Yes I have this. You are having panic attacks which is caused by stress. The strong beats/twitches you are feeling are mimicking a rapid heart beat. (Its not your heart). I would suggest finding another doctor and have them run an EKG on you just to rule out that it's not your heart. I just had this test yesterday. My blood pressure is great and my EKG results were just fine, but still have what feels like a rapid heart beat.
I was prescribed Paxil and I have a follow up with my doctor next month to see if anything has changed with what feels like a rapid heart beat/chest flutters.
Fluttering in Ohio
**edited by moderator**
I was prescribed Paxil and I have a follow up with my doctor next month to see if anything has changed with what feels like a rapid heart beat/chest flutters.
Fluttering in Ohio
**edited by moderator**
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It seems that I am experiencing the same thing as many people in here (it is most certainly NOT angina as i have done a first aid course and its nothing like it!)
It feels as though my heart is empty pumping (pumping without blood) and leaves me short of breath for a second or two and occasionally sets off slight coughing fits.
I first wondered if it had anything to do with my asthma, which is mostly exeragerated hayfever, but as with many people in here it as i try to sleep as well as random times during the day.
(I am 15 and barley (almost never) ill)
It feels as though my heart is empty pumping (pumping without blood) and leaves me short of breath for a second or two and occasionally sets off slight coughing fits.
I first wondered if it had anything to do with my asthma, which is mostly exeragerated hayfever, but as with many people in here it as i try to sleep as well as random times during the day.
(I am 15 and barley (almost never) ill)
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i had this the last 2-3 weeks, i noticed this year i had same feeling in my legs arm and neck, the thing is, like the message 2 before this, i have a slight curve to my spine, and i realy think this is down to mis - aligned muscl and bone, creating trapped nerves etc. my spasms come at night when trying to sleep , occasionally during the day, i just had one that was like a woodpecker trying to escape from my chest, pretty mad, but i seriously think, [hope!!!], its down to muscle and tendons being in the wrong place, i am 33 male, and have done various bulding work, and mis used weights in training etc, none of this has helped my situation i think, but stretchin, yoga , losing weight, avoiding nicotine / acohol and such, will definitely bring benefits, especially the weight loss, if anyone wants to discuss this further or shed any light on it, dont hesitate to drop me a line [jamesmichael21athotmail.com
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Last couple days I've had quick, out of nowhere, chest spasms that feel like a hiccup behind my sternum. If you could imagine an empty heart beat that jolted you and stole your breath for a second, it really scares the stuff out of me. I haven't found any triggers, but have perhaps noticed the bout this morning and this afternoon seemed to temporarily subside after standing up and walking vs sitting position. This is one of the few places I've found so far with similar or mirrored symptoms in people. It takes my breath so fast that I have to stop what I'm doing or saying to steady myself. Does this go away for sometime or am I facing a serious battle. Hopefully, this is a annoyance, would be better than threatening at least. Thank you for your input!
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hey i live in australia and i know what u all are talking about i get the same thing too, dont know what it is have had it on and off for about 2-3 years random, i just figured it was tiredness or allergic reaction to food or dust etc. havent seena doc about it bc i feel like they wont understand and i guess alot of them dont by what i have read. Just pray about it and believe God to take it away.
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I've been looking for answers too. I'm 56 and about 30 pounds overweight. I just went througha rigerous cardiac test involving a fancy x-ray machine called a "Skylight" or something, radiation stuff injected to watch my heart, treadmill stress tests - all because I get really sharp pain when I try to run with my dogs, or jump up and down in place! It's a tearing feeling that is all over my chest and ito my upper arms. All the tests proved that I don't even have much plaque much less any heart problems. But I've had what I call the "chest kickers" for years, sudden spasms in the sternum area, some of which hurt a little, and certainly scare me. I have another thing that concerns me. Do any of you find yourself, while at rest, exhaling but not inhaling until shortness of breat makes you realize you've been sitting there not breathing? Weird! I use a CPAP machine at night for sleep apnea and am determined t take all the extra pounds off. I fugured it has to have some bearing on all of this, and yet I see that some of you are so young and THIN - with as many people as I see on this site, there must be some common explanation. %-)
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Ok, I don't think what we have is Mitral Valve Prolapse if I spelled that correctly. My mom worked at a hospital for numerous years, and when you have that condition the doctors can hear a swooshing or clicking sound and it is quite pronounced. And it usually doesnt develop until your at least 18. Also, I started feeling these too, but I really don't think they are a big deal. The last month I went to the doctor because I had these attacks which I know now are panic attacks and she said people feel they are having a heart attack or heat problems because of it. And she was like I can use all the fancy equipment on you but I really don't think its necessary. But I've never noticed these and I'm close to my 24th birthday and it seems kinda ironic that I just start noticing them now after I had these panic attackts?? I don't want to try to diagnose everybody but does everybody here think its reasonable that these are stress related and not remotely correlated with the heart?? I mean I have muscle twitches all the time, do you think this could just be another one of those and the increased heart rate well is one being nervous along with the breath taken away?
