To still be terrified of these palpitations?

[shouldnthavesaid]

Have had them since I was eleven or twelve, now 26 and a half.

Had dozens of normal ECGs, a normal 24 h monitor and a week or so ago a normal ETT (managed to get to 196bpm with just dizziness) and a normal echo.

One relative (2nd degree) has suspected ARVC cardiomyopathy. I'm petrified I have the same. Cardiologist said if echo, ETT and a 72 h monitor are normal no concerns.

I'm very concerned though. I no longer do anything I'm so worried. I had to walk to a lecture just now and scared I'd collapse. 3 or 4 'skips' on the way :(

I'm now in my lecture and just want to bolt. Uni have offered me to take a year out. My dog died this week, my flatmates kept me up all night shouting, I've only just been home a week and I'm feeling totally lost. Just want to sit and cry. I'm crying in my classes.

[Purplerain101]

Could it be bad anxiety causing the skips? Anxiety can cause all sorts of terrifying physical symptoms. I was once 100% certain I had MS because I had all the symptoms for it (weakness down my right side, constant muscle twitching, dizziness, eye pain etc). Had a brain MRI and ended up being diagnosed with bad anxiety. Once I managed to get a handle on it a bit the symptoms mostly went away

[Crispbutty]

I have this and have had it for the last 24 years since I was 24. All medical tests have ruled out anything wrong. It’s annoying and can be scary but it’s not going to kill me.

A lot of the time it’s simply down to trapped wind, which pushes on the vagus nerve (biggest nerve in your body that goes from groin to neck) and once something puts pressure on it, that can disrupt your heartbeat. I also have a reaction to anything with red colouring in which can give me palpitations too so I watch out for that.

Propanol helps and so do breathing exercises when I have an attack.

I also get attacks after I’ve had a really stressful period or event. It’s like once everything has calmed down suddenly my heartbeat will flip into overdrive.

Hopefully this will help reassure you that you are ok. The docs have done their tests and found nothing. Half the battle is won once you can reassure yourself that it’s not going to kill you and it will pass. Do a bit of googling about palpitations and the vagus nerve as it helped me to understand and cope.

[Crispbutty]

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.reddit.com/r/Anxiety/comments/2swpld/to_those_who_suffer_from_palpitations_read_this/

[Mossbystrand]

Has your consultatant mentioned SVT/AVNRT or AVRT?

I was diagnosed with AVNRT and had a catheter ablation a few years ago and haven't had a palpitation attack since then, fingers crossed and touch wood. They only caught it when I called the ambulance out during a particularly bad attack and they hooked me up on the ECG machine and saw my heart rate went upto 220 beats per minute. Then they took it seriously, up till then it was explained away as indigestion.

Why would stomach acid cause my heart to beat 220 beats per minute ffs? Don't letthem fob you off. There was an srticle recently about how Drs don't prioritise or take seriously female heart conditions. I'll search for it and post it later.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/supraventricular-tachycardia-svt/treatment/

[lljkk]

If it was me, I'd be thinking "My heart is just weird and always will be" and not think about that any more.

You've got a load of real stressful things going on. What's up with the shouty housemates?? Can you spend most of your time elsewhere?

[Tiredmum100]

Could it be related to anxiety? I have a leaking heart value, whilst I was under investigation for that I felt palpitations, like I was missing a heart beat. I spoke to the cardiologist who said it was probably anxiety. That was about 18 months ago and it's resolved, more or less as soon as he said that. How was your relative diagnosed?

[haba]

Hey moss, I have the same thing!
Not needed ablation though, as it's pretty minor.
OP, anxiety, stress, tiredness all exacerbate it. OP, pretty sure you've posted before about your MH? Have you been at home for a week, then gone back?

[frieda909]

I sometimes get this and I had it very badly as a teenager, I was convinced there was something very wrong with my heart. I had a 24 hour monitor which couldn’t find anything wrong with me at all. Eventually the doctor told me it probably wasn’t my heart at all, it was more likely a ‘fluttering’ in my oesophagus related to indigestion/IBS.

