Arrhythia Palpitations

RE: Arrhythia Palpitations

Hi Tina

I felt lots of empathy with your sister and know how scary this can be. I am assuming she has a benign arryhthmia (i.e. there is nothing physiologically wrong with her heart) - like mine. I did have an ultrasound scan to check, so if she hasn't had one she should ask for one. Once you know that your heart is not going to suddenly conk out it does become much less frightening.

I decided not to have beta blockers - I did try them some years ago but they made me feel very sluggish and so I have learned to live with it. It sounds like your sister may be worse than me as I suffer from this every once in a while when it is triggered by stimulants - so no caffeine, ciggies etc and not too much alcohol. Also there are odd things that you wouldn't think of that are best to avoid - particularly chinese food as it has a lot of monosodium glutamate (MSG)in it which is not good news for irregular heart beats and palpitations. It is in quite a lot of processed food so make sure she checks her food labels!

Stress is obviously a big factor in this condition and I have to say meditation really helped me. It is not everyone's cup of tea but I would recommend giving it a go - or at least some kind of relaxation like yoga etc. I have not tried any natural remedies and will be interested to read other replies to your post Tina. Above all, try not to worry too much about your sister. If she has the same thing as me (and it sounds like it is) it is not serious but can be very inconvenient and a bit scary at times. Also I understand more common than you think so you may very well find some fellow sufferers to reassure you on HP!

Lots of Love to you both
Rachel
XXX

RE: Arrhythia Palpitations

Hi there all,

It's amazing to read your letters because a diagnosis of heart arryhthmia ruined my life a few years ago. I'm OK now. This is what happened and wonder if you've had similar experiences.

I suffered from palpitations for years and was told it was stress related, yet no one told me what to do about it. I carried on in ignorance. Not realising the power that our mind has over the body in creating these symptoms, so I kept getting 'checked'. Then, one day, to my horror, a heart specialist said I was to take beta blockers. I'm terrified of pills and the whole thing triggered a major anxiety disorder and full on panic attacks.

This is when I began reading and finding out how years of suppressed emotions and negative thinking led to this. I refused the pills and to cover himself the specialist sent me for a scan, a treadmill test, 3 days ECG and then to Guy's Hospital for a MRI scan of the heart. He was trying to convince me (and himself) that I was in danger. Fortunately my instincts kicked in and even though I was frightened I stuck to my guns.

So he referred me to another doctor who specialised in heart disorders like this. This doctor could not find anything wrong and said he would not put me on pills at all. So there you are. I was so angry with the original doctor.

However this is when I truly realised that my mind was the culprit. Amazing how physical all my symptoms were. Upon reading I discovered the best thing was cognitive therapy ~ and I was ready for it ~.

I also discovered that soya causes these symptoms too. This was because I was a vegetarian and was eating it. MSG is made from soya. In fact I've started a discussion in the General Health Forum about soya, based on this experience, because soya in in 60% of our processed food from bread to peanut butter, disguised under many names. It's worth looking at. A dietician told me that soya is one of the top allergens in the world and we're being force fed it [:@] Look for my entry under 'most processed food contains soya' Freedom3.

The point is, look to yourself before letting doctors take over. If they know definitely that there is a problem, fine. When they don't, they just put you on pills and hope you go away. It makes me mad, [:'(] as you can tell.

Through all this I lost a dance career, yet, and please listen to this, it was the BEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO ME because I had to start taking responsibility for myself and my thinking and my diet and the end result is that I changed my life around completely. I now have a new career helping others going through stress related illness. I understand it and take time to explain all the things that doctors never do. In fact, I eventually thanked the first specialist for triggering the whole process because without that change would never have happened.

A book that really helped me was Fearless Living by Rhonda Britten. It's based in cognitive therapy techniques and I loved the work so much that I trained as a Fearless Living Coach and in stress management.

I trust you will get something from reading this, even if it's one thing.

I wish you well 😉

RE: Arrhythia Palpitations

Thank you Rachel and Debbie for your replies. Have printed them off and will
send to my sister. I too believe its caused by stress and its interesting what you say about soya as she is a vegetarian and eats a lot of soya. I comes back to the same old thing nearly all illnessess are caused by allergys these days. Thank you once again.

RE: Arrhythia Palpitations

Hi Tina

I'm really sorry to hear your sister has this annoying condition. It can be a real nuisance. It is more common than you would think. For many people it doesn't get any worse, and may improve on its own. I was very interested to read the other replies and they are very reassuring and good to know other peoples similar experiences.

Holding you nose and blowing or coughing can stop palpitations sometimes.

