Hello guys (And Gals)!

I am a 17 year old male, unfortunately have picked up smoking within the last year (peer pressure :nono: ) but I am quitting. Anyways, back in March of 2003 I was laying in my bed one night when I noticed my heart flutter, and my pulse quickly jumped to 155. Went to the hospital 3 times in 10 days, each time diagnosed differently (caffeine, chest cold, and finally pneumonia). Went on Zithromax for five days, it did nothing.

Later, I went to see my family doctor, he gave me blood tests, EKG's, and had me wear a Holter Monitor. Everything came back normal, except for the fact on the Holter my HR was 166 while walking. Anyways, he put me on 50mg of Atenolol, since then my heartrate has dramatically dropped.

However, lately I have been suffering from what seems like a hard pulse. I have had swollen lymph nodes in my neck for three years, I have already had a biopsy (normal) and have had second and third opinions regarding them from other specialists (normal). If I were to look in the mirror at my throat, I can see my pulse. If I were to put my hand gently over my throat, it would still feel like my pulse was jumping on a trampoline to say hi.

If I were to lay on my bed, quietly, and motionless I could feel my heartbeat. Keep in mind I am not the smallest of people (6'2", 250ish). In fact, my weight has shot up since March because of all of these different symptoms. I was around 190 when I first started having this. You know when you feel horrible, all you want to do is relax and fill your face, unfortunately I haven't been able to carry out my love for baseball or football (Which is how I used to stay in shape) since March.

Now, when I am relaxing, the only place my pulse seems strong is in my throat. If I were to walk let's say two blocks, my pulse would be extremely hard in both my wrist and throat. Whenever I come in from a walk, I get an extremely bad headache that runs down my neck and throat.

I have the mindset that I want to go outside and just run for blocks and blocks but, I dread the feelings that I have.

With all of the tests my doctor says that my heart is fine. Recently I wore a second Holter Monitor, the results actually came back in today. All was OK according to them. I asked my doctor about the hard heartbeat, and he said it was nothing to worry about. He said that it was possible that I have more nerve endings then others causing me to be more aware of my heartbeat then other people.

I asked him why I could see my pulse in my neck. His reply was that some peoples blood vessels are closer to the skin then others. I am wondering what could cause these symptoms? I really trust my doctor, he is a great person to discuss your health with but, I am a bit weary about what I am feeling. I am almost positive that I am going to get a second opinion. I am just debating if I should go to another family doctor, or ask my doctor for a referral to either an Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor or a Cardiologist. What are your thoughts of what I am experiencing? What could these symptoms be related to? What health problems should I ask my doctor about?

Any information or advice is very appreciated. Sorry for the long post.

Gordon Lee