34yo F, non smoker, don't drink (except a VERY occasional gin), been a bit of a couch potato since lockdown but reasonably active on and off before that, diet again hasn't been the best but working on getting that sorted.
Diagnosed with anxiety in 2013 which is when my palpitations started.
Since the start of 2019 so pre-pandmic I've had to deal with a lot of stress, losing 3 family members - one in quite awful circumstances, redundancy, house move, studying for a degree, changing jobs 3 times, and obviously the pandemic itself.
I'm just worried that all this stress has had some effect on my heart and I've got something that the Dr's haven't picked up.
Symptoms:
Palpitations
Chest tightness - this doesn't happen a lot
Breathlessness- can just be sitting doing nothing and BAM
Pain in left jaw
Pain in left neck
Pain left top of head
Pains down left arm
Nausea/vomiting in the mornings
Weight loss
High heart rate - resting has increased from around 76bpm to 81bpm
Pulsatile tinnitus- can hear heartbeat in ear. Mainly after going up the stairs but also just going from sitting to standing. Although not every time. This one worries me because it seems to suggest a blocked artery!
Reflux
Fatigue - sometimes can't even stop my eyes closing at work
Dizzy/light headedness
Recent tests:
Full bloods - all clear. Slightly raised RBC count but Dr didn't mention it???
Also had an echo about 6 years ago and a halter monitor- all fine. So would a lot have changed since then?
Thursday was a particularly bad day for me. Nausea and vomiting acid/bile in the morning. Went to work and went really hot while sitting at my desk, also had sharp shooting pain in my left chest, sort of like all around my left boob. That subsided and kind of felt okay. After lunch, felt Breathless again, bit tight chested, heart rate was high all day! Really fatigued when I got home.
But yesterday I was fine pretty much.
These don't all happen at once and some are few and far between. But the weight loss has worried me.
I went through a bad patch a few months back, high anxiety, bad reflux, didn't eat much and dropped a lot of weight (I have another condition that make weight loss difficult so this was a shock) since then my weight has gone up and down. But seems to be sticking at one weight. Even after stuffing my face last night, i hadn't gained a pound!!!! Usually that would an instant 6lb on the scale!
I'm so scared I've got heart failure, clogged arteries or cancer or something horrible. The Dr's just do bloods and cos they're fine don't follow anything up. They just put it down to anxiety.
I take omeprazole in the morning and gaviscon before bed
I'm also on the mini pill - desogestrel.
I just don't know where to turn and feel like I'm going to drop down dead! Or they're going to discover something when it's too late
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Mouse87
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I do. I was diagnosed with it a long time ago. But these symptoms are very very real. And I can't seem to link the pulsatile tinnitus to anything other than some sort of artery issue.
I've had ringing in both ears on and off for years. Never needed an official diagnosis..tinnitus is tinnitus. But the last few weeks I've had pulsing tinnitus in my left ear. Mainly after running upstairs or leaning my head to one side. Hence the worry about an artery issue
I think you are worrying yourself too much. You have had a Lot of stress in a relatively short time, coupled with the Pandemic, it is enough to make anyone freak out.
I think you are worrying yourself into what I call a feedback loop, and worry eats calories really quickly.
What appears to be happening is you are anxious about the weight loss and the early vomiting, and it's adding to the grief and other worries. The Omeprazol and Gaviscon are for your gut, but you seem hyper-worried about everything else, and getting panicky about things which do not appear to be there.
It might be worth talking to your doctor again and getting a tryout for another mini-pill, they, being hormones can play merry heck with moods.
Thanks Midori xx I do wonder if this pill is playing havoc!! I also have PCOS and never ever wanted to go back on birth control after 10 years without it but I was in a position where I was constantly heavy bleeding so Desogestrel was a last resort, annoyingly!
I dont think I would be so worried if it wasnt for the pulsatile tinnitus which I seem to have developed. I can usually rationalise my symptoms these days but this one has got me. All I seem to find about it it, artery/aneurysm/tumour related! xx
It could just as easily be a bit of earwax affecting your Eardrum.
Don't jump to conclusions, get them sorted.
Cheers, midori
Dear Mouse87. These do sound like very distressing symptoms. I'm a nurse and I want to let you know that a resting heart rate going from 76 bpm to 81 bpm is not worrisome to me. Anything between 60-100 bpm is in the normal range and all different things can bring your pulse up and down. It probably varies a great deal during the day, just like a thermostat goes up and down, depending on what's going on in your house.
