For as long as I can remember I have had heart issues and chest pains. at age 8 I was diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse and sinus arythmia.

At around age 17 I began having "spells" where my heart would suddenly beat rapidly (up to 187 bpm) and suddenly drop very low (40 to 50 bpm). This continues to fluctuate between extreme high and low heart rates for around 30 min to an hour.

During these spells I lose contiousness, sometimes have short periods where I don't breathe (about 35 sec to 1 min. but has been up to about 2 min). I also have what looks like seizures to those around me. I am told I may be stiff and even look like a bow arching my back and then I completely retract into the fetal position. I also jerk a lot with very irregular body movements.

I do not lose control of my bladder or bowels but am always VERY tired after these spells....

I always know when one is coming because of extreme pain in what feels like my heart and begin feeling like something is wrong...

I have seen both cartiologysts and nerologests for this matter. at age 17 I was told by one Dr. that he wasn't sure what it was but his monitor did show that the symptoms were really happening (as if he origionally thought i was faking) and that all he knew to do was treat each spell as they come and wished me luck and said "I hope it doesnt kill you". I'd like answers. Has anyone ever heard anything like this??? What do you think it might be??? any suggestions?

It sounds like it could be autonomic dysfunction or siezures. You should start by seeking another opinion from a good cardiologist. You would benefit from both a holter monitor to document the episodes and/or an event recorder that can be sent over the phone for immediate results/interpretation. A tilt table test would also be a good idea.

If you are having autonomic dysfunction resulting in syncope episodes, there are several options to help control the symptoms, to include medicine and possibly even a pacemaker even if your passing out from low heart rates.

If these events are seizure related, then an EEG would be a helpful test to consider.

What 'monitor' was used by the doctor you mentioned and what showed on the monitor to confirm your symptoms?

How often are these happening...daily, weekly, etc?