[WarpedTrekker]

Doctors have told me I have Panic Disorder with Anxiety. I get panic attacks occasionally. I have AFIB controlled by Multaq medicine, and unable to take SSRI's like Zoloft now, since they all can interact with Multaq and prolong QTc in the heart. Also take Xarelto for blood clots. I only have Klonopin and take a half tablet when i feel symptoms.

This afternoon I went to lunch with a friend. Then on driving home, I started feeling very strange. I suppose it was partially anxiety. But also felt like something very bad was about to happen to me. Sort of like when a Panic attack hits me. Kind of like a sense of doom feeling. My arms and hands started shaking uncontrollably and I pulled over into a parking lot.

I thought it could be a heart rhythm issue, so I used my Kardia Mobile ECG device to check for AFIB, but it was okay and after a minute the symptoms stopped. I took a half-table .25mg of Klonopin and have been ok so far tonight. But this really concerns me since no doctors have any other answers for me, besides Anxiety and Panic disorder.

This uncontrollable shaking in arms happened one time I was at home on the couch. I was using my laptop like I normally do on the couch. Then Got up, and all of a sudden, I had uncontrollable shaking in arms hands, and then my heart went into an abnormal rhythm and I had to call 911. But by the time they got to my house, the episode was over. They took me to hospital and all tests on my heart and everything was normal.

I think I may need to get back on some SSRI or something. I had always been on one for years, but last year when I had an AFIB episode, they had me stop the SSRI's/Zoloft due to concerns it can seriously interact with Multaq.

My psychiatrist tried Lamictal/Lamotrigine in the past since that won't interact with Multaq. But it has "black label" use for panic/anxiety. It is more of a mood stabilizer and for seizure control. When I took it, it caused me even more anxiety and increased heart rate.

[Skeezyks]

Thanks for sharing your experiences. I think I probably have some cardiac arrhythmia that has developed over the past few years. I haven't had it checked out medically though. I took Klonopin for a while. I have tinnitus & I went through a fairly brief (thankfully) episode where the noise in my ears exploded. It sounded like I had a freight train running through my head 24 / 7! My pdoc gave me a prescription for Klonopin & it brought the cacophony back down to a manageable level. I was also put on Lamictal for a short time. But I developed Lamictal rash & had to be taken off of it post-haste.

Hope you're able to find something that helps...

[Nammu]

Hello Trekker just saw your post and wanted you to know it was read. Hope you find a solution.

[CuriousKat333]

Originally Posted by WarpedTrekker

Doctors have told me I have Panic Disorder with Anxiety. I get panic attacks occasionally. I have AFIB controlled by Multaq medicine, and unable to take SSRI's like Zoloft now, since they all can interact with Multaq and prolong QTc in the heart. Also take Xarelto for blood clots. I only have Klonopin and take a half tablet when i feel symptoms.

This afternoon I went to lunch with a friend. Then on driving home, I started feeling very strange. I suppose it was partially anxiety. But also felt like something very bad was about to happen to me. Sort of like when a Panic attack hits me. Kind of like a sense of doom feeling. My arms and hands started shaking uncontrollably and I pulled over into a parking lot.

I thought it could be a heart rhythm issue, so I used my Kardia Mobile ECG device to check for AFIB, but it was okay and after a minute the symptoms stopped. I took a half-table .25mg of Klonopin and have been ok so far tonight. But this really concerns me since no doctors have any other answers for me, besides Anxiety and Panic disorder.

This uncontrollable shaking in arms happened one time I was at home on the couch. I was using my laptop like I normally do on the couch. Then Got up, and all of a sudden, I had uncontrollable shaking in arms hands, and then my heart went into an abnormal rhythm and I had to call 911. But by the time they got to my house, the episode was over. They took me to hospital and all tests on my heart and everything was normal.

I think I may need to get back on some SSRI or something. I had always been on one for years, but last year when I had an AFIB episode, they had me stop the SSRI's/Zoloft due to concerns it can seriously interact with Multaq.

My psychiatrist tried Lamictal/Lamotrigine in the past since that won't interact with Multaq. But it has "black label" use for panic/anxiety. It is more of a mood stabilizer and for seizure control. When I took it, it caused me even more anxiety and increased heart rate.

Hello,

I'm sorry to hear about your experience but it sounds like a panic attack to me. I have PTSD from a car accident I had years ago and I get panic attacks on occasion, especially when I'm driving but not ALWAYS when I am driving.

My systems start with a strange tingling feeling, and a bit of shortness of breathe and panic and then moves to my heart racing, my palms sweating and almost a dizziness and a feeling like I might faint. When it first started I would swear I was having a heart attack or something but it turns out I was having panic attacks. After trying counseling and various "tools" to help with my PTSD and panic attacks I found a doctor that prescribed me Gabapentin. We started with 100 mg and then moved up to 300mg after 4-6 weeks. I take this at night as it can make you sleepy.

This has helped me enormously! I still get a bit of that panicky feeling here and there but it doesn't lead to the sweating, shaking hands and heart palpitations. I just breathe through it and talk myself down in my car, saying out loud that I am safe and fine. I say a prayer or two and just keep breathing long, slow breathes. My doctor and I tried several medications and this one has been the best by far.

Make sure that you aren't taking too many medications that might be causing these to happen as well. I hope this helps because I know how terrifying this has been for me as well. I felt like I was going to faint and cause a wreck or pass out and drive off the bridge and it was horrible and very scary.

God bless you. I will pray for your recovery and healing.

~Kathleen

[WarpedTrekker]

I am still having issues and not sure what to do. My current psych has nothing else I can take besides Lamictal which caused major issues in me. I'm at a loss and this fear of anxiety attacks is causing issues at work and during the evenings when I'm alone in my house. I'm scared to sit on the couch for a long time because whenever I get up from sitting awhile I get this strange anxiety feeling hit me. Feels like something may be wrong with my heart. But my cardiologist ran tests and everything is fine with my heart so far.

