Very worried

[LaurenA]

From past use of the forum, i've seen that there have been numerous postings about symptoms similar to mine, but never enough to answer my questions. So sorry if this seems repetitive!
For the past 4 years ive suffered from the feeling of missed beats (i dont know the official name) but have never been particularly bothered by them. However, the past 6 months i've also suffered from severe palpitations, often waking me from sleep and lasting approximately 5 or 10 minutes, during these i also feel very warm and sweaty. They dont seem to worsen after excercise etc. but start suddenly and rapidly. The missed beats are also more frequent, happening every day or two. Occasionally i also get a strange feeling of a sudden 'rush' to my head when i feel i may pass out for a few minutes, after this passes i feel naseus exhausted and shaky.
I dont drink much, but alcohol does appear to worsen the symptoms. I had an ECG (?) and thyroid and diabetes tests done years ago when the symtoms first started so my doctor wont do them again, is it possible i could have developed something in the last few years?
I have found myself worring severly (to the point of tears) as i know these symptoms can be an indicator of sudden death symptom (as a friend has the condition)
thanks!

[rachel125]

Have you had a ultrasound of your heart have you been to a cardiologist
it sounds like a heart murmmer to me
find a new dr if your not getting any answers

[LaurenA]

No, ive not been to a cardiologist or had an untrasound, but the doctor did listen to my heart and apparently didnt pick up on any murmurs?

[rachel125]

ask your dr to reffer you to a cardiologist
they know about the heart more then a GP does

[Jankim9597]

,
I know this may sound ridiculous but it sounds like you are having panic attacks. I had symptoms almost identical to yours and just knew I was going to die.I went to my family doc and to the ER many times and all medical tests came back normal and finally one doctor suggested that I might be having panic attacks. I scoffed at this and just knew he had no clue as to what was really wrong with me. However, since I was so scared I was going to die and the medical community didn't believe me, I went to the library and checked out books on panic attacks and it had all the same symptoms I had and what you are having now. I started taking medication and learned to control them and they went away.
Type in "symptoms of panic attacks" in google and see what you get.
Good luck,
Janet Lewis, RN MSN

This is from http://www.panic-anxiety.com/panic/attacks/symptoms/

Common symptoms of panic attacks

* Rapid heart beat, pounding heart or palpitations
* Sweating
* Shaking visibly or inside
* Choking sensations or lump in throat
* Smothering or shortness of breath sensations
* Chest pain or discomfort
* Nausea, bloating, indigestion or abdominal discomfort
* Dizziness or unsteadiness
* Feeling light-headed
* Derealization (feeling unreal or dreamy)
* Depersonalization (feeling outside yourself or like you don't exist)
* Fear of losing control or going crazy
* Paresthesias (numbness or tingling sensations) in face, extremities or body
* Chills or hot flushes
* Skin losing colour
* Blushing or skin blotches
* Urgently needing to urinate or defecate

[Jankim9597]

Laura,
I know this may sound ridiculous but it sounds like you are having panic attacks. I had symptoms almost identical to yours and just knew I was going to die.I went to my family doc and to the ER many times and all medical tests came back normal and finally one doctor suggested that I might be having panic attacks. I scoffed at this and just knew he had no clue as to what was really wrong with me. However, since I was so scared I was going to die and the medical community didn't believe me, I went to the library and checked out books on panic attacks and it had all the same symptoms I had and what you are having now.
Type in symptoms of panic attacks in google and see what you get.
Good luck,
Janet Lewis, RN MSN

This is from http://www.panic-anxiety.com/panic/attacks/symptoms/

Common symptoms of panic attacks

* Rapid heart beat, pounding heart or palpitations
* Sweating
* Shaking visibly or inside
* Choking sensations or lump in throat
* Smothering or shortness of breath sensations
* Chest pain or discomfort
* Nausea, bloating, indigestion or abdominal discomfort
* Dizziness or unsteadiness
* Feeling light-headed
* Derealization (feeling unreal or dreamy)
* Depersonalization (feeling outside yourself or like you don't exist)
* Fear of losing control or going crazy
* Paresthesias (numbness or tingling sensations) in face, extremities or body
* Chills or hot flushes
* Skin losing colour
* Blushing or skin blotches
* Urgently needing to urinate or defecate

[frankwilms]

Yes, it is most likely panic attacks, I am having the same symptoms...

[Felsen]

I am not sure it's common with a panic attack in your sleep, is it?

[Monsterlove]

I was thinking that, too...you don't have panic attacks when you're sleeping but you need to check your carbon monoxide levels in the house. I hope you have a detector installed or borrow a friends' for a few nights to check out your sleeping room.
Yes, you should get a stress test to see how your heart is doing since it's bothering you so much that you do have anxiety with it. It could be something as simple as diet, e.g. coffee, pops, chocolate, and I think your hormone levels may need to be checked; could be pre-menopausal...

[Felsen]

It sounds to me as arrythmia. I think you should see a cardiologist. Try not to worry. Good luck!