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I've had these for almost 14 years, and had every test in the book. It was decided they were caused by tension/anxiety, and sure enough, when I started on an anti-anxiety drug (Zoloft) they stopped. Gone. As I understand it, it's caused by the muscles tensing up to a point where they just can't hold that tension any more, and they spasm. After a time it takes very little tension for this to happen (you don't even notice you're tense) but it gets worse at times of stress. I have tried all sorts of alternatives to taking Zoloft, including Yoga and all sorts of other relaxation techniques. They do work, but only short-term, and I have resigned myself to being a "type" that will suffer this unless it's treated. As I prefer being relaxed and not tense, I'll stick with the Zoloft.
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Wow - you all are describing exactly the symptoms I have been experiencing. Im a 38 yr old male who was diagnosed with panic disorder at 27 and have been on paxil of and on for 10 years. The pain free chest spasms are recent and exactly as described - last for 1 second or so and are alarming enough to completely get my attention. I will be visiting the physician tomorrow and will report back what happens but based on our combined experience here I think its obvious what he will say.
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I have to thank my friend for finding this thread because six months ago I searched and searched for some info on this odd condition and couldn't find anything.
I get the same thing: weird "spasms" or "twitches" right around my sternum. They happen maybe once a day, generally after I've eaten and often when I'm leaning back, but that's not consistent. Some days I don't get them, sometimes I get them standing up.
They usually don't hurt at all, although sometimes after a really strong one I feel a little residual discomfort. NOT PAIN.
I have been to my GI because I couldn't imagine what else it could be but a GI problem. He was mystified by my description and thought it must be related to reflux since it seems to occur mostly after I've eaten and if I'm leaning back -- those are reflux triggers. But I've been on Protonix for a few months and I can't honestly say it's much of a difference. Maybe the attacks happen less frequenly, but maybe not.
I don't get panic attacks, but I have definitely been under quite a lot of stress over the past year.
I sort of assumed this problem was related to my GB surgery last year and subsequent bile duct surgery, but maybe not. Maybe it's just a weird sapsm thing.
It doesn't sound like anyone's managed to get a definitive diagnosis, but on the other hand, it doesn't sound like it's something to go crazy and worry about, based on everybody else's post.
Just wish I knew what it was. I'm sure we all wish that!
I get the same thing: weird "spasms" or "twitches" right around my sternum. They happen maybe once a day, generally after I've eaten and often when I'm leaning back, but that's not consistent. Some days I don't get them, sometimes I get them standing up.
They usually don't hurt at all, although sometimes after a really strong one I feel a little residual discomfort. NOT PAIN.
I have been to my GI because I couldn't imagine what else it could be but a GI problem. He was mystified by my description and thought it must be related to reflux since it seems to occur mostly after I've eaten and if I'm leaning back -- those are reflux triggers. But I've been on Protonix for a few months and I can't honestly say it's much of a difference. Maybe the attacks happen less frequenly, but maybe not.
I don't get panic attacks, but I have definitely been under quite a lot of stress over the past year.
I sort of assumed this problem was related to my GB surgery last year and subsequent bile duct surgery, but maybe not. Maybe it's just a weird sapsm thing.
It doesn't sound like anyone's managed to get a definitive diagnosis, but on the other hand, it doesn't sound like it's something to go crazy and worry about, based on everybody else's post.
