Heartdancer, you sound just like me.  I have had this King of Hearts continuous loop event monitor going on three weeks and have been able to record one event and that was after I had stuffed myself with salty, fatty, yummy pizza.  So, I feel like the centurion on my shoulder is on alert ready to shout, "HERE IT COMES--GET READY TO BE CUT OFF AT YOUR KNEES!!!"  I, too, get the bigeminy.  Are there any sites that anyone knows of where a support group of women as well as men talk about arrythmias?  I found one a couple of years ago but do not remember the address.  It seemed quite a few men were experincing the same thing--both sexes of all  ages.  Heartdancer, my thoughts and prayers are with you as I know EXACTLY what you are going through.  There were times in the past where I would not move for days except with great fear to perform the necessary things.  I thank God that I am not there anymore.  How do you deal with the bigeminy since it sounds like it is uncontrolable?  

Hi Judy and Daisy,  Daisy,,,the doctor does want me to take antiarrythmics but I keep putting it off. I do take Toprol right now at 200mg. I can't see taking a dangerous drug for a benign condition although it would be great if the antiarrythmic would actually take these things away. I'm just not willing to take the chance,,not yet anyway. Judy, I  used to be totally agoraphobic from the bigeminy when it first started. Now I push to go on with life during the attacks. I've gone to a restaurant recently while in constant bigeminy and was able to sit there and look very normal...even though I felt very abnormal. LOL The bigeminy was especially strong when swallowing the food! Two years ago I went to several colleges to search for the right college for my daughter and I did all of that with bigeminy too. The more you do while having these things, the easier it is to overcome the debilitating side of these things. And you feel that you've actually accomplished something just by leaving the house,,something other people take for granted. The one thing I can't overcome is the initial panic and fear when these things start up again. It's like starting all over again. But that doesn't last long anymore,,just a half hour or so. But I would love to be able to overcome that. I did go to a pvc forum for three years and it was great until some posters caused alot of problems with arguing and it's now dormant. It helped me through some really difficult times. When I first found it, I sat and cried, bewildered that other people actually had skipped beats! I thought I was unique and totally alone. I'm glad now that I found this site too, with all the weird things going on with my body thanks to perimenopause!!  Misery loves company. LOL Heartdancer

Hello everyone!

You guys are all incredible! I can't help but be amazed at just how unbelievably strong we all are.  For 22 years I went through, and to a lesser degree, continue to go through all of the devastating episodes described in these posts.  I personally draw strength from reading that I'm not alone.  I've often said and will believe for the rest of my life that long after these episodes have passed, and I have to believe that they will, we will all be 100% qualified to collect permanent disability for having faced insurmountable attacks on our person time after time.

Thank you for thinking of me DEAREST and DEBRA.  Believe it or not I'm a veeerrry private person who is not normally given to sharing fears or emotions.  I've always felt that to do that would be to expose my weak side/vulnerability and I've always had trouble with that.   As you all know, though, there is something about this condition that just strips you of those inhibitions and makes you hungry to desperately find someone who is going thru the same thing if only to assure yourself that your not going crazy.  You all have been lifesavers for me and for that I thank you.   No, I'm not signing off I just knew if I didn't write it now I wouldn't do it later.  

Well I went to see another Electro Doctor.  This is a doctor who used to be at USC (University Hospital) and now works out of Centinella.  He felt that the only way to know what is going on is to stop the meds (yikes) for at least 3 days to a week and record everything that is going on.  He felt that to give a patient a holter while on meds is a waste of time because the meds suppress the problem.  In addition, he said that sometimes the meds themselves cause heart rhythm irregularities, which would also affect the accuracy of the recordings.

Well, as you all know, I went through the ablation because I'm sick of this and want it pretty much finished, so I have a King of Hearts loop monitor on and, as of yesterday, I stopped the meds.  Last night was actually not too bad.  I had two small episodes, but all in all got some sleep in between.   Except for always being exhausted from lack of sleep and for still feeling shaky and nauseous , I'm not doing too badly today (so far).  I read where JUDYMAYFIELD felt nausea too, does anyone else feel that?  DKAY, JUDYMAYFIELD and REELPAM are among those who have said they feel the connection between the palps and jittery stomach/funny bowls -- so do I.  In fact, for a while I felt real bad and had lost some weight and, of course, began to think the worse like stomach cancer or something.  I scheduled a colonoscopy and endoscopy but couldn't go through with it because you have to take laxatives to clear out your system.  Laxatives can cause dehydration which can affect electrolytes and ultimately affect heart rhythm -- I don't need more of that now so I put the tests off.  It would help me get thru it if I knew someone else felt this connection and nausea too!

The next few days should be telling for me.  I hope the nausea and shakiness goes away as the Nadolol (Corgard) leaves my system and that the last two months will have been enough time to show that the ablation was a success.  I think about all of you often and am always grateful for the support.  Let me hear from you and hang in there!

