Help I'm flipflopping bad today

[danelle]

I have been having very irregular beats today and I am scared, almost terrified. I have taken 3 mg of clonazepam(Klonopin) over an 8 hour period. My normal dose it 0.5-1mg 3 x day. I haven't noticed much help with the anxiety, it's like the med isn't working. It will probably all sneak up on me at once but like I said, it has been over actually a 9 hour period.

I so hate this fear/panic I get when this happens-it controls me. No one is home and everytime I call someone they are busy.

PLEASE HELP-should I call 911?

[Gena]

Danelle,

I know how scary these can be. If the arrythmias are happening continuously for hours on end, I would probably go to the ER or call your doctor. Are you staying well hydrated? Have you tried drinking an electrolyte drink like Gatorade or something? Also, a magnesium citrate supplement can help keep the heart beating in a regular pattern. But if this is unusual for you to have an episode like this for a long period of time, I would certainly have a medical professional evaluate you, if nothing else but for peace of mind.

I take a low dose Klonopin too, but when my heart is out of sync, it's such a scary feeling that sometimes the anxiety can get the best of us, no matter what meds we're on. Have you tried to do some activity that is calming or distracting to take your mind off of it. Many times if I do some low level activity (like yoga or even going outside for a walk), my heart will actually straighten up and fly right. But we're all different, so I will pray that you find relief soon.

Hang in there and let us know how you're doing.

Gena

[tammyokc]

Hi Danelle, I agree with Gena.

I avoid the ER at all costs and try to ride what you are talking about out. But if this feels stranger than usual to you and you don't think you can get a hold of someone to come be with you, then get to a doctor. When I truly feel panic like you, I take Ativan but a lot of times it doesn't work and the only thing that does help is time even though at the time your body feels like it's totally out of control and you are going to die. So you have to judge for yourself. Do you think this will where off and if you had someone there you'd feel better and could ride it out, or do you think you need to see a doctor??? Try to calm down and remember if you've felt this way before and what the outcome was.

I'm praying for you, let us know!

[danelle]

It isn't really any different than it has been in the past-not right now anyway. I think I would do some better i f someome were here with me. I HATE the ER too. I will try and ride it out for now.

Thanks for the prayers, I need tohem.

[calypso]

Danelle,

I hate days like these. Hang in there. Stop sitting around the house alone; that will drive you batty. Go out in public. If you faint or whatever, at least someone will see you and be able to help. Is it nice outside? Go to the park or something.

Amy

[MomtoGiuliana]

Danelle

I have had days like that again and again, and yet, each time it happens it's like it is the first time. I know it is scary. The only thing that helps me is to rest and drink fluids and eat more salt and eat lightly. It might help to call your doctor just to get some reassurance. I have done that twice--called and talked to my specialist's nurse, who is so understanding--and it does help to allay those fears. If there is anything you can do to take your mind off of it, try to do that too. I agree with calypso about getting outdoors. That usually helps me too--unless the weather is bad. As long as you are not experiencing any new symptoms, you really shouldn't be concerned. This is a common POTS experience.

Take care, Katherine

[Merrill]

Hi, Danelle. Just a note to say hi -- and hang in there. If you hate the ER like I do, then you're better off elsewhere. Amy's idea is a good one ... can you go outside? Even for a stroll around the block ... distract yourself with other thoughts, other tasks. If you're outside, count how many different kinds of birds you can see; listen for different birdsongs. Hunt for daffodil or crocus or tulip bulbs that are starting to emerge (at least in the midwest). If you're inside, pull out some watercolors or colored pencils and be creative. Go through a stack of mail. Do something--anything--to take your mind off. You know this will pass; it always does! So trust yourself and think good thoughts. We'll be thinking them right along with ya, OK?

[EarthMother]

So sorry dear, I've been having my full of them this week as well. Did you read my post on palpitations last week. See if you can find it and read it again. Then cut and paste the article into your favorite word processing program and insert little prety pictures in it and print it out and read it over and over and over. I've been reading it outloud for almost a week now and I am DETERMINED to change my perception of these annoying palpitations.

