Need Help

[robizak]

Hello there!!!
I must say i have read, many articles sent by the forums users, and it has helped me through many troubled times!!!
4 & half years ago i was at work, and experianced a fluttering effect in my chest area, this totally freaked me out!!
I went straight to ER and was realeased 1 hour later, the doctors said it was anxiety, i am a smoker so you can imagine when i got in the car, through the packet out and stopped smoking for 10 weeks, but picked the habbit up again, for about 6 months i could not figure out what was going on, i went to numerous doctors, but they said panic attacks, obvisously this didn't help me enough, i was getting this weird feelings in my chest, i finally went to a Cardiologist who is very renowed in the country, he did numerous tests eg.. stress,ekg, ultrasound, thallium and holter tests, he could only find that i was having pvc's and pacs, with bigemy and trigemny , but my problem here is that i get another feeling which is not a pvc or pac, but what i noticed the other day was when i get this strange feeling is that my rythym would speeden up slightly for a few seconds, and go away , my doctor says unless he can catch it on the ecg he can't pin point it, i have been on 50mg atenonol and 150 mg of avapro for 8 months now, i can't notice any pvc or pacs but still get this quicken beat which i can't figure it out what it is, i am 35 mildly over weight smoke half a pack of ciggarettes a day , non drinker use to have hypertension , overwise in very good shape, my question is would you have any idea what it could be???
and thank you!!!!!!!

[CCF-M.D.-RCJ]

robizak,

Thanks for the post.

After a PVC, the blood pressure drops slightly.  This blood pressure drop is sensed by pressure receptors (called baro-receptors) which respond by withdrawing vagal output.  The withdrawal of vagal output leads to a slight quickening of the heart rate.  Perhaps this is what you are sensing.

Hope that helps.

[Momto3]

Has your doctor suggested an "event" monitor?  That might be a good way to capture the "weird feeling" on tape.

[robizak]

Hi there again!!
Wow quick response!!!
actually i get a feeling in my throat area, i can feel the feeling creeping on!!!
my question is does this sound like something serious or life threatning to you????

[regan]

I get the same wierd feeling. My heart will speed up beat kind of irregularly and then go back to normal within seconds. I hate it. I also have pvcs and pacs. I try to ignore it but it's hard to. I also was told it was due to anxiety. If I were you I'd try to stop smoking for good and get on a exercise program. Exercise I have heard helps the skipped beats. I hope I have helped a little.

[robizak]

thanks for interest Regan, if i could ask you do you get that feeling reguarly???
mine are so unpredictable i get the feeling like i'm gonna die!!!
Its forums like this that give me some comfort, atleast i know i'm not alone, the thing for me is, i do alot of traveling and i always worry something catastrophic is going to happen like my heart will give in!!!

[BigBoy2u]

wow this is what I get often.  I can feel this odd sensation in my neck and throat, upper chest area.  It I cant really describe it but then right after I get that flush feeling with the big thud/thump heart beat then the anxiety kicks in and my pulse takes off.  Several times I have reached over to check my pulse as this feeling was comming on and it was slow as usual but normal then it stoped for 1 or 2 seconds then takes off with several fater beats.  That when I feel the flushness and panic set in.  It is really way to scarry to feel your pulse stop.  I usually never notice anything else but the full throat/thud/thump then a few rapid beats.  But the aniexty is killing me. I try not to focus on it but I had a history of generalized anxiety before I had NSVT and now its get me freaked out.  The most scarriest happened a few weeks ago.  I had noticed it had been weeks since I was really bothered by the PAC/PVS's I noticed they were few and far between but the one afternoon at this very desk typing away I felt my chest feel like a ballon where my heart is filling up.  I have never been so scared in my life.  I thought my heart had stopped without thinking I smacked my self on the chest stood-up coughed and reached to check my pulse.  Slow but normal then it took off.. I went tachy from the aniexity and it took awhile to settle down even after some Xanax.  Anyone else get this too? I called my Dr. unless I was still having problems not to worry...lol.  But I have been plauged with PVC's/PAC's for the last week now  Iam losing my mind.

[Mel22]

I have experienced that "balloon" feeling a few times. It is horrible. It always surprises me when I live through it.

[usar13b]

Man you guys we are a mess.  i too experience many of these same sypmtoms.  Especially the weird sensation in my throat and upper chest.  I remember my doctor telling me that some people describe it as a sucking feeling as if the air is being suck out of their throat.  At the time I had no idea but after sometime I started to feel what he mentioned.  WEIRD!  Anxiety and panic are ones that I too have had to begin dealing with since my PVC's first began.  It is a constant battle and it takes enormous effort to keep it in check.  Hey does anyone out there remember Hankstar's email address?  I went and checked back through the threads and it is no longer there.  I would really like to get in touch and pick his brain about something. Thanks

[Momto3]

I'm not sure but it might be ***@****.  What happened to the threads?

