Flutters, Skips, And Palpitations... Oh My

[tednlou2]

I know most people have these from time to time.  I've gotten them for years, but always one episode that lasts a second.  I will go several weeks before having another.  Actually, when having bad anxiety and panic attacks, I don't usually get them. 

However, for about a week now, I've had daily episodes and a few a day.  At first, I dismissed them as just anxiety.  Although, I don't think my anxiety is any worse than normal.  They are a very strange and scary feeling.  I just had one while lying down for bed.  This time, it felt like my heart actually stopped for about 20 seconds.  Then, my pulse shot up to 110.  I am thinking that was the result of panic from the flutter.  I am posting this now as a way to try and change focus.  But, I am curious whether others here deal with this.  I mean frequent flutters.  Do you think anxiety is almost always to blame?  Google can be reassuring, but troubling, too.  Most sites say completely normal to have occasionally, and usually nothing serious even when they are frequent.  They mention anxiety most often, as well as caffeine and nicotine.  But, many sites say can be an issue with the heart and it's electrical system.  Most say more serious issues would probably be accompanied by dizziness or fainting. 

I am sure it's anxiety.  I've been reading how anxiety disorders can mess up your adrenaline.  So, even if you don't feel anxious, your system is out of whack.  Perhaps I'll get the ticker checked out just to make sure.  This has never happened before--having palpitations daily for a week.  I have been taking the prescription Vitamin D.  That's the only thing different I can think that's different.  I've been taking a beta blocker for a few years now, which keeps my bp about 108/68 and pulse of 60.  I was reading beta blockers can cause palpitations.  But, would be strange to suddenly start causing them.  I am so sick of the anxiety, if that's what it is.  Sick of it, regardless of flutters.  But, would definitely prefer anxiety to be cause than some heart issue.  My mom had to have a valve replaced and her doc said it may be genetic and that my brother and I should be screened.  But, going with anxiety for now.

[MoMorrison]

Hey ted. I feel you! I don't usually have palpitations with my anxiety but I feel for you regardless. I know that anxiety can cause many symptoms and it can be hard to distinguish at times, if anxiety is really behind it all. As you may or may not know already one of my main symptoms of my anxiety is air hunger. I usually feel this during an anxiety attack and at times, even when I am not feelings anxious at all. As I was sleeping last night, I woke up in the middle of the night and I had this feeling of not be able to breathe. I was half asleep and it scared me. Then I thought, it's just my anxiety acting up on me. I have only had that happen to me once before. Usually I make it all the way through the night without disturbance.

Like you, I am very sick of dealing with anxiety. I had a session with my therapist yesterday and I asked about CBT, and he said we will eventually get to that. I just want it to go away already! I just have to keep reminding myself "If God brought you to it, he can bring you through it."

Hang in there. I know it sucks, but you are not alone in dealing with this ish...

[weasel]

   Hi Ted ,
               What you have maybe what I have .

   I just saw my I.D. doctor yesterday , I had mentioned I feel like I am about to              die .
 The flutters make me more nervous than I usually am !

   I take Clonazapram < sp >   ?  ,   For EX-STREAM  anxiety .

  These past weeks I have cut back on Clonazapram  ,
    It causes me to eat like a PIG !
 
     My doctor tells me I am fine  , Hope so   

                                                                    Carl