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Funny beats

I am a 45 year old female with chronic fatigue syndrome and trigeminal neuralgia, for which I am treated with fluvoxamine and amitriptyline.  I have only recently changed to fluvoxamine, as sertraline was beginning to have little effect.  I had an episode ca. 12 months ago of tachycardia due to another anti-depressant drug called reboxetine (an SNRI). Depression has been a long-standing fact of life for me, unfortunately.  The tachycardia, which stayed at 137 bpm for up to a fortnight, was a frightening and disabling experience, but fortunately resolved when I came off the drug (I had only been taking it for 2 weeks prior to the heart disturbance).  My problem now has been happening for a while (ectopic beats), but they seem to have become more frequent and are occurring nearly all day every few minutes now.  The situation is uncomfortable.  I am prone to getting them when I lie on my left side in bed and when I do get them they seem to irritate my left lung and make me cough once.  I am finding this very uncomfortable and a little worrying, and I don't understand why they should make me cough too.  I am finding I have feelings of faintness, whilst experiencing these funny beats, but have not fainted.  I recently had an ECG and check with a cardiologist several weeks after the palpitations had subsided (I had been referred when they occurred).  There was no sign of them by the time of the appointment.  I am concerned about the increase in the ectopic beats, though, and the way they seem to irritate my lungs and make me cough.  Does this make sense?  What do you advise
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Avatar universal
I have been trying to research information for my sister. she had been diagnosed with MVP. they had also told her that she could not fall pregnant.
Now she has fallen pregnant and has to decide whether to terminate the baby whithin the next two weeks although she is scheduled to terminate tomorrow.
The doctors had told her that her chance of survival was slim as there werent many cases to go on. They also said because she had been taking a drug called "wolfren" early in pregnancy before she had even known she was pregnant, that this drug can cause abnormalities or disabilities in the foetus or deprive the placenta. We have been trying to figure out something as a family as TERMINATION is just not in our vocabulary, but if it is going to put her life in danger or at risk then that might be the only option.
They had also said that if she was to carry on with pregnancy, she could clot. so she is taking another medication at the moment to thin out her blood.(cannot recall what it is called) we were also wondering if a c-section could be alright. her specialist told her that she would bleed to death if she was to have that done. however nowadays medical techniques and medical equipment is so advanced there has to be a way to save my niece/nephew. i was thinking if she was to get a c-section done couldn't they just use blood-transfusion for her.
PLEASE PLEASE IF SOMEONE HAS ANY HELP OR KNOW OF ANYSITES THAT WE COULD RESEARCH THAT WOULD BE MUCH APPRECIATED. MANY THANKS
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Avatar universal
Hello I am glad I found this site and that I am not alone.
I will tell you that I have experianced these for a long time and have been told by doctors the same, not to worry and don't sleep on your left side.. ETC, ETC..

But I will tell you that I have been alot better since I have been taking Tyroid Medication. I have notice that I hardly have them at all, once in a while I will only if I have had to much Caffine or decongestents (pseudoephedrine) or if I have had a stressful day.  My Doctor is a speicalist in Tyroid and told me that the tyroid can cause alot of problems. even though my test came back normal, it was the enzayme test that showed abnormal and it was high therefore my body was attacking the tyroid.. Well, anyway I have been on the medication for about two weeks now and I have been alot better.. I found out that 13 million people have a tyroid problem and don't know it. It can't hurt to have it checked. Also I was told that since my cholestrol was high that the Tyroid could be the problem too and that after I am on the medication for about 6 weeks or so, I am to have my Cholestrol checked again too. They said that the Tyroid helps with the motablism of fats sugars  ETC..
So, this is my experiance and I hope I have maybe help others with this.. Good luck and don't worry.

Jackpot
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Avatar universal
Hi everyone.  I just stumbled onto this site (as it appears most of you have) looking for more information on these PVC's.  I first experienced mine in my 20's - and the doc then said not to worry.  I went for several decades without really being bothered by them.  Then, in 1999, I was schedule for a hernia operation and the surgeon during my preop exam said I needed to see a cardiologist for something he did not like hearing.  Boy, that spoked me more than the upcoming surgery!  Well, the cardio put me through an EKG and stress test and said not to worry.  So, for the next 4 years, I was not bothered by them.

