Question Title: adrenaline surge while lifting weights

I am a 47 year old male, active, usually run 5 miles a day, and lift every other day. I have been diagnosed with a panic disorder, and have experienced panic attacks and other typical symptoms of anxiety since 1989. I have had every test done (for the heart) several times over, and everything has always been negative. The only thing is my EKG which is indicative of, I believe is called "early repolarization" (elevated segments, 1,2 and three). I've been told this is ok, and is an athletic EKG. My present problem is that in the last couple of months, when I go to lift weights at the gym, I seem to get jittery after a few minutes of lifting, I feel uncomfortable and can't seem to lift as well as before. It does feel as if too much adrenaline is being put out by my body. I don't feel this when iI run. I must tell you that I also have allergies, which are bad rightnow, and the lifting problem seems worse on those allery days. I have also been unde a lot of financial stresses the lat couple of months. My doctor has put me on celexa, and says I am getting adrenaline surges because of my stress, has asked me to lift lighter for the next couple of weeks, saying these surges are very bad for my heart. I don't want to quit working out, as I feel this is how I burn off stress, but i don't want todi by lifting weights, either. Please let me know something about adrenaline surges, what I can do to prevent them, and whether I should be able to lift again. Help!

Dear Frank,

I'm not sure what to make of your symptoms. Your doctor's advice is sound and I would recommend you follow-up with him in a few weeks if this does not resolve.

I hope you find this information useful. Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only. Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies. Please feel free to write back with additional questions.

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