Researching symptoms can be a terrifying experience. In healthcare we have a saying, "When you hear hoof beats, think horses, not zebras." This means consider the most common/likely causes first before you get into the more unlikely or exceptional ones. With your age, normal labs and normal EKG, it's extremely unlikely that you have a clogged artery or heart failure. Heart failure and clogged arteries also have other symptoms. It sounds like you've been very sensible about getting yourself evaluated, with labwork, Holter monitor and EKG, which is commendable. With those tests being normal, I would consider stress and panic. Panic attacks can literally make us feel like we're dying. I'm NOT saying your symptoms aren't real. Of course they are and they're making you miserable. But they are likely to have non-cardiac causes and to respond to other kinds of treatment such as better sleep, less caffeine (if you're a coffee drinker), therapy, exercise, or a trial of anxiety-reducing medication. And remember that the internet doesn't know how old you are, your usual state of health, your bloodwork, your EKG, or anything at all about you. Try to limit your time researching symptoms and try to think horses, not zebras. Sending hugs.
Thank you so much for your reply. Today started off bad. Nausea and vomiting this morning and had some chest pain earlier but I think it's muscular as it goes when I stretch my back.
If I were in your position, I would ask my doctor for a referral to do a cardiac stress test; particularly if you have a family history of heart disease. Enough can change in six years that additional testing isn’t unreasonable. This may be a way to help give you peace of mind.
That said, if the reason you had the halter monitor is because you had the same set of symptoms - and you’ve been dealing with these symptoms for 6+ years, it’s overwhelmingly unlikely much has changed.
In truth, your symptoms are entirely consistent with stress and anxiety (…and dehydration which can cause an elevated RBC). From the sound of it, you’re having panic attacks. My sense is that the greatest benefit for you would be to seek therapy in order to address the anxiety. While it’s possible you have a cardiac condition, it is highly unlikely. In contrast, it is quite likely you’re experiencing symptoms of anxiety, panic, and potentially (depending on your history) CPTSD.
If I were in your position, I would pursue 2 courses of treatment. I would inquire after a stress test and seek counseling/therapy. The therapy will be a commitment and it won’t be easy, but I think it stands to make the greatest contribution to your mental and physical health.
Nothing has really changed to be honest. The main reason for the echo and halter was because I was having palpitations. They're not actually too bad now. I had an ECG a few months back. You could be right about dehydration and the elevated RBC to be fair. I was very poorly when I had those bloods done. Vomiting daily not really eating or drinking anything so that could explain that.
No history of heart issues. We're actually all pretty healthy. My Grandpa passed from a Stroke at 80 and my Nan passed from cancer at 92.
I just find it so hard to accept it's just anxiety sometimes. Especially when I don't feel particularly stressed or anxious.
I’m glad to hear the palpitations aren’t as bad now - and it’s great that your family doesn’t suffer from a history of cardiac illness.
I would caution you against the reductionist thinking that you’re dealing with “just anxiety” - particularly if your anxiety is wrapped up in CPTSD, which can often manifest physically (vomiting, shortness of breath, chest pain, migraines, and panic attacks - all of which can happen suddenly without ever feeling “anxious”). I think many people in this community can attest to the experience that anxiety can be both physically and mentally overwhelming.
However, I too believe that only pursuing only one diagnostic course could be incomplete - which is why I see benefit in asking for a cardiac stress test referral. You know your body and your needs best, but at the end of the day, you have nothing to lose by exploring either option.
Hi Mouse!Well you're in a right state aren't you Sweetheart. You're a bit like me...having health anxiety isn't fun. Did you know that worrying the way you are is enough to cause every symptom you describe. Eating late evening will give you reflux..Terribly. So avoid that if you can. I think Covid has caused us all to suffer mentally and physically. I know I've gained weight, but then I lose some being stressed out about it all. Vomiting or stress heaving especially in the mornings is another sign of stress and anxiety. Other than your PCOS. You sound pretty healthing. If any of the test you have had thrown up a red flag, it would be investigated...have faith, that's why the tests are done. Also, if you had something sinister, your aches and pains would be constant. Cancer does not come and go. Your weight loss isn't constant, you gain weight back, if you were seriously ill, you would continue to lose weight and quickly. The aches and paiins you describe in you face head and neck and boob, are all caused by being so tense and sounds to be like you're doing a spot of jaw clenching. You don't say what meds if any you have tried. You need to try and relax, do something to take your mind off of you!!Do you live alone? Are you near family, are you married? Have you got kids? Do you get out to walk in the fresh air? I too have health anxieties that can cause be to feel low, panicky and overwhelmed, so I get it. We are here for you Mouse, don't bottle stuff up. We'll listen, getting your mind straight isn't easy, but when you do.... you'll find a lot of your anxieties will settle. Sending lots of love, hugs and well wishes for you.😘🤗🤗❤️
I do have support but feel like my husband gets a bit annoyed with my constant worries of dying.
I'm still losing weight but not massive amounts. People are commenting I look slimmer but everyone has also commented how well I look. Don't look unwell at all.
Had more bloods taken yesterday and just waiting for the results of those
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