Know that I am with you on this ... frightened, angry, helpless, and committed to finding some relief.

EM

[Jenn202]

Hi Danelle - I know how scary it is to not feel well, and then to not have anybody there when you are ill.... I agree with what the others said.... The ER is never a place for us, unless it is a dire emergeny...remember you are going to go down there sit or lay on a stretcher for hours on end until you see a Dr that then will not have ever heard of POTS and think you have anxiety....also you are exposing yourself to tons of germs in there......

Thats what I always try and tell myself when I am feeling really ill and contemplating going back to the ER...I just relive my past ER experiences

Hang in there... try to distract yourself.... getting some fresh air is a great idea..even if its raining today go out anyway.... its fresh oxegen and it can do wonders..... Can you rent a good movie ?

It will pass.... I hope it passes really soon.

[RunnerGirl]

Hang in there, Danelle! Everyone here has offered great advice: distracting yourself with light physical or mental exercise, etc. Read back through other posts, too! We've all had really bad flip-floppy days and we have come here for support. Read Earthmother's recent post about ectopic beats and how perfectly normal they are. And before you know it, this rough spot will pass.

If all else fails, try my last resort technique: Go to the ER waiting area (assuming it's decent and comfortable and your hospital isn't in the middle of a large urban area where a Monday afternoon might as well be a Saturday night!) and just sit and read a book and have a snack. I will bet dollars to doughnuts your irregular beats will eventually settle down and you'll be able to calmly drive yourself home, never having made it know that you were there for possible treatment.

Good luck and rest assured I'll be posting for support from YOU the next time I have one of my bad days!

RG

[danelle]

Thanks for all your great ideas! It is cold and very rainy here today. I am unable to take walks anyway due to major palpitations and/or tachycardia (this is with my BB) I can't do any exercise whatsoever, it gets so depressing. I will go back and read some o f the other posts. I get obsessive and compulsive though when it comes to this and I can't focus on ANYTHING else. The sad part is that it has ruled my world for 18+yrs now-actaully as I look back I realize I have had it all my life but the major downhill slide has been ovver the past 1-2 yrs.

Hugs to you all,

Danelle

[EarthMother]

Let me know if you can'y find that article and I'll send it to you. And if anyone wants to join a palpitation-phone-tree send me your email address off line and we can set up a phone support pool. Sometimes a friendly voice can make all the difference.

EM

EarthMother@CoolKarma.com

[Miriam Poorman-Knox]

My frienf sounds like the Autonomic Storm is thunderin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 What I do is get pieces of bubble wrap and pop and pop and pop It actually relaxws me !!!

Pittiful but simple. Peace Miriam

[Guest tearose]

How are you doing now Danelle?

I am sorry you have to deal with this. You got a lot of good suggestions. How are you coping?

I would have grabbed some electrolytes (not the phone, remember when you put the garorade to your ear?) and then tried to find a way to get my heart to steady itself. It is different for me depending on what time of day it is or what may have brought it on. I just try different things. The hard part is not knowing what is going to make it better. I always am worse as I am coming down with a cold too. I am hoping you were able to find some way to get yourself to feel better. Do let your body recover too.

I hope you didn't need the ER!

Hope you are okay!

tearose

[danelle]

EM, I read the article. IT makes alot of sense. I usually don't get too stressed over a flipflop or two but it's when they are constantly coming and I feel faint or when the come in a row, be ok a minute, then come in rows again that I freak out. Like I said, I think it is just because I am obsessive-compulsive and can think of nothing else at the time other than dying and leaving my two children behind. This has been a problem(the panic/anxiety/fear of dying) for 20 yrs and ever since my heart has started doing it's craziness--which is what stemed the above sx-I can't seem to shake the terror. I don't know hwta the heck is wrong with me. I do have alot going on right now but I think I am just a weak person, I don't know.

I will take what I read fromt he article and think about it when it happens, I might just print if off too!!! Thanks.

