Fluttering

[ArubaWendy]

Hello Fellow Celiacs:

I have been having diffuculty with strange feelings (heart related) I am not sure if it is Celiac related or not. sometime the fluttering seems to last a full day, and makes me a bit tired by the end of the day. I am not in pain, and don't seem to have shortness of breath. It is very difficult to put what it feels like into words. Fluttering is the only word I can come up with, but it seems inadequite. Any suggestions?

[MsCurious]

Sounds like it could be atrial fibrillation. It's generally not life threatening, unless you've had it consistently for over 48 hours, and then it can cause pooling of blood where it should be pumping out and puts you at risk for blood clot. You should call your doctor and discuss what's going on. Dr may want to check it out, just to be sure its nothing serious. Fluttering of the heart happens now and then to most people at one time or another, but atrial fibrillation is when your heart "goes out of rhythm" and has a hard time going back into rhythm. You can sort of hold your breath/pushing like you're straining when constipated (lol .. I know that sounds weird), or bending over, or sticking your face in a bowl of ice water. These are things a doctor might suggest to "shock" your system enough to get the heart to transition back. I'm not a doctor... just what they've had my son do, when he has this happen, which unfortunately is far too often for my liking. (he's got an electrical problem with his heart that is not common)

I should add that my son has medication to take when A-Fib happens to him, and he has been instructed to get to the ER or see his doctor before 48 hours so they can zap him (with those shock paddle things) to restart his heart to get it beating normally. So, ultimately ... if you don't know what's going on... go see your doctor and let them instruct you on your specific situation.

[mushroom]

Hello Fellow Celiacs:

I have been having diffuculty with strange feelings (heart related) I am not sure if it is Celiac related or not. sometime the fluttering seems to last a full day, and makes me a bit tired by the end of the day. I am not in pain, and don't seem to have shortness of breath. It is very difficult to put what it feels like into words. Fluttering is the only word I can come up with, but it seems inadequite. Any suggestions?

You could check whether it's atrial fibrillation (which I get, by the way) by taking your pulse. If you have little pauses or an irregular pulse, it would certainly sound like atrial fibrillation. For me it usually starts with a "kicking" sensation, like something in my heart is kicking the chest wall. I would certainly have it checked out by your doctor, particularly if it is lasting all day. He may have you wear a Holter monitor which is a kind of portable EKG which monitors your heart's activity for 24 hours.

[cassP]

Hello Fellow Celiacs:

I have been having diffuculty with strange feelings (heart related) I am not sure if it is Celiac related or not. sometime the fluttering seems to last a full day, and makes me a bit tired by the end of the day. I am not in pain, and don't seem to have shortness of breath. It is very difficult to put what it feels like into words. Fluttering is the only word I can come up with, but it seems inadequite. Any suggestions?

hey, like the other 2 girls posted- DEFINITELY get your heart checked out with your doctor... you want to cover all your bases- make sure everything is okay with your heart.

now.. in addition to that- get your thyroid fully checked. i went thru years of heart palpitations and shortness of breath... i DID get all the heart tests, breathing tests, lung xrays, everything was fine... i even started guessing "Orthostatic Hypotension"- got that checked too... everything was fine... never thought it could be related to my thyroid- and now i know it all is.

so get it all checked so you know whats going on, good luck