May I ask how much weight you gained on Paxil?
Did you exercise and loose it?I have been on 7 months
now ans have gained about 5 lbs. I figured it was
just ageing process, but someone said it was paxil.I
researched the medicine and spoke with my pharmisist. I am
hearing it is suppose to have you loose weight if any
because a side effect is not haveing a appetite! Pamela

I can for sure anwser you about the differance in
MVP and MVPS! I had for several years felt bad,
finally in 1990 I was put in OSU in Columbus, Ohio in the
Cardiac unit! They knew I had MVP because I had all the
test, and the echo showed it. I was put on Tenormin and
not responding at all! I had a Cardiologist and a
Endocrinologist in charge run so many test on me. I was there a
week. I was told I hadMitral Valve Prolase with
autonomic dysfuntion.Afew years later they discovered this
to be;Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome!Mitral Valve
Prolapse: this is where your mitral valve is slightly
inverted- prolapsed!You will experience some slight
symptoms if any. 90% of people with mvp don't even know
they have it!Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome:You not
only have the prolapsed valve you have dysautionomia.(
A tilt bed study is the only way to test for this)
the dysautionomia is malfuntioning nervous system.
NOT...JUST your nerves but , you blood pressure, heart rate,
sugar level, body tempature are all part of this
system. So see with MVPS you have a much more complex
disease.Although, Doctors seem to treat us as if we have, oh just a
case of dandriff. But, I am hear to tell you we all
need reconised and treated a bit better by the medical
feild! They let us go through so much.I studied my
health problems right away, with out the internet at the
time. Geting Medical books. I had come to a clear
understanding of what I had. I fully understood! I kept going
back to the doctor tellig him something else was going
on. HUM bUG!! My family switched family doctors
because of insurance and first time in this doctor told
me I had panic attacks and was agoraphobic! I was
the one saying hum bug! But, after reading about it I
new he was right. I seeked a phycoligist help for 2
years tryng to tame the attacks with out medicine. One
day he told me I had a imbalance and nothing could be
done anymore with out medicine. I in December went on
Paxil. I am scared of medicine and don't like taking! I
tried Zoloft in 95 when this Dr. told me it was panic.
But I was only on for 4 days, my fear overwhelmed me
and I thought my medicine was making me feel "WEIRD"
and in fact I know it was my own fears. I don't even
know I take my paxil except I am better. I have panic
attacks but they are mild. I still am a agorophobic. But
I have alot to over come!I recommend a book
called;CONFRONTING MITRAL VALVE PROLAPSE;BY LYN FREDRICKSON,
M.S.NShe was a head nurse and Founder of the Alabama
Mitral Clinic!This book is great for not only those wth
the mvps but just mvp. Please everyone, go get it and
read it is better than any web site!I can't suggest a
web site I felt good about.The book is exellant and
the support we all get from the club is all you need
other than your Doctor! If any one wanted any more imfo
or just to talk about this you can e-mail me at any
time, I am always there for fellow
MVP'ers....Pamela<br> hugabearni@...

Thanks for the post Linda...<br>I'm glad you are
doing so much better now. I can relate to some of your
feelings. <br><br>I don't have severe MVP symptoms such as
this but when I turned 40 my FSH levels dropped and I
found myself in menopause! My symptoms were SO severe,
I never slept, and the tension was unbearable -- I
felt like I was going to explode. I don't want to take
hormones because of the potential for the big "C", but
like you and the Klonopin, taking the hormones means I
could have a normal life. I have tried to get off of
them but the severe symptoms return. I know what it is
like to not want to take a med, but it means surviving
or not -- it was that bad! Take care!

Yes, weight gain is a potential side effect of
Paxil. I did gain weight. It is possible to loose it
with exercise and diet, just may be a little more
difficult.<br>Anyone try deep breathing exercises and meditation for
anxiety? It is not a cure, but it helps reduce the
symptoms.

I would also like to know what is the difference
between MVPS and MVP. <br><br>I did a lot of research
online when I first was diagnosed with MVP -- and really
did not get too much info -- if anyone knows any good
websites they could pass along I would appreciate
it.<br><br>I never had panic attacks but I can understand how
a racing heartbeat would contribute to that.
<br><br>I previously had trouble with depression, and over
the years (at different times!) took Prozac, Paxil,
Depakote, and Lithium. I got off any meds, then I got the
MVP a year or so later. I always wondered if these
meds brought on the MVP. (I have had not trouble with
depression and no meds for it for 3 years now.) <br><br>I
always thought maybe the meds contributed to the onset
of MVP. I also got high blood pressure and had to
start taking meds for that. I was wondering if the BP
meds could contribute to the onset of MVP. Any
ideas?<br><br>Kristi, I am trying to get off coffee, the only place I
get any caffeine. I can't seem to wake up all day
when I don't have it. What do you do?<br><br>Take care

