Deficiencies and PVC's

Have any one out there had any experience taking Magnesium for their PVC

[bama jane]

tried it for a while did not really help me.

[va_tony]

Depends on whether you have a magnesium defficiency.  If you don't, then the supplements likely won't help except as a plecebo. Still, it's definitiely worth a try.

[slyder13]

I know and I'm just trying to find answers to my sudden PVCs

[va_tony]

Unfortunately, there are usually no straightforward explanations for PVCs, even when you have an apparently healthy heart. Possibilities include stress, axiety, electrolyte imbalance, excess adrenaline, dysautonomia, acid reflux, ventricle scarring, etc.

Beta blockers can help some (makes PVCs less noticeable, not less frequent).  There are also other effective drugs (antiarrhythmics like amiodarone, flecanide, sotalol, rythmol, etc.) but considering that PVCs in a healthy heart are benign, it's not worth the risk. of taking these (1% probability of a dangerous proarrhtymia effect).

Are you under a lot of stress or have acid reflux/hiatal hernia? Recently taken cold medications or 'diet pills'? Anything change in your life?

[slyder13]

Changes in my life mostly a lot of stress in the last year.  I was hoping it was a Deficiency of some sort since I recently changed my diet (prior to pvcs) and began a workout program to drop a few extra pounds.  Working out seems to aggravate them so I

[sb786]

Can you please explain how acid reflux can be a trigger for pvcs. I have IBS (irritable Bowel Syndrome) an when i have bad flare ups i get lots of PVCs. My EP and cardiologist have both said that indigestion symptoms such as acid reflux can trigger PVCs

[NoraD]

I am doing some research on the concept of patient-to-patient support and was hoping you could assist me...
Do you prefer patient-to-patient forums over expert-to-patient forums? Do you find the info provided by patients members more reliable?
(Thanks for your cooperation!)

[va_tony]

slyder

It's likely stress is your trigger (as it is for most people).  I realize it's hard but you have to either manage your stress or get used to the palps.

I've noticed the same problem with palps after exercise. My guess is that an hour or so after exercise, you are relaxed and your resting heart rate drops below normal. Palps with a slower heartrate are more intense, making them more noticeable.

sb786

This was posted previously on medhelp:

"CCF-M.D.-KE
3/24/2003
M-chi Dear M-chi,

Sorry to hear about your PVCs. Eating and digesting a large meal can result in a transient increase in sympathetic tone, which can increase the heart rate. This increase in sympathetic tone can precipitate PVCs. Also, if one has GERD the sympathetic response generated from the discomfort of GERD may also predispose one to PVCs. Anything that increases sympathetic tone may increase the incidence of PVCs, even though the precipitant may not be directly related to the PVCs themselves. Hope this helps.

Thanks for your question,

CCF-MD-KE"

Also, the esophagus is very close to the heart and both are interconnected to the autonomic nervous system (sympathetic and vagal). The ANS, when not working properly (dysautonomia), is one cause of PVCs.  Anything affecting the ANS like acid reflux, hiatal hernia or eating or drinking the wrong food can also trigger PVCs.

NoraD

I can't say whether I prefer one type of forum over another as they satisfy different needs.  I like both The doctor forum provides carefully composed (albeit brief) doctor advice.  It's more reliable advice but unfortunately not detailed at times. The patient-to-patient forum provides greater emotional support and yes, even info at times.  Of course, I really don't accept any info posted here as true unless I can verify it on my own whereas I accept as true whatever the board cardiologist posts.

Regards

Tony

[NoraD]

Thanks - you've been very helpful!

[va_tony]

"Lovastatin was a naturally occuring chemical in that supplement. Interestingly enough, it can't be exactly the same as the FDA regulated statin medications as my uncle suffered a severe reaction to statin medications after his bypass, and thus his cholesterol stayed high."

You are generalizing and IMO reaching an incorrect conclusion. While lovastatin is not "eactly the same" as the particular statin your uncle was prescribed, why do you believe that he would have a similar reaction to another statin?  Did he try them all? The fact that he tolerated red yeast rice (lovastatin) refutes your statin premise. BTW, lovastatin is exactly the same chemical found in Merck's Mevacor.  Mevacor IS lovastatin.  Has your uncle tried Mevacor?

"I see no difference in keeping RYR pills on the market and having laxatives, aspirin, cold remedies, acid reflux treatments and so on available otc."

Statins are in a different league than the OTC's you mention. You won't have serious side-effects if you take laxatives, aspirin, etc. as directed.... but you could experience a serious reaction taking any statin (including red yeast rice)even as directed. You can have changes in liver function or experience damage to muscle tissue (myopathy). Rhabdomyolysis, can occur that can sometimes be fatal. Consequently, you must be under a doctor's supervision while taking any statin.  That's why they are prescribed. The FDA rightfully takes this position with red yeast rice containing lovastatin.

"Drug companies have to screw with things, that's where my problem is."

If it weren't for the drug companies, we wouldn't have any of the miracle drugs now saving millions of lives a year.  Yes, it is big business. If you took away the profits (and profits are not excessive.. that's why the stock price of companies like Merck and Pfizer have been doing poorly lately), no research would be done on new drugs.  No company could afford to run the clinical trials and jump through all the FDA hoops. The science of medicine would come to a standstill.

"While regulation of anything that can actually consistently treat a disease is probably sometimes a good idea"

The problem is, nobody knows which drugs will be effective or safe prior to clinical tests.  That's why the FDA requires that all "drugs' be tested.  It's for our protection.  If there were no FDA, the market would be flooded with ineffective and dangerous drugs/supplements.

[va_tony]

Sorry.  My last post didn't belong in this thread. My mistake.  I'll reporst it below.