Evah

Dear Evah,  Sorry to hear you're still struggling after all you've been through.  I had a colonoscopy about 5 years ago.  I tested positive for blood and had diarrhea (sorry) so bad I lost about 70 pounds.  I was under a lot of stress at that time, chronic, but I think it caught up with me.  I was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome and internal hemorrhoids.  All this for dang hemorrhoids, but if you test positive, they want to make sure you don't have an inflammatory bowel disease or cancer.  I would bet your gastrointestinal problems are related to all this other stress too.  The laxative they use for the big clean out is designed not to deplete your electrolytes (it is a special one designed just for this), and you are allowed to drink clear liquids up till midnite as I recall so you don't really get dehydrated.  If you do decide to have it, my one bit of advice is not to be as macho as I tried to be.  They wanted to put me out a little deeper and I resisted it.  So I was awake for the whole thing.  In retrospect, I would have allowed them to put me out a little more!  It doesn't really take that long.  But I can understand wanting to put it off till you complete your monitoring and going off medication.  I found when I had to stop the beta blocker for the stress echocardiogram, I was extremely shaky, jittery and nervous.  I went to the store after the test, and at one point thought I had to leave I felt so weird.  My dad called me a little while later, and he has been on Sectral for years and said go take that pill now, this is why you are feeling so bad.  Within an hour, I felt better.  No nausea, but talk about jittery and nervous.  Now that I think of it, during the development of the irritable bowel syndrome, I had a lot of nausea.  Stomach cancer is actually not very common.  I'll bet your GI problems are stress related.  Hope you get some answers soon.           Daisy

Dear Heartdancer,  I think if I were in bigeminy for any length of time, I would let them put me on antiarrythmics!  I am not sure I could tolerate that, you're a better woman than I am!  I am still trying to figure if this is a stress connection (not bigeminy).  I was doing better for a couple days, then my daughter's teacher calls me yesterday telling me my daughter has been complaining of dizziness in school, and that there was a strange incident where the teacher went to look for her in the bathroom and my daughter was acting very strange (like almost unresponsive).  When my daughter arrived home from school she continued to complain of dizziness.  I took her in for an EKG (which her doctor had already ordered Saturday due to her complaints of dizziness.)  She continued to say she didn't feel well this morning.  She is on medication (nothing new, been on them for a couple years), so we're trying to figure this out.  Point is, since yesterday afternoon the skipped beats have increased again.  Connection?  I am considering a trial of antidepressant medication to treat an already diagnosed anxiety disorder.  I take Xanax, but since I've been on it a long time, it doesn't do much.  I figure if this is related in some way to anxiety, maybe it's worth a try.            Daisy

HI Daisy, sorry to hear about your daughter. Yes, the increase in your palps could be from anxiety and worry. Your heart can be sensitive to the adrenolin. I took xanax years ago for a year. It really stopped working and the only reason I kept taking it was to avoid the withdrawal. I finally stopped it and went through withdrawal for two weeks, then was ok. I know some people who had alot of success in dealing with their pvc's by taking paxil. It's not like xanax,,,you take it every day no matter how you feel. I know that xanax could be taken occasionally but paxil is the type of drug you have to take every day.  I hope your daughter is ok, Daisy.Does she have hypoglycemia by any chance? I know how it is to be worried about a child. I'm super sensitive and my anxiety hits the roof when any of my kids have problems. Worry, worry, worry. Hang in there.  Heartdancer

Heartdancer and Daisy,

Everything that you have said makes every bit of sense.  I've had hemorrhoids off and on since having my second son and I've no doubt that this is part of my problem.  I will most definitely do the colonoscopy and endoscopy sometime in the future, but I think you're absolutely right in that the stress is a big part of it.  The gastro doctor said that when the upper and lower is done he felt it would be best to put you me "under" entirely. He said they really don't give you too much juice but just enough to put you out for the short period of time it takes to do the procedures.  I'm now at the beginning of my third day off the beta blocker and the shakes and nausea are getting a little better.  I am, however, having some good size headaches and have a little depression but from what I understand this is normal.  I've had a couple of low grade palps with one significant one that didn't last too long.  I'm hoping that the significant one is due to medication withdraw and that things will continue to get better.  The new Electro doctor said it takes 3 days to 1week for the meds, not necessarily the symptoms, to leave your system so we'll see.

Daisy, I'm sorry to hear of the problems your daughter has been having.  How old is she?  Heartdancer is right, hypoglycemia can cause dizziness.  My son's girlfriend actually passes out with hypoglycemia.  What did your daughter's EKG reveal and what meds is she on?  Boy, you sure have been through a lot!  I hope both you and your daughter get better.  I'll be thinking about you.  I don't know what I'd do without all of you wonderful ladies.  Thanks again.

Evah

Hi, Everyone,

I have been away for a few days due to the death of my 93 year old Uncle and am playing catch-up today on these very excellent postings.  Though all of us are suffering, the support and advice we get from these exchanges is very comforting.

Because of the threatening nature of our symptoms, we cannot help feeling anxious and I think that layer of anxiety does intensify the other symptoms.  This is why, last week, I visited the most wonderful physician I have met after consulting with a close family member at a top medical institution concerning who is best expert in my area on anxiety and panic.  You may recall that I have been diagnosed with thyroiditis which, thankfully, is resolving, but which caused a frightening hyperthyroidism.   A prominent feature to thyroid maladies is the need to recover from the anxiety they cause after the physical problem is resolved.  I wanted to be sure I was not developing a panic disorder along with everything else so I went to a physician near me who was recommended.  I cannot begin to tell you how wonderful the hour I spent with him was.  He zeroed in on the major components of my experience and revealed to me that he has found real physical problems in many patients who have been diagnosed with panic disorder as the primary problem. Therefore, he goes over a patient with a "fine tooth comb" looking for physical reasons for the symptoms before treating for a psychological cause.  He is an expert in pharmacology, though not a fan of using drugs unless they are really necessary.  He intensely listened to my answers to his questions.  I felt that he valued me, my life, my experience which is an unusual experience in a Dr's office.  At the end, he told me if all his patients were like me, he would be out of business, because, in spite of my feelings about my issues, he says I am confronting everything in the proper way.  His Rx for me in facing this part of life is a book, FULL CATASTROPHE LIVING, by Jon Dabat-Zinn, Ph.D., which I ordered from Amazon and recieved a couple of days ago..I cannot put this book down..Every adult should read this because every person's life is catastrophic at some point.  So, if you are not happy with your care, call a topnotch medical school and ask for references in your state.  Most will only give you the names of people they would use in your circumstances.  

