As i've said in several topics over the months i've been having AFIB symptoms since Febuary for most of each day. I'm only 16 years old and I haven't gotten a license yet.

The symptoms are getting worse and worse. I woke up this morning after about 8 hours sleep and people in my house were talking loud and everytime they did i'd get this odd feeling in my chest like my heart was just too weak to speed up. My doctors ran one test back in Febuary and said I didn't have AFIB but I probably just wasn't in an episode. I've had swollen ankles and considerable weight gain for a few months to top it off. Anyway this morning I started feeling Dizzy and felt like I was about to pass out so I went upstairs and went to sleep for a few hours. My mother just keeps putting off a doctors visit though.

The AFIB feels like its getting more intense but she really believes this is all in my head. This condition is crippling me and i'm always weak and tired. Is it normal for A-Fib to be this bad without CHF being present? (Read my symptoms)

I'm mainly afraid that since it's been untreated so long that i've got irreversible damage done to my heart.

I know you guys aren't doctors but I really am in a bit of a delima here with my mother not wanting to take me to the doctor.

MHossa,

It seems you are determined to have A-fib and CHF no matter what...I read all your past posts.

What heart rates do you determine during your episodes of A-fib...something in the neighborhood of 200 is quuite common?

How much weight did you gain...weight gain is everywhere including ankles. If your weight gain is CHF related, then it will be responsive to salt so go for 3 days with absolutely NO salt (including any processed foods) and see if your ankles diminish in size. If indeed they DO, then perhaps a diuretic is in your future.

What kind of health insurance do you have? Can you walk into an E/R and be covered? If so, the next time you are suffering what you feel is A-fib, then go into the E/R and tell them your heart is in tachycardia. If they measure it and find that your rate is normal, then you've GOT to let go of your A-fib obsession.
If you DO indeed have it, they'll notice IMMEDIATELY because it's so very apparent. In that case a beta blocker is very likely to help.

My "diagnosis" though is that you are having a longish bout with hypochondria and "over-vigilance."

I agree completely with the other poster. There is underlying terror and urgency in your post. I know the feeling all too well. You are obsessed, and certain that you are in AFIB, even though you've been told by medical professionals that you are fine. I have to agree that you should go to an urgent care clinic or ER when you are in the midst of what you THINK is AFIB. That way, you can be assured of getting a correct diagnosis. And I strongly feel you may just be suffering from severe anxiety and hypochondria. You sound too much the way I used to be - and when it is that severe, medication can help tremendously. (I'm talking about a medication to calm you down and help you to think rationally when you are frightened).

Go ahead and call 911. They'll bring a portable EKG machine into the house, and/or they'll hook you up to one in the ambulance. They'll be able to tell immediately if you are, in fact, in a fib or not. And if you aren't, then you have to accept that.

I'm terrified and I CANT think rationally.

What scares me most of all is how if ANY kind of sound that i'm not expecting happens my heart stays at the same pace and feels like it can't speed up. I don't know how to describe it and I can't find anything about it relating to heart failure. Like my heart can't speed up at all. I'll be sitting on my bed and feel like my heart is being turned off sometimes. I just feel like i'm leaving my body and everything around me is getting dark but I come back at the last second.

(Like a dog barking loudly or someone speaking all of sudden and the typical things that can cause your heart to maybe speed up)

Here is my weight gain by the way.

Normal Weight

204

All of a sudden I went up to

209

---

209 all of a sudden I went up to

213

-------

213 and all of a suddent I went up to

216(This was a day or two ago)

It's like my heart is getting weaker incredibly fast and I cant live with the first thing I mentioned. This has all happened just a few months after CHF symptoms appearing.

I'm terrified and I CANT think rationally. The flutter is gone but when it stopped everything seemed to get worse. (It did this before and that is when the CHF symptoms appeared)

What scares me most of all is how if ANY kind of sound that i'm not expecting happens my heart stays at the same pace and feels like it can't speed up. I don't know how to describe it and I can't find anything about it relating to heart failure. Like my heart can't speed up at all. I'll be sitting on my bed and feel like my heart is being turned off sometimes. I just feel like i'm leaving my body and everything around me is getting dark but I come back at the last second.

(Like a dog barking loudly or someone speaking all of sudden and the typical things that can cause your heart to maybe speed up)

Here is my weight gain by the way.

Normal Weight

204

All of a sudden I went up to

209

---

209 all of a sudden I went up to

213

-------

213 and all of a suddent I went up to

216(This was a day or two ago)

It's like my heart is getting weaker incredibly fast and I cant live with the first thing I mentioned. This has all happened just a few months after CHF symptoms appearing.

That is alot of weight gain in a short period of time. Don't you think you should make an appointment at the doctor? If you're not satisfied with the one you saw, go to another doctor. What's the use of worrying day in and day out? You are very young and shouldn't have to be feeling so poorly.

