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What Causes Fluttering Feeling And Pain In The Chest At Night?
Question: I awake suddenly during the night with a jolt and my heart is fluttering, sometimes it feels like its skipping beats, i have chest pain and sometimes I am gasping for air. These attacks happen only at night and recently have occurred multiple times through out the night. Some think its indigestion coming up my esophagus, others thin it is sleep apnea , still others think they are panic attacks. Its a horrible feeling , its scary and it feels like you are having a heart attack. I think there is an underlying issue that is causing these attacks, i just wish i knew what.
Brief Answer:
I think they are panic attacks
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using Healthcaremagic.
I read your query and understand your concerns.
From the available description I am sure that you are experiencing panic attacks and there is little doubt about the diagnosis if any. This is evidenced by nature of symptoms as well as your response to xanax.
In my opinion SSRI group of medication will make a better option rather than xanax for long term control of these attacks.
I agree with you that something is there to cause these attacks and it will be appropriate to undergo blood tests to identify the causes of it.
I hope this helps you.
If you have more questions feel free to write back to me.
Thanks and regards
I think they are panic attacks
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using Healthcaremagic.
I read your query and understand your concerns.
From the available description I am sure that you are experiencing panic attacks and there is little doubt about the diagnosis if any. This is evidenced by nature of symptoms as well as your response to xanax.
In my opinion SSRI group of medication will make a better option rather than xanax for long term control of these attacks.
I agree with you that something is there to cause these attacks and it will be appropriate to undergo blood tests to identify the causes of it.
I hope this helps you.
If you have more questions feel free to write back to me.
Thanks and regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
My Blood tests usually come back okay. I have a hiatal hernia in the esophagus could this cause any of the issues I have mentioned? are you sure it couldn't be a heart issue? Maybe Cardiac arrhythmia? these attacks happen multiple times at night and my chest hurts, its difficult;t to believe an anxiety attack is causing all this.
Brief Answer:
Hiatal hernia is unlikely cause
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for follow up.
First of all I like to make it clear that hiatal hernia is most unlikley cause for presentation described above.
I can not be sure about the presence or absence of heart issue but I am sure that presentation is of panic attacks.
However I like make it clear that if it has been heart it will not cause multiple attacks which respond to xanax.
I also like to inform you that anxiety is a disorder which can cause any symptoms which can be imagined by our mind. I mean to say that the manifestation of anxiety are very diffuse and can involve any system of body in any manner.
I hope this answers you further.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
In future if you wish to ask any more questions , you can use the below mentioned link to contact me.
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-ashok-kumar/67386
Thanks and regards.
Hiatal hernia is unlikely cause
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for follow up.
First of all I like to make it clear that hiatal hernia is most unlikley cause for presentation described above.
I can not be sure about the presence or absence of heart issue but I am sure that presentation is of panic attacks.
However I like make it clear that if it has been heart it will not cause multiple attacks which respond to xanax.
I also like to inform you that anxiety is a disorder which can cause any symptoms which can be imagined by our mind. I mean to say that the manifestation of anxiety are very diffuse and can involve any system of body in any manner.
I hope this answers you further.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
In future if you wish to ask any more questions , you can use the below mentioned link to contact me.
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-ashok-kumar/67386
Thanks and regards.
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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