lately i am having very frequent attacks of anxiety, and my pulse rate generally crosses 120 per minute speed. At time even more.. (to those of you who are exited about valentine's week, no its not the result of 'love in the air'.. :P) I consulted my Doc and I am not really satisfied with his response. Though he gave me a relaxant but it appears to just put me to sleep (which i can not afford at current time of semester with exams going on) and has no effect on my pulse.
Is it normal in SLE? I cant really concentrate on anything, my hands shake violently when its high, get severe headaches, feel uneasy and so on.. DO all the patients have same issue and if yes how often do you get such attacks?
Many things can cause an elevated heart rate. I have a condition referred to as POTS, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. I have had this since I was in my 20’s (57 now). If I bend over or move quickly or even sneeze it could start my heart racing. I would get diaphoretic (sweaty) and my blood pressure would drop. The anxiety was unbearable. When was in my early 40’s, I went to a cardiologist who did a stress test and a tilt table test and finally caused it to happen while they were watching. I was put on Lopressor to slow my rate down and it worked instantly. However, the drug slows your heart rate and makes you feel really tired for a while. I remain on the drug still. I can count on one hand how many times it has happened since then. It could be your thyroid, could be many, many things but keep seeking help for the answers. I take Ativan if I need to for anxiety. It works well for me but we are not all the same. Good luck! Sue RN
I have had SLE since I was 24 I am now 50 and sometimes all the symptoms that go with SLE can cause anxiety. I asked my doc for Xanax to be taken at night I find that I am able to sleep better and it takes care of the anxiety without making me sleepy. You may want to try this. I hope you feel better.
So sorry you also have this. So frustrating, isn't it? That's called tachycardia. Some get anxiety before the fast heart rate, some get the fast heart rate and that causes some anxiety. I get it without anxiety. It can be due to a number of causes, some can be caused by lupus, but some can have the causes even without lupus.
It can be as simple as being dehydrated or low blood sugar. Does it happen right when you sit up or stand up? Then your Dr. may test and diagnose you with POTS, (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome). The first thing they will check is your thyroid and other chemicals/hormones controlled by your endocrine system. Both high and low adrenal, high and low thyroid can cause it. Endocrine system dysfunctions. When I stand or walk, my heart rate goes up to 160. I sweat and heart pounds and its miserable..Does it stay even after you sit back down? Sedation doesn't help the tachycardia much. They usually prescribe thyroid or adrenal or beta blocker if it's just your heart's electrical system going too fast. I do know a lot of people with lupus who have it, but depending on what part of the body lupus is attacking, the cause will be different. If it's due solely to anxiety, Bromazepam that dissolves under your tongue (works quickly) has helped when I used to have anxiety, but there are natural remedies for anxiety as well. Some of which can help people beat anxiety.
I have high pulse rate at times as well. My doctor is it concerned either as I am on steroids which can cause this. I have had a total heart work up and my heart is great. Mine comes and goes. I take Ativan at night and it really helps the anxiety. Be sure you get a heart and thyroid work up. If they are negative it could be a medication or just anxiety. Prayers you will find an answer. Hugs-Tina
Awesomed, so many of us live with this, and have done for decades, so it's not that dangerous. Even exercising is supposed to raise our heart rate to higher than 120 beats per minute, so I don't think she needs to panic just yet. My heart rate goes up to 160 when I stand up.
awesomed said:
Your having a thyriod storm...go to ER...then go to an endo. And then your general Dr. Its dangerous for your heart...get it fixed
My pulse rate stays around 100 at rest. I was diagnosed with regular sinus tachycardia after wearing a heart monitor for 24 hours. For me, it's nothing serious. It's possible the anxiety and the higher pulse rate are just feeding off of each other. Did you discuss with your doctor about being exam time and all the other symptoms that go along with it?