[robizak]

Hey there guys!!!
I have spent alot of time digging my head in books and on the net, I'm no doctor but i am starting to see that many of us who suffer these ill affects, nine times out of ten, have some sort of gastric trouble, there is alot of corillation between the stomach and the heart, espeacilly that they run of the same nerve system (vagal) i notice that after heavy meals and when i am tired, i am more prone to getting this weird feeling, the bad part of all this is, when i get these episodes my natural instinct kicks in ands starts to panic, its only the last few months , that i am conditioning myself not to freak out, probably you's guys would know, no matter how many doctors we visit, we are never content with there opinions, they look at me like a retard!!!!!
i hope that they will find a breakthrough for all of us, cheers!!!

[dee gee]

I'm glad to hear that someone else suspects PVCs related to gastric problems.  I have GERD (acid reflux) and also have gotten PVCs after meals and always a sure thing after eating a high acid meal.  One of the many symptoms of acid reflux is the feel of being "breathless." When I approach the doctors that I can get relief of PVCs taking Pepto Bismuth, I usually get a raised eyebrow.  This does help me most of the time, but like others, we all have different ways of coping with them and no one has a real answer.

[RALLY]

HEY,IM POSTING FOR THE IST TIME. IV'E HAD PVC'S FOR 8 YRS. THEY'VE BECOME VERY FREQUENT IN THE PAST 5 YR'S. I GET BIGEMINY,TRIGEMINY ETC. I GET HUNDREDS AND THOUSANDS OF PVC'S SOME DAYS. EVEN ON A GOOD DAY I STILL GET ALOT. IM 31 YRS' OLD. THIS HAS CHANGED MY LIFE COMPLETELY. I AM NOW BORDER LINE AGORAPHOBIC, HAVE INTENSE PANIC ATTACKS. AND IF I GET SCARED AT ALL I INSTANTLY GO INTO BIGEMINY AND GET A RACING HEART. I HAVE BEEN ON ATENOLOL FOR 3 YRS. AND RECENTLY ADDED TAMBICOR/FLECANIDE WHICH SCARES ME TO DEATH TO TAKE. I WENT TO THE ER 2 TIMES THIS WEEKEND WITH FREQ. PVCS. WAS TOLD I WOULDN'T DIE AND WAS SENT HOME. MY DR. A ELECTROCARDIOLOGIST SAYS THE FEAR WILL DRIVE ME TO INSANITY. HE SAYS HE SEES IT HAPPEN IN ALL HIS PVC PATIENTS. HE ALSO SAID I'D PROBABLY LIVE TO 100 AND STILL BE COMPLAINING ABOUT PVC'S...I GET SCARED WHEN I HAVE LIKE 10 A MINUTE. I SURE FEEL LIKE I'LL DIE WITH THEM THAT FREQUENT. MY DR. WONT DO A ABLATION BECAUSE HE SAID HE PROBABLY COULD'T FIND THE FOCI TO ABLATE. ITS SCARY AND FRUSTRATING ,IM GLAD TO KNOW IM NOT ALONE IN THIS THOUGH. TAKE CARE

[Mel22]

There *is* a connection between digestion and PVCs. One day there will be randomized controlled studies that support that. Until then, I already know not to eat many refined carbohydrates, corn, or onions. Excess gas is my PVCs' best friend.

[lak]

I am a 45 female and have 18000.00 to 20000.00 pvcs trigemy and bigemy every day all the time.  I do also have gas pains and alot going on with my stomach these days.  I just had gall bladder removed and I think alot of the chest pain was related to that.  I did not know that onions or corn caused gas.....what refined carbs do you mean? specify please. Thanks Lisa

[Momto3]

It sounds as though your pvcs have taken over your life. I started getting pvcs in my early 20's and had them for 25 years. Tests indicated "bening ectopics," but doctors were comfortable treating me since I was so symptomatic. Sounds like you are going through the same thing as I went through.  Although I was not agoraphobic, every decision to "go out" was an ordeal. It became a vicous cycle of pvcs, anxiety, indigestion, IBS, you name it...my whole system would go into a frenzy.  

