28 year old/afib

[CT868]

Hey Everyone

As you've read, I had my first and only episode of AFib back on Feb2. Since then I've had a number of tests performed including 3 chest x rays, an Echocardiogram, Holtor Monitor and a stress test. The Holtor Monitor i wore for 2 weeks revealed a few PAC's but according to my cardiologist, its normal with all hearts. All other tests came back without abnormalities. My cardiologist told me my heart was very strong and didn't see a need for me to take any beta blockers as I am young and healthy with normal blood pressure and low resting heart rate.

In my last post I discussed that I was experiencing random chest tightness that comes and goes. I'm not short of breath and go on runs/bike rides/lift weights without any issues. However this still scaring me so u decided to see my GP. Upon arrival she checked all of my vitals, tested me for covid, and took chest xrays. Again, all came back with no abnormalities and she diagnosed it as high stress/anxiety and wrote me a script for Buspor which is an anti anxiety med.

Since starting these meds, I've experienced a random stinging chest pain that comes on for 30 seconds or less then goes away and can sometimes feel my heart beating when I'm at rest. I'll also occasionally feel a skipped beat/extra beat.

I'm afraid to keep running tests bc every single EKG/Chest XRay/Echocardiogram/Holtor Monitor has come back normal and both my GP and cardiologist have failed to find anything over past 2 months and don't want to seem like a hypochondriac.

This community has been extremely helpful so ill ask, has anyone else experienced these types of symptoms? My fear is that after all of these tests theyve missed something. This also might be my own anxiety messing with me.

[Dawsonmackay]

Okay, so why did the Doc write you an anti-anxiety prescription? Are you in a high stress environment? Are just an anxious, worrier type of person? If yes, to both questions, you need to deal with that mind set. Now I'm not saying you should not take the anti-anxiety meds but it's going to contribute in another way, like a bad side effect. Get a handle on the anxiety... you probably don't need the meds. Anxiety will cause AF.

[CT868 in reply to Dawsonmackay]

I had what you may call a colon cancer scare back in December 2019 that triggered my anxiety when it comes to health. Had a friend pass away at 28 from colon cancer and was experiencing some GI issues back that freaked me out. Thats been resolved now but that's where this all started.

So to answer your question; I've been a worrier when it comes to my health since then especially since I went into afib. Actually wasn't aware that anxiety can cause afib.

I told my doctor I had started taking 5htp to deal with my anxiety but hadn't worked. That's when she recommended buspor.

[Dawsonmackay in reply to CT868]

Are still taking metoprolol?

[CT868 in reply to Dawsonmackay]

I am not. My cardiologist took me off of it since it was dropping my BP wayyy too low and didn't see the need for me to take. He did want me to do the "pill in pocket" with Ditalizem for a little while incase I had another episode of AF. If I plan on being out for awhile, I still do PIP but haven't had any other episodes since my first one.

[Dawsonmackay in reply to CT868]

After reading all your replies to others on this thread, I feel that you really need to stop the worry/anxiety/whatever that is causing you to unconsciously fret. You're too young and too healthy. I'd quit taking the meds and do a reset. "Random chest tightness that comes and goes," can be a whole host of non-threatening kinds of things including indigestion. What the heck is so worrisome? I'd start there...

[falah12345]

Is there any way you could ask your GP to give you a short course of benzos may be like alprazolam(xanax) or any thing similar only for few days to see if it calms you down or not !

It is very hard to tell but if you are experiencing new symptoms with the new meds I think ask your GP to stop it then.

[CT868 in reply to falah12345]

Was offered Xanax but wanted to take the safest route. I wanted something that was going to gradually kick in.

I'm lucky that my GP was a cardiac nurse for 15 years. He said that hes seen just about every case you could imagine when it comes to cardiac patients and that they've ran more tests on me than he's ever seen for anyone my age and both he and my cardiologist never found a single concerning result over the past 3 months. He did say that if there's was underlying disease, they would've found something by now. Still makes me worry though but that's something I need to deal with and practice self-awareness.

[12cupcakes]

Anxiety and worrying can make things worse such as your chest pain that comes and goes. I too am an anxious and worrier. It took time for me to stop noticing every little symptom when I was first diagnosed with paroxysmal a fib/a flutter. Give the bus par time to work, take slow deep breaths, try to relax, and remember all your tests were normal.

[Hidden]

Given your age the likelihood of you having any serious heart issues is incredibly low, however stress/anxiety is rife in the western world and they can certainly mimic heart conditions, many have ended up in A and E following bad panic attacks, take a holistic look at your habits, sleep, diet etc and you likely find your symptoms improve a great deal

Andy

[Lien-Ju]

Good morning over there, I am 24 years old and I had 2 episodes of AFIB. The first was on march 2018 and the second (and last for now) on October 2018. I remember I was extremely anxious at this time and also evolving in a very toxic environment. The last few months I changed everything I can to make my life a little bit easier, of course it is not easy but in my opinion my anxiety decreased thanks to this changes. You told you started to be anxious because you friend died, I am sorry for your loss. My anxiety started because my mom died when I was 17 then I started to keep thinking I could die at any time. You are not alone in this case, try to focus on the good sides and font hesitate to talk with this welcoming community.

Julien

[EngMac]

Going to the doctor all the time when you have been told you are most likely fine, will result in the doctor feeling something must be done and eventually a test or some comment by you will justify whatever. You probably should stop taking all the drugs and stay away from the doctor and try to change your life a bit where you focus on something other than health. If you take drugs that are unnecessary, you won't be fine. Just a thought not a medical recommendation.