What is MVPS, I was diagnosed with mitral valve
prolapes (MVP). I think I'm lucky, it seems pretty mild. I
had a couple panic episodes with dizziness, but as
soon as I went to the doctor and then went off
caffeine I have only had one minor episode. I have had
sharp chest pains ever since I can remember. Like a rib
is poking in my chest or a sharp knife. But I was
only diagnosed with murmur at age 23 and MVP at age 30
(this year). I'm also curious, does anyone know if this
condition gets worse? My dad has it and so did my grandma
and they did not seem too affected by it. My dad was
told by his doctor to watch it: no caffeine, not much
sugar, exercise regularly.<br>I think the hardest things
for me are the irregular beats, fast beating and
shortness of breath at times. The panic attacks would be
worse than those symptoms, but like I said they seem to
be gone.<br>Being caffeine free feels good, people
who don't really need to do it should try it! I had
actually gone caffeine free for many years before the MVP
because my dad set a good example (I didn't realize why
he was doing it) and it was great then, it feels so
natural and I feel so much younger.

Hi, i have not tried zoloft but the paxil was the
same experience for me that you had. I only tried it
for 4 days and i was in a complete panic state the
whole time and then i took 2 days to straighten out. I
am just not good on anitdepressants. I am afraid the
doc is going to say try zoloft next........scares me
to even think about it. Ativan works the best for
me.<br>good luck to you finding the right meds. Tam

Hi:<br><br>I have tried Zoloft and Paxil for the
anxiety/panic/mild depression associated with MVPS and had a
HORRIBLE reaction to both. Extreme panic attacks,
tingling, sweating, etc.... these side effects were worse
than my original problem !!!! Has anyone else had
similar problems with this???

I would love to hear from anyone that is on
paxil.<br>I have been on since December 99 for my panic and
anxiety attacks that I am told come with the turf of
MVPS. <br>Any fellow members on it also? I want to know
if you have gained weight?

Klonopin is in the benzodiazepam family. It was
given to me because at the time I was diagnosed, I had
severe anxiety and panic attacks along with not
sleeping. This drug basically calmed me down enough to
where I could function in life. I only take a very
small dose and it seems to help. I would not take it
and most doctors won't prescribe it unless you have
extreme symptoms of anxiety or panic disorder and can't
take other meds such as buspar which I couldn't. I
have gone from 2 pills a day for 6 years to 1 pill now
because this drug is habit forming. I can honestly say
that without it I wouldn't be able to function as a
human being that is how bad my MVPS was. Not everyone
has it as bad and some people don't have to take any
meds. I unfortunately do. I don't like taking medicine
and I tried to go without but for now I have no
choice. I pray that you never get as bad as I was. Also,
MVP is different from MVPS. Take care!

Thanks for the post<br><br>Just curious...what
was their reason for prescribing paxil (the panic
attacks?) And what is klonopin -- what does it do?
<br><br>I am not having any symptoms like this. My heart
just beats hard sometimes and irregular most of the
time. I get fatigued easily. I do get dizzy if I do
strenuous exercise so I don't do it. <br><br>Does this MVP
get worse?

Linda, glad the meds are working for you....i am still searching for the right
combination.  Hopefully we can all help each other, at least we are not alone!!!
Take care of yourself.  Tammi

Thank you, thank you , thank you........i tried
your advice and you are so right. I forced as much
water as i could and i felt so much better.<br>Hard to
explain, you just have to try it.<br>Thanks for that
tidbit!!!!!!! tammi

Hi, I just found out that i have MVP...nice to
finally have a name for all these symptoms. I am sorry
that you guys are suffering with this to but at the
same time i am glad that i will have someone to talk
to about this. Maybe we can all help each other get
through the hard times. <br>Thanks, Tammi

Hi!<br>I am a new member to this club. I was
diagnosed with MVPS in 1994 after experiencing some if not
all of the symptoms a lot of you have. The most
severe symptoms were racing heart, extreme fatigue,
numbness in left arm and face, headaches, dizziness,jaw
pain, shortness of breath, panic attacks, and fullness
in head and ears. I went to several different
doctors before being diagnosed. I finally was sent to
Birmingham, Al. to the Mitral Valve Prolaspe Center. These
people are a God send. They helped me out alot. I now am
on .5 mgs. of klonopin and 20 mgs. of paxil. I hate
taking meds but I feel so much better on them. I can
live a more normal life now. I have cute out caffeine
and sugar and drink at least 64 ounces of water a
day. I currently can't exercise like I want to because
of a knee injury that is going to require surgery. I
am looking forward to talking with everyone and
listening to you all. If I can help in any way let me know.
Linda<br><br>HI HUGS!!!

Thanks art,<br>Haven't had too much problems with my mvp.<br>Still the racing
though in unexpected times. <br>Nice to find this place...

