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What Causes Heart Palpitations, Numbness In Arms And Legs?
Question: Hi,
I was taking XANAX & ZOLOFT for years and then my doctor wanted to do away with the XANAX. So she
weaned me off the XANAX and then had me take DAIZEPAM and BUSPIRONE HCL and then once the BUSPIRONE HCL kicked in she had me stop taking the DAIZEPAM.
I have several symptoms and my doctor has no idea what my problem is. I have heart palpitations, numbness in both arms and hands, numbness in both legs and feet, a tingling in my cheeks and mouth.
I went to the clinic on Friday and the doctor that I got thought that I was having an overdose of serotonin
and he told me to immediately stop taking BUSPIRONE HCL. So stopped on Friday afternoon and Sat. through Mon. I started to feel better. I had a physical on Monday with my primary care doctor and all of my labs test were positive and everything looked great and I was feeling fine. Monday night I started having the symptoms that I have mentioned above. By Tuesday morning I was having these symptoms so bad that I saw my primary care doctor again and she couldn't find anything wrong with me. She sent me for some more lab tests but I haven't heard anything from her since. She is sending me for and MRI. She is also sending to a neurologist. I have also gotten and appointment with my cardiologist. I have had palpitations before due to stress and anxiety and my cardiologist had me wear a halter monitor last year and he said that my heart was fine. Please let me know if you have any idea what could be wrong with me. I am so worried about these symptoms. Thank-you, XXXX
I was taking XANAX & ZOLOFT for years and then my doctor wanted to do away with the XANAX. So she
weaned me off the XANAX and then had me take DAIZEPAM and BUSPIRONE HCL and then once the BUSPIRONE HCL kicked in she had me stop taking the DAIZEPAM.
I have several symptoms and my doctor has no idea what my problem is. I have heart palpitations, numbness in both arms and hands, numbness in both legs and feet, a tingling in my cheeks and mouth.
I went to the clinic on Friday and the doctor that I got thought that I was having an overdose of serotonin
and he told me to immediately stop taking BUSPIRONE HCL. So stopped on Friday afternoon and Sat. through Mon. I started to feel better. I had a physical on Monday with my primary care doctor and all of my labs test were positive and everything looked great and I was feeling fine. Monday night I started having the symptoms that I have mentioned above. By Tuesday morning I was having these symptoms so bad that I saw my primary care doctor again and she couldn't find anything wrong with me. She sent me for some more lab tests but I haven't heard anything from her since. She is sending me for and MRI. She is also sending to a neurologist. I have also gotten and appointment with my cardiologist. I have had palpitations before due to stress and anxiety and my cardiologist had me wear a halter monitor last year and he said that my heart was fine. Please let me know if you have any idea what could be wrong with me. I am so worried about these symptoms. Thank-you, XXXX
Brief Answer:
these are likely anxiety symptoms
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX,
Thanks for writing to us. I can understand your concern.
You were on xanax and zoloft for years (likely for depression and/or anxiety).
It is good that your doctor has shifted to you on diazepam from xanax. Buspirone is also an anti anxiety drug. In my opinion sertonin overdose (called serotonin syndrome) does not occur with buspirone. I think problem was due to withdrawal of benzodiazepine (diazepam).
Other possibility is panic attack itself as you had history of some psychiatric problems since many years and you have also been undergone for cardiac check up for anxiety symptoms.
Stopping buspirone and improvement in symptoms was merely a coincident I guess.
Recurrence of symptoms after lab testing (which are also fine) is suggestive of anxiety symptoms.
Considering your age I also recommend to go for MRI to rule out neurological problem.
I also suggest that check for Vitamin B12 level, Vitamin D level and thyroid if not done.
In conclusion if neurological finding come normal, you are suffering from anxiety symptoms likely.
Please do not worry, you will be normal soon.
Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to help further.
Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.
these are likely anxiety symptoms
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX,
Thanks for writing to us. I can understand your concern.
You were on xanax and zoloft for years (likely for depression and/or anxiety).
It is good that your doctor has shifted to you on diazepam from xanax. Buspirone is also an anti anxiety drug. In my opinion sertonin overdose (called serotonin syndrome) does not occur with buspirone. I think problem was due to withdrawal of benzodiazepine (diazepam).
Other possibility is panic attack itself as you had history of some psychiatric problems since many years and you have also been undergone for cardiac check up for anxiety symptoms.
Stopping buspirone and improvement in symptoms was merely a coincident I guess.
Recurrence of symptoms after lab testing (which are also fine) is suggestive of anxiety symptoms.
Considering your age I also recommend to go for MRI to rule out neurological problem.
I also suggest that check for Vitamin B12 level, Vitamin D level and thyroid if not done.
In conclusion if neurological finding come normal, you are suffering from anxiety symptoms likely.
Please do not worry, you will be normal soon.
Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to help further.
Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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