You do sound very anxious, which can convince you that you’ve got all sorts of things going on when in reality all that’s ‘wrong’ is the anxiety itself. Are you having any kind of treatment for anxiety at the moment?

[Leetepp]

I agree with moss, all tests would normally be normal with avnrt. I suffer from this and get skipped beats all the time which feel really strange (also called premature ventricular contractions) but during an attack my heart rate can be back 300bpm. Only way to be diagnosed is an ecg during an attack. Hope you get it sorted!

[AgnesSkinner]

I have paroxysmal SVT. I don’t get attacks that often but I find that too much salt in my diet and anxiety can trigger an attack. I’ve had ECGs but have never had an attack during monitoring (although I did both times in labour with DCs, not that the midwives seemed at all concerned). I use a breathing technique to reset my heart rhythm and have never needed any medical treatment.

[Chwaraeteg]

Yanbu. Don't be fobbed off with the 'anxiety' label. This happened to me for 14 bloody years.

I had palpitations starting from around the age of 12 to. Had loads of normal ecg's, had a holter monitor for a week which just showed just PVC's, was told it was anxiety.

Then, when I was in labour they actually managed to get an ECG on me while I was actually suffering bad palpitations and it turns out I had some unusual type of AVNRT. 14 years it took me to get a diagnosis. 14 years of doubting my own sanity. You know whether or not the palpitations are caused by anxiety or the anxiety is caused by the palpitations.

I had a catheter ablation and now only ever getild palpitations when I'm about to get a virus. It was absolutely life changing. My energy levels have skyrocketed. I can actually go for a jog without getting a horrible ache in my chest or a squeezing, jumping heart beat. I don't suffer with a racing heart for hours after getting a minor shock like seeing a large spider or getting shouted at. It's worth getting to the bottom of it.

[Noclue123]

I went to the gp for this exact thing today except mine only happens when my hands are severley cold! Had an ecg all fine. Having my thyroid checked through blood tests next week and if still ok being checked by a cardiologist. Gp said it could be thats how my body copes with cold shock or could just be nothing. But best to check. I know not helpful. I am 26 and it has started in the last few months.

[restofthetimes]

If you’ve had a load of tests and nothing has shown up then you should try not to worry.
I had a heart attack last year and been having palpitations ever since. But the consultant still says I’m not in any danger.
It’s just annoying I know. Have you tried giving up caffeine? And get lots of rest.

[Mossbystrand]

female heart disease

My symptoms included severe chest pain, tightening of the jaw, breathlessness, fast heart rate and the ambulance crew still said I had indigestion and only men get heart attacks. My symptoms mirrored that of a heart attack and they still didn't take me seriously until 8 years later.

Call the ambulance out or get to A&E while you're having an attack as that's the only way to know what it is. When you're mid attack, the medics can't fob you off with time of the month and anxiety excuses.

[andypandy55]

I have had this for years but manage to control it somewhat by changing my lifestyle. No caffeine in drinks or tablets, minimum alcohol, no smoking and trying to avoid stress and anxiety. They just seem to happen but less often now.

[shouldnthavesaid]

I am exceptionally anxious 99% of the time yeah. On escitalopram which isn't doing anything but GP said not good to try something else. They're very unhelpful, GP I mean but apparently can't register elsewhere.

Went home for a week to try and get back to 'normal' for me, came back here and my wee doggy died :(

Flatmates are much younger than me (halls) and always drunk or out late, get in at 3am shouting, spewing and steal my food. I haven't the confidence to confront them , I wish I did.

Hosptial put a 72h monitor on me today to try and catch the PVCs . Typically, I haven't felt any yet. Been told to do stuff tomorrow, I wondered about getting bus to shops or something. Feel v alone - no classes til Wed so likely be alone until then :(

They did say its v unlikely to be serious, the palpitations . Just wish I could change my mindset about them!

