Frequent heart palpitations at 19 months off Ativan

[[do...]]

These heart palpitations started out of the blue at the end of January. They are all day everyday. Went to the cardiologist and got a Holter and echocardiogram. He says my heart is fine. Holter showed 266 pacs/pvcs. He told me they are not dangerous and to ignore them. I'd like to see him ignore these! Eating/drinking fluids seem to increase them so I've become afraid to eat and have lost 10 pounds and I'm not sleeping much. Has anyone else had heart palps this far into withdrawal? I was doing so well, felt 90% healed before the palps started. My regular Dr. checked my thyroid levels, iron levels and B12 levels and those were fine. Vitamin D was a bit low. Help! I hate heart palps, they scare the crap out of me and I can't function.

 

[[do...]]

I've been to the ER a few times in WD for my heart and got tested. It always turned out to be just fine. But, I know how scary it is! I'm glad to hear that physically your heart is in good shape 

 

Does deep breathing help? Laying down and breathing deep?

[[do...]]

Deep breathing doesn't really help much but I still do it.

[[la...]]

Constant pvcs was and still is the absolute worst symptom. I feel for you. I have had them for 9 years. I suspect benzos were to blame. After I came off.... Well,  have been hospitalised 4 times in the cardiac unit. I had then 24/7. That is about 20,000 to 30,000 per day. That's right. I was dying. It was so bad doc put me on flecanide which is usually reserved for life threatening arrythmia. Today i am still trying to taper off it. Try doing a very low carb diet. Ala Atkins. Absolutely no suggar in any form not even fruit, no baked goods no bread, potatoes,  pasta, ect ect. This is the only thing that works for me. Usually. Give it a few days. Otherwise if it happens after you eat, it may be hiatal hernia. Just eat small meals. Unfortunately during withdrawal some hearts get super sensitive and until the wd is done, you must do everything not to add to the stress your heart is experiencing. I live in hope they will one day be non existent. Not to trivialise your experience but a few hundred of those buggers a day is still not bad. Just keep reminding yourself that they are not dangerous just uncomfortable. I know it's hard but that's all we can do. Try the diet. Let me know how you go. Good luck

[[TA...]]

  Try Magnesium ...a lot of people take this supplement for palpitations and it is recommended by Cardiologists......there are a few different kinds ..the best one for heart health is Taurate it is supposed to lessen them unless like many you have a hiatus hernia which also many are found to have after complaining about something different ie  nausea heartburn pain in chest stomach or ribs bloating and hardness of abdomen...Best Wishes ...Tass .x

[[me...]]

If you are of a certain age, heart palps are quite common. So you may want to get your hormone levels checked and a bit of help if they are out of whack. Are you on any other medications?

[[do...]]

Thanks for all the replies. I do have a hiatal hernia which I am sure is not helping matters due to vagus nerve irritation. As for my hormones, I have been post menopausal for quite some time. I used to have palpitations frequently in perimenopause but they pretty much stopped after I became post menopausal. Benzo withdrawal is the only thing I can come up with besides my hiatal hernia which may be causing them now. I do eat small frequent meals and I have cut sugar out of my diet but so far that hasn't helped. I also get a lot of them if I have gas or before I have to go to the bathroom. My cardiologist is not the least bit concerned. He told me I don't even need to come back and see him as long as nothing changes and as long as I am not getting dizzy or lightheaded with them. I have been trying to distract myself by keeping busy. I'm not always successful at that but I do my best. They do seem to calm down when I sleep. If I wake up at night I don't really get them but as soon as I wake up in the morning they will start up. I don't have them much if I am up and about doing things either. Mostly when I am sitting still trying to relax. Ugh....I hate it.

 

Ladybug1 I feel for you having that many a day. I would not be able to handle that at all so I am thankful that mine aren't that numerous. I do hope that your palpitations decrease soon! I have tried magnesium but it doesn't help at all. Drinking more water and staying hydrated helps a little sometimes.

 

What really gets me is that I have been off benzos over a year and a half and was pretty much completely healed. It's hard to believe that these could be benzo withdrawal related after all this time. My regular dr. actually told me that there is no way that is this from withdrawal, that I have been off of ativan long enough that I won't have withdrawal symptoms anymore. Personally I think he's full of it lol

 

 

[[do...]]

Anyone else having palpitations after so long off benzos?

 

[Guest [Ka...]]

I had heat palps start when I was two years off klonopin, out of the blue, I like you went to many doctors, tests said normal, I just found out what it was for me it was my blood pressure pill, i had to stop it right there and the palps went away. I thought it was hormones also which is why this was going in for 20 days. Lost 20 pounds.