Presumed Heart Condition.... Any Thoughts?

[bryan21]

I think there might be something wrong with my heart (or maybe lungs) and Im hoping someone here can shed some light on it. This may or may not be drug related, but Im a bit hesitant to say it is because Ive only been doing drugs for a year and a half and I dont really do hard drugs anymore. Anyways..

Alot of you probably know what it feels like to be craving a cigarette, you get that uneasy feeling/ pressure on your heart, you're a bit out of breath, and your heart gets sort of racey... well thats what I feel. I feel like this all the time, I dont smoke anymore and Ive been feeling this way for a few months.
I got it checked out at a doctor and just got test results back for a chest x ray, ecg, blood/ urine tests, and holter monitor. Everything appears normal. My doctor said it could be something with the muscles in my chest, but theres no reason why I would have a muscular problem (no trauma etc.) and Im not believing that something to do with my muscles can cause my heart to feel so uneasy and have an effect on my breathing. He said to just wait it out until I can get into a cardiologist, but that will not be for months.

Could this be at all related to my drug use. I used to be a heavy weed smoker, and I occasionally shot h or did mdma. The reason I think this could be drug related is because there was a brief period where I used needles for almost any street drug Id get including IMing mdma and powder ketamine. Also I shot an adderall once... it did nothing, but the solution was pretty thick. Im worried that I could have clogged my veins up with all this shit.

I dont think this could be stress related either, Im generally not under alot of stress, but have only been stressing out over my health recently because I have no idea whats wrong with me.

I would really appreciate any feedback anyone might have... this not knowing whats wrong with me is just killing me.

 

[Legerity]

Different kinds of sensations in and around the heart area are kind of common. I've had just about everything from pressure, tingling, sharp pins, palpitations, etc. All my tests were always a-okay. The less I worried about it the less I felt it and now I barely think about it at all.

We can't give you any certain assessment but if your tests are fine then that is a good sign. Might as well get whatever other tests will help give you peace of mind even if you have to wait a while. Symptoms like this can be very much related to stress/emotions.

 

[rangrz]

Obviously no one can diagnose you over the internet...

But, if that wide of a range of tests came back normal, it is unlikely (not impossible, just unlikely) that you have any major disorder, especially since your doctor is not worried enough to rush you into the hospital and instead if content having you wait months for a specialist.

A lot of mental and emotional causes can make you feel pressure, unusual sensations or palpitations in your chest. As can a lot of drugs (particularly stimulants, psychedelics and entactogens)

By all means, follow up with more tests, but try not to over-worry in the meantime.

 

[effie]

Agree with both these comments. It's amazing how common feelings like that are around the heart, and of course they are so worrying.. it sounds like it is all fine though, and your doctor has it under control.

I can't think of anything that the drugs you have taken could do that would cause those symptoms - doesn't mean there 100% isnt, but it seems very unlikely to me. Definitely no clogged veins from a cloudy shot or anything like that. I am sure that if there is anything wrong it would have been picked up on the tests you have had, or will be detected by the cardiologist. As the others said - definitely get it checked out but really try not to worry. Easier said than done, I know

I do understand your concerns - potential health problems are extremely worrying, with the added factor of worrying about it being due to your drug use. Did you feel able to mention it to your doctor? Sometimes this can help point them towards what might be wrong, or just to out your mind at rest.. however, if you can't, I feel confident that a cardiologist will be able to say if there is anything wrong with your heart or not whatever the cause.

Good luck - I'm sure you don't need it though

 

[bryan21]

Thanks for the replies everyone!
My doctor is aware of my history, but didnt seem to think the drugs had anything to do with it.
I didnt think so either, but my mom keeps trying to guilt me into thinking that I fucked myself up from all the drugs and that it serves me right and all that junk..
effie, u took a load off my mind.... i was so worried about some of the stupid shots ive made.

What do you guys think, if it is linked to something emotional/ stress related, should I try to diagnose it by taking some benzos over the course of a few days or so? and if my condition gets better I know I can attribute it to that and try to get a script for something. Do we think this might be a good idea?

 

[Syrax]

Again, no one can diagnose you over the Internet. And it is important to rule out the possibility of a legitimate health problem.

That being said... it sounds like it could be anxiety symptoms to me, but then again you say you're not under a lot of stress. I'll just put this forward though...

Do you feel a tightness or choking feeling in your throat most of the day? Is your breathing pretty shallow? Like you can't get really deep breaths? Do you experience the sensation of your own heart beating? As in... does it feel like it's beating heavier than normal, and you experience every beat?

There are tons of other anxiety symptoms obviously. It may also be useful to look into the processes of hypochondria. Not that you "have it" but sometimes anxiety can manifest itself in that way. Extreme health paranoia that essentially provokes greater anxiety.

You don't want to assume it's anxiety when it could be a very real problem, but you also have to understand the sensations that anxiety can create. It can produce a ton of different symptoms that can be very difficult not to take seriously.