Tearose, you are so funny You made me laugh thinking about the whole gatorade thing again. I do try and drink atleast 2 large glasses of gatorade a day with lots of salt added to each glass, including lots of water. SOme days are easier to make yourself drink htan others but I will pour it down today!

Hugs, Danelle

[geneva]

Oh, Danelle, please strike "I am probably just a weak person" from your thinking. You are NOT....I repeat, you are a STRONG person. I know the scared feeling you are talking about because I had it every day for so long. I tried all the things that have been suggested above but I still would sit for hours, obsessing over is this the ONE time I really SHOULD go to the ER? One doctor would tell me that I would need to become "adjusted" to this feeling being a part of life and the other would say, don't sit at home and die of a heart attack because you thought it was "just" POTS. I would get so confused trying to figure out which advice to follow when I would have a day like you had yesterday.

And, I am alone a lot of the time and that definitely makes it worse because you have nothing to distract yourself from thinking about your heart. I would call someone to come over whenever I could and ask them just to be in the house. I also agree about going out, anywhere there are people, like the library for example. I never thought about visiting the ER as Runnergirl said but that is pretty clever!!

For me, when I went off Florinef after 3 years, I found that my entire system calmed down and these episodes are not as intense for me. I just tell myself --hey, remember when this happened a 100 times before? You didn't die, so chances are probably good, I will survive this one too. So far, so good. But, of course any time your symptoms are different it is always a good idea to get checked out.

wishing you a peaceful day DAnelle.

[calypso]

Danelle,

I hope your flip-flopping has ended and that you are nice and calm by now. I was just rereading your posts and it occurred to me that I probably should have reminded you not to drive, since you had taken 3 mg of Klonopin ... but you probably already know that. That's a lot of Klonopin. You probably took one heck of a nap yesterday.

I sure hope you're better now. Do you notice these spells happening when your menstrual cycle arrives or when you're ovulating?

Amy

[danelle]

Amy, I haven't driven in a year anyway. I don't feel safe or strong enough to drive because I never know when a spell will hit me. Believe it or not, I never got sleepy or napped?! Figure that one out. I do notice that I usually (not always) have more irregular beats right before my period. I've never really paid attention to ovulation time. I think I was ovulating over the weekend though. I am still having lots of palpitations 2 days later but it is to early to tell if it is going to be a good day. I sure am praying for one though.

Thanks, Danelle

[EarthMother]

Dear Danelle,

Good to hear you are having a better day. I have also been dealing with the heart skipped beats taking over my life for the last 20 years. I know what you are going through and I am here anytime you need.

Good thoughts your way,

EM

[tammyokc]

Hey Danelle, I'm thinking of you. I wanted to emphasize also that you are not a weak person!!! Our bodies are very sensitive and when our sympathetic nervous system is stuck in fight or flight mode like ours, everything feels like an emergency.

I too never get sleepy or can take naps. It doesn't seem most POTS patients have this. At some point they seem to calm down or get some sleep but for me AND I AM NOT EXAGERATING, I haven't been sleepy in 2.5 years. If it weren't for Ambien at night I wouldn't sleep a wink. You'd think we'd be exhausted (which we are mentally, physically, and emotionally) but as far as feeling sleepy and getting some actual rest, forget it! My body stays SO wired, I don't even know what it's like to yawn. Everyone I tell this to always says, "Oh how nice to have so much energy!" And I'm like "Uh, no, I feel like I'm in a crisis and going to die all the time!" Of course I never say this, I just smile and nod!

Here is an article that I think you'll find most helpful. It sounds like our parasympathetic system never takes over and calms our sympathetic system. A good way I remember how to keep each system straight is this.

Para sympathetic (Para - as in paradise, it's calming)

Sym pathetic (Symp - as in symptoms and we ALWAYS have awful symptoms)

http://www.isma.org.uk/stressnw/parasymp01.htm

Hope this helps. tammy

[corina]

Hi Danelle,

I hope (and wish) you're feeling better today,

Corina