As I sit here at 2:53am, heart palpitating, numb fingers, with the a/c on full blast..lol, I stumbled upon this site. Thank You so much! It's just what I needed .I'll be back.  Again, Thank You for shaing your experiences.   Beth

I have had palps in the past but usually right before my period.It was never a symptom of peri for me, cuz I never got them that often. Anyway yesterday I really felt like i was ovulating and was feeling pretty anxious, of course for no reason.. As the day went on i would get palpatations here and there. They would come and go most of the day. Again, sort  of unusual for me. Last night before dinner i decided to take half of a XANAX (a half of a .25) so that reall y wasn't that strong. ( I have not taken a XANAX in over two months) Well my body calmed down and the palps stopped. So i am sure that were anxiety related.Has anyone's anxiety increased during ovulation?? My anxiety level has been way down lately but yesterday for some reason my body was in the "jitters". Haven't had a period since Jan. so I am not sure if am ovulating or not. Who knows at this point???!! LOLPudge

Hi Pudge,

I used to feel real anxious and hyper before a period.  This was before the progesterone cream which seemed to take care of it.

I think it helpful to keep track of when you would have a period even if you skip.   Some of those same old period symptoms return even if you don't have a flow.  It is called phantom periods....and I don't like them any better than the original...

Would your palps be when you would have had a period?

Georgia Dove~~~~

I was just wondering if any of you have ever experienced pain along with un-even rythms and palps?  I have had a constant, somewhat sharp pain in my chest since waking this morning.  It is keeping me from taking deep breaths.  I'm breathing shallow, otherrwise it hurts.  It is just to the left of my breastbone.  Anyway, it's kind of scary, but I'm trying to not let anxiety jump into the picture, so am just relaxing today.  I've had something similar before, but never constant, and never lasting this long.  Just wondered if any of you had ever had something like this happen, and if so, what can you tell me?  Thanks, and hope you're all having a great Easter!Debbi

Debbi,Non-cardiac pain can occur in the chest area for a number of reasons.  In addition to our chest organs, we have all kinds of muscles including the ones connecting our ribs which can flare up with some pain.  My sharp chest pain in the past has sometimes been due to a little pluresy along with an upper respiratory illness but most of the time has been caused by exercise or by lifting something too heavy for me.   Even typing or playing the piano too long can strain chest muscles, or driving long distances.  I have experienced discomfort from time to time with all of those.  However, if the pain persists, the only solution is to get it checked...I hope it is better today.

Bethany,Thanks for responding.  I am some better today--at least I can move around without that pain taking my breath away.  I do think that it was/is a muscle or something, and it seems as though ANYTHING that goes wrong these days, also causes palps for some reason.  It just came on so suddenly that it was a little hard to ignore it!  Thanks alot for sharing your experience with me.

Debbi

Thanx for the replies about the palps i was getting last week. I had mentioned that I used to get palps right before my period when i would always feel the most anxious. Since I hadn't had my period since Jan. I wasn't sure if I was ovulating or ready for my period..never know these days....Anyway I got my period the other day, first one in three months..So i guess that explains the palps and the anxiety that i was feeling a couple of days prior..Unreal how these periods are just "popping" up whenever they feel like it these days...LOlthanx as always for the support...Pudge

Hi,Haven't been around this site for a while. Life got a bit busy. So I've had a lot of catching up to do. I was interested to read about the morning 'buzz' some of you get. Does this include butterflies in the stomach? It's definitely worse when my life is a bit too busy or stressful, but it's not just stress 'cos after an hour or two I feel fine and ready to take on whatever the day has to offer. It's a real nuisance though because it often wakes me up early, so after a few days of it I am really tired.I never thought of linking this with peri - thought I was just becoming less able to cope as I got older. It would be a relief to think it will pass in time like the other symptoms.Luv,Jane

Hi everyone..Jane, I get the butterflies in the stomach too and I too am fine after a couple of hours. It's strange whatever it is. I figure it must be a part of  "chronic anxiety disorder" not that I've ever been told I have that but I just assume that I do. It's not really a panic attack or hunger, it's just apprehension or anxiety. Like I said in one of my posts, it seems to be a fear of what the day might hold, as far as pvc's go. Once a couple of hours passes  without bigeminy then the anxiety is gone for the most part. I could be totally off base, Maybe I would still have the butterflies in the stomach even without the bigeminy problem. It's like a sudden surge of adrenolin upon waking. No fun, this perimenopause thing. LOL

Hi heartdancer....It's been awhile since I last talked to you....How have you been ??...Hope that you've been palpless....I have sessions now and again, but nothing like I was having, thank God!!...I know that you've been wondering about eva, well she went in for another ablation and I'm sure when she's up to it she'll post the results here....I haven't heard from her as yet, and I'm alittle concerned....But I just know that she is ok.....Hope that you are doing ok also....Where are the rest of you palp sisters ??...Hope everyone is having a break from the palps.....They are the s___t's.....Take Care everyone,Deb

Greetings All,

Well, I did it to myself again!  I know I can't sleep after eating, and especially not after eating sugar, but for some reason today I FORGOT.  I awoke after about 45 minutes feeling really kind of weak and wonky with the sensation that my heart was going more quickly.  Of course, like an idiot, I have to take my pulse and yes it is up, not terrificly, about 96, but enough to make me become anxious.  Anyway, had a hot cup of tea but the whole stupid cycle had already started.  So it took about an hour and a half to come back to centre.  Little spurts mixed with calm.  I really just wanted to share and put it out there because I don't know anyone with the same experience and ya' just kind of feel out there sometimes.  I have a great friend who is a practical nurse, and the calmest person I know, who always reassures me but would like some encouragement from people who know first hand.  Thanks for listening.