The amount of caffeine you're using is probably relevant in this discussion. As well as your use of other chemicals. Anxiety will typically get worse if you use stimulants, caffeine being one of course.

 

[bryan21]

Do you feel a tightness or choking feeling in your throat most of the day? Is your breathing pretty shallow? Like you can't get really deep breaths? Do you experience the sensation of your own heart beating? As in... does it feel like it's beating heavier than normal, and you experience every beat?

This is exactly it.
Im beginning to think it could be anxiety now..
A few months ago I was with a psych and he was assessing me for anxiety,
he went down a list of situations that would make a person with anxiety feel anxious...
I think I could have said yes to most of them, but I sort of lied about it because I had just finished a long and fucked up benzo binge and hated the idea of having to continue taking them.
Back then I was in the process of rationalizing with myself and consciously training myself to not feel as nervous in such situations, and I feel that I really have come a long way. I convinced myself that I could get rid of this anxiety without medication and Id never have to admit that I had it.
I really dont feel that anxious nowadays, but perhaps I should re evaluate this because your description is spot on what I feel every second of every day.

 

[Syrax]

Yeah, you're definitely not alone in experiencing those sensations.

In my opinion... based solely on analyzing myself, for people who have chronic anxiety like what you've described, I feel like there might be some weird migration of the anxiety from thoughts to physical feelings. Maybe it's some way that your body adapts to anxiety, I don't know.

Anyways, like how you describe that you don't feel that anxious I've definitely felt like that even when I was experiencing a lot of heavy physical anxiety symptoms. It's just because at some point I think instead of all your anxiety being in your head, where you're worrying about things, it all becomes a physical sensation. So while it may seem like your anxiety is not that bad, it's actually much worse, you're just experiencing it in a more physical way, if that makes any sense. Like I said, that's just my personal interpretation of what's happened to me.

Unfortunately, I think a lot of people in the world (particularly in the West) live in this sort of constant physical anxiety state and don't really pay too much attention to it because you can totally still function with it. It really does lower your quality of life though and should be dealt with... it's just that's way way easier said than done. Especially if you're avoiding medication.

Usually you should notice things getting worse when you use caffeine. I've had some bad experiences with that shit that I know don't happen to people without anxiety. I think it also matters how often you use it. Because I've done it before without any problems too. But it's worse when you're doing it for like several days in a row or something.

Have you gotten any tension headaches? Where your brain feels like it's in a vice grip, or is like super tight? I've had those to a pretty awful degree where it feels like something is going to break inside my head. Hasn't happened in quite a while though for whatever reason.

It's definitely something that can be dealt with and gotten rid of... it's just difficult and maybe more so when you refuse to take any medication.

*Oh yeah, another symptom is getting that rush of blood to your head when standing up that gives a feeling of tightness in your head and feels pretty unhealthy. I guess this is high blood pressure? Not totally sure. It's not like a feeling of being lightheaded that you would get if you hadn't eaten in a while, it's more of a tightness.

 

[Cyc]

That being said... it sounds like it could be anxiety symptoms to me, but then again you say you're not under a lot of stress. I'll just put this forward though...

Anxiety/panic isn't always caused by stress. In fact, a sedentary lifestyle often contributes to these disorders. I agree, it sounds like a mild form of anxiety. Have you been able to take a benzo (low dose) to see how it affects your condition? Does it get worse at night, or the longer that you're awake?

I've had depressive episodes in the past, and I would constantly fixate on things that are wrong with me. A pain in my stomach is cancer. A headache is brain aneurysm. A pain in my abdomen is acute pancreatitis. All sorts of nasty thoughts go through my head when I have a bad episode. Then it compounds, and I start looking for the symptoms and sure enough, I can feel abnormalities all over. It's a real headfuck and it's all caused by an anxiety disorder. I hate it.

 

[effie]

effie, u took a load off my mind.... i was so worried about some of the stupid shots ive made.

What do you guys think, if it is linked to something emotional/ stress related, should I try to diagnose it by taking some benzos over the course of a few days or so? and if my condition gets better I know I can attribute it to that and try to get a script for something. Do we think this might be a good idea?

Glad I helped - that's not to say that IV shots aren't dangerous, especially dirty ones with bacteria in etc, but I agree with your doctor in that I can't think of anything at all that could link them with your symptoms

Been debating whether to mention this or not as I don't want to panic you, but there is a heart condition called infective endocarditis resulting from bacteria from an IV shot lodging on your heart valves, but it does not give you chest pain/discomfort/shortness of breath/palpitations/anything like that at all!! Just thought I'd mention it in case you read up on it somewhere and panicked.. it gives you unexplained fevers and a heart murmur, which can only be detected by listening with a stethoscope. It is definitely not what you are describing!

