Are Palpitations (Heart doing Flip Flops) Normal with Fibro? - Fibromyalgia Message Board

*Robin* · 01-29-2007, 09:18 PM

My primary Dr. believes that I have Fibro based on negative test results and widespread pain that I have. I can't see a Rheumy until March 12, so until then, I continue to worry.

I've been having the feeling of my heart doing "flip flops". The first time it happened, I ended up in the ER, where they told me it was most likely a reaction to Prednisone (which I took one pill of to have a CT Scan because I'm allergic to iodine dye). They went away.

Since then I have been getting them a few times a day. I've had EKG's, Stress Echocardiograms, and Chest X Rays, all fine. I just continue to worry that they are missing something with my heart.

So my question is, are these palpitations, flip flops, skipped beats normal with Fibro?

I have recently taken a look at the Tender Points Chart, and I definitely have a lot of them, so I'm not dismissing my Dr.'s diagnosis, I'm just wondering if this is normal.

The cardiologist I went to thought I was crazy because I'm only 24 and I was worried that I had a heart problem.

I occasionally have a feeling of something being in my throat. I don't know if that's GERD, Fibro, or both?

If there's anyone who can help give me some clarity, I'd greatly appreciate it.

bluelakelady · 01-30-2007, 09:08 AM

breath robin.
for some of us this does happen. i noticed an increase in my heart rate and sometimes that feeling of it racing or moving inside me. had all the tests too. i do have hardening of the arteries that go to my legs. that does not have anything to do with the sensation tho. for me it is an expression of fibromyalgia.
i found that if i stop, do my breathing meditation and really focus i can not only stop it, i can slow down my heart rate to normal. it is simple.
3 breaths in your nose and out your mouth.
3 breaths in your mouth and out your nose.
3 breaths in and out nose.
3 breaths in and out mouth.
do this slowly focusing on filling your lungs completely and emptying them fully. wait for each next breath. your body will say, now.
an old sufi murshida taught me this before she died. simple, yet so useful for any situation. stress, pain, fear, it works to relax and focus the body/mind.
peace,
bluelakelady

*Robin* · 01-30-2007, 02:38 PM

Thanks for replying, Bluelakelady! I really appreciate it.

I don't really notice a rapid heartbeat, it just feels like a thump, and then a flip flop feeling in my chest.

The past few days I've been having a vibrating sensation (that's the best way I can describe it) in my left foot. It only lasts a few seconds, but it's there a lot.

I really wonder if it's Fibro and not something else going on. I've never heard of Fibro causing vibrating sensations.

elmhar · 01-30-2007, 02:51 PM

Robin,

Heart palps are very common in early perimenopause. They are also common in a number of thyroid disorders.

Both hormonal variation & thyroid problems are more common in fibro than in the general population.

But of course, there can be other causes. I notice that you've had a lot of workups done. What does your doc say?

The entire HPA axis/endocrine system is interrelated in a highly complex way. Since you noticed a lot of these cardiac acrobatics when you took the pred (a synthetic cortisone), it's possible that something thyroid or adrenal or other hormonal is contributing.

Best wishes.

*Robin* · 01-30-2007, 03:06 PM

Hi Elmhar, thanks so much for replying!

My primary doctor believes it's probably Fibromyalgia, but she wants me to see a Rheumatologist, who I have an appointment with in March.

My Cardiologist said that my EKG was fine, my Echo Stess Test was fine and my Chest X Ray showed nothing abnormal. I had a lot of blood work done and the only thing they found was that I am slightly B-12 deficient. I started getting B-12 shots in December. I don't know if they did a Thyroid test or not. Is that a seperate blood workup or would that show in any bloodwork?

My primary doctor sent me for an MRI of my brain, which showed some white matter, suggesting possible early white matter disease (MS), but the Neurologist dismissed that. However, the vibrating sensations that I've been having in my left foot are supposedly common in MS, so I don't know.

These are the symptoms I have had since November 2006 (They aren't all there at once and they come and go, but I have at least 1 of these every day)

Chest Pain
Sternum Pain
Rib Pain and pain going into my back
Arm Pain (shooting pain down both arms)
Pain between Wrist and Elbows
Knee Pain
Pain in Shoulder Blades
Back Pain
Tingling in Hands and Feet
Burning sensation on left side of face, head, and upper back. (happened once for a week)
Tenderness under arms on both sides
Pulsing sensation in ribs
Stomach Pain
Headaches (usually on the left side of my forehead)
Pain in Hips
Pain in Butt (sometimes just one side)
Dizziness
Heart Palpitations (flip flop feeling in chest)
Vibrating sensation in left foot

Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to read my posts and help me. It is appreciated more than you know.