Lis

If you have to go thru hell....keep moving.

I have been keeping up with all your postings.  It has been difficult to make myself do much of anything.  I still have my King of Hearts event loop monitor.  I will be sending it back this Friday.  For most of the month I did not have any arrythmias.  However, just the last couple of days I have gotten several to transmit.  As of yet, I have not had any wall bangers that I have had in the past, but that is okay with me if I never have another one.  It is so strange listening to your heart beating out of sync when transmitting the recordings back to the tech support system. It would be great if this service also offered someone to talk to to help one keep their thoughts from running amuk once you hear your irregular heartbeats in addition to experiencing them.

Evah, if you are out there, I am praying for you that your treatment is successful.

One thing to mention.  I used to eat a lot of cheese, especially swiss.  I read one day that in some people that are very sensitive/susceptable that the tyrosine (?sp) in cheese can cause arrythmias.  This last month I have cut out cheese and the palps are not as bad as they have been.  Three days ago I bought some swisss cheese and was munching merrily away.  Well, the palps started coming back right away.  So, today, I have not had any, but did have some weird palps anyway.  I will continue to pay attention to this.  

This last Thursday, I woke up with such a severe migraine with nausea and vomitting at 4:30AM.  Finally, about 7:30AM I had my husband take me to the ER where they gave me a shot of demerol/phenegran combo.  I slept for two days and was weak and woosy most of the third.  That is when I started having more arrythmias more often.  I have not had one of those severe migraines for 20 years but have had more manageable ones. I can always figure out when the palps are going to intensify.  I am very fatigued and weak feeling  and my skin gets pale.  I have a ruddy complexion with lots of freckles.  The ruddiness disappears and the freckles are almost not there.  This keeps up for about three-four days. Does anyone else experience this with the increased palps and paleness?

Blessings to all of you.  Will write more later.

Lis, I also get those episodes you described when I eat something I shouldn't--mainly starches and sweets.  If I stick to proteins (fish mostly and nuts, peanut butter) and vegetables, I don't get those episodes.  

Hi judy....Sorry to hear that you've been experiencing sooooo many of those ##H/s***## palps !!...I really have never had any problems with eating cheese...The palps just come on for no apparent reason....It's weird !!...I also know what you mean about listening to your own irreg. heart beats as you send it over the phone....It would be nice if there were someone on the other end to tell you what the palps meant.....But if they are out of the ordinary the person on the other end calls your Dr.....And if something is wrong, your Dr. will immediately call you......When I wore one of those event monitors for a month, I don't know how many times I waited for my Dr. to call back with bad news.....Never happened....But it still didn't relieve my mind about the palps.....I hope everyone else is doing ok....

Lis,

My heart issue is often like yours.. just a speeding up of the heartrate and always at night.  I have the missed beats, too, but really do not pay a lot of attention to those.  However, while you linked your experience to sugar, mine is directly linked to increased family stress.  I have gone several weeks without Xanax and the past two nights, I have awakened with a quickening pulse after a grueling week of ongoing family issues..I am sure some of the rest of you must deal with this also..Even if we have developed great coping skills, this kind of stress does a real number on our bodies.  It is very hard not to be anxious about these heart issues.  Hyperventilation, also, can be frightening if it is severe.  Sometimes my best response to all of it is just to give in to it and to say, "O.K., I cannot do a thing about this so I am just going to try and observe it as it happens to me and I am going to try and think of my heart as strong, wise and capable of meeting the needs of my body."  If I can accomplish a bit of meditation at this point and remove some of my emotion from the event, it is relaxing and helps my heartrate return to normal.  I suppose all of us, though we have been checked out for heart disease, continue to think they missed something when we keep on having these frightening episodes..Most people know the medical profession is not omnipotent and it is not comforting in this situation..We do comfort one another, though, and that is very important.  My prayer is that all of us will have a good day.

Hi Bethany....Sorry to hear about on going family problems.....Hope they end for you soon....There's nothing like family problems to bring on the stress and lots of it.....Don't you just wish that you could seperate yourself from all of that stuff ???...It would sure do your heart and body good.....Things like that can have such an impact on ones  whole being it's awful....Anyway again I hope that it ends soon for you...Bethany, aren't you the one that had the thyroid uptake scan ?.....I still haven't gone to have mine done....Well, I had an appendectomy so that was a good enough reason I guess to put it on the back burner.....So, I really don't know when I will get it done.....I think I might have another blood test done and if my throid is still high, then I'll go through with the scan....I've been told that while going through meno that your throid can go up and down, so we'll see.....Hope everyone else is doing ok.....Sweetface

Hi all,I'm not sure where to look on the boards for dizziness - for the past couple of days it feels like the room spins for the first few seconds after turning my head on the pillow.  This morning when dropping my head to dry my hair I had the same thing happen.  I even felt a little off balance.  The whole thing gradually goes away as the day progresses - seems to be worse first thing in the morning.  Have any of you experienced this?  Again, forgive me for posting this on the "heart" board, but I couldn't find dizziness under the main topics so I'm posting here cuz you all are my comfort zone.  I hope everyone is doing well today.  

