Ectopics, GERD, anxiety, and sensations in neck?
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I am 39 and have had occasional ectopics all my adult life, but after having a miscarriage last March, they have been happening much more frequently. I finally got to see a cardiologist last month, and am awaiting the results of a week-long ePatch monitor. The doctor seems to think I am just having benign PVCs related to stress and that it's not a big problem. He listened to my heart and arteries and said everything sounded good, but for me, the palpitations are so distracting and frustrating. At times it is scary. I am anxious as I await my results and find out where to go next.
One issue that I have right now is that I get occasional twitches or pulse sensations in my neck. They are hard to describe. They happen quickly one time and then don't happen again for a few minutes or a couple of hours. It can happen on either side of my neck, or sometimes they feel more internal like in my throat. I have noticed the feeling in the back of my tongue a couple of times. But it's always one twitch or pulse and then I don't feel it for a while. These make me CRAZY because I don't know what it is or if it is related to the ectopics. The doctor made a note of it but didn't seem concerned. These feelings just started happening about a month ago, so I suppose the monitor will have picked these up if they are important.
I was diagnosed with a hiatal hernia last year and my acid reflux can be intense at times. When it gets bad, my ectopics get worse. I am wondering if these neck sensations could be related to the GERD/hernia and not my ectopics. When they happen, I often want to swallow. I do not experience dizziness or faintness with my ectopics. The only time I experience dizziness is if I bend over and stand too quickly, and that's not every time.
I have started taking magnesium citrate, vitamin D, coQ10, CBD oil, and a daily vitamin. I have not noticed any difference in my symptoms with these supplements. I still drink a cup or two of regular coffee every morning, but this might have to go next. I may have to start cutting out onions and garlic completely, too, which will be hard as these are a big part of my diet. I also started going to a gym a couple of weeks ago, and I actually think this may be helping somewhat. I need to lose some weight and I'm willing to try just about anything to feel normal again.
Anyone have advice or experience with this? What could these neck/throat sensations be? In addition to all this, I see a counselor for panic disorder and OCD, and as you can imagine, this is all compounding in my mind and I can never relax anymore. I cannot stop thinking about these sensations I have. The only time it leaves my mind is if I am with other people, but unfortunately I am not a very social person.
0 likes, 3 replies
moon53540 bluesquares
Posted
So I have heard that the symptoms you are experiencing can be due to the hiatus hernia's effect on the diaphragm and your vegus nerve. I don't know much about it, but I am sure if you google it you will find information about it.
charles61038 bluesquares
Posted
Hello, I can identify with your situation. I have had the irregular beats on and off over many years. Mostly they were few and far between. At times they are more frequent... then they would pass and are not so frequent. I went to the emergency room once way back then because I was having them every few minutes over several hours. And of course, when I got into the E.R. and they hooked me up to an EKG monitor - not a one happened. I felt like a fool. As the days went on, I had them again on and off. I saw my cardiologist and told him about them. My EKG was normal, heartbeat was normal, blood pressure normal etc. So he sent me home with a holter monitor to record my heartbeats for an entire month. I could only take the thing off to shower. So after the month and the follow up visit - he told me that they were PVC's and nothing to worry about. They seem to have gotten much worse over these past several months. I won't go to the E.R. again even though there are times that I feel so bad that I want to. I just remind myself of the time I went and they were gone and I felt so foolish. I have my next scheduled cardiology visit for next October, but I called to move it up due to the increased frequency of the palpitations. So two weeks ago, I met with his nurse practitioner who I like very much. I told her about the frequency... sometimes they would happen every few beats, then a few minutes, then more often... I tried to explain to her it was like if you had the hiccups all day long for several days at a time and how that would drive anyone nuts. While at this visit, of course my EKG was fine, blood pressure was fine. But while she was listening to my heart beat, she heard one. So I have an appointment next week to have an eco-cardiogram, and then have the holter monitor again. This time for only 2 weeks. I will have a follow up after that.
One thing that I have considered is the relationship to eating certain foods and acid reflux. I have noticed that when I am having these frequent irregular beats, I burp a lot and that seems to help somewhat. I also have considered the possibility of a hiatal hernia as you mention. I have read that the esophagus can play a roll in triggering palpitations with the vagus nerve. At times when I eat especially spicy foods and later at night than usual, I will get those terrible irregular beats. I also have anxiety - which I am not sure triggers the palpitations, or if the palpitations increase the anxiety... probably a little of both. I have started taking a low dose Xanax that my primary care doctor prescribed for me. I have been taking one at night about 1 hour before I go to bed. It has helped me get a good night sleep at least. I also take a beta blocker that doesn't seem to help with the palpitations. I started taking magnesium, and turmeric along with my regular vitamins. My cholesterol is good, but with my last annual physical, my blood glucose level was a little high... nothing that required medication, just a reminder from my doctor to watch the sugars and carbs. I am looking forward to seeing the cardiologist next week and hope that they will find something that can be remedied. These things just drive me crazy. It makes you feel like you're afraid to plan any future activities for fear you will be having a bad day with the dreaded irregular beats. Good luck to you.
jenny61596 bluesquares
Posted
Look up York Cardiology they have some good videos about this , the doctor is very helpful and explains things well