New - Anxiety Message Board

SNC727 · 02-11-2007, 07:50 PM

Hi everyone, I may start posting so wanted to do a proper introduction and have some questions for the folks that look like they have been dealing with this for some time.

I have had constant heart palpitations for the last eight days. After two days I thought I was dying so I went to urgent care and they did the whole nine yards (EKG, blood work, etc.). Everything is perfect - BP, heart rate, thyroid, sugar, everything looks great. Followed up with my GP the next day - and he says that he thinks I have an anxiety problem.

I've never even thought that I might, and never considered that this might be a problem for me. I am seeing a cardiologist in a few weeks (they found murmur so I need to anyway just to be sure), but right now he has me on the .25 Xanax two to three times a day.

This has NOT stopped the palpitations, but they can't figure out what else might be wrong.

Has this happened to anyone else? My heart has not beat normally (not even for a minute) for the last week. If it were anxiety would the Xanax not have helped and/or stopped this by now?

I am also dealing with my [prideful and previous] predjudices about anxiety disorder - should I have one. I suppose that's another thread for another day.

hyper79 · 02-11-2007, 08:09 PM

Hi,I had a spell of heart palps that lasted for two weeks in the past with no medical cause after being checked.I do suffer from severe anxiety,but at that time I was what you could say normal.I cut caffine out,got plenty of rest and didnt let it bother me and the palpitations passed without me even knowing and never had it happen again?In your case I would not say it is anxiety and would not add the worry of thinking it is, like your doc said he is thinking it is.Thinking and knowing are two different things,Im no dr but zanax for palps? unless he had the impression you had other anxiety/panic related symptoms

SNC727 · 02-11-2007, 09:04 PM

Thanks for your response. He said he thinks I have a super high stress level and I have a major event coming up that I plan for all year, blah blah blah.

I do worry a lot and have VERY mild syptoms of general anxiety, but nothing like week-long palpitations, ya know?

He thinks the palpitations are from anxiety, therefore trying to only temporarily (for the next month) treat the anxiety.

Like you, I'm a little skeptical, but hopefully I'll get some answers soon - because it's been about 5 days on the Xanax and there's been no change

hyper79 · 02-11-2007, 09:43 PM

Xanax is pretty fast acting and the stress of an big event is a normal reaction,same as mourning after a close ones death, it's 100% natural but if these symptoms are overwhelming and effect normal everyday life then I suppose you could give it a name "anxiety or depression" I am not a doctor and am not saying meds are overprescribed but I have questioned it.Stress can cause the palps for sure as well as dehydration,nicotine,caffine,alcohol,thy roid disorders,lack of exercise,lack of rest and much more but they are usually harmless and in your case you have had all the test and they looked good,try not to think about it as much because if it is stress dont add more.I know how aggrivating they can be especially watching tv, going to sleep ect..

alefever26 · 02-11-2007, 10:55 PM

well, i have had heart palpitations for years. pretty much every day. i had all the tests too andthey came out perfect.. i did have a murmur also. anywya, just to let you know, your heart is perfectly healthy. i literally have these heart skips every day and have just learned to live with them. some days worse than others..... sorry not much help..