Anxiety or something serious

[Collinus]

Good Day!

I am so impressed by this sight!  I don want to take up too much of your time so, I'll make this quick.  Since MArch I have been experiencing "PVCS" but before this occasionaly got them at the beginning of a workout.  March was a very stressful time for me..graduation, death in the family etc..so I was really "tightly wound".  I started experiencing these "PVCS" alot then and I thought I was going to die (actually I still think I will drop at any minute).  The doctors did blood work and Several EKG (ECG) and said if it was anything serious, they would have caught it on the moniter (I am assuming a serious arrythmia).  So they prescribed Ativan and I took it for 7 months 3 times a day.  I notice that when I do something that makes me excited they come (like intimacy) or if I am just chillin they come.  When I worry about them they come...I went to the Doctor and they say I am  fine!  I get them about every two months although when I have them they freak me out...They have NEVER caught these things on the EKG and this is what fuels my doubts.  The doctor recently took me off ativan and put me on Zoloft...but my depression comes from the "PVCS" not really knowing if this is what they are.  What do you think I should do?  Is it good or bad that they don't come around that often.  I am 24 and exercise regulary.  I just need some peace of mind about these things...the Doctor thinks I am crazy but I want him to do MORE!  HELP.
Thanks
Mica Davis

[CCF CARDIO MD JMF]

Dear Mica,

I might recommend a low dose beta blocker to help decrease the frequency of these extra beats.  You may wish to discuss this with your physician.  

I would continue the Zoloft as anxiety can increase the frequency of PVC's and create a viscious cycle.

[melissam]

Hello Mica..

I have all the sypmtoms you have described.  I am 29 years old, and have every test possible on the heart during these past two years.  I just recently underwent a Cardiac Cath, and all was normal, or so I think, (I am going to post the results on here and see what the doctor on here has to say.)  Today I just started wearing another holter monitor.  Anyhow Anxiety/Panic can do wild things to your heart rate, and stress can cause PVC's.  I do get them and they are documented but there is nothing they can do about them, they can normally give a beta blocker or Calcium Channel Blocker to help reduce them and they sypmtoms you feel from the crazy attacks.  It helps me to just realize they are harmless.  How did they diagnose the PVC without catching them.  I know they can think that what it is but I would ask for a holter or an event monitor so it can be properly diagnosed.  I hope it helps

[Adam]

At first, I was also terrified of the PVC's and couldn't figure it out. Well, I can tell you that it's very normal for almost anyone to experience a PVC. That's what my doctors tell me. I was getting them almost every 5-10 min. on a daily basis. Imagine how you would feel if that was going on with you? There are meds that can control them somewhat, but the thing to pay attention to is after experiencing a PVC, does your heart beat normal or is it irregular for a moment? The PVC's ,in my case, where causing my heart to go into A-fib.

[Mica (In response to Melissa and Adam)]

Thanks so much for your kind and helpful comments.  As for your question Melissa about how they came to the conclusion of "PVCS", I have been to the doctor so much and they never catch anything that this is what they have told me.  I really have no reason to not trust them, because in the past, I have had expensive test to prove to myself that I am ok (ex. CAT scan because of a Diagnosed sinus headache, and I needed to have a CAT scan so they could prove to me that I am ok, after all of this I started in on my heart.  I have seen at least 4 doctors who all say the samething).  Why are you still under going so many test?  Adam, as far as I know, my heart is regular right after the "PVCS". And I usually have just one unless I am excited..Please let me know what you think.
Mica

[Louise Fryer]

I have been having missed beats and paroximal tacycardia for over six years since my second son was born.I have had several heart checks including an Echo and the doctors have put it down to stress, time after time i've been told that these symptoms are benign and are not dangerous but that does not feel very comforting when your heart is pounding away for no apparent reason or it feels jittery and out of rhythm. I have been taking Tenormin 25mg on and off now for a few years and although these have helped I decided to go and see a Homeopath about my problem and she has really helped me. Not only did she really listen to me she didn't make me feel as if I was wasting her time. She took time to evaluate my whole lifestyle and treated me accordingly . I still see her athough not as often and I am feeling much better ,I do still have problems with the tacycardia and missed beats but it is a lot less frequant and much less frightening.

[Christine]

Louise, what is paroximal tach?  I have been having problems since the birth of my second child and since I am so young I am getting told that it is all in my head.  Thanks so much!

[Louise Fryer]

Dear Christine,  Paroxysmal Tacycardia is a fast steady heart rate that comes on suddenly without warning.My second child was a very difficult baby to cope with, he still is very demanding and I think this was when my problems began. Good Luck and don't be fobbed off because although it can be caused by stress it manifests itself by physical symptoms.

[Kat]

when I first went to the doctor they were going to put me on Paxil, which I still have sitting on my coffee table unopened. I have been experiencing skipped/irregular beats for years.  Last week I had a holter moniter done (don't know the results yet) but, I am wondering the same thing you are, do the skipped beats/irregular CAUSE the anxiety.  I know that is what makes me anxious.  I am not having an anxiety attack when they happen, I have one AFTER they happen.
Has the Zoloft helped?

[Kirsten Meredith]

I have been experiencing rapid heart beats, and it feels like a severe panic attack.  The thing is, they only occurr when I have been asleep.  I think they may be dream related, but I can't remember what the dreams (if they are the cause) are about.  I have never had heart irregularities before, so this scares me a little, and I thought I might as well ask.  Thanks.

[CCF CARIDO MD JMF]

Thank you for your comments.