In June 2003, I head with the family to Yosemite.  Suddenly, they are present in higher intensity than I can ever recall.  They concerned me for 5 days - and detracted from my enjoyment of that beautiful place.  When I got back home, I made the appointment with the cardio.  Since then, I have had an EKG, Holter Monitor for 24 hrs, echocardiogram, and a nuclear scan in conjunction with a treadmill stress test.  The EKG under stress looked great per the doc, and the nuclear scan did not reveal any of the typical blockages.  However, they noted "Septal Hypokinesia" - which no has clearly defined.  My doc said to see him in three weeks (9/29) to discuss the test.  The fact that he gave me three weeks means I should not drop dead on the sidewalk (that is what the nurse said).

The holter revealed the majority of the pvc's were singles - a few doubles and 1 tripple.  The doc said he would be concerned with the tripple if my heart was not strong.  I find that when I am doing moderate exercise, they are gone.  My heart seems to shape up and fly right when under stress.  After eating and exercise, they seem to return.  Fortunately, they do not appear to occur at night - at least if they do, they do not wake me up regardless of the side I am sleeping on.  I have cute out caffine entirely, and take hawthorne berry and magnesium daily (recommended by several people on another board).  They are better than in June.

I have not had shortness of breath, but the unusual "funny" feeling you get in your chest is unnerving.  If I do not get enough sleep, they seem to be more pronounced and come more often.  

So far, there has been no identified underlying cause for these beats.  Why did they suddenly return in June?  Did the elevation at Yosemite trigger them?  While I have read numerous posts that suggest these are typically beneign and we need to live with them, it does not change the fact that they are really a nuisance.  When you are having a lot of them, I find that I really prefer to be alone and quiet (like sitting in a chair watching TV).  Eventually, they seem to calm down.

As a result of this condition, I can truly say that I have learned how to take my pulse in almost any situation!!!

When I meet with the cardio in a couple of weeks, I will share what his interpretation of these test reveals.  Meanwhile, my only advice is get as much sleep as you can, and stay off the caffine.  If I slip up and have a coke, they come back!
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Avatar universal
Dear All:

For comments regarding my experiences and knowledge I have gained regarding heart murmurs and PVC's/PAC's, please see my comment under "PVC's and Murmur."  Thanks.  Veepster
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Avatar universal
I think we are in the same boat. I started with heart issues during my pregnancy. Now I realize that I had these problems for a while but pregnancy helped the problem to get worse. I ended up with a heartrate of 218, even went a little higher. After a week long hospital stay they were able to semi control it through medication. The cardiologist and EP say it is fine but it is still scary. I would love to correspond with you about this further. Please feel free to e-mail me. ***@****
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Avatar universal
Hello, (i am phil 38 years old) I have been experiencing palpitations for about 18 years. I went to severla doctors, cardiologists- they all told me i was fine- eventually i went to a therapist and just got used to the fact that my heart skipped beats all the time- I continued my active life style.  then, 3 years ago my resting heart rate slowed to 32 beats per minute.  the doctors said the cardiomyopathy/ myocarditis almost killed me.  since then i continually have every test known to man.  Notwithstanding, the doctors now tell me i am fine.  here is the problem, i am convinced that most of the time gas causes my heart to beat irregular.  sometimes it stops, then beats fast.  other times it beats unusually fast for a long period then unusually slow.  always my heart skips beats.  of course the slow bothers me the most.  why do doctors ignore this stuff.  for years they told me i was basically a hypochondriac (sorry about the spelling i am in a hurry) nonetheless, heart disease almost killed me.  i don't know anybody my age who has these symptoms nor anyone my age who has had heart failure.  where do i go?
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Avatar universal
Hello, (i am phil 38 years old) I have been experiencing palpitations for about 18 years. I went to severla doctors, cardiologists- they all told me i was fine- eventually i went to a therapist and just got used to the fact that my heart skipped beats all the time- I continued my active life style.  then, 3 years ago my resting heart rate slowed to 32 beats per minute.  the doctors said the cardiomyopathy/ myocarditis almost killed me.  since then i continually have every test known to man.  Notwithstanding, the doctors now tell me i am fine.  here is the problem, i am convinced that most of the time gas causes my heart to beat irregular.  sometimes it stops, then beats fast.  other times it beats unusually fast for a long period then unusually slow.  always my heart skips beats.  of course the slow bothers me the most.  why do doctors ignore this stuff.  for years they told me i was basically a hypochondriac (sorry about the spelling i am in a hurry) nonetheless, heart disease almost killed me.  i don't know anybody my age who has these symptoms nor anyone my age who has had heart failure.  where do i go?
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Avatar universal
hi there, i hope you're feeling better.  whenever i'm sick, have a cold, flu, fever, etc. - i always have more pvcs and pacs.  i think when the body is under extra stress, whether it be an illness, lack of sleep, anxiety, etc. there tends to be an increase in pvcs/pacs.  had you ever had pvcs before this?  i'm 23 and get them all the time!  they are annoying as heck but all the doctors say they're normal and that everyone gets them but just most people don't feel them.  i was curious to see if maybe you took any type of decongestants that day b/c whenever i take those the pvcs go nuts!  it's the pseudoephedrine in there that causes the heart to act up.  hope you are well.  take care.
alex
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Avatar universal
I had strep this weekend, and noticed that when my fever was up, my heart PVCs were crazy!!  When I took Advil, and my fever went down, my heart calmed down, too.

