Extreme regular symptomatic palpitations

[Moomoo897]

I am posting this as a question too ....

Hi

I wondered if anyone recognises what is happening to me? I am a 55 relatively fit (I run/ran 2/3 times a week) female. I am/was a type 2 diabetic until recently but I am now prediabetic. I started a low carb ketogenic diet in May and have radically changed my lifestyle and my relationship with food. I have reversed my diabetes and lost 3 stone. I have never had any heart problems previous to this and my BP is always normal. This all started out of the blue!

On 17/10 I climbed some stairs in a shop and uncharacteristically was out of breath at the top and experienced crazy palpitations. My legs were on fire with an adrenaline type all over pain.

Fast forward to the present. My symptoms have increased massively. I get debilitating palpitations on the slightest thing. Sometimes as minor as turning over in bed. The palpitations feel like my heart is crashing around in an unpredictable manner. This is accompanied by and in varying degrees - chest pain, now extending like an ache into my stomach. back neck, jaw shoulders,ears. Accute leg pain especially with stairs or any slight incline. Nausea. Head pain. Light headedness. Dizziness. Breathlessness. When I stand up from kneeling I go black and have to hold onto something. These symptoms have hijacked my life. Some days I can just manage getting to the loo.

I am awaiting a cardiology appointment to see results of a 24 hr Holter test. An angiogram was clear. An Echo was clear but couldn’t see PV. They have put me on 75mg aspirin a day

In the mean time my life is on hold and my symptoms are debilitating.

Anyone relate to my symptoms? The most distinct one is I have symptomatic palpitations at the very slightest thing. I was sitting down chopping brussel sprouts and this triggered them. Whisking eggs triggered them. Getting dressed. Getting up. Washing my hair. Walking. Walking up stairs. I have to do everything very very slowly!

In 2014 I had treatable breast cancer with a lumpectomy Chemo and radio. That was a walk in the park compared to this!

Any thoughts or experiences on these debilitating symptomatic palpitations on the smallest exertions/movements?

I have been told I am NOT going to have a heart attack. However I feel very vulnerable!

Thanks for reading my long post I really appreciate any thoughts from anyone as I feel I’m going a little mad!

[Moomoo897]

Hi Happyjo

Thanks so much for getting back to me.

I am in the UK in East Sussex. Initially I was an inpatient in hospital and whilst they could see I had arrhythmia it wasn’t regular and at that stage it wasn’t though movement. It was here I had an angiogram as an inpatient and started asperin. Then over the next two weeks I have had an echo and Holter test as an outpatient.

When I had the echo on Tuesday this week I was sent to a and e as they were so worried how I was presenting. It was there they looked at my echo and said it was normal. I was presenting with no arrhythmia or very little as I was lying down. So they discharged me to see consultant saying it was the Holter test results they need to see what’s going on. He was an A and E consultant, and whilst not a cardiac specialist, he wasn’t worried to discharge me.

I will see cardiologist next week where he will look at all the results and hopefully be able to say what’s going on. I had many episodes whilst connected to the 24hr monitor so no doubt that will tell them something!

So all in all it looks like it’s an electrical problem not a plumbing one.

What’s so weird is how reactionary it is to me moving around. Or any sort of movement. It does sometimes happy when I am resting but mostly every time I move.

I am very aware of my diet especially magnesium and potassium. I have had quite a few blood tests, the most recent this week and all very normal incl magnesium and pottasium.

Thanks again Jo

[Moomoo897]

Thanks Jo

So nice to talk to someone who understands. It’s all such a life changer. Now you’re on meds can you do the things you used to do? A friend who is a consultant anaesthetist mentioned POTs so I’m aware of that. Do they know what caused your AF? I know it can just start randomly or have a cause.

I’ll be back on here once I have seen the cardiologist. Hopefully knowing what’s wrong. Never wanted to see a doctor so badly!!

X

[41Trish]

I have suffered palpitations for the past 30 years on and off. Beta blockers worked, cutting tea and coffee, cutting out cheese. More recently ,I was put on diazapham for a couple of weeks, which stopped them and then put onto antidepressants. ECG and 24 HR monitor revealed nothing serious. The last bout came after I lost quite a bit of weight. Hope you get sorted soon. It is nasty.

[Moomoo897 in reply to 41Trish]

Thanks Trish. Sounds horrid for you and it’s gone on so long! Hoping to get some answers and at least some treatment so it doesn’t affect my quality of life! All the best to you

[Moomoo897]

Finally got a diagnosis. So relieved!! I have intermittent heart block. So happy I can be fixed with a pacemaker. Now waiting to see a cardiologist on Monday when I hope to have a date for my pacemaker.

Any other heart blockers out there who have had pacemakers. Love to hear from you

Thanks for your support.

Mindy