Pam.....I did at one time experience dizzyness....It's been years ago, but mine was caused by an inner ear problem....Have you been to the Dr. about this ??...I would go if you haven't already...At least your mind would be at ease....Don't let something like that go though....Dizzyness could be caused by so many things....It's best to get it checked out....Let us know....Sweetface

Debra,,,and Pam,  Debra If you don't mind my asking, how did you know you had appendicitis......I know....PAIN.lol But in more detail? I have a terrible pain in my right side off and on of a few days now. I always had trouble with my right side and years ago was told I had  "chronic" appendicitis.I don't believe there is such a thing, the doctors just don't know what else to say. Anyway, I have it the last few days worse than it's ever been. This morning at 5 I was ready to hit the ER but it subsided and is there now but dull. It's low on the right side and to the middle of the abdomen. It's a hard pain with occasional twinges. I know you can't diagnose me, lol, but was this like your pain?I'm wondering if it's an ovary. I had two periods this month, 11 days apart. Or maybe it's my intestine since I've been eating whole wheat bread,,,,maybe it's the fiber. Whatever it is it HURTS! lol Ok  now to respond to Pam. Do you have any spring allergies? It sounds like you might have fluid in your ear or ears. Movement of the head triggering the dizziness is usually a sign that it's either an inner ear or middle ear problem. But again, dizziness can be caused by a number of things. You should call the doctor and mention it.  I hope you feel better by the time you read this.  Heartdancer

Reelpam,I have been experiencing the lightheadness for a couple of years now. It is just awful. I have been to Drs. that say it "probably" from my blood pressure medicine. Other Dr. say it could be related to sinuses. I'm o.k. unless I put my head in a certain position. I cannot lay on my stomach with my head down. Also I have the same thing you do when I dry my hair and turn my head sideways and tilted down. I get a "swarmy" feeling of lighthead shifting and I have to work at focusing my eyes to feel better. It has really made me very nervous and uncomfortable in every day life.I have thought it could be meno, be it's pretty much an everyday thing. I really just avoid being in positions that bring this on. I'm sure I'm not the only one that thinks the worst things like brain tumor etc. When you have this along with heart palps it really gets to ya!

Hi Bethany,

Thanks for your response, as well as everyone else who took the time.  Thank you.  Sorry to hear you're having increased family stress.  Been there...doing that!  I Years ago, I had a teacher who was a RN., she said she also woke in the night with racing heart. I have another friend who has woken with pounding heart, and this women is the calmest person I ever met.  The teacher said her gyn told her that women in peri and women in there 30's (don't ask me why) get this and it's not uncommon at all.  Small comfort in the night I know.  The meditation does help though, you're right.  

I went to a new gyn the other day who recommened St. John's Wort.  She is not pro-herb at all and the only reason she would recommend that one is because she said they had done enough studies on it in Germany that they knew it would do what they said it would.  I know lately there's some hype that it won't cure depression, but I don't really think it was meant to manage a full-blown clinical depression.  Any how, I'm trying it 'cause I don't have anything to lose.  It's also supposed to help with sleep so I'll try and keep you posted.  

Hope things improve on your home front.  Post a letter if you need to vent/talk.

heartdancer.....I'll describe the horrible sensation the best I can....Out of nowhere I was hit with this awful stomach pain right in the middle of my stomach, around the navel area and all the way across....It was unlike any pain I had ever felt before.....At first I thought that I might be coming down with the stomach flu, but wasn't sure because the pain was soooo different....Anyway I started feeling really, really bad where I went to my bedroom and got into bed, that's all I could think to do....That evening the pain got worse and settled in the lower quadrant of of my abdomen...Feel where your hip bone is, and then go down cross ways about 5inches from the hip bone, slanting as you go.....That's the hot spot !!...I remember a few years back, when sometimes before a period I'd hurt down in that area, and sometimes it would be excruciating....I like you always thought that it was my ovarie....But now looking back it probably was my appendix.....There is such a thing as chronic appendisitis....Mine was called accute, because they were at the point of rupture....Well, they did rupture, because I waited too long....We (hubby and I ) still thought that it was the flu....I think that I was more in denial than anything else....My Son had appendicitis when he was 11yrs. old, and I remember the symptoms well.....I just didn't want to go to the hospital...I was very lucky in that the appendix did rupture, but infection stayed localized....Hope I explained ok....The pain is kind of like a colick, burning sensation that just won't let up...You'll know it if it ever happens, which I hope it don't....Take Care,Debra

Debra, thanks so much for your response. The pain I have is coming and going and it's right where you explained the pain to be. It's not bad enough to send me to bed but it's bad enough to where I can't sleep at night. My son , too, had appendicitis,,he was13. He was vomiting with his attack. And he had several attacks over a one year period before getting it removed. Ok I guess I really shouldn't be talking about this here. LOL It's not peri-menoopause,,,,at least I hope that peri-menopause doesn't bring appendicitis along with it. There are enough other things!! Thanks again. I'm glad you're ok now.  Heartdancer

Hi there palp-ettes - I'm feeling silly today.  Hope everyone is having a good Friday.  Thank you Robin, heartdancer and Debra for replying to my dizzy message.  I'm still having a few episodes, but not as bad.  I do think it's related to allergies - spring really brings it on for me.  Guess what?  my husband called me this morning from work to tell me he has palpitations!!!  i guess we're not the only ones - men can get them too.  I hope everyone has a good weekend.  xxoo

Pam....My hubby gets them every once in awhile also...It's a tachy type palp....He usually gets them when allergy season is upon us, uh, like now.....I still believe that somehow someway allergies are linked to palps...If not linked, then it surely makes palps worse...Glad to hear you're doing better today....Keep it up !Have a great weekend!Debra

hey Pam and Deb -- I've had a few heartpalps lately (hadn't had any for a long time) and I also have had some allergies this spring.  I never thought of them being connected!! :confused:  Thanks for giving me something to think about!! Could be!!