Has anyone else ever noticed a corolation between illness/fever, and their PVCs?

Sarahsue
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Avatar universal
I posted here in the beginning of the month with concerns of my heart palpitations. I have had tests done and the dr says my heart is fine, but found out one thing wrong. I have hyperthyroidism. Which does cause palpitations, nervousness, racing heart, etc.
I felt started feeling palpitations when I was pregnant and the drs said it was due to being pregnant. I accepted that until I was having them after my daughter was born. I asked the endocrenologist (sp?) if I could have had hyperthyroidism when I was pregnant. He said it could have been a possiablitly that I had it, but the only way they would have known is if they tested my thryoid.
I feel much better now knowing that there was an underlying cause to my funny heart beats.I suggest if you haven't already get your thyroid checked. Sometimes you may not know its your thyroid until you have it tested. My father in-law had a racing heart for a year and some weight loss (thinking nothing was wrong) before he found out he had a thyroid problem.
Good luck to everyone and thanks for posting because your comments helped me feel at ease. Have a wonderful day!
Kerri
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Avatar universal
I would also like to know about exercise. I have always heard that exercise will help reduce the PVC's. In my own case it seemed to make them worse. (At least worse during the workout since they went back to normal within an hour of stoping the exercise).

Now that my PVC's are going away, (and are also harder for me to detect), it's easier for me to get back to exercising. I think it helped to work out very regularly, not just once or twice a week. It also helped to increase just a little at a time. The more you think about your heart the more strange beats you will detect.

Since 99% of the world says that exercise is a good thing I think I will continue. That 1% can't be right.

Steve
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Avatar universal
Well it's a beautiful spring day here and I just got back from about an hour long walk. Big mistake that was. About half way through the walk I started having PVCs, couplets, triplets, flutters, the whole works. If it wasn't for my mom being there I probably would have passed out right there on the sidewalk. Now what scares me is I read on here a while back that PVCs during exercise can be a bad thing. Does anybody else experience them while exercising? Why is it bad if this happens during physical exertion? Once again you have all reasured me that I am not going to drop dead.......at least I hope! :) It's nice to know that I can count on this web site to make me feel a little bit better.

***Michelle***
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Avatar universal
I too have suffered these weird beats for years and had loads of ECG's and investigations done but Docs tell me nothing to worry about.  Two things I find bring them on - exercising really hard ie heart rate above 140bpm (I'm 34) and being overtired eg after jet lag or disturbed sleep.

Does anyone else have this?

Thanks,

J
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Avatar universal
I could almost cry because I am so happy to have found this forum. You have no idea how much better I feel now that I have been able to read about all of you that are experiencing the exact same thing as I am. I am 26 years old, mother of two and these heart palpatations have just started happening to me in the last two weeks! I thought I was going to die, I feel a loss of breath, I feel light-headed and all around "not normal." My husband has been freaking out as well as the whole family but it is so incredibly nice to know that there are so many people with the same problem and the exact same anxiety that I have been feeling. I was so scared when they first started. It is amazing to me that you can be cruising through life just fine and one day these things just decide to start up and change your life forever. I have to ask, I constantly feel lightheaded and weak, I also notice that mine are obsolete in the morning and worsen throughout the day, but I can't seem to get rid of the lightheadedness? Is this normal? This forum has managed to make me feel hundreds time better but I agree with many of you. This stinks, it stinks that we just have to live with it and try to go on. I don't get it, I just wish they would go away! I am waiting for test results right now to hopefully hear that mine are benign or normal like everybody else.
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Avatar universal
Ianna, it is as if you have read my mind.  Like everyone else here I to have had all the above symptoms,been to the best cardiologists, internists, even been in a CICU overnite.  This all happening over the last 20 something years.  Your comments about stress and anxiety and how they feed the fear of having a MI or other life threatening heart problem are very accurate.  

