Question Title: PVC's - PAC's - Palpitations

I am 45 years old and have suffered with PVCs for 25 years. Over the past few years and especially the past seven months, they have increased in number, including strings. Over the years, I have taken Atenolol - 25 to 50 mg per day. My Electro recently put me on 180mg Verapamil per day, 1/2 in A.M. 1/2 in P.M. This stuff really makes me feel tired and has done little to help. I've had every test in the book, some several times. I do not use any caffiene and I don't smoke. I too have panic or anxiety attacks when I suffer from sustained strings of skips which makes the skips worse. My Electro at one time suggested he might be able to do an ablation to "fix" this problem but he said I would have to experience this skipping while laying on the table and, of course, the likelihood of that happening is about as likely as every politician in this country being honest for a day. I've already been told that these won't hurt me but that hasn't prevented them from having a profound effect on my quality of life. My questions are:
1. Do you know of anyone doing any studies on PVCs?
2. Can I quit taking Verapamil and go back on Atenolol?
3. Do you know of or anticipate the development of a procedure to "fix" this problem? (Considering the number of questions on this site about this problem, it seems that something should be done to study this possibility). I would like to volunteer for such a study.

Thank you

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Dear Will,
1. No there are no studies that I am aware of, and there probably never will be
since this is a non life-threatening condition (meaning there will likely never be
research monies dedicated as such.) Also, the drug companies are in no way motivated
to study this condition, for many reasons.

2. If you have side effects of the verapamil and not from the atenolol, AND if
the verapamil is not benefiting you, all the more reason to switch back. Discuss this
with your doctor of course.

3. Because you seem to have quite a bit of anxiety associated with this condition, I wonder
if you have ever considered learning relazation techniques, or Yoga, things of that sort in order
to address the anxiety which may actually be there before the increased PVCs and you are simply not aware of it.

I hope this information is useful. Information provided in the heart forum is for
general purposes only. Only your physician can provided specific diagnoses and therapies.
Feel free to write back with further questions. Good luck!

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