Hi Hugabear. I noticed on your profile that we
have quite a few things in common - gardening,
writing, graphic design, not to mention good ol' MVP.
<br><br>How do you manage your MVP? As I was waking up this
morn, I noticed immediately that my heart was "jumping
all over my chest". I don't even have to be awake any
more. It feels like butterflies are loose in my chest.
Can you or anyone tell me how I got this and what I
can do? I get really worried sometimes.<br><br>:)

Hi Mary<br>Yes MVP is mitral valve prolapse. I am hoping when everyone gets back
from July 4 holiday, they will be back to the club.<br>How are you handling your
MVP?

H! I just found and joined your club! I was
diagnosed with MVPS in 1990 and also have panic disorder
with agoraphobia. I look forward to supporting each
and everyone of you because I know how important that
is when you have this. We must support one another!
aka "HUGS"

I don't know if I am in the right place.    ??<br>Wanted the club for what is
said in the subject here.<br>Please let me know . Thanks <br>@--&gt;--

I can't believe I have been feeling so alone with
mvp for the past year and you all were here all
along!<br><br>I started working out with weights in January 99
and four months later, I was getting very dizzy when
I exercised. Then I began to notice the irregular
beats. Like one beat almost on top of another, then a
long pause while I'm screaming to myself "Beat!"
thinking I am going to just drop dead any second.<br><br>I
went to my GP who increased my blood pressure meds,
but that did not help. Then did an echocardiogram and
heart monitor. The cardiologist who examined the tests
diagnosed "mild" mitral valve prolapse. My appointment with
the heart dr was for 2 months away, and I stopped
exercising, and the symptoms decreased dramatically. During
my office visit with heart dr my heart would not
beat irregular. Of course, when I returned home it
started again. The diagnosis was "mild" and the advice
was to take antibiotics when I go to the dentist. But
it does not feel mild to me. If I get any exercise
it starts to beat irregular. And other times for no
reason, it seems, it starts beating irregular. It is
frustrating that my doctors keep telling me "oh it is
nothing" when it feels like more than that to me.<br><br>I
am worried about the future. Is this going to get
worse? No dr can tell me why I got this and how I can
stop it. I understand what is happening, that blood is
seeping back into my heart valve when the valve flops and
doesn't close properly. Am I at increased risk for a
stroke from this? Or heart disease, or will it weaken my
heart? Drs won't tell me anything except, oh it's
nothing to worry about.<br><br>How does water help?
Breathing exercises seem to calm me emotionally but my
heart beats don't change.<br><br>I need to go to the
dentist. Am scared to go because: one time when the
dentist gave me the shot for numbness, my heart quickly
raced to the point that I blacked out for a few
seconds. Now I am now afraid of having a heart attack in
the dentists chair.<br><br>I am not neurotic, even
tho this sounds like it. I have other medical
problems: overweight, high blood pressure, low blood sugar,
and menapause. But I am managing those without
stress.<br><br>Help!!

I can't tell you how much it has helped me. I had
been having a terrible time with my MVP and I
remebered that water helped. I don't know how or why but It
was like instant relief. I forced lots of water down
me. (i sat there with a pitcher and a glass and
finished the entire thing) anyway it only took a short
time till I was up and active agian with no palps or
pounding!! I just hope that you give it a try when you are
having a bad time:) Take care everyone.. especially in
this heat we have been having:)

I have had MVP for 11 years with chest pains. I
was told the same thing by my doctor about no
connection with MVP and the chest pains, but I have read in
different places there is a connection, they just aren't
sure why. <br>It seems like I only have them when my
stress level is high.<br>I don't take any medication for
the MVP so I can't give you any advice on how they
are treated medically, but, personally, I try to
relax my body and do deep breathing exercises to try to
chase them away. Sometimes it works and sometimes it
doesn't. I hope this helps a little. Good Luck.<br>Jenn

I get chest pain a few minutes after exercising.
I do have MVP, bu doctor does not know of any
relationship between MVP & chest pain during or after
exercise. Anyone have any experience with this symptom?
Thanks!

Hi, i have the same disorders and more. You can email me at
moe40_98@...

does anyone have these same disorders? I also
have a genetic disorder to boot, I am just now
figuring this thing out, I am in the process of undergoing
many tests for stroke, siezure, murmur. etc... anyone
want to talk email me, i would love to learn more!!!!
hypocued@...

Yes I have done that for a long time, often
people think I'm sighing or being rude (acting
perturbed). I have to explain that I don't realize I'm doing
it but sometimes I just need a little more air at
times.

HELLO I AM A NEW MEMBER I JUST GOT THE GOOD NEWS FRIDAY IAM 42 AND IAM LEAKING I
FEEL NORM IS THEIR ANY GOOD AND BAD DAYS FEEL FREE TO CHAT      <br>            
FREDDY

Oh yes, I have allergies and asthma now too along
with the MVP. ALso I am pregnant and some nights the
baby kicking, the wheezing and the palps keep me awake
all night. If it isn't one, it's another or all 3. I
use an inhalor and now I have to use my nebulizer
treatments every 6 hours until further notice. Not a very
fun winter.

Do we have any special chat times?  I haven't  been here in a while and was
wondering. I miss chatting with fellow MVPERS>  A good day to all.