While I still have very real !!! palps and chest pain( I just had a flip right now)I know that I will be O.K.  and that is because of people like everyone here who share their stories and offer others hope that their lives will go on and can go on normally.  So if anyone out there is scared or worried, see a doctor absolutley, but don't let it take over your life.  I wasted many years worrying, and look, I'm still here!!!! I have been a wife and mother for 24 wonderful years and counting.  

Thank you Ianna you hit the nail on the head.

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Avatar universal
the same thing happens to me.  i'm only 23 and when i'm trying to fall asleep at night my palps are always the worst. it's real weird.  i get this drop feeling my stomach and it keeps me awake until i finally fall asleep.  sometimes i also wake up with a fluttery/butterfly feeling in my chest at night.  i've had a bunch of tests and they say they're benign.  i guess if u've had ur heart checked out and they say don't worry there's really nothing elso u can do. ur not alone. take care.
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Avatar universal
I've had pvc's for a while now.  They come and go.  Just recently though they have felt like they have got out of hand.  Last night I layed in bed and everytime I took a breath I would feel it.  Then I would lay in bed and shake... I'd take deep breaths and it felt like every 5 seconds My heart would skip a beat.  and It would pound.
I went to the doctor about it Friday (2 days ago) because thursday night I had them so bad I couldn't sleep.  The past few weeks 50% of my nights I spend laying in bed and they just keep happening untill I fall asleep which takes sometimes over an hour.
Has anyone had a simular expierience?  what did you do to help?

recently I have been under allot of stress.  I didn't start the palpitations this time untill after I had a miscarriage.  It has been a struggle and a fight since then.  I don't know what to do and I really am getting discouraged about this.
I know there are others out there having the same problem, but I just get so scarred about this sometimes and just don't know what to do about it.
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Avatar universal
Hello Trici,
-
You are NOT alone.
There are a LOT of women, with PMS related BUMPS.
And pre-menopause BOOMS.
And pregnancy FLIP-FLOP'S.
And we all worry, year after year, but... we still are here...
-
Stay well!! - Love ***Ianna***  --  And the beat goes on.....
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Avatar universal
I've had pvc's for a while now.  They come and go.  Just recently though they have felt like they have got out of hand.  Last night I layed in bed and everytime I took a breath I would feel it.  Then I would lay in bed and shake... I'd take deep breaths and it felt like every 5 seconds My heart would skip a beat.  and It would pound.
I went to the doctor about it Friday (2 days ago) because thursday night I had them so bad I couldn't sleep.  The past few weeks 50% of my nights I spend laying in bed and they just keep happening untill I fall asleep which takes sometimes over an hour.
Has anyone had a simular expierience?  what did you do to help?

recently I have been under allot of stress.  I didn't start the palpitations this time untill after I had a miscarriage.  It has been a struggle and a fight since then.  I don't know what to do and I really am getting discouraged about this.