I think perhaps you should ask your doctor about it being anxiety related and if they think a small script is a good idea. Benzos work well in the short term for anxiety, but they aren't a long term solution - you don't want to end up with a benzo addiction.. It could well be anxiety, but I still think you should go ahead with the cardiologist though, just to put your mind at rest really.

Good luck!

 

[rangrz]

Just to be clear, when I was talking of drugs causing unusual feelings or palpitations, I was talking of acute, not chronic effects during the duration of the drugs action (the high and the come down, so to speak)

If you think it is psychological in origin, I would suggest trying to add some more exercise and outdoor activities to your daily routine. (As Cyc points out, sedentary and inactive lifestyles can cause a sort of anxiety and similar conditions)

 

[bryan21]

*Oh yeah, another symptom is getting that rush of blood to your head when standing up that gives a feeling of tightness in your head and feels pretty unhealthy. I guess this is high blood pressure? Not totally sure. It's not like a feeling of being lightheaded that you would get if you hadn't eaten in a while, it's more of a tightness.

This too.
And it does get worse at night and sometimes keeps me up because I can feel every single heart beat.
Ill probably try to grab some benzos off my friends to give it a try, but I am still hesitant to use them daily
Can anyone recommend any herbal alternatives?
Ive been looking into kava, but it might be hard to come by seeing as its illegal to sell here... well I know a store that is supposed to still sell it but apparently they only sell in bulk, so I want to know that this stuff is really going to work before I invest too much in it.
Thoughts are greatly appreciated.

 

[effie]

^ the head-rush when standing up is usually caused by a drop in blood pressure, before your body puts mechanisms in place to adjust to being stood up..

Awareness of your heartbeat is very common - I can hear mine in my ears sometimes and feel it all over when I lie still. Does it feel regular or irregular? Fast or normal? The ECG would have picked up any rhythm problems unless they come and go.. awareness of your heartbeat is definitely one of the symptoms of anxiety, as is a racing/thumping heart.

I'm glad you are hesitant to use benzos daily - you really don't want to become addicted to them..

I'm not too sure about kava or any herbal remedies I'm afraid. My mum swears by Bach's Rescue Remedy, but I don't know if it is an international thing (I'm from the UK) or if it actually works..

If it is anxiety-related, how about learning some relaxation techniques or meditation?

 

[Syrax]

People say magnesium helps. But there a lot of natural OTC type of things that people claim help anxiety. There are places on the Internet you can look these things up. I can't recommend anything though. Meditation is probably the best thing you can do. Only issue with it is that sometimes, due to life situations or whatever, meditation can be difficult to maintain. Taking pills on the other hand requires no real effort. Meditation is more of a slow cure that requires a particular lifestyle and also requires a lot of things to kind of go right in your life for you to keep it up. Also there's a legitimate learning curve to it in my opinion. I'm pretty confident that benzos will immediately make you feel better. But they seem pretty dangerous if you ask me. That's why I've intentionally avoided taking them because it just seems like a recipe for disaster. I'd rather tolerate anxiety than develop some ridiculous benzo habit. Sometimes I feel like benzos are safer for recreational use in people that don't have anxiety than as an actual treatment for anxiety. People use SSRIs for anxiety as well, but again that's not something I would go with. Sometimes you might get a weird feeling like your heart skips a beat... I guess that's what it is. It's just like a weird sensation where your heart kind of jumps, it's hard to explain. You gotta be careful with drugs when you have anxiety though, a lot of weird bad shit can go down that wouldn't happen if you were calmer. You have to be more careful with a lot of things actually, because you can aggravate the anxiety further. Like I've been in situations where I couldn't sleep for more than 5 hours at a time and I would immediately wake up after that and couldn't possibly go back to sleep. Would end up almost passing out in the middle of day... kind of dangerous if you're driving, etc. My sleep schedule is totally backwards at the moment but I don't actually have any problems sleeping. Anyways, be real careful if you end up using benzos...

 

[effie]

If it does turn out to be anxiety, I recommend CBT.. (I say that so much, haha!)

Am jumping the gun a little so won't launch into my spiel about how much it helped my friend's anxiety, but if you want to know more shoot me a pm or I'll post up all my info once we know for sure what this is

 

[rangrz]

Ive been looking into kava, but it might be hard to come by seeing as its illegal to sell here... well I know a store that is supposed to still sell it but apparently they only sell in bulk, so I want to know that this stuff is really going to work before I invest too much in it.
Thoughts are greatly appreciated.

Seeing as you live in Toronto, like me, I figure I'd toss in that Kava is not listed in the Controlled Drug and Substances Act, and the stop sale order only applies to distribution/sale of Kava when marketed for human consumption. It is not, however illegal to possess Kava or sell it for uses other then human consumption. (i.e. stick a label on it as potpurrie or such) further, it is legal to import it from abroad for personal consumption, so long as you do not market it to other people. (i.e. buy it from the Internet)