[S.J.]

Originally Posted by WarpedTrekker

I am still having issues and not sure what to do. My current psych has nothing else I can take besides Lamictal which caused major issues in me. I'm at a loss and this fear of anxiety attacks is causing issues at work and during the evenings when I'm alone in my house. I'm scared to sit on the couch for a long time because whenever I get up from sitting awhile I get this strange anxiety feeling hit me. Feels like something may be wrong with my heart. But my cardiologist ran tests and everything is fine with my heart so far.

I'm in no way a professional, and of course could and would never diagnose, but your post sounds very familiar to me.

Anxiety and Panic attacks can definitely cause all kinds of physical symptoms. Tingling, dissociation, shaking, light-headedness, the list goes on!

But the fact you have a heart arythmia and these episodes occur most often when you stand, have you considered checking blood pressure?

I don't have your specific arythmias, but I have several conditions that cause Tachycardia, bradycardia, and Hypotension. What you describe sounds a lot like one my own episodes of Orthostatic Hypotension Tremors and Tachycardia upon standing.

Your heart may be fine, but blood pressure problems isn't uncommon with arythmias and medications can affect BP. Maybe talk to your doctor about checking your BP and compare the numbers both sitting and after you stand?

Obviously I could be completely off base here, but I figure I should atleast mention it. I hope you find some answers, or atleast relief, as soon as possible!

[MickeyCheeky]

I'm so sorry you're struggling, WarpedTrekker It must be a very scaring situation. I agree about checking out your blood pressure and everything related to your heart. I hope you'll be able to find a solution. Let us know how it goes

[WarpedTrekker]

My blood pressure is fine every time I check it. So I guess these symptoms are anxiety related. Although the slight dizziness when standing now sure about that. It doesn't happen every time. I had gone to the ER a few nights ago and they did blood work which was normal. They did say I was possibly dehydrated and to drink more water.

Otherwise I've given up with doctors in my area here in Austin, TX. After going to multiple doctors they still have no answers. Hopefully I'll feel better by next year.

[xmascarol]

Originally Posted by WarpedTrekker

Doctors have told me I have Panic Disorder with Anxiety. I get panic attacks occasionally. I have AFIB controlled by Multaq medicine, and unable to take SSRI's like Zoloft now, since they all can interact with Multaq and prolong QTc in the heart. Also take Xarelto for blood clots. I only have Klonopin and take a half tablet when i feel symptoms.

This afternoon I went to lunch with a friend. Then on driving home, I started feeling very strange. I suppose it was partially anxiety. But also felt like something very bad was about to happen to me. Sort of like when a Panic attack hits me. Kind of like a sense of doom feeling. My arms and hands started shaking uncontrollably and I pulled over into a parking lot.

I thought it could be a heart rhythm issue, so I used my Kardia Mobile ECG device to check for AFIB, but it was okay and after a minute the symptoms stopped. I took a half-table .25mg of Klonopin and have been ok so far tonight. But this really concerns me since no doctors have any other answers for me, besides Anxiety and Panic disorder.

This uncontrollable shaking in arms happened one time I was at home on the couch. I was using my laptop like I normally do on the couch. Then Got up, and all of a sudden, I had uncontrollable shaking in arms hands, and then my heart went into an abnormal rhythm and I had to call 911. But by the time they got to my house, the episode was over. They took me to hospital and all tests on my heart and everything was normal.

I think I may need to get back on some SSRI or something. I had always been on one for years, but last year when I had an AFIB episode, they had me stop the SSRI's/Zoloft due to concerns it can seriously interact with Multaq.

My psychiatrist tried Lamictal/Lamotrigine in the past since that won't interact with Multaq. But it has "black label" use for panic/anxiety. It is more of a mood stabilizer and for seizure control. When I took it, it caused me even more anxiety and increased heart rate.

Sometimes I have a bad problem with shaking,I have to take inderol for that because I also have tremors which I developed when I had a server fall awhile ago.It is very scary at times because there are times when I cannot even stand up to walk it feels like I am about to fall but so far the inderol has helped with that.I can tell u first hand that anxieties and panic can make you shake as well.I have had enough of them,

[WarpedTrekker]

Originally Posted by MickeyCheeky

I'm so sorry you're struggling, WarpedTrekker It must be a very scaring situation. I agree about checking out your blood pressure and everything related to your heart. I hope you'll be able to find a solution. Let us know how it goes

My cardiologist and electrophysiologist said my heart is fine. EKG and Echocardiogram was normal.

Well now I'm having some type of "mini" anxiety attacks that happen several times a day randomly. I was at work today, it was really slow and NOT stressful at all. But sitting down at my desk, I started feeling some type of unusual bad feeling, like I was going to have an attack. So I took a half tablet of 0.5mg Klonopin. It seemed to help a bit. But this feeling kept happening throughout the day.

I get home at 9:30pm, go into my bedroom, and feel a "mini" attack/nervousness start again. I was at the point of feeling some shaking in my arms and hands. I stopped what I was doing, sat down on the bed and called my mom, and things settled down. But now I feel on-edge of something happening again.

In one way, these "mini" feelings of anxiety are worse then having just a full blown panic attack occasionally. I'd rather have one of those, then be bothered by these all day.

I'm starting to wonder if Flonase or another med is causing these to happen. Or if it is something neurological that I need to go see another neurologist to pin-point the issue.

My psychiatrist said since I'm on Multaq, I can't be on an SSRI. And I've tried Lamictal before, and that made things worse. So now she wants to try Oxcarbazepine (trileptal). I've never heard of it. She said it has black label use for anxiety.