can someone help me get thought this withough loosing my mind?
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Avatar universal
I am a 46 year old woman and having been experiencing PAC"s for about a year now.  I have had rapid heart rate for most of my life.  I have been to a cardiologist numerous times and all of my tests are negative, but do show these PAC's...I find them very annoying.  I have just been put on Toprol XL and although it has slowed my rate down the skipped beats are still there.
I feel very frustrated, but I am guessing it is something i have to live with.  I do find I do get them premenstrually alot too.
I am glad I found this forum...I dont feel so all alone!
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Avatar universal
Hi,
-
Yes the pvc's feel like skipping beats.
And like flutters, bumps, palp's, stops; having to cough, being dizzy, warm feeling to the head (flush), and the rest of the body, funny feeling in the stomach, shaky, anxiety-flush, feeling out-of-breath, etc etc.
And hormones do play a role, as does an upset stomach or gas, stress, sometimes food, or alcohol, smoking, caffeine, too much sugar, some medicines, coca cola's, chocolate, etc.(this doesn't go for everyone suffering, but you can try avoiding some of these 'triggers', and see how you react.)
You can have thousands a day or just a few a day.
Doesn't matter to the drs; they say they're benign.
We on the other hand go crazy, when 'they' come on.
We startle, hold our breath, check our pulse and FEAR....."This time I will collaps!!!!" - "If only the dr. could see me now"!!!!-
But we will NOT die, instead we are feeding the BUMPS with anxiety, and they like that!!! Get the too much stress out of your life! Learn to relax...(get someone to help you if you cannot do it by yourself). That means: "take time for YOU!!!
-
So taking the fear from them is no.1 - that means you are in control and will not let them frighten you, go on with what you were doing, don't lay down on the bed or couch.
You can try to cough very hard a few times, or make a bowel-movement a few times, push down hard, like you have to poop out a baby, that will help.
And then breath slowly very deep a few times, low, 'in' the belly, and try staying there with your normal breathing.
Excercise helps, but build that up slowly. Walking is ok. And swimming. And cycling.(as a start)
-
Now there are more helpful tips.
Look through the archives on this site.
Thousands of 'us' out there, still alive....
One day better than the other, or one week better than the other...
-
I'm no dr. so if you stay very anxious go to a cardiol. and let him or her check you with some tests. Usually these tests come back with the comment: 'structually normal heart'.
Meaning you are ok.
That will ease your mind a bit.
-
Goodbey dear, I think you'll be ok.
-
Love   ***Ianna***    -  'and the beat goes on'.....;-)


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Avatar universal
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE INFO. IVE BEEN TO A CARDIO AND THEY SAY ITS NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT. SOMETIMES I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE SOMETHING THAT MAKES YOU FEEL SO STRANGE IS NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT. DOES PAC'S FEEL THE SAME AS PVC'S? PLEASE WRITE BACK AND LET ME KNOW I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE IT. I DO STAY AWAY FROM CAFFEINE, CHOCOLATE, COLD MEDS. PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING THEY SAY ARE TRUGGERS BUT I GUESS IM NATURALLY A TORQUED (sp)UP PERSON MY HUSBAND SAYS. I HAVE BEEN THAT WAY ALL OF MY LIFE OR AT LEAST AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER. MY DAD HAS PALPATATIONS AND SKIPS FOR AS LONG AS HE CAN REMEMBER & HE SAID WHEN HE STARTED NOT TO WORRY ABOUT THEM OR QUIT WAITING FOR THE NEXT ONE TO HAPPEN HE FELT MORE CALM WHEN THEY DID HAPPEN. HE SAID ITS THE LORDS WAY OF TELLING ME TO TAKE A DEEP BREATH AND CALM DOWN. I DEFINITELY DO AGREE. MY DOCTOR STARTED ME ON FLEUOXOTINE FOR MY AWEFUL PMS SYMPTOMS BUT IM AFRAID TO TAKE IT. ANY ADVISE THERE?

LOVE, SHANNON THE WORRYER
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Avatar universal
I JUST WANT TO KNOW DO PVC'S FEEL LIKE SKIPPING BEATS? I JUST KNOW SOME TIMES MY HEART WILL DO THAT BUT MORE OFTEN IT JUST KIND OF FLUTTERS THEN BEATS FAST THEN WILL GO BACK TO NORMAL. I REALLY NOTICE PALPITATIONS DURING HIGH STRESS, IF IM REALLY TIRED, OVULATION AND MY PERIOD. I KNOW MY CARDIOLOGIST SAID EXERSISE WILL HELP LESSEN THEM BUT I KNOW WHEN I DO SOMETIMES MY HEART WILL SKIP A BEAT AND THEN I REALLY GET STRESSED OUT. DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVISE ON TO WHAT KIND OF EXERSISE I SHOULD BE DOING? I DO CHASE A VERY ENERGETIC 2 YEAR OLD EVERY DAY! ANY ADVISE WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. HAVE A GREAT DAY!

-SHANNON
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Avatar universal
Hi!
I too think menstruation plays a part in all of this.  i am just new at this but from what I have read, I don't think it is a coincedence that my syptoms started when my period did and now that it is over they have lessened considerably.  I get the same feeling you do...dizzy with a cough and that hot flash in the head thing.  I tried to figure out hoe to explain it, it's almost like if you plug your nose and close your mouth and "blow". Like my head may explode for just a second!! Gotta run I have a baby crying at my feet!
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