Finally with the help of a very compassionate EP, I learned to manage the pvcs (not entirely, but to some degree). Last year, during an annual exam, the doctors picked up on a cardiomyopathy and determined it was a result of very frequent pvcs. To get the CM under control, my options were 1) try flecainide in the hospital; 2) try other anti-arrythmics; 3) ablation. I could no longer "live with it."  Tried the flecainide and it really helped the pvcs, but the side effects were nasty. Tried rhythmol, and finally decided to give the ablation a try. For me, it worked miracles. If your doctor has determined that flecainide is safe for you, try to set aside your fears (I really do know that is easier said than done) and take "baby steps" to getting your life back. Does the flecainide help? If you trust your doctor and feel safe under his, talk with him about your anxiety. Over the years, I heard it a million times..."It won't hurt you," "They're benign," "Don't worry" and so on. I'm sure you can relate. It wasn't until I started seeing my current EP that I really, really trusted what I was hearing. It's not that she said anything differently, it's just that she let me know she understood and cared. If you feel comfortable with your physician, you will be more likely able to relax (even if it's just a little). Take care!  Connie

[usar13b]

What is a cardiomyopathy?  Just out of curiosity did your symptoms change?  Did you have any idea this had happend?

[usar13b]

What is a cardiomyopathy?  Just out of curiosity did your symptoms change?  Did you have any idea this had happend?

[RALLY]

THANKS "MOMTO3" FOR YOUR COMMENT.FLECANIDE HELPS SOMETIMES.BUT LIKE TODAY EVERY SKIP I GET ,I FEEL THAT MY HEART WILL STOP.AND I GET SO MANY PVCS ITS EXHAUSTING. MY EP DR. IS AWARE OF HOW FRIGHTENED I AM OF THESE THINGS, SO I SEE A THERAPIST FOR STRESS RELIEF ,TAKE ZOLOFT AND TRY TO REPEAT MY EP DRS. REASSURING WORDS THROUGHOUT THE DAY.I JUST WISH THEIR WAS A QUICK FIX. ALL MY 20 AND 30 YR. OLD FRIENDS ARE CAMPING AND TRAVELING AND IM AFRAID TO GO 20 MILES AWAY FROM WHERE I KNOW A HOSPITAL IS "JUST INCASE".IF WE TRAVEL I PLAN THE WHOLE TRIP AROUND WHERE THE FIRE STATION/HOSP. IS.I KNOW THIS IS A RIDICULOUS WAY TO LIVE, BUT I AM SO AFRAID OF THE WEIRD RHYTMS I GET AND THE HIGH #'S OF THEM.IM SO YOUNG I DON'T WANT TO WASTE MY LIFE IN FEAR OF A SUPPOSED BENIGN THING, BUT I AM VERY SCARED. THANKS FOR ALL THE SUPPORT.

[Momto3]

usar13b,

Cardiomyopathy is a type of heart disease in which the heart is abnormally enlarged, thickened and/or stiffened. As a result, the heart muscle's ability to pump blood is usually weakened. The damage to the heart walls inhibits the ability of the heart to function effectively, which commonly results in heart failure.

About a year before I developed the CM, I was very short of breath and tired easily. Had a bunch of tests, and everything was fine. Kindof accepted it as a matter of fact. Still have thousands of pvcs....A year later, I was still tired and dragging a bit, but not NEARLY as short of breath. This time, my echo showed a drop in my ejection fraction (heart's pumping capability). That's when the CM showed up....So, because of the CM, my EP opted to treat the pvcs aggressively.  I'm told that it is very rare for pvcs to lead to this condition. But, in my case...MANY docs and technicians concurred that is indeed what happened. The EP said I would have to be on antiarrythmics for life unless I wanted to give the ablation(s) a try. I was pretty chicken, so I opted to take the meds. Stayed on them for awhile and got up the courage to have the ablation(s)...and I'm so glad I did. Subsequent echos have shown steady improvement.

[usar13b]

oops, sorry...I accidently directed my question to Connie. Should have looked a little closer huh?  Thanks for the insight.
PS Thanks for Hank's email address. I'm going to give it a try.  I don't know what happened to those threads but if you look back thru you will notice several of his last entries are gone.  I for one miss his opinions.  Thanks again!

