To go to A & E?

[AlwaysAnxiousAnnie]

For some.time.now I've had major anxiety about my heart due to an episode last year of very bad heart palpitations, lasted hours and was so scary. It was like my heart was so out of rhythm. I went to A and E and they said it's anxiety, I've had numerous ECG, I've had a 24 hr heart monitor. They said they found nothing of concern just ectopic beats and and atrial thud. Apparently this is no cause for concern. So I was discharged from cardiology. I regularly have heart palpitations, chest pain, dizziness, breathlessness. Again it's anxiety apparently. Alas, I have developed this cardiac anxiety.
Anyway, tonight after studying up after dinner, my heart out of no where just started beating so hard and so fast in my chest. It felt like it was going to explode. Straight away I panicked, and then tried to calm myself down. I've so ce managed to calm myself but I heart beat feels all over the place. No pain or anything else. Its new Year's Eve and A&E will be busy. My DH is not very happy with me telling me not to go because it's all in my head. I've convinced myself.i won't see morning or at the very least my heart is about to give up very soon. Now I'm in this spiral of death anxiety of I could drop dead and be dead by this next time year and no one is believing me about my heart problem...am I being unreasonable to want to go to A & E and get checked out or ring 111 at th very least.. or am I just being dramatic, an anxious mess. The more I'm panicking the worst it's getting but I wasn't panicking when it first started this evening.

Ring 111

How?

You’re describing something that is quite common in the Long Covid community, so might be worth checking out post-Covid POTS.

https://www.webmd.com/covid/covid-19-pots

Your ferritin is still quite low from what I understand. You maybe have more complex anxiety issues going on but when my ferritin gets low I go right back to having palpitations and being really anxious, convinced I’m going to have a heart attack at any moment as well as various other symptoms.

I find this little picture which shows ferritin v symptoms very useful.

@Cascais why?

Take the medication prescribed
Do not go to A+E
The nhs is struggling and at breaking point.
You've had a ecg, 24hr tape and bloods and nothing was found which is very reassuring and you said yourself worrying makes it worse.
So take the medication to help you lower your heart rate

Poor man’s tilt table test instructions here my dd’s heart rate goes over 180 when she has a shower. It’s not dangerous. People always think you faint with PoTS but the majority of people don’t.

I hope you feel better soon, whatever the cause.

But also to add, if you’re genuinely worried then it’s better just call NHS24 and you’ll be dealt with one way or another.

NRFT but have you drunk much coffee or cola today?

I can't even drink decaffeinated coffee. Maybe you're sensitive to caffeine.

My ferritin was 20 at my blood test last week, and my doctor messaged me and told me if I don't get it up I'll have to have infusions.

Haven’t RTFT but considering your young age and I think you said your palpitations worsened after standing up after dinner…
please check out POTS. Causes increased HR on standing.

low ferritin also important to rule out.

pOTS is under diagnosed by medical professionals. It is not dangerous but can be uncomfortable and scary.

one of the first treatments is increasing salt intake however you need medical review first to identify if that is your issue.

Im hypermobile with pots and was palmed off for years with it being anxiety. I also get chest pain on exertion which was ignored and is common with these syndromes. It’s just a variety of normal.

OP please try the medication you have been prescribed. I had similar symptoms and was eventually diagnosed with AF, but it's being treated with beta blockers, so the chances are, even if you go to the hospital, thanks what they'll give you. Can you also try some relation techniques. Lots of guided exercises available online.

OP maybe you should go to A&E. After sitting on a hard chair watching the drunks coming in for 10 hours, you might find you’re happier to take a beta blocker next time.

Thanks you, I actually do hav the symptoms of POTS but again I was told that it's unlikely and the symptoms mirror anxiety.

I find drinking electrolytes helps my ectopic beats/SVT/IST. Making sure I get enough potassium, magnesium, and sodium (I add a smidge of salt to each drink to help my body retain the water) really does seem to help me. Along with taking my 5mg bisoprolol as prescribed.

5mg isn't a huge dose. It's about the lowest you'd be prescribed for anxiety. What about trying with half of even quarter of a tablet? It probably won't do much for the anxiety symptoms but may help alleviate some of your worries that you're going to drop dead.

Beta blockers really safe drugs. I take 10mg (amongst other stuff) twice a day for a cardiac problem.

I take a very low dose of beta blocker as I was getting multiple episodes of ectopic beats (hundreds every day). They stopped overnight with the beta blocker (with maybe one or two episodes a week now only). Can you discuss with your GP?

@AlwaysAnxiousAnnie like
i said it is often under diagnosed so you need to check out pots U.K. website which has guidance to share with gp and they can perform a simple test that can rule it out.
Low ferritin will also cause this issue.
ferrous sulphate is very difficult for your body to absorb. There are much better options out there, check out the iron protocol on Facebook.

Yes my GP has basically she old me to stop being a baby and take the medication. He said he can't help me further until I take the medication so we can see if it helps or not.

Try it. If you're zoned out your husband can look after your child, and if anything happens that means someone needs to drive he can call a taxi.

I take 10mg of a beta blocker 4 x a day. Have done for about eight years now due to familial heart issues. Absolutely no side effects whatsoever

Been there. I have anxiety. I also have random episodes of this even when I'm fine ( even though my anxiety is a lot better).
i’ve had tests, i’ve accepted it is just anxiety.

Your health anxiety is not going to improve if when you experience it you look externally to be soothed and regulated, for example getting a medical professional to tell you you’re ok in that moment. Unfortunately you must learn how to soothe and self regulate. If the therapies you’ve had do not work you must try others. Cbt can be highly effective.

Since you dh is there take the beta blocker. You are suffering and have meds to help you.

I have panic disorder and OCD, ADHD, and severe health anxiety after two best friends died quote young.

I finally took meds, and Ativan when needed, andy life changed. I wish I hadn't suffered for so long unnecessarily.

Also as a mom, consider taking meds for your child and dh. I have a friend whose DH refuses because he's anxious about meds, and eventually she will likely leave him. It's too much to be around for her and their kids.

I don't say that to make you feel guilty, just to remind you that your anxiety and mental health affects your dh and child too.

Big hugs xx

You need to get a pulse oximeter. They are cheap and easy to use, give your pulse, heart rate pattern and blood oxygen levels. I used one all the time when I had a bout of extreme anxiety after having a pulmonary embolism. It just reassured me that I had anxiety and that my stats were fine - which then reduced my anxiety.