As to beta blockers, I started off on these, although they helped at first they made me so tired and suppressed and didn't really help the palpitations after a while, I went back to the NHS hospital and was fobbed off by the doc who told me to take a larger dose!! I eventually decided to see the consultant privately and he put me on flecainide, which was fairly successful and doesnt make you so weary. Everyone is different though and they can try soltalol or arythmol. So there are definitely better meds if the beta blockers dont agree with her. It all depends on the frequency and severity of the episodes, you have to weigh up the benefits and side effects carefully. She needs to be fairly forceful to make sure she gets the best treatment.

I was very stressed (work related) a couple of years ago which definitely affected me, and had to go back on beta blockers as well as the flecainide but thanks to changing my life, I am much happier and better now and weaned myself off them again.

I have good spells and not so good spells but it doesn't really stop me doing anything now.

There are websites for people with arrythmias which aren't always helpful as on the whole its best to try to ignore it while you can but one of them is called "afibbers", I think.

I wish her well, she's lucky to have a caring sister.

Iceni

RE: Arrhythia Palpitations

Hello everyone who posted here,

Thank you soo much, have been to see my sister today and she is feeling a lot
better has stopped all food containing soya msg and it has made a massive difference
to how she feels. The palpations have stopped and she wishes me to thank everyone here. Thank you all for being there for us.

Tina.

RE: Arrhythia Palpitations

can anyone tell me ,do beta blockers make you put on weight,any reply would be appreciated ty
love kath[sm=sandrine.gif]

RE: Arrhythia Palpitations

Hi Kath,

My understanding about beta blockers is that they slow you down and block adrenaline, therefore weight gain could be an issue. Doctors tried to put me on beta blockers for anxiety which manifested as arrhythmia i.e. palpitations. They seemed to think there was a heart problem and couldn't make the connection with anxiety, which it turned out to be.

I refused point blank to take any pills and that was 6 years ago. After further tests I was told that pills weren't necessary!!?? Had I just taken them, then I would be on them now with no further investigations.

I took the route of cognitive therapy and coaching and very rarely get palpitations now. It amazed me then that the mind had created such a powerful physical reaction. Now I understand how it works.

May I suggest that you do some web research into beta blockers and also discuss the different types with your doctor, as all pills seem to vary in side effects. I always write down questions before visiting the doctor, so I don't forget in the moment. Hope this has supported you in some way.

Take Care,

RE: Arrhythia Palpitations

Thanks Freedom3 for the info re: Soya - I had no idea that MSG was made from soya. How did I miss this gem I wonder! I've got a serious heart condition (ARVC) with arrhythmias 24/7 but have found things that I suspected make things worse for me. Chinese meals were ruled out some time ago (not that I had many but it's definately off the menu completely). This set me wondering about MSG at the time. Recently have banned pizzas - particularly the ones that are delivered to the door - LOADED with salt I think. I'll definately check out the other thread - but thanks so much for the enlightenment. With the checks I already do with the shopping to keep aspartame out of the house, checking for this should add another hour onto the experience in the supermarket!! Probably worth it though.
XxX

RE: Arrhythia Palpitations

Hi Bellis,

It's good to hear that you have benefitted from my posting. Several people have made links between health issues and eating soya. Have you looked at all the soya postings on Healthy Pages?

Yes you're right, shopping is far more lengthy these days. One general rule is the longer the ingredient label the worse it is. If I pick up an item and see a long list I just put it back. It's a shame because even organic food can be full of soya. Granted, it's not GM stuff, but that's not the point here.

The more people you tell the sooner the problem will become public knowledge. I'm afraid I have to admit to telling strangers in the supermarket. Sometimes I'm met with puzzled looks, other times people are grateful for the knowledge.

Thanks for letting me know:)
Freedom3

RE: Arrhythia Palpitations

I have been suffering high blood pressure now for approxiamatly 6 years at th same time i was diagnosed with sleep apnea same time bad palpatations I was given beta blockers for high bp and to control palps had an echocardiagram seems fine but go to cardiologist yearly' now when i am extremely tired the betablockers dont seem to work as soon as I lie down or rest the palps start some times for hours so i am given valium to relax me sometimes they work others they dont if any one has any advice for me i would greatly appreciate it Many Thanks

RE: Arrhythia Palpitations

Hi Debbie and everyone

I have only just picked up your old e-mail on irregular heart beat and I was very interested to hear about Soya. I went through lots of tests last year – heart scan, monitor for a week ecg etc. My heart sometimes beats very very fast and pounds (at rest) I was offered beta blockers but did not take them as I do not really like taking medication unless I really have to (the specialist said the condition was not life threatening) plus I have low blood pressure – 90/45 – so I did not want to take anything that would lower it further which Beta blockers do.