[usar13b]

ok, ok I got it.  You are Connie.  I wish I had paid even more attention now :)

[jobob52 ford]

Hi, I believe Hank would be of great help to you. His e-mail is ***@****

[robizak]

Computer wowwww!!
i used get into the scenario as you, i couldnt go anywhere, when i first got these feelings, i had a world vaction organized with my gf, one stop we were supposed to go to was to climb Mt kilamanjaro, well as you all guessed that was "Totally" abandoned, and i only went to Europe instead, i tell you it was a "Nightmare" i had skipped beats, anxiety you name it, i was in places that if something happened they wouldnt find me for weeks, so you can imagine what was going through my head, i also still toady take Zoloft, i find it really helps me, but it takes time for the body to get used to, but it takes the edge off things, also i found that gaining knowledge about the problem, helps to deal with the situations, it gives me reasurance that i know i mostly over react, i was the same i could not go anyway unless there was paramedics near by, i now look at skipped beats and all over feelings like kind of a hiccup and when its done it will go away, i have had so tests, with some of the best doctors in this country, and they all comment that not to worry, i guess you really have to take the bull by its horns, or it will ruin you, you have to condition yourself, that you have nothing that is life threatning , and not to let instinct take over, i know this is easier said than done, but just remember there are people who are so sick on this planet that, they would "swap" places with you in a "HEARTBEAT" lol, so the point i am trying to make is, do you waste your life at home, or do you enjoy it?
I know you know the answer to that question!!!!

[Momto3]

usarab13: LOL!!  No problem.....Connie works just as well as "momto3."  I don't know what happened to the previous threads...maybe Hank asked that they be removed?? It's strange.

jobob52ford: Thanks for Hank's correct email address.  I couldn't remember the "89" in the middle...

Has anyone talked to Hank? How is he doing? Please let him know he is missed on the boards. Notice the disclaimer that pops up now. Maybe that will quiet things down. Here's hoping.

[RALLY]

THANKS FOR ALL THE COMMENTS. I'VE BEEN IN BIGEMINY FOR HOURS NOW OFF AND ON. AND GETTING SO MANY SKIPS I CAN'T KEEP COUNT. MY EP DR. TOLD ME TO TAKE ANOTHER FLECANIDE/TAMBICORE THATS 50 MG. TOTAL I'VE TAKEN TODAY FOR THE FIRST TIME. IM AFRAID OF THE PRO-ARRYTHMIA RISK. NOT TO MENTION HAVING A PVC EVERY OTHER BEAT OR EVERY 3 BEATS IS TERRIFING ME. IM AFRAID MY HEART IS GETTING WORN OUT AND IM ONLY 31...I WANT TO GO TO THE ER, BUT MY EP SAYS I'LL BE FINE. THAT I JUST HAVE TONS OF PVCS.1000'S....HAS ANYONE HAD A SUCCESFUL PVC ABLATION? OR A UNSUCCESFUL ONE? MY DR SAYS ITS SUCH A SMALL CHANCE THAT HE COULD FIND THE "PROBLEM" AREA IN MY HEART THAT HE DOESN'T WANT TO DO IT,UNLESS THE MEDS AREN'T HELPING...WELL TODAY THEIR NOT. I'D JUMP AT THE CHANCE FOR AN ABLATION TODAY JUST TO GET 5 MINS. RELIEF FROM THESE THINGS KICKING ME IN THE CHEST AND THE LONG PAUSES.....THANKS

[Momto3]

COMPUTER:  I can totally relate to your frustration. It seems as though I "lived" in bigeminy. Holter report said MANY bigeminal cycles (too many to quantify). Over 4000 couplets, etc...You get the picture. You are taking flecainide for the first time? I remember the doctor telling me that flecainide was usually started at 100mg, but because I was sensitive, I was started on 50 mg (2x/day). It did help, but I was also prescribed Inderal for breakthrough episodes. Were you hospitalized prior to beginning the flecainide?  Although my doctor said I could try it from home, she was more comfortable beginning it in the hospital. When I asked about my heart "wearing out" (I asked a LOT) I was told that would not happen. How many pvcs showed on your holter?  

I had 2 successful pvc ablations (one to right side, and one to the left side). I get an occasional pvc, but no runs, etc. Did the doctor mention why he felt they could not pinpoint the trigger spot (foci)?  I remember just before the 2nd ablation my pvcs quieted way down (nerves, maybe). The doctor checked with the "ablator" (a different doctor) and she said that as long as I was having "some" pvcs they should be able to find the irritable foci. I was very fortunate in that the procedures worked! Are you near Cleveland?  Hope you are getting some relief today.  Connie

[RALLY]