My pulse rate runs high all the time, but they do not seem extremely concerned, it is usually in the high 90's. I just had labs drawn (been off prednisone since July), I was curious about the results. Everything came back great, my c reactive protein was even back to low levels. Some times a fast a pulse rate is just that I guess. Glad everything shows remission here.. If the weather would just warm up things would be good. Talk with your Doctor about it but don't be overly worried, it may be nothing.
My hubby had an attack once, we thought it was an asthma attack due to his inability to catch his breath. He was diagnosed with "supraventricular tachychardia", which means an extra current of electricity would run through his heart, making it speed up randomly. Hubby's symptoms were fast heartrate, shortness of breath, and inability to think straight. Scary time for us, but it all worked out. One pill a day for the rest of his life is the result, but it'll keep it from ever happening again. I highly recommend looking further into this.
Yes I have SLE and my heart rate has gonna up to 140’s. I’m starting to lose count of how many times I go to the hospital or to my doctor. My hands tremble and I get migraines as well. I’m on prednisone but I’m still suffering from these symptoms cause of extra stresses of life. Your not alone … I go through it also … It’s taking a toll on my college and work life. I made a plan to put college on hold and work until I stabilize and gett anxieties under control.
Hi!, having SLE is no fun !!! Due to any and all things can happen more server than any other form of Lupus. Yes these things happen time to time , but you have to focus on your body at the moment you feel the flare starting , pain management , in so many words ! Even though all flares are not the same each time they do have a combinnation of likeness of the affects . Try for three months writing down the things that you do for a week or two , compare how you feel after doing them and when you start feeling different in doing them make adjustments . But the main thing is not to get stressed out , that is the hardest flare to pass , also you have to get some you time -quite time, no noise, people, do nothing(meditation really helps ), oh and Rest is totally a pluse…Beverly L.
I have SLE also now for 3years since Feb.7, and it is hard at times still-smile
I have/had the same thing. My bp has gone up to 174. I’m now on metoprolol xr. It’s a beta blocker. It was pulse that would drive me crazy. I’d feel that it was high, then it would give me anxiety. I get palpitations also. The metoprolol helps a lot. My neuro likes that I’m on it also because it’s supposed to help with migraines.
thanks for kind comments and support. I am a bit relieved now and would go and see my doctor once more. meanwhile i plan to learn more about the condition, since that would help me question and understand whatever my doctor suggests.
I have had a few episodes where my heart rate was over 100 at resting with heaviness in my chest and shortness of breath. The doctors did not diagnose anything but I know when my lupus is under better control I don't have the high heart rate. It is scary. I have a friend with hyper thyroid and it causes a racing heart- I think it can be caused by many things.
I have the same issues and have been on metoprolol for bout two years. The med keeps me from waking up in panics at night but sometimes my heart races, I get red, and have anxiety attacks too.
Yes, I'll explained what happened to me. On, a Monday, I was driving to work in the morning knowing I was a about to be in a stressful meeting. All of a sudden I couldn't catch my breath and I could feel my pulse rate go up. My heart was beating fast. I continued on to work. The meeting did cause stress, but I don't normally react to stress this way physically. I called my doctor that day and set up and appointment for that Friday. The whole week my heart was beating faster than normal and I had difficulty "catching my breath". When I arrived at my appointment, the nurse who checked my vitals said, "Whoa, your pulse is 140, it's normally in the 90's, whats's going on?". I told her that's why I was here because I didn't know what was going on. So then I saw the doctor (PCP). He said I probably had a panic attack and since my pulse continued to to be high the whole week, I should be taking something for it. He prescribed Xanax. It worked but it made me sleepy and I already have a problem with that. So, I went back in to switch to something more long-acting and that causes less sleepiness. That was Klonapin which I still take 2-3 times a day. I have always had anxiety but I just had too much and it had started to affect me physically. I have been doing much better ever since. But I would caution you on taking benzodiazapines because they are addictive and hard to get off of. I would only consider if YOU and your doc think you need it. Best of luck! :-)