However I am going to see my doctor again this week as I have been feeling so unwell and was considering asking for the beta blockers. I don’t have much caffeine but I do have soya yogurt every day so I was very interested to hear what you were saying about soya!! I take the soya on purpose instead of milk as I thought it was better for me aspecially as I getting to the time of my life where the menopause should start and soya is supposed to help that. Anyway I think I will try stopping the soya milk/yogurt and see if that helps.
best wishes
indigo girl:)

Evening all,

Holy thread revival, Batman!

I notice this thread was from a very long time ago but I thought I would add my experiences in as it may benefit others.

I know there is nothing worse than searching the Internet trying to solve an issue when you haven't really got a clue what is causing it - and mainstream medical professionals don't really 'get' intolerance (and either dismiss it / don't believe it or don't know). They can tell you whether there is something wrong or not, but if there is nothing wrong, and you know there is something not right, you're stuffed - well I was anyway.

This is probably going to be the Magna Carta but will try and reduce it to a minimum.

Around 3 years ago after a traumatic event (maybe coincidental) but I started to get some strange things going on and suffered quite badly from anxiety. I was getting heart palpitations (ectopic beats) and sometimes a racing heart. I had very little appetite, got nervous about things which never bothered me before etc. etc. The list of things is numerous and I can't remember everything - but that is not really important anyway. Virtually everything I've worked out has been caused by what I eat. Only now do I remember getting ectopic beats as a nipper sometimes, which my knowledge now might explain - but nothing concerns you at that age does it. I probably didn't even realise what they actually were.

Anyway, these heart issues scared me a lot and of course the anxiety really helps you when you are seriously concerned about your health but you are being told there is nothing wrong (although I realise this is somewhat chicken and egg)...

Things did improve 2011 after I endulged in my hobby of cars and bought a fast car as my daily driver to help me focus on something else.

This did work but gradually throughout 2012, a few sad events seem to have run in succession and I started to head back in the other direction.

Things have improved very recently, and whilst it may be too early to say on the Soya, I managed to work out what was causing what (this is anecdotal from my own experiences):

- Racing heart (tachycardia) for no apparent reason, after a brief stomach cramp? Caused by chocolate!

Remember, this contains theobromine which kills dogs if ingested, so it perhaps it is not a surprise it can cause issues in some humans. How do I know for sure? I used to eat Carob as a nipper because back in the late 70s / early 80s, there was even less knowledge about all this. At the time, my mum thought it was fat causing the issue (I had ADD/ADHD type symptoms before it was invented, fatigue in the form of having to go to sleep for no apparent reason, and stomach 'migraines' as they were called then) - so a diet of skimmed milk, cottage cheese, carob etc. ensued and I couldn't eat anything with a lot of animal fat. This did work to bring my symptoms under control - maybe because I was young then. However, recently in switching over to Carob, because "I can still eat that", it turns out that after a regular 100g eaten over a couple of days causes a much more mild version of what the chocolate did. Does Carob contain theobromine? Yes albeit a lot less than chocolate. Do I get the issue having not eaten any chocolate or Carob? No.

- Sort of mild dizziness, anxiety, poor appetite, fatigue (yawning for no reason and feeling tired), vertigo in certain situations? Caused by my dairy intolerance!

Specifically, whey / casein proteins although I don't know what permutation. The fact is, I tried to remove this from my diet first time around. However, when you just aren't drinking milk, but are eating a whole host of things with "Milk" specified in the allergy advice, it's perhaps no surprise nothing changed. After seriously excluding it, and switching to Soya milk and eating nothing with milk allergy specified, things improved after 2 / 3 weeks albeit not perfect. Remember though, allergy is not the same as intolerance, even though intolerant people can use the labelling as a guide! Allergy involves the immune system and is potentially dangerous. Intolerance just results in clinical symptoms, to a greater or lesser extent. Also, strangely, I had my IgG measured, which is something else the medical profession doesn't agree with, but I only had one real big issue which raised my IgG levels massively. What was that? Cow's milk. Read into that what you will...

- Severe anxiety and ectopic heart beats and zero appetite again? Soya, I've recently worked out.

