I have a tense feel in chest with rapid heartbeat, nausea, and fear of death. Please help.

Question

Hello doctor,

For the past several months, I have been experiencing random episodes of feeling tense, especially in the chest. My heart beat becomes pronounced and I can feel it in my chest and sometimes in my neck or arms. The next day it seems silly but during that time it is scary. It completely takes all my focus and it is overwhelming. Sometimes it is accompanied by nausea.

A few times I pass stool easily, but many times it does not help. I have to wait for a long time for it to pass. But if it happens early enough at night or during the day, I will not be tired. I am extremely uncomfortable and scary at times. I tried different diets, nothing really has helped. Sometimes it happens once in every week, other times it is multiple times a week.

I consulted an endocrinologist, and he did a bloodwork. He said nothing is wrong, except an inflamed thyroid and pancreas. He put me on vitamin supplements (magnesium, vitamin B12, calcium, melatonin) and an antiinflammatory. Also I had an inguinal hernia during the same time, surgery was about three weeks ago and went really well. I am little nauseous in the mornings until I eat, many times nauseous after meals. I am not sure what to look into or whether it is something due to what I am eating. I cannot find anyone else having these symptoms, but I am tired of them. I want to be normal again.

They ruled out heart problems, and said I have a fast heart rate. They believe it is just my thyroid and inflamed pancreas, and the diet will solve it.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern. According to your statement, you have been suffering from tense feel in the chest with a rapid heartbeat, nausea, and fear of death.

According to your description, you may suffer from anxiety disorders. From the episodes you experienced, like chest pain, rapid heart rate, nausea, uneasiness, etc., it could be panic attacks.

You can take anxiolytic medications like Clonazepam for panic attacks and Propranolol for rapid heart rate.

Answer 2

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Sudden and extreme fear without any definite reason may trigger a panic attack. During a panic attack, you may suffer from sweating, chest pain, pounding heartbeat, feeling of choking or a heart attack.

Anxiety disorders may result from heredity, history of childhood abuse, neglect, death of loved ones, watching accident or violence, history of substance abuse, alcohol consumption, thyroid or other organ conditions, history of psychological disorders like anxiety, stress, depression etc., post traumatic stress disorder, being shy as a child, negative perceptions about yourself, lack of proper sleep, foods like caffeine, alcohol, artificial and refined sugar, gluten, processed foods, dairy products, soda, chocolate, fried foods, fruit juice, sodium-containing foods, etc.

You can take Propranolol twice daily with Clonazepam once daily at night. Contact a professional psychiatrist for counseling and psychotherapy.

I have a tense feel in chest with rapid heartbeat, nausea, and fear of death. Please help.

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