"Oklahoma" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:Preface: I am a 24 year old male, nonsmoker, non-drug-abuser, in
generally good health.Once or twice a month, usually after I have just gone to bed, I will
awaken with a queer feeling, and I will succumb to what could be
described as a "panic attack":
My heart rate accelerates quickly from around 65 to around 195+, and I
begin to feel "tingles" in my extremities. My mind begins to race at a
fever pitch, seeming to scream out vividly "I am going to die now,"
and I begin dashing around the house--checking my pulse with the
kitchen clock, clutching at the nearest telephone as I fight back the
urge to call 911 (I've made this call several times, and they tell me
I am fine; very embarrassing). Finally, I often begin dumping cold
water on my head, frantically trying to stop my heart from its
terrifying, jackhammering gallop.This can go on for half an hour or more: my heart, pounding away, at
or near 200 BPM, as "wave" after "wave" of what I suppose is
adrenaline surges through my body, driving my heart to beat faster and
faster, harder and harder.Eventually, these episodes do seem to run their course. My heart rate
comes down, and my arms and legs--which moments before had been
violently trembling--calm down and feel, suddenly, leaden. My
mind/body in general feels like a blown fuse.I am terrified I am going to have a heart attack during one of these
"episodes." I do not think it can be healthy for someone's heart rate
to essentially triple within 60 seconds, and then stay at the 190-200
BPM level for half an hour.Which brings me to the point of this longwinded (sorry) post: Should I
be concerned about these episodes?I have consulted the family doctor, and he has felt all along that I
am having a clear cut case of panic disorder. This is supported by the
fact that I have been having these "episodes," in varying degrees,
since I was 15. (my first panic attack was drug related, and was a
"classic" case).Nevertheless, I have "badgered" him into giving me several tests,
which are as follows:EKG -- Multiple times in Dr.'s office. Multiple times by EMT's who I
have summoned to my house. Multiple times at Emergency Room, when I
have driven myself during a particularly "bad" spell.ECG--One Echo test. It turned up very mild MVP with no leaks and no
regurgitation. Otherwise, my heart is "sound" according to the
cardiologist who read the ECG for my family doctor.24-hour Holter Monitor--One time. This test turned up nothing, save
for the fact that my pulse routinely dips into the low 50's and upper
40's at night.Blood Tests--Various, all normal.
24 Hour Urine Collection--This test is designed to check for tumors on
adrenal glands. It came back normal.Chest X-ray--Normal.
My Dr. insists that my heart is fine, and as such he never refers me
to a cardiologist. I asked him about a "stress test," to which he says
in essence, that my panic attacks themselves are functioning as stress
tests--which I routinely pass.He prescribed me Paxil, and a small dose of Xanax for emergencies.
At what point does one accept a diagnosis of panic disorder?
Should I have more tests?
If so, what tests do I need to have done so that I can have peace of
mind about the health of my heart?
Is it safe for my heart to beat as fast as it does during these
episodes?One other factor is this: I appear to have dysautonomia (sometimes
referred to as Barlowe's syndrome, MVP Syndrome et cetera). In fact, I
am pretty well convinced of this. I have been taking 50 mg of Atenolol
since I was 18 because my pulse was so sensitive to "adrenaline," (at
the time, if I walked up a flight of stairs, my heart would be
pounding out of my chest). This drug has been a miracle, but my
"attacks" have not been affected by it.Please help.
Thank you.
Steven
Hi Steven,
Do you trust your doctor? If not maybe it would ease your mind to get a
second opinion, or possibly seeing a psychiatrist would be helpful. Given
all the tests that you have had and the results of each, it does indeed
sound like a classic case of panic disorder.
Paxil & xanax are effective medications for treating PD.
When I was first diagosed with panic disorder at 23 it was a huge relief to
me to finally know what it was that was wrong so that it could be treated, I
had a list a mile long of things that weren't wrong...after 7 years of
actively trying to get a diagnosis. I make sure I get annual check ups to
be sure nothing has changed and my psych insists that thyroid levels are
checked annually to be sure that isn't contributing.
Take care,
Jess