Hi Everyone! My 19 year old adopted daughter has started having a racing heart. (EKG) is fine. She has been to a cardiologist and her heart is fine and strong. She also has bouts of stuttering and also neck or body jerks. She can have them all together or the racing heart separate from the jerks and stuttering. Does anyone have any idea what this could mean or where to start looking?
I really appreciate all your help.
Blessings,
TinaInGp

Has she had any other tests- like a full blood work panel, MRI or CT scans?
Do you have a primary dr to oversee things and refer her to other specialists?
Maybe a neurologist should be the next step.

Yes, she has had full blood work at the hospital. She has been there several times. She has had an EKG which was normal, and has been to the cardiologist and all those tests come back as normal too. She is waiting for a referral to a neurologist. The weirdest thing about what is happening is that it is very sporadic. I am looking for any insight as to what could be happening to her. She has also had a tremble for as long as we remember which is mostly in her hands.
Blessings,
Tina

Can you explain the stuttering a bit more? For example, is she getting stuck pronouncing a word, repeating the same word, breaking words up or troubles with word gathering (hopefully that made sense).

I have some Neurological complications (using that term to save time typing it all up), and I have the problems you listed excluding true stuttering. I do, however, repeat the same word twice or sometimes 'fumble' a word; like saying, I'm going to the st-store' or I will say, I'm going to to the store' or sometimes I forget an entire word, and so on.

The jerks I have are called Myoclonic Jerks, and mine were diagnosed as Myoclonic Seizures during the day, and at the night they are more severe (typically before bed or while falling asleep).

Here is a link to Myoclonic Seizures and another for Myoclonic Jerks.

I also have Tachycardia, which never brings any abnormalities on an Echocardiogram. I had this recorded via Holter Monitor as well as during a VEEG where my heart rate will go from the 80's to the 150's and higher. This happens even while resting. They are yet to find a diagnosis, but are now considering some beta blockers or something. It's been harmless so far, but it is annoying and I'm sure if you ask her if she's aware of her heartbeat she will say 'yes' and probably agree being aware of it is very aggravating. I've found Inositol to be helpful but I'd suggest to speak with a doctor before trying anything even if it is over-the-counter (which Inositol is). Eliminating caffeine yielded no results for my heart palpitations, by the way.

I also have hand tremors which I have found nothing helps them, I've had these for a long time (since I was a kid) and my Neurologist says this along with my jerks are related to my Epilepsy.

You're more than welcome to come over to the Epilepsy Forum for more information, I'm sure they'd be of great assistance even if it's not Epilepsy-related. Most of us are very familiar with the Myoclonic jerks (and can give good Neurologist tips).

Make sure she gets an EEG and a MRI/MRA of her brain, too!

Best wishes to you.

-Ellie

Oh, also. I have lots more to say but I am out of town and wont be back until Wednesday evening, so it's rough to get online very often here. Thursday I will post again (by Thursday, I mean) and hopefully be more helpful. Hang in there and feel free to ask whatever you like, I'll get back on her as soon as I can!

When these events happen. Is it after eating? After eating certain foods?

After bending or exercising the abdomen? things like that.

After emotionally upsetting situations?

Medically thyroid function and other endocrine issues (pheochromacytoma) come to mind. Excess thyroid function, Grave's disease or hyperthyroidism is a major cause of tachycardia.

But people get weird reactions to MSG in foods, have food intolerances to dairy and wheat/gluten, etc.

A pheochromacytoma is a growth on the adrenal glands. Certain muscular movements can compress one and release excess adrenaline which will then give the racing heart/increased blood pressure etc. This is an inherited condition for the most part.

Since she has had a full workup I am wondering if she is having panic or anxiety attacks.

I have both and I stutter at times. My body jerks at times from the nervousness from the attacks. My heart races with them also.

This is just a thought but I would watch what kind of situations she is in when she has these symptoms. If she is in uncomfortable situations then it could be panic and/or anxiety attacks.

Ada

Hi Ellie,
I have to tell you that I am so happy that you wrote. Yes, those are the jerks she has. The jerks start and then the racing heart (yes, she can tell when it races and does bug her ) and the stuttering. The stuttering is very pronounced. She repeats word, and breaks them up if they are longer, she totally knows what she wants to say and does not forget words. Her volume changes and you can tell its a ton of work.. She lets a breath out when she is done with a sentence or phrase. I had a video of it on my phone, but its gone. At first, I have to admit that I thought she was faking it, but she really is not like that and how do you fake a racing heart lol. We are waiting to here when her appointment with the neurologist is going to be. I am really excited for her to get those tests. Oh, she is completely aware the entire time these episodes are happening. She has not had one in about 1.5 weeks.

I am going to take a look at the epilepsy link... thanks so much for all your help. I can tell getting on this site is going to be tremendously helpful.
Blessings,
Tina

Hi Ada,
I know she must be under a lot of stress, but why are they not happening more often? She is looking for a job right now. She is not stressed when they happen per se... there seems to be no OBVIOUS correlation of why they are happening. She has had them while driving, working, eating, etc.
Thanks so much for your help. I can't wait to post an update once she gets to see the neurologist.
Blessings,
Tina

Hi Ada,
I can't imagine that stress does not have at least a little bit to do with these attacks. She seems to be doing good though... but I guess it could be internalized.
I forgot to say that she is taking Prozac right now for anxiety. But she is not taking it 2x a day like she is supposed. So she is taking it 20mg in the am... the episodes have happened in the day and in the night...but I think they are more at night time. I am going to have her keep a journal.
Blessings,
Tina