Deb and Eileen,I was facinated by that thought too.  My allergies give me fits and so do the palps - hmmm???  I had to take an allergy pill over the weekend, but those can make palps worse - never thought the allergies could make them worse too.  thanks for mentioning that Deb.  xxxooo

I'm so happy to find this site.  My palps started back in April 1999.  Of course, like everyone else, I was sure I was dying.  Went to Dr who put me on Xanax and Paxil which I took for 2 years.  Stopped the Paxil (another nightmare story for a later time) and then eventually the Xanax.  Then the nightsweats started along with rapid heartbeat and skipped beats.  Had EKG and Holter monitor which said everything was okay.  Finally in late 2001 I went to a psychiatrist who explained I had GAD (generalized anxiety disorder) probably caused by perimenopause.  I take 2mg Xanax every day and it works great.  However, I know have periods only every coupld of months and notice that a few days prior to my period and usually during my period I get the skipped beats again.  I do not want HRT so I have been taking 800mg of magnesium at night.  I also went on the Atkins diet (high protein, low carbs and no sugar, no aspartame and no caffeine) and lost 40 pounds.  I came to realize that during the diet my heart palps stopped.  My GP suggested I stay on the diet for 6 months, then give my body a rest.  During my resting period (which is now) I find I get the palps when I don't watch my carb and sugar intake so I think there's something to be said for limiting these types of food in your diet to help this condition.  So, no more carbs, sugar and such for me.  I'd like to say to all my meno sisters to hang in there.  If you have any heart issues, see your doctor to rule out any serious health problems so you can be reassured that most likely your problems are caused by the peri and menopause time in our lives.

Pam and Eileen....Geez Eileen, you never mentioned that you had palps before.....But anyway, I have always had a sneaking suspicion that allergies can reap havoc with the palps....Don't know how right I am, but it sure seems that way.....And why would my husband get palps only when his allergies kick up ????....I do know for a fact that allergy meds can sometimes make palps worse....I myself am allergic to antihistamines, so can't take anything with that in it...So I just suffer, that's all.....

rickschick2.....I agree with the carbs and sugar thing....It's a proven fact that those two things can cause palps to be worse.....Another thing is pop of any kind....I cut pop out of my diet about 4mos. ago, and found that the palps got abit better.....Take Care,Deb

It has been a long time since I have posted and just wanted to say how much this site has meant to me.  It saved my life and for that I'll be eternally grateful.  Most of my menapausal problems have disappeared, except for a  pounding heart beat that comes almost every morning in the early hours.  It's that thing where you can hear your heart beating in your ear when you're sleeping (or trying to sleep) on your side.  Does anyone else know what I am describing? Thanks for any response.

Hello Everyone!

Sorry to worry you all so much -- things are now better.  I went in for the second ablation and my mental recovery was a little bit longer this time.  I kept wondering if I'd done the right thing, a lot of regrets, you know.  Remember, after the 1st procedure, the doctor put me back on low dose beta blockers and remember the second electro doctor said that he needed me to get completely off before going any further?   Well, when I got off the low dose beta blocker I found that my days were  OK but at night I was waken every 1 1/2 - 2 hrs with palps of about 160-170.  That was real scary!  Eventually, I did not want to fall asleep and was suffering from physical exhaustion and mental anguish.  Once the palps were recorded  (King of Hearts) the doctor said that even though my own (everyone has) pacemaker seemed to run a bit fast, the EKG strips showed that there was a good possibility that other currents existed.  He did tell me that he wanted me to have a realistic expectation of the second procedure so he reiterated that my own pacemaker did seem to go a little fast anyway (probably from being on beta blockers for 22 years).   He said that one could be aggravating the other but that we wouldn't know until it was all over.  

I won't go into too much detail but I did have two additional pathways that were taken care of during the procedure.  After the procedure and without any meds, my days were again good but at night I was still being waken up with palps (about 2 times a night).  This time, however, they ran about 105-115 bpm - no faster!  Because I was still depressed about the lower grade palps the doctor put me on low dose cardizam.  On the cardizam, the night time palps got better, but now I felt awful day and night, so I got off the meds and started reading about what to do nutritionally.  

I have always been a careful eater, I've had no choice because I'm lactose intolerant, can't tolerate caffeine or chocolate, am allergic to all forms of nuts, too much sugar gives me real bad shakes  and cannot eat spicy foods.  What I began to realize through my reading is that during all my attacks my body and mind took a severe beating - like I needed to read that in a book!  I was massively dehydrated from the constant sweats that occurred during the horrendous attacks.  In addition, my magnesium and calcium levels were most likely low.  All of these things caused my electrolytes to go off kilter which can result in palpitations.  Did you  know that there is a theory that one of the reasons menopausal women have palpitations is because of the dehydration that hot flashes (sweats) cause -- I read actually that.  

Anyway, three days ago I started taking a Calcium & Magnesium supplement (Citrate with Vitamin D for  high absorption) -- the recommendation is that there should be a 1-1 or 2-1 mineral ratio for optimal results.  I've started drinking lots of water and filling my day with treats that include potassium ( fresh carrot juice, pineapple juice, avocados, etc.).  I've significantly reduced (not eliminated) the "whites" from my diet and have been eating more fish and chicken.  Would you believe that the very day I started taking calcium & magnesium I began sleeping much much better?   Of course, that was the very same day I started increasing my potassium and water intake too!  In three days I've been waken up with palps only once (under 100bpm)!  The mornings are still rough though.  I still feel a little shaky but that goes away once I've taken a shower and had my oatmeal, banana and 1 slice of wheat toast.  Mid morning I have an apple or pear with a glass of carrot juice.  

