Mitral Valve Prolapse and other stuff...
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| Wed, 10-25-2006 - 2:01pm |
Hi all
I posted a few days ago about my recent problem of having panic attacks, chest pains and insomnia. I feel like I am making some progress. The chest pains have subsided a lot - still there occasionally, but not ALL the time like they were and not as intense.
I had a panic attack yesterday afternoon and I felt like I dealt with it well even though it was upsetting. I was making banana bread with my 6 year old DDs when it started, so I finished up what I was doing with them. I was feeling very panicky and like I was going to jump out of my skin - that fight or flight thing, just have to be anywhere but where I am. I asked them to watch TV for a while and told them I needed alone time. Then I went upstairs and meditated which seemed to help. I felt totally drained and very emotional when it was all done, like I could just cry and cry.
Then I had a bout with insomnia last night, but no chest pains. Finally I took half a Xanax around 11:30. I didn't sleep well - hardly at all, but at least I was *calm*, not all panicky. I feel okay today, just kind of tired. Funny thing is I had this great day yesterday until about 4 pm - felt well rested, energetic, productive. Like I was "normal" again. And then it fell apart. But I am learning to just accept it, and not beat myself up about it.
ANYWAY, a couple of things I came across. One is that I learned one of my sisters has mitral valve prolapse, and has had problems with panic attacks as a result. So I think I will get myself tested for that.
Another thing is that I have been taking loratadine (generic Claritin) for a few months for allergies. Well I stopped taking it this week and noticed that my chest pains subsided around the same time. I wonder if there's a connection?

I am happy to hear that you handled the panic so well. Please remember that technique & reassure yourself that it will work *if* you need it again. WTG!
As for mitral valve prolapse, there are some people who have panic attacks that may be connected to this condition. The condition is generally not dangerous. Having it checked out is a good idea. It will give you some reassurance. As for the claritin, have you asked the dr. if there's a connection to the chest pain? It might be a sensitivity to that sort of medication & maybe you should know if it should be avoided in the future.
Take good care of yourself. You are worth it! Not beating ourselves up is the best thing we can do. This is not a problem with your character. Just your chemicals. Good luck & keep in touch. (((hugs))) jan
Sheri Ann
I saw my therapist on Wed and she urged me to start taking my Xanax as part of my night time routine - don't wait until I'm all worked up. Well I've done that the last two nights and it has done wonders. I have slept like a log (dh said I don't even *move* LOL). She thinks some of the depression may be linked to just being so sleep deprived. So we are working on getting me some regular sleep for at least a week, and then we're going to take it from there. It has helped my mood tremendously the last couple of days, although I am pretty sluggish when I get up. And I hardly ever get chest pains now. If I do, they are fleeting.
One of the *rare* side effects for loratadine is chest pains, so who knows? I have also seen references to anxiety and insomnia as side effects on some web sites. Maybe there is a cumulative buildup - I've taken it on and off for years, but this year I took it for a few months straight because my allergies were so bad. Also this all started happening after I took Z-Max antiobiotics for 5 days. And I think my doctor's suggestion of Benadryl or Nyquil to help me sleep (it usually makes me sleepy) may have backfired if I was already having some kind of reaction to the Claritin.
I had something similar happen with Seldane years ago before they took it off the market. I was fine with taking it for a year or two, then it started giving me heart palpitations. (Heart palpitations was one of the reasons they took it off the market.)
I totally agree with your plan to use the xanax at bedtime.
Sheri Ann