Tachycardia

[niknash]

I have seen some posts about this but just wondering how many have experienced this symptom this severely during w/d and for how long? I have had it severely for 7 months, it started about 6-8 weeks after I was off.

Basically it is severe/unbearable, at it's WORST in the morning when I am usually jolted awake at 5-6am. I wake up with my heart racing/pounding extremely fast and hard. I also get a terrible anxious/nervous/knot feeling in my gut which makes me have to go to the bathroom. My chest is heavy and I can't breathe (although it is not a panic attack, my body is just in overdrive). I have taken my blood pressure and pulse with an at home machine some mornings (although not as soon as it occurs). The heartrate has been in the 100's -115, probably higher at some points. Blood pressure is usually normal range (I think it should be 120/80, right?) This can also occur during the day, sometimes after eating sometimes gets bad again at night but for shorter periods of time.

This has nothing to do with being nervous or anxious but a purely physical reaction my body has everyday. I have tried to do breathing exercises and most of the time I have to just get out of bed and start moving and keep myself distracted until it finally subsides and my normal heart rate takes over. It usually can take up to a few hours for it to get back to normal and I have to pant around my house until that happens. Keep in mind this is a resting heart rate.

[aberdeen]

My normal resting rate has always been 100 or so. I know, crazy. My sister and Mom are the same. When I get that early morning anxiety stuff (which I only have ever had in w/d) it's probably insanely high, but I wouldn't count it because that would scare me even more. I don't think it can hurt you, my Dr has never worried about my heartrate. I had a sleep study done once and apparently it drops to 75 while I'm sleeping, so that's good to know, yours probably gets a good rest at night too, don't worry.

[niknash]

Aberdeen,

Thanks. The only thing is I feel it and it makes me not be able to breathe. It's not like that is my normal rate that is for my body. I feel like I am standing on the edge of a cliff about to jump off and my heart is beating out of my chest...only I am not nervous. I never had anxiety that showed itself physically in that way unless it was an normal response to taking a test/ making a speech..etc.

I am trying to wait it out until a year or so to see if it can regulate itself but am thinking of going to a cardiologist. It is not just slightly uncomfortable and I am not monitoring my body...it is very intense and strong and like I have a hard time breathing.

[jheaney1]

I had a similar experience that lasted for about three months. I would get a pounding heart which was very uncomfortable and frightening at times. For me, it went away gradually as my dosage went down. In my case, it was related to withdrawal. A workup from a cardiologist may be a good option. I've read posts from several people here who have had similar problems whose hearts turned out to be normal, I hope it's the same for you.

[aberdeen]

Nope, that is definately more than I ever experienced. For me it is just fast, not pounding, well maybe when the anxiety is super high, but not like what you have. It is probably w/d related...but checking it out is a good idea, I agree.

[wanting2quit]

You are not alone on this one! When I was withdrawing from Paxil, tachycardia was my biggest symptom. Lexapro withdraw isn't as bad with the tachycardia, but when I feel anxiety or get a panic attack, my heart rate shoots WAY up. I see a cardiologist once a year because I have mytral valve prolapse... basically a benign heart murmur. The last time I saw him, my anxiety was through the roof during my appointment and my heart rate was almost 140. Everything checked out totally fine though. I have also worn a heart holter monitor for 24 hours a couple of times and I easily get up to the 120s during the day, while I am just standing or walking around. However, when I sleep, it would go down to 56.

My cardiologist is awesome, and he says it can be totally normal with people who experience anxiety to have a tachycardic heart rate. He says the key is to see if it slows down at night when you are sleeping. If it doesn't, then you may have a problem. Once when I was wearing the holter, I woke up with a panic attack, and it was documented on the monitor. Again, he said even though it was annoying for me, it was harmless for my heart because when I finally fell back asleep, it went back down.

Might not hurt to see a cardio just to get some reassurance and peace of mind. Hang in there, I know it is annoying, and very scary! I had/have the exact same symptoms as you... rapid, pounding, and feel like it's hard to breathe.

[niknash]

Here is the crazy part..I never had this before the Lex or even when I came off Zoloft...this is all due to coming off the Lexapro in the crazy way I did. It has nothing to having anxiety or a panic attacks...My nervous system is just shot I think..

Thanks for all of your insight everyone.