I don't get shortness of breath anymore and don't feel my heartbeat

[Teodor]

It's been 2.5 years since I stopped benzos and I was put on an antipsychotic (chlorprothixen) to help me sleep. Ever since I started this medication I stopped getting shortness of breath when my heart races. It's like this drug disconnected some feedback part of the ANS that connects heart and the lungs. I also stopped feeling my heart into my chest when it races, it beats fast but like squished and weak, not that strong and full capacity noticeable beats like it was before. I noticed that in the first days of taking the drug when I had an event that I nearly died. I was walking outside when I suddenly begin to shake in cold sweat. No shortness of breath, no feeling of strong pounding in my chest like it used to be. So I immediately pressed my fingers on my neck and my pulse was like 200bpm. Fast forward 2.5 years after the event, I am off this drug 6 months and this problem persists, my brain didn't recover. I take magnesium but it doesn't help, I tried to raise my blood pressure, it only made it worse, still I don't feel my heart in my chest when it races and no shortness of breath so I have to constantly check my pulse in my neck. Does anyone had such reaction to drugs, or is this dysautonomia worsening with age?

[MomtoGiuliana]

I recommend talking to a doctor about these concerns.  Do you see an EP (electrophysiologist)?  Keeping a record of events may help as a first step.  A holter monitor may be needed for a doctor to see what may be going on.

[Teodor]

I went to my cardiologist yesterday. The electro and the echo cardiograms came back normal so i was sent back home. I dont know what is wrong.

[Pistol]

@Teodor - dysautonomia is not an electrical issue and not a mechanical issue of the heart, so in most cases ( as it is in mine also ) EKG and Echo will be normal. To determine causes of tachycardia ( if POTS is suspected ) they have to do a TTT or upright EKG, since symptoms occur when standing ( hence it is called postural orthostatic tachycardia ). Any autonomic specialist ( or any physician with a basic understanding on how a malfunction of the ANS works ) will know that.