[CanIhavedessertfirst]

Have you had your thyroid checked? Mine is overactive and at it's worst I was getting palpitations at regular intervals through the dat

[theHitcher]

It sounds like you're living in a stressful place, with loud neighbours in your halls. Any chance of moving to somewhere quieter? A bit of decent sleep would be a good start for you.

[shouldnthavesaid]

I wish I could, I can't afford to leave my contract and nowhere else to go really.

My mum's only two hours away so going to see her next weekend I think. Just bloody lonely and anxious, its horrible. If I'm phone to mum its fine or if I'm with her, but if not I'm worried about her and me and everything else.. So much studying to do but I haven't the energy.

[Mossbystrand]

Poor love, visit your mum for the weekend. I know it's scary but try to do some regular gentle exercise so pilates, yoga etc. There should be classes at your university, find a mindfulness class, down load an app and concentrate on your breathing. I find going for long walks really helps to clear my head. Create space for yourself away from people.

Can you write to the halls management company/warden and explain your health problems and ask them to move you to somewhere quieter. It's worth a shot, mention that you're unable to relax because of anti social behaviour. You feel intimidated by other students drunken behaviour and this has caused your heart palpitations to increase. Mention that you're unable to eat regularly because they keep stealing your food etc. Lay it on thick, you have 5 months left and this is the exam preparation period so very crucial.

Store your none perishables in your room in a plastic box (tins, packets). Can you get a mini fridge for your room to store milk, butter etc in?

[shouldnthavesaid]

I want to be with my mum 24/7 to know she's OK :( but it isnt a good idea I suppose. I phone her all the time to make sure she's alright . Booked tickets for next weekend. Will be weird without my wee dog :(

I have started shifting things yes, I keep my plates and mugs as separate as I as they're mine and important to me (all from friends and family). Difficult situation. Struggling to sleep tonight as can't settle my mind, works overtime too much.

I did make it the shops. Had a good wonder around a place out of town, huge. I wished I had a friend with me though. A friend from work is visiting in a fortnight and she's going to be shocked as I've gained weight and have no friends here. I'm so embarrassed. Sometimes think I made a huge mistake. A very expensive one.

[shouldnthavesaid]

Mini fridge is a good idea but I worry itd further help me hide in my room:( so not sure.

[Flopjustwantscoffee]

I know you said you can't afford to leave your contract (completely understandable). But if you are in halls presumably that is with the university? It might be worth going to the student welfare or whoever runs the accommodation and explaining how badly you are being affected. They might be able to move you somewhere quieter - it isn't unusual for people to be shuffled around a bit, certainly wasn't in my day. I say this as someone who put up with truly awful flat mates for a whole term, but was actually moved fairly quickly hd easily when I said I had a problem

[AuroraBora]

I suffer from palpitations and like you I have had all the tests come back clear. They are exponentially worse when I am tired, stressed or anxious though. Add all three together and I am a fucking mess.

Things that help me:

1. sleep!
   
2. reduce stress, though I appreciate this isn’t easy if you’re a student
   
3. distract myself. Palpitations = worry = anxiety = stress = insomnia = tiredness = palpitations etc etc. If I break that cycle it helps a lot.
   
   So, do you have any hobbies (not necessarily with other people, I like crafts by myself), or do you enjoy your course you’re doing, or maybe just pick up a book you love or is gripping? Just take an hour or two to remove yourself mentally from your current world and forget it all.
   
   Another thing that for some reason helped me, but I couldn’t say exactly why was that my boyfriend bought me a book about anxiety. I believe it was called “the little book of anxiety” but I’ll double check.
   
   Also it is ok to be sad about your DDog you are allowed to cry, so don’t feel like you shouldn’t. A good cry really helps.
   
   And keep posting here, posters are lovely and have good advice

[AuroraBora]

Yes I was right, this is the book he bought me:

www.amazon.co.uk/Little-Book-Anxiety-Kerri-Sackville/dp/1849543372?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21