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Undiagnosed Symptoms (Expert Forum)
attacks of high body heat, heart palpitations, numbness
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
Kevin, M.D.
Boston - MA
Questions in the Undiagnosed Symptoms forum are answered by Dr. Kevin Pho. Topics covered include breathing difficulties, feeling cold, cough, diarrhea, dizziness, fainting, fever, indigestion, itching, nausea, numbness, pain (chronic), paralysis, rash, sweating, swelling, urination problems, and vomiting.
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attacks of high body heat, heart palpitations, numbness
by Cherchour, Mar 13, 2007 12:00AM
I am a 31 year old female married with two young children. One year ago, I had a sudden attack of heart palpitations, high body heat, and complete weakness. I felt like I was having a heart attack. This lasted for about 15 minutes and the symptoms disappeared completely. Five months later, this attack came back again. However, after I reached the hospital, everything was fine. All was normal: blood pressure, sugar level, and ECG. Three months later, I had a similar attack but this time my arms and legs felt numb and I had a chest pain in addition to body heat and heart palpitations. Again I went to the hospital and everything was normal after about half an hour. Now I am seeing an Endocrinologist and a Cardiologist. I have done the following tests: 24hrs Urine test and blood test for all Hormones, an MRI of the abdomen, a Holter test, and a stress test. All is normal except Adrenaline-U < 27nmol/24hrs and the Cortisol – Serum is 285.51ng/ml (morning) (normal 60 to 285). The Dr. turned his attention to Cortisol level. However, after taking abdomen MRI, he eliminated the Cortisol as being the cause of my problem. Now, I am getting the same types of attacks frequently but it only lasts for 1 to 3 minutes. It is a minor attack compared to the first three mentioned above. The attack mainly now consists of high body heat, heart palpitations, and numbness of arms and legs. Please advice me on the steps I should take and on which type of physicians I should visit since I reached a dead-end with the Endocrinologist and Cardiologist.
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, Mar 14, 2007 12:00AM
, Mar 14, 2007 12:00AM
I agree with the testing done so far.
With the continued palpitations, I would continue to focus on the heart.
An event monitor is a more comprehensive test than the Holter. This is a portable heart monitor that is worn for 1 month, and any palpitations are then recorded. A Holter is only worn for 24-hrs. Any suspicious arrhythmia should be evaluated.
I would also consider imaging the heart - this can be done with an echocardiogram. Any structural or valve abnormalities should be ruled out.
If the symptoms continue, despite normal testing, I would consider evaluating for issues like stress and anxiety - which can also bring on these symptoms. However, this avenue should only be undertaken if other diseases have been ruled out.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_
With the continued palpitations, I would continue to focus on the heart.
An event monitor is a more comprehensive test than the Holter. This is a portable heart monitor that is worn for 1 month, and any palpitations are then recorded. A Holter is only worn for 24-hrs. Any suspicious arrhythmia should be evaluated.
I would also consider imaging the heart - this can be done with an echocardiogram. Any structural or valve abnormalities should be ruled out.
If the symptoms continue, despite normal testing, I would consider evaluating for issues like stress and anxiety - which can also bring on these symptoms. However, this avenue should only be undertaken if other diseases have been ruled out.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_
Member Comments (1)
by Christine503, Mar 18, 2007 12:00AM
Do you have headaches with these attacks? Have your doctors considered a pheochromocytoma..it's a mass on the adrenal glands (sometimes elsewhere) that secrete adreneline and the symptoms are headache, palpitations, high blood pressure and sweating episodes. These are rare but should be looked into. I believe the test is a 24 hour urine for catecholamines but there may be a newer blood test as well. I'm not a doctor, but you might ask your doctor if this could be a possibility. Good luck!
by bluemonkeymommy, Mar 20, 2007 12:00AM
I had the same thing a year ago. I got up in the middle of the night, my heart was pounding, my legs and arms got numb, my ears were buzzing and it wouldn't go away. Started to get dizzy. I woke up my husband to take me to the hospital because I really thought something was severely wrong. As I got dressed, it went away. DH strongly beleives I was having a panic attack of some kind. Never happened again. I don't know what to tell you, but wanted to share my similar experience with you. Good luck.
by CandyA, Aug 03, 2007 06:53PM
To: Dr. Pho
I went to the doctor today with numbness in my left arm. My BP at rest was 139/79 and my pulse was 111. I was having heart palpitations. He did an ekg and it show prolonged interval with my QRS. I also, get spurts of high body heat, with heavy sweating. Not like hot flashes. I am a 53 year old obese female. This is Friday and he told me to return to his office Monday. I was wondering what this might be. Thanks.