I went for my follow-up visit with the doctor.  His nurse gave me an EKG and said that she wished her heart looked that healthy on an EKG!  The doctor said there were so signs of ischmia (loss of oxygen to the heart) and that everything looked perfectly healthy and normal.  I asked the doctor if the procedure left my heart all cut up because these were the visions I was having.  He smiled and drew me a picture that showed three minutia size dots explaining that this was the extend of the ablations.  He explained that when the procedure is done on people with WPW and Atrial Fibrillation, multiple sites are ablated and yet they go on to lead perfectly normal lives at a much better quality.   He further explained that even though everyone panic's when feeling palpitations -- the heart is an extremely resilient organ and that in a healthy heart palpitations are harmless as long as the velocity is within a certain healthy limit -- however, 220bpm for no apparent reason, as I was experiencing prior to any procedure can, long term, lead to problems even in a healthy heart.

The doctor was very encouraged by my physical progress.  The doctor said I should eat small meals all day and avoid large quantities because people with palpitation sensitivity can develope attacks after large meals.  He also said that excercising will not only help the heart but also encourage healthy digestion of food because simple excercise encourages excess gas to come up (belching) and help the body eliminate regularly.  The Electro doctor said I should have my internist do a thorough physical with a blood work-up that includes sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium and electrolyte levels. Otherwise, he said, everything looked great.  I have an appointment with my internist on Monday so we'll see.  

If you'll all notice I have said that everything looks good -- physically, emotionally is another thing all together.  This entry has gone on too long now so I'll address that at another time  -- LIKE I NEED TO TELL ANY OF YOU WHAT CONSTANT PALPITATION ATTACKS DO TO US EMOTIONALLY!

Thank you all, especially Debra, Heartdancer and Judymmac and Dearest for worrying about me.  I'm sure you all know that sometimes we get depressed and just don't feel like talking (writing) about it but eventually we come around and realize the great support we have in eachother.  Even though I may not make an entry I read this site often and constantly keep you all in my thoughts and prayers.  Let me know how you're all doing.  Did any of you see OPRAH on menopause the other day?  Was it a rerun?  Let me hear from you.  

Merlee,

I read your entry and let me tell you that I too experiencED the sound of my heartbeat in my ear.  It kind of sounded like consistent whooshing.  I don't know if you hear it in both ears, I only heard it in my left ear but it was maddening.  My neighbor mentioned that she too experiences this.  Back then when I mentioned it to my doctor he just smiled - go figure.  Has anyone else experienced this and what are your thoughts.

Evah

Evah,,,,, I am so glad you had the second ablation and have such an understanding and well-informed doctor!  I have heard of first ablations not working but I also have heard of the second ablations being very successful! The second time around seems to be the charmer!! Everything you said is so interesting. I have stopped eating white bread lately. I haven't been having any bad attacks of pvc's lately. I don't know if it's because of my diet change or just a coincidence since I do get months of no major pvc's only to have them return for several weeks. I also stopped drinking soda or any other drinks besides water or skim milk. And I'm not eating sweets lately. I do feel alot more energetic than I did in a long time. I went to the EP today and returned my thirty day monitor. I only had one bad day the whole time and that wasn't even that bad! Three of the recordings did show 6 skipped beats each so there was a total of 18 skipped beats in a matter of about six minutes since I took the recordings one right after another. They turned out to be PAC's, not PVC's. Anyway, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you Evah! Take care!! And keep me informed. Heartdancer (Martie)

Hi,,it's me again! I meant to mention the "hearing the heartbeat" thing in my last post and forgot. I get it too lately in both ears but it's when I get up from sitting for a while...I get a pressure feeling in my head and my ears feel full and I hear the swooshing heartbeats and it lasts for a few minutes. Sometimes the pressure is really scarey like my head is going to burst!! This just started for me in the past several months and it's worse right before and during my period! I figured it's another menopause thing!! Maybe it has something to do with my blood pressure. Today at the doctor's it was 108 over 60. Maybe it gets lower when I stand. I don't know. Heartdancer.

Ladies,

Now that what I'm left with are possible menopausal symptoms I'd like to ask all or any of you for a response to a few questions: 1. when you feel the palps are they mostly at night, do they wake you up from a sound sleep and about how long do they last?  Once they settle down, can you fall asleep easily and if so do they wake you up again and about how often each night ?  2.  Do any of you get, what I call the internal shakes or feelings of anxiousness?  Can you describe how they feel?  3.  Are mornings especially difficult?  4.  Are any of the above accompanied by feelings of cold or hot, maybe even hot flushes?  5.  Do any of you notice that any of the above comes with some digestive disturbances  ie., gas, growling stomach etc.?  6.  How do you cope?

Thanks for your help.

Evah

Hello Evah , First of all I have not posted for many months. I had complete Hyterectomy with ovaries removed about 8 yrs ago. I have had a barrage of symptoms of memopause though the years . The most bothersome has been heart palpitaitons. Thank God I have a wonderful female doctor who has known me for years otherwise she would think I was a  nuts. My palps have kept me up at night also do wake me up in the middle of night. I do have feelings of anxiousness with all the symptoms . I do have night sweats , lump in my throat, chest tightness, digestive disturbances. But the worst for me is the pounding , fast heart beat. I did nothing for years, prayer that all will go, Then I started homopathic medicine, exercise, along with a small dose of a beta blocker, estrogen theapy, and on the worst nights a small dose of klonopin. I had to many years of suffering for me not do get on with my life ,which is very full.I also have support from my husband, and great girlfriends who are also going thought this same thing.I have three teens, 15yr old girl, and twin boys who are 13 1/2 yrs old. So I am very busy. The key for me is balance , to get active but not to busy ( my problem is I can not say no.) I try to eat well, exercise, and have fun everyday. The palps are still there and I try not to let them get me down. Good luck and thank you and hello to all my good friends here at power surge. Sheree.

