Heart Palpitations: When to Seek Medical Help - Cardiology

Arrhythmia?

---

Hello Doctor, I have been experiencing persistent chest tightness and pain for a while.
One night, I had severe pain in my left chest for several hours, so I went to the emergency room.
They didn't find anything significant, but the emergency physician reviewed my previous electrocardiogram from a cardiology appointment and suspected I might have arrhythmia.
However, the doctor from the outpatient clinic had previously said it was normal and attributed my discomfort to staying up late, prescribing me with Eicosapentaenoic acid and advising me to rest.
When I left the emergency room, I was given pain relievers and medication for my stomach issues (as I have a history of mild gastric ulcers and gastroesophageal reflux).
I was puzzled as to why the doctor referred me to a specific large hospital for further tests, stating they had better equipment, but since it was too far, I went to a closer large hospital instead.
When I mentioned this to other doctors there, they also found it strange and believed the original hospital could have performed the tests.
The night after my emergency visit, I experienced palpitations with my heart rate reaching around 120 beats per minute, which made me feel anxious and unable to sleep, so I went to the emergency room again (at a different hospital).
The doctor prescribed me antiarrhythmic medication and performed an electrocardiogram, which they said was normal.
I relayed the previous emergency physician's diagnosis, and later the doctor explained that there might be a conduction abnormality in my heart.
The next day, I went for a detailed check-up at the outpatient clinic, where the doctor reviewed the emergency room's electrocardiogram and also deemed it normal.
They arranged for a 24-hour Holter monitor and a stress test, both of which returned normal results.
Consequently, I was referred to a gastroenterologist.
I have not yet undergone an endoscopy but am currently taking stomach medication and monitoring my condition.
After adjusting my diet, I have not experienced significant chest pain, although I still occasionally feel some discomfort.
Recently, I had gastrointestinal discomfort and consulted a doctor, mentioning that I had eaten undercooked fish the day before.
He prescribed me amoxicillin 500 mg, and after taking it, I felt a slight itchiness, but it was not significant.
A few hours later, as I was lying down to sleep, I felt some difficulty breathing and a noticeable swelling sensation in my throat.
Fearing a drug allergy, I went to the emergency room.
The emergency physician examined my throat with a tongue depressor and found no swelling, and an X-ray showed no abnormalities.
They suggested I could see an ENT specialist for further evaluation with different equipment.
That night, I received an allergy injection and went home with medication.
By morning, I felt mostly better and began taking the prescribed medication four times a day.
I forgot to take the evening dose, and when I woke up at 2 AM, I took it.
The medications were prednisolone 5 mg and dexchlorpheniramine maleate 2 mg.
After taking them, I lay back down to sleep, but soon felt my limbs getting a bit cold, my heart racing, and palpitations, which made me anxious and unable to sleep.
The previous day's emergency visit left me worried about potential drug allergies or side effects.
I had Eicosapentaenoic acid and antiarrhythmic medication on hand but was unsure whether I could take them or which one to choose.
I struggled to sleep, feeling very drowsy but experiencing palpitations whenever I was about to fall asleep.
It felt like my heart was suddenly pounding hard, and I had never experienced this before.
I considered taking an antiarrhythmic medication, but after reading about its side effects online, which sounded alarming, I hesitated, unsure if it would interact with the medications I was already taking.
The doctor had previously advised that if I felt unwell, I should get an electrocardiogram for accurate results, but my episodes usually occur at night.
I was reluctant to keep going to the emergency room, fearing I would be a nuisance to my family who needed to sleep.
I also wondered if I might be experiencing some level of anxiety or excessive tension, leading to discomfort in my heart.
It seems uncertain whether it is a drug allergy, but I feel very worried.
Sometimes, I question whether my anxiety is influenced by reading about side effects or if my nervousness is causing these sensations, even if I haven't seen any side effects.
Over the past month, I haven't experienced this every day; although I tend to be more anxious, I usually sleep normally at night, feeling a slight tightness in my chest that doesn't affect my daily life.
However, during stressful situations, I have endured several nights of distress.
I am unsure whether you would recommend that I see a cardiologist again or if I should consult a psychiatrist.

---

uu, 20~29 year old female. Ask Date: 2017/04/01