I couldn't stand Soya milk in the end and turfed it out in favour of Almond milk. Much nicer on cereal too (more like semi-skimmed) but strangely, better for you than skimmed...
However, I loaded on the Soya yoghurts, spread, cheese alternatives etc. etc. and over the course of a week and a half, started to get lots of ectopic heart beats after eating and episodes of quite bad anxiety. I assumed I was eating too much with regard to the ectopics, but last Sunday, I was at the stage where I was getting ectopics pretty much every other second and then started to feel sick. After a tactical chunder, the ectopics stopped but come Monday morning, I had the most severe episode of anxiety I'd experienced (I had experienced one once before in 2009 after reacting to a prescribed drug).
Trying to send some parcels at my local post office in a supermarket, and there you would have experienced a 6'4" 18st male caccing his pants almost with fear whilst waiting in the queue. Felt like I was having a heart attack my heart was racing so fast. Even driving to work caused me much anxiety also.
I knew after this something was not right! I'd already suspected Soya from the night before, but having not taken anything in for lunch with it, I started to feel better during Monday with occasional slight relapses. After further avoiding Soya Monday night and today (apart from the drink), a massive improvement has taken place. My appetite has now returned and I've had the odd ectopic today and random anxious moments (for a period after the Soya drink only because I automatically took it and forget it had Soya in it - so it does somewhat further confirm Soya being the issue).

Anyway - that's my story so far. I say so far because it is early doors on the Soya at this stage. However, given my other intolerances, it would seem likely...

I hope this turns out to be useful for someone else going out of their mind like I have been at times over the last 3 years. It is certainly worth trying to see if dairy / soya or some other food is causing palpitations, in the absence of any medical diagnosis... I wouldn't just cut things out though either without working out alternatives or speaking with a nutrionist mind. You could also keep a food diary to see when symptoms are bad and you can then tie up a pattern possibly.

Good luck.

John

Hi John

Welcome to Healthypages :wave:

Thank you for your interesting post on your experiences with ectopic heart beats and their connection with food intake.

Unfortunately the medical profession aren't convinced of the connection of physical problems with foods unless they show up as allergies (IgE) reaction. The IgG reaction (intolerance) although less severe can impact quite severely on people's lives, but the reactions ar much slower to take place (4-72 hours) and can be anywhere in the body, including the brain. Doctors only do about 6 hours nutrition in 6 years of training and don't cover food reactions for lack of time - unless they are specifically interested (very rare!). A Doctor of Functional Medicine looks at thing much more holistically but are not commonly found in UK.

Cow's milk (casein and/or lactose) commonly causes problems, as does gluten in cereals, soya, eggs, citrus, chocolate - in fact anything you eat a lot of might be involved. It also depends on your gut bacteria and how well balanced they are - See [url]this book [/url]for the explanation of how it all works - it's brilliant. Stress and antibiotics can upset our gut bacteria big time. Both they need sorting and the lining of the gut wall needs healing to help resolve the problems - as well as the identification and avoidance of the offending foods.

If you suspect anything like this, then please see a registered [url]Nutritional Therapist [/url]who can make all the difference to your life.

Evening Caroline,

Thanks for that.

Yes, and with that delay of 4 - 72 hours, with not always the same delay per food and with the permutation of differing quanitities of different foods causing problems, that really stuffs you when you are trying to work out what is wrong.

That's interesting about the amount of time in training. In the absence of GP knowledge, I found non-NHS websites most useful coupled with some good stuff on the NHS website about it.

Interestingly, I had a suggestion about gut bacteria balance and 'a leaky gut' previously. Stress would tie up with my situation.

Thanks for your advice on that - I will certainly investigate further. I kind of resigned myself to never eating any food (!) again.

Best regards,

John

I too have these racing heartbeats. I am on NO ASPERTAME diet and while my fibromyalgia pain is lessened and my eyes feel better...my heart still races. I have been avoiding msg for a long time but it sneaks in under different names and forget about your health if you eat out. And you won't believe that Walmart is adding msg to its "fresh meats" now. Soon you won't be able to buy processed or fresh meat in my country without msg. But the beef cattle are being feed almost exclusively GM CORN as a TOTAL diet so it's best to go NO BEEF!

Most all animals for food in my country are fed antibiotics, hormones and GM foods so it's best to go veggie and grow your own.

I an a reiki healer and a budding psychic so I can't have signals coming from my body to interfere with the signals that I am trying to receive.

I am making a lemon/lime drink with stevia and real fruit that I squeeze. I buy bulk bags of veggies and fruit (frozen) from wholesale big box stores. There is nothing in there but the vegetables or fruit. Nothing! It's making for a strange diet but I am trying to get to health. I am allowing myself butter and cheese (over the veggies). But will eliminate that if I need to. What ever it takes to get to full funtion.

