I need some reassurance or tips..I have read the information posted on Heart Palpitations and thank you so much for that...

I am 37 years old. Over a year ago I was put on high doses of estrogen and progesterone to stop my period because the risk of surgery was too high for me...long story..I got to a point that the surgery was a must and just had it on the 23 of January. I had a total abdominal hysterectomy, with ovaries and cervix gone as well. I am on a small dose of estrogen through a patch due to severe osteoperosis in my family. In the past two weeks when I go to bed, the minute my head hits the pillow my heart feels as if it will break through my chest. It seems to race so fast and then skips and continues for at least 20 minutes. I know my anxiety over it makes it worse. I try and relax and ignore it but it hurts and scares me . After reading this forum, I now know that I have nothing to be scared about which is a huge relief.

My question is what is the best way to handle this when it is happening? Is there any advice on how to handle the episode...

Thank you so much. I feel so good knowing that I not crazy...I told people and they thought I was nuts but this board let me know what I am having..

Christine

Hi June,

All I can suggest is reading all the postings on this site and Nomorepanic.com. If you are generally anxious I recommend Claire Weekes, "Self Help for Your Nerves" book. My ectopics started after an operation to remove an ovarian cyst 2 and a half years ago. I was quite ill after the op - I think due to the general anaesthetic.  I had other gynae problems and more large cysts and 18 months ago I has a total abdominal hysterectomy too. I am 43 and now on Climoval hrt. I have heard that palpitations can be linked to hormonal changes in women, but for me, I haven't noticed any change in the ectopics since the hystertectomy.

I would say though that it is very soon after your op - maybe you are still suffering a bit of trauma and anxiety from the op itself? If you had a serious heart problem I would have thought it would have come to light during the op when you were wired up to the monitors. When I had the hysterectomy I was so scared of having another general anaesthetic that the doc tried 3 times to do a spinal block (very unpleasant) but couldn't - so I had a general - but he did say that the ectopics stopped once I was under. This suggests to me that they are linked to anxiety. Do you think that it could be that you only feel them in bed because you are 'tuning in' to your heart at a quiet time, whereas the rest of the time you are distracted? This is what my husband thinks about my funny sensations in my chest.

I think it would be worth going back to your GP - they will probably send you for an ecg - just to put your mind at rest. Do you have a follow up appointment at the hospital in a couple of weeks? They will have your notes and should be able to say if anything was noticed during the op - believe me though, if it had you would have been referred back to your GP or sent for further tets.

Sorry I can't offer any more practical help. I use these coping statements for anxiety sometimes. Thw whole site is worth looking at actually.


http://www.anxietynetwork.com/helpcope.html#helpcop1

Undergoing either full or partial hysterectomy can cause a good deal of symptoms in the aftermath that are hormone-related. Fluctuations are common and are nothing to worry about. It may take several months working with your primary care physician or specialist to properly adjust hormone replacement to achieve the best results with fewest side-effects. You'll be fine and the changes in heart rate will never cause you to experience a cardiac event as a consequence.

Best regards and Good Health