Hello Sheree,

Thanks for responding to my post. Every chance I get I ask these type of questions to people (women mostly) because I've always been convinced that hormone replacement, even birth control pills, are what cause these uncontrollable palpitations in women.  I really never got a lump in my throat nor did I ever really have any chest pain or tightness, just runaway fast palpitations.  What beta blocker are you on?  How fast does your heart race?  How old were you when you had your hysterectomy?  Did your palpitations begin after the hysterectomy and or onset of hormone replacement?   I was plagued with palpitations for many many years and am very interested in collecting information relating to palpitations in women and the possible connection with hormone replacement.  To me this is a horrific, life disrupting condition that reeks havoc in the lives of those suffering with the condition.  

Once again, thank you for responding to my questions and know that you are not alone.

Hello Evah,Yes Palitations are the most horrfic symptom for me also. I had a complete hysterectomy at 34 yrs old and now I am 45 yrs old. I never once had a ounce of palps until the surgery. I agree about HRT, but also I have no ovaries so I can not live without it. I am on Atenelol 25mg. This does help. My heart will race up to 150-170 BPM. which is on a holter. I will go months with out any and then bam it will hit again . Like this week , This is why I am back on the boards. Thank you Dearest. I had a hard night last night . Up almost all night with my heart racing. I know that I am okay after this many years but it is still draining. Take care of yourself Evah and know that I am thinking of you. Love. Sheree

Hi Evah and fellow palp sufferers,

I , too, suffered terrifiying PVCs for a period of time during perimenopause.  Since my mother had experienced a heart attack in her 50's I was even more concerned. It seemed that I could feel and hear my heart at all times, and there was the horrible pressure in my chest.

After EKGs, stress tests etc. the cardiologist diagnosed preventricular contractions.  He said they were frightening, but essentially harmless. Restriction of caffeine and alcohol would help. In my case, I actually felt better after the stress test; so, exercise helped the palps.  After reading some of the recommendations on PowerSurge, I tried magnesium which seemed to help, too.  However, I think the gradual transition and adjustment to menopause took care of the problem for me.

At this point I use Revival, progesterone cream, and exercise which all have helped tremendously. When I am particularly stressed my heart races, but it always returns to normal. No more PVCs.  I hope this is the end of this chapter for me.

Good luck to you and other palp sufferers.

K.

Hello everyone!

The board has been a little slow lately- I hope it means everyone is having some relief from those #*%+ palps.  I miss you Debra, Dearest, Heartdancer, Dkay, Hormoneprincess, Shereede, Judymayfield , Reelpam, Judymmac, oh yes and Daisey where are you???  If I don't see entries I begin to worry and you don't want me worrying because then you all what happens.....Yikes!  We need to check in with one another from time to time if only to say that we're doing fine.  So how is everyone? Let me hear from you.

Evah!

evah.....I'm here...I come around everyday to read the new posts, but lately there have been no new ones...Hmmm, I'm like you, I worry alittle bit when I don't hear from anyone....I do hope that this means that most are getting some much needed relief...I myself get a few blips everyday, I think just to remind me that they are still with me....eeeeeek !..Even one of those blips is toooooo much...How are you doing evah ??...I think about you and wonder how you are doing now....Give us an update ok ?.....I hope to hear from the others soon, at least drop in to say hi.....Take Care all,Deb

Hi Deb, Evah and everyone. I"m fine. I cannot believe the level of anxiety I have now that I had to hand in my 30 King Of Hearts monitor. lol I guess it was a big security blanket for me! I didn't even wear it the last couple weeks that I had it, but just knowing it was on the dresser was a bigger comfort than I realized! I gave it back over a week ago and I haven't had any bigeminy but boy oh boy...this anxiety is something else! I too get a few flips and flops every day and sometimes worry that it's the bigeminy starting again. So far it hasn't been. I had two periods last month and no period this month. Hot flashes this month though. No hot flashes last month. No bigeminy since the beginning of February. So that's my story for now. lol Oh I lost ten pounds. I'm starving though..not the right kind of diet and as soon as I eat normally again the weight will be back! I'm stuck in the yo-yo diet syndrome. lol Been stuck there for twenty years! Take care all. Yes, Evah, give us an update on how you're feeling.....if you feel like talking about it. Oh....I guess I didn't have appendicitis! lol I mentioned it a few posts up that I was having awful abdominal pain. I stopped eating whole wheat bread and I'm ok now. I never could tolerate lots of fiber. Hope you all have a great day. Heartdancer

Hi All,So good to hear all of you!  Had a ruff weekend with the palps again - they eased up for about a month - than whamo - this weekend - very bad again.  I'm not as worried about them since I had the monitor and the stress echo.  Still, they are VERY uncomfortable and I'm on edge constantly when I have them.  

Evah - palps for me can happen at any time of the day or night - they last hours or maybe they are isolated blips.  Sometimes a palp will follow a hot flash, but hot flashes can happen without the palp - go figure.  Bottom line - VERY unpedicable.  If they happen at night - usually falling asleep will stop them, but it's hard to sleep when I'm preoccupied thinking about them.  The internal shakes or feelings of anxiety are also symptoms i get - i notice the internal shaking mostly in the middle of the night - when I wake up at the 3am hour i feel like i'm vibrating all over.  it feel weird and i never knew what that was until i started reading these boards.  Digestive disturbances - YES.  lots of IBS trouble and other problems - heartburn, nausea.  I hope you are feeling better.  You are doing the most important thing you can do to cope with these problems - reaching out to others who know what you're going through.  These boards have helped me more than any other single menopause remedy.  I'm so grateful to all of you and to Dearest for helping me cope.