the heart. Well. I could schedule an appointment with a cardiologist just to be sure. Though I have a suspicion, other than the MVP, he's going to tell me I'm fine and even with MVP I can keep it manageable.

Cheers!

Ruhr.