Last night I experienced heart palpitations for what seemed like hours. I am anemic (thalassemia trait), diabetic have a history of panic attacks. I thought the issue was my blood glucose so I ate. But every time I laid down the palpitations began again. I am on my menstrual cycle and thought maybe my hormones are somehow involved. I took an Aleve for cramps and the situation seemed to worsen. It took almost two hours for the pain from my cramps to subside and I experienced palpitations the whole time. I have been experiencing very bad gas and stomach upset which I think is related to metformin (2000mg) a day. I was on 500 mg but the dose was increased hoping it would aid weight loss. However, since the increase my panic attacks are more frequent and severe and I am worried if this could be straining my heart. But could there be something wrong with my heart. I am obese, 5'5, 261 pounds. 33 years old. I am starting to become winded from exercise and simply activities. What should I do the panic episodes seem to occur most frequently at night and I usually awakened from my sleep.