Just wish I knew what it was. I'm sure we all wish that!
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I am so glad I googled this. Last night, while trying to sleep, I imagined myself having to be rushed to the hospital while at a big event. I imagined that these spasms that I have had since I was 17 years old...now 30, would lead to a heart-attack. Pain has never been experienced, but it feels like my heart is just twitching like my leg or arm muscle would do. It catches me off guard, so I miss a breath. When this happens, I just take a deep breath. The spasm lasts from 5 seconds to 30 seconds. I get them about once every 2 weeks. Does anybody know if this is something that is serious? Can it contribute to a heart attack? What is really going on with my body?
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I just found this forum, and OH MY GOD. haha, It's such a relief to know that I'm not alone.
The first time I ever got the spasms, was when I was camping with my father and a few other friends/people. I was probably around the age of 13. I was in the camper playing cards with my friend, and all of a sudden it felt like my chest dropped (or spasmed) and it took me off guard, and I felt like I had lost my breath for a brief second. (which I also believe was from the shock of it.) It kept repeating about every 30 seconds, and I began to become very afraid. My dad had no idea what was wrong, and I called my mom who was a nurse, and she wasn't sure, and told me to wait it out till the morning when I was back at home. The spasms continued all through the night and It seemed like hours before I could fall asleep. When I woke up, I only had a few more spread out spasms, and then they were gone.
But ever since then, I have gotten them at random times, and for different lengths and periods of time. They happen when I'm stressed or scared, when I'm excersising, and sometimes after a stressfull event. It took me a few years to look up my symptoms on the internet, and I found out about Anxiety Disorders, and right away assumed that anxiety was my problem. I figured the spasms were a symptom of panic attacks. But now seeing this, everything has changed!
My mom always thought it was something in the food that I was eating, and we still are unsure. I've just gotten used to them, even though they still continue to scare and worry me. They happen alot less frequently. When they do happen it's usually only one spasm, and usually about one to three of them a month.
I have also noticed that sometimes I get spasms when I lay directly on my stomach or back, usually when my heart is beating a little faster than normal (like after excercising, etc). It feels as though my heart can't take the blood flow in that position. It's reaction is to spasm. Does anyone else know what I'm talking about?
(I, too, feel the spasm in the middle of my chest, rather than where my heart is located.)
The first time I ever got the spasms, was when I was camping with my father and a few other friends/people. I was probably around the age of 13. I was in the camper playing cards with my friend, and all of a sudden it felt like my chest dropped (or spasmed) and it took me off guard, and I felt like I had lost my breath for a brief second. (which I also believe was from the shock of it.) It kept repeating about every 30 seconds, and I began to become very afraid. My dad had no idea what was wrong, and I called my mom who was a nurse, and she wasn't sure, and told me to wait it out till the morning when I was back at home. The spasms continued all through the night and It seemed like hours before I could fall asleep. When I woke up, I only had a few more spread out spasms, and then they were gone.
But ever since then, I have gotten them at random times, and for different lengths and periods of time. They happen when I'm stressed or scared, when I'm excersising, and sometimes after a stressfull event. It took me a few years to look up my symptoms on the internet, and I found out about Anxiety Disorders, and right away assumed that anxiety was my problem. I figured the spasms were a symptom of panic attacks. But now seeing this, everything has changed!
My mom always thought it was something in the food that I was eating, and we still are unsure. I've just gotten used to them, even though they still continue to scare and worry me. They happen alot less frequently. When they do happen it's usually only one spasm, and usually about one to three of them a month.
I have also noticed that sometimes I get spasms when I lay directly on my stomach or back, usually when my heart is beating a little faster than normal (like after excercising, etc). It feels as though my heart can't take the blood flow in that position. It's reaction is to spasm. Does anyone else know what I'm talking about?
(I, too, feel the spasm in the middle of my chest, rather than where my heart is located.)
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Oh my gosh!!!!! I am can't believe that I am not alone.....I was surfing around to see if I could find any information on these "spasms" that I felt, however, I had described them as a "rushing feeling" in my chest.