I use filtered water and have air purifiers in my home. I want to be as unaffected by my environment as possible so I can do what I was meant to do.

Sound paranoid? Oh well. So be it. My environment is being manipulated without my concent. It's my only option as I see it.

Well, thanks to your suggestion CarolineN, I did go and see a registered nutritionist in 11/2012.

It seems like most if not all of the mystery of the symptoms I was experiencing has now been cleared up and I've since been able to work out the following:

Soya - causes really bad anxiety for me. Without it, I don't feel any at all. Any products containing Soya (e.g. the famous meat alternative which sounds a bit like 'Corn') and alternative cheeses etc. Takes about 5/6 months of exclusion for it to completely go would you believe. I know this because I excluded it for 6 months, tried it, got really bad anxiety again and then excluded it for a further 5 months before the symptoms disappear.

Tea / Coffee / Chocolate etc. (Caffeine) - even in small quantities like one ordinary cup of tea causes the missed heartbeats / racing heart albeit not until at least the day after consuming it. I've switched to caffeine-free and don't get the issue. I also get a headache after just one regular coffee and have done for years albeit I hardly drank it but didn't realise it was caffeine. Can now drink caffeine-free more often without issue.

Chocolate / Cheese / Other Dairy (Tyramine / Casein / Whey) - causes headaches / mild (in terms of pain) migraines if consumed to much (with chocolate, the limit is not much at all, cheese the limit is quite a bit more but gets me in the end - the stronger the cheese, the less I can eat although I only like mild cheddar anyway). Also causes other strange clinical symptoms which only happen after eating too much. I now don't have dairy regularly at all and only eat the occasional dairy product such as cheese every so often which I can get away with. I use Alpro UHT Almond Milk (daily instead of regular milk) and avoid casually eating anything that contains dairy.

Pork Sausages - causes a grumbling appendix. I don't eat them now.

The other benefits I've also noticed after all this I can think more clearly, my memory works better, I'm less concerned about stuff which you shouldn't be concerned about anyway etc.

There may be other things I've forgotten but these are key ones.

I basically now follow 'everything in moderation' which seems to work well.

So the suggestion to see a registered nutritional therapist was and is much appreciated and hopefully my post can hope others trying to work out what is causing their issues - albeit not necessarily the same causes as mine.

Hi there Jec911

That is excellent news! I am simply delighted you have sorted your problem out with Nutritional Therapy. How I wish the medics learned it too - the NHS would be in profit because of the lack of sales for pharmaceuticals!!!

It was well worth trying this system of healing. Knowing what your body can tolerate makes SUCH a difference.

Fantastic - and thanks for letting us know.

Hi there Jec911

That is excellent news! I am simply delighted you have sorted your problem out with Nutritional Therapy. How I wish the medics learned it too - the NHS would be in profit because of the lack of sales for pharmaceuticals!!!

It was well worth trying this system of healing. Knowing what your body can tolerate makes SUCH a difference.

Fantastic - and thanks for letting us know.

The NHS will NEVER be in profit. But sadly drugs are very cost effective,. I got very irate a few years ago over the routine prescribing of drugs to prevent cardiovascular events. Basically we are giving people drugs when actually all they need to do is make lifestyle changes. It was pointed out to me in no uncertain terms that it was more cost effective to prescribe the drugs because if people can't/won't make the lifestyle changes dealing with their strokes and heart attacks costs MUCH more than giving the drugs in the first place.

Sadly some people are happier taking drugs than eating healthy food....

A case in point - I was prescribed Propranolol for my anxiety in 11/2013 but I really didn't want to take it and am too stubborn to give in to it!

Having now managed to work out the cause of my anxiety - I didn't need it anyway...!

I've also since had a bit of irritation at the top of my stomach and I know the '...prazoles' give me a headache or react with me so I am now on a Cinnamon-based supplement instead - no headaches and the pain is going.

I hate to think what my prescribed '...prazoles' plus Propranolol drugs have and would cost the NHS for me alone let alone what else is prescribed because people won't make a few, what I consider, simple changes. I love food and bad food like anyone else, but you can still eat small amounts in moderation - but you also appreciate it more.

As a bonus, I'd already dropped from 19st8 in 2007 to around 18st4 in 2012 but couldn't drop any more. Since 11/2012, I am not running at 16st10 and feel much better for it.

Also started cycling again in the Summer since 2009 and I'm finding my general fitness has improved enormously!

I remember thinking 10 years or more ago that I could never lead a healthier lifestyle if I tried but I find it really easy now and can't recommend it enough.