Personaly I do not think there is anything that serious wrong with you.I do think you may be exaberating your symptoms because of your worrying.I have generalized anxiety disorder and have for years so I know how it can make us feel.Mine usualy kicked in AFTER some physical symptom (s).Then I would automatically assume I knew what the issue was.You could have gained that weight from other reason it does not mean it is your heart.I have had swelling in the bottom of my legs especialy the left,still dont know the issue there,but that doesnt mean its my heart.I do think your mom should take you to the doctor though.I am sure she is just tired of taking you and hearing nothing is wrong but if you have really gained that weight that fast then she needs to take you.Try not to be so scared your a kid still the chances of it being something so serious are slim.I hope you get the reassurance you need.

I hope you're at least about 6'2" or above with your weight (if you are, no worries, if not, your weight isn't going to help any of your symptoms and may be causing some of them). You do sound very anxious like many of us. Those of us who are anxious and are awaiting cardiac "rule-outs" come over here and bother the true cardiac patients from time to time (the heart patients are very kind, though, but don't go post crazy over here--check out the anxiety board). Why do you think you have CHF? It's unusual for a young person to just develop CHF in the absence of some other strange situation. Not all anxious people (or all non-anxious people) have a marked increase in heart rate upon hearing loud noises, etc. Some people have a vagal response---their heart rate and blood pressure go down instead of up. The fact that you have self-diagnosed CHF is suspect for anxiety. I would definitely go to the doctor, and believe me, if you have CHF, any competent doctor can diagnose that condition. It is pretty common, but usually occurs in the elderly or people with already compromised health. I've had heart skips, flutters, etc. for many years and I'm still pretty young (31). I'm over here on the heart boards for advice on cardiac tests to help finish ruling out anything going on with my heart. Do go to your doc, you'll feel better, you'll get some tests to rule out any problems, and all will be well with the world. Do come over to the anxiety board and join us, too!

I've had swollen ankles and considerable weight gain for a few months to top it off.
This is peripheral edema. While swelling of the ankles is very common in CHF, there are numerous other signs and symptoms that come along with it, none of which you have described. My advice to you is to r-e-l-a-x. If you feel that you need to call 911 and go to the ED for peace of mind, then so be it. Good luck to you.

Im 32 and had heart failure December 2005 the symptoms I had were sweling in my legg ankle left side some swelling in my left. Swelling in my stomach from one day to another some time's I would come home from work not eat wake up and feel full in the morning.

I was real weak just trying to lift my self from my bed i was realy tired even dressing or taking a shower. Short of breath it would get worst laying down flat . My heart would beat faster then normal just moving around dizzy when I would stand up.

This feeling you said you get that your heart feels weak like when you get scared I had that to just before I went to the hospitol I still have it the damn kicker just doesnt beat like it used to. If your having all the symptoms you say you are you need to see a cardiologist .

I keept going to the hospitol they would do a chest xray and ekg and send me home I was ok its all in your head . The day I went to hospitol I had a terrible cough from the fluid backing up in my lungs. I hope you get the help you need.

What scares me most of all is how if ANY kind of sound that i'm not expecting happens my heart stays at the same pace and feels like it can't speed up. I don't know how to describe it and I can't find anything about it relating to heart failure. Like my heart can't speed up at all. I'll be sitting on my bed and feel like my heart is being turned off sometimes. I just feel like i'm leaving my body and everything around me is getting dark but I come back at the last second.

(Like a dog barking loudly or someone speaking all of sudden and the typical things that can cause your heart to maybe speed up)

Do you ever get out of bed or maybe exercise? It sounds like you're just lying around or sitting around, waiting to hear things that make your heart beat faster. That doesn't sound like a fruitful activity.

You made a post a while back about how you're gaining weight even though you're barely eating anything. So my advice to you would be to attempt to eat a normal diet (consult a nutritionist if you don't know how, or talk to your school nurse) and exercise, even if it's just taking a walk around the block. Eating is important, and not eating will seriously mess up the way your body works, including your heart and your metabolism.

I agree with the others that you SHOULD call 911 when you're having what you think is an episode. Maybe you have an underlying heart problem, and maybe you don't; but it sounds like you are making yourself unhealthy, at any rate. Eat a proper diet and exercise on a regular basis. See how you feel after you do that for a while. Try obsessing less and doing more.

Mhossa,

Im 18, And I Do What you do quite alot, Everytime somthing goes wrong on my body i always assume its some sort of disease, i look up symptoms, and i sometimes have some or most of the symptoms, But 98% of the time its nothing

For instance, One time i thought i had Salmonela, Because i was Tired alot, didnt want to eat ETC, So i went to the doctor and it turned out i had E-Coli

But that was the only time, The way i see it is to be safe then sorry

Like a few days ago I had a pain in my left chest plate, and im like im having a heart attack, And like ALL Parents do, my parents Said That it was just a muscle i pulled,

So i went to a doctor anyway, and she said the same thing


But Im still Un-easy about it, I feel as if the doctor could be wrong,

So Just to be %100 im going to a Cardiologist and have him look at it or somthing, that way ill stop worrying