I started to get this sensation for the first time two years ago, after the birth of my second son (I am going to be 42). Over the last year they seemed to be more frequent . They do happen very quickly, but it sure gets my attention.
Today, I experienced that "empty pumping" (good description, because I couldn't find words to describe when telling my husband) feeling described in one of the earlier threads. This I hadn't experience in a couple of months. But it totally freaked me out today! I thought my heart stopped, but realized as I was running through my house looking for my husband, that my heart could not have stopped - because I was running from room to room.
I have tried to explain this to a cardiologist last year, and he asked when did I notice them to happen them most - a couple weeks before my period - and explained that it was due to extra blood pumpiing through my system, and this was common for women. I don't know how true that is. But my cardio visit showed there was nothing wrong with my heart, everything was normal, and my EKG was normal. In spite of all this testing I am still scared to work out or do anything.
I am working with a new doctor who has diagnosed a few things. So, just like one of the threads above, I was put on a magnesium supplement. It's too soon to tell because I am still getting these spasms. Like others, if I sit "funny", or have a meal that fills me up or move a certain way, I definitely get that feeling.
I hope we all find out exactly what causes this "spasm"...
I started to get this sensation for the first time two years ago, after the birth of my second son (I am going to be 42). Over the last year they seemed to be more frequent . They do happen very quickly, but it sure gets my attention.
Today, I experienced that "empty pumping" (good description, because I couldn't find words to describe when telling my husband) feeling described in one of the earlier threads. This I hadn't experience in a couple of months. But it totally freaked me out today! I thought my heart stopped, but realized as I was running through my house looking for my husband, that my heart could not have stopped - because I was running from room to room.
I have tried to explain this to a cardiologist last year, and he asked when did I notice them to happen them most - a couple weeks before my period - and explained that it was due to extra blood pumpiing through my system, and this was common for women. I don't know how true that is. But my cardio visit showed there was nothing wrong with my heart, everything was normal, and my EKG was normal. In spite of all this testing I am still scared to work out or do anything.
I am working with a new doctor who has diagnosed a few things. So, just like one of the threads above, I was put on a magnesium supplement. It's too soon to tell because I am still getting these spasms. Like others, if I sit "funny", or have a meal that fills me up or move a certain way, I definitely get that feeling.
I hope we all find out exactly what causes this "spasm"...
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These strange spasms subsided after a week or two primarily. I get them rarely and random now. The triggers or triggering factors detected so far in my case:
1. Extra stress filled day or days running about non stop at work back to back seems to set the stage
2. Leaning forward for something just right, like a computer mouse, etc
3. Sometimes out of nowhere still, perhaps after a stressful customer or phone call.
Esophageal spasm comes to mind, but the empty heart beat feeling is a real scary kick in the chest, so if you don't have panic attacks, you do now.
Luckily is seems to be subsiding to a rare occurance now. Hope it stays this way! Will post more updates if I come across anymore info. Thank you everyone.
1. Extra stress filled day or days running about non stop at work back to back seems to set the stage
2. Leaning forward for something just right, like a computer mouse, etc
3. Sometimes out of nowhere still, perhaps after a stressful customer or phone call.
Esophageal spasm comes to mind, but the empty heart beat feeling is a real scary kick in the chest, so if you don't have panic attacks, you do now.
Luckily is seems to be subsiding to a rare occurance now. Hope it stays this way! Will post more updates if I come across anymore info. Thank you everyone.
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Wow!, am I glad I found this and I hope everyone continues to read this post. I have the same thing going on. It's usually a short spasm in the centre of my chest, makes me skip a breath, and think that my heart's gonna stop. It has always been brief, but scary none the less. I am a 28 year old male, and I have had quite a bit of anxiety/stress over the past to years, so with the panic attacks and such, this new symptom is not something I appreciate too much! I was on paxil for about 6 months last year and weened myself off of it, but these spasm/breathing issues have just popped up recently. Someone mentioned something about having the after eating and someone else also mentioned spine/neck problems. I touhg about it and I have had these spasms right after a big meal, and I also have had neck/muscle issues for a while now too. I have no idea how this could be related to either of these things, but who knows, the body does some very wierd things. Anyways, hope to hear some more stories about this, maybe we can find an answer!
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