IM 31 WITH NO KNOWN HEART DISEASE SO MY DR. THOGHT I'D BE FINE TO START FLECANIDE AT HOME. I WEIGH ABOUT 100 LBS. SO 50 MG. IS ALOT FOR MY SIZE. DR. SAYS I CAN TAKE UP TO 100 MG. BUT IM AFRAID TO. SO FAR 50 MG. ISN'T DOING ANYTHING FOR ME. I LIVE NEAR ATLANTA WHICH HAS GOOD HOSPITALS.MY DR. SAID IN DOING AN ABLATION, HE FEARED HE'D ABLATE ONE FOCI ONLY TO HAVE A NEW ONE POP UP AT SOMETIME. OR HE'D SPEND HOURS ON ME AND ABLATE THE WRONG AREA,OR GET TO NEAR THE SINUS NODE. IM NOT SURE IF HE'S JUST NOT VERY GOOD AT THE PROCEDURE OR IF HES NOT TAKING ME SERIOUSLY. I SOMETIMES FEAR SINCE IM YOUNG AND HAVE ANXIETY,THAT HE THINKS ITS ALL ANXIETY, EVEN THOUGH THE HOLTER SHOWS THE EVIDENCE.I WENT FOR A SECOND OPINION TO A YOUNG DR. JUST OUT OF SCHOOL, HE WAS READY TO TAKE ME INTO THE EP LAB AFTER ONLY 1 VISIT AND ATTEMPT THE ABLATE.THAT SCARED ME OFF A BIT. SO NOW THIS EP DR. I KNOW HAS A GOOD REPUTATION IS ON THE CONCERVATIVE SIDE AND HAS VERY LITTLE INTEREST IN ATTEMPTING TO ABLATE. IM VERY FRUSTRATED.IM HAVING  SO MANY PVCS TODAY IM NOT SURE HOW IM STILL ALIVE.THEIR HAS TO BE SOMETHING ELSE THAT THEY CAN DO TO HELP ME..THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP..

[regan]

I am 29 years old and I have pvc's sometimes every other minute. It has totally affected my life. I too an scared to go to far from a hospital and I have completely stopped exercising from fear of my heart stopping. I having been dealing with this for a year now. I REALLY know how you feel. I have to force my self to leave the house. I am getting better but it takes alot of effort. If you need to talk sometime you can email me at ***@****. I feel it helps to talk with people who know first hand what you are dealing with. It definitely has been helping me.

[scttkrkwd]

computer, usar13b, et al... let me chime in as another person who has lived in fear of their heartbeats. i started having issues about 6yrs ago at 22. when the ER 3 times before they told me it was do to anxiety attacks. i was put on Paxil and for the MOST part it stopped being an issue. i have tried several times to get off paxil, and ended up having to go back on it after a few weeks because i couldnt handle it. need some counciling too i guess. no the only heart palpitations i get are when i go to sleep. within 10 minutes of falling asleep i will awaken with what feels like an atril fibrilation. i have yet to have it monitored because my past cardiologist figured he knew what it was. benign.

so my question is, how much of our issues are caused, not by our hearts, but our brains? it sounds like we are all going crazy with this, so maybe we were going crazy first and the palpitations just followed? like i said, when i am on the paxil 20mg, i feel fine. how do other people feel on anti anxiety drugs?

[regan]

First I want to tell computer that I get the pvc's sometimes evert other beat. (I sald every other minute.) Either way I get alot in a day and some days only a few. I also have a very high anxiety level. I weigh 122 lbs. (give or take a pound) and I am almost 5 9'. Does anyone feel like there burning more calories then they are consuming? I also feel a little hypoglycimic. Does any one else associate the pvc's with blood sugar level? To answer the last person's comment: I have tried anti-deppresants. I was on paxil for three years before the pvc's started and it was really hard getting off them. I would never get on it again. I also tried zoloft and celexa. Both made my heart race out of control and ended up in the ER so I try to stay away from anti-depressants. I do agree that it could be, for some of us, more of a head problem then a heart problem. (maybe our bodies and brains are over sensitive) I know I am. _April

[Mieke]

I have suffered with frequent PVC's for over 20 years now at one time up to 10,000 in 24 hours every day!  I,like everyone else thought I was going to die and my life revolved around my PVC's , how can it not when you can feel every one of them?  As usual the DR puts it down to being an anxious person, but I am not an anxious person and the only thing that makes me anxious is when my heart is not beating normally.

Anyway in answer to your question about anti anxiety drugs, I was prescribed valium and told not to worry so much!  I took valium over a 7 year period popping a 5mg pill most days. Then I was hospitalized for a medical condition (not related to my heart) and didn't have access to my valium.  I was waking up each morning feeling very nauseous and trembling and agitated feeling as if I was about to die, it was horrible. when I got home and was able to take a valium again I felt much better. I put the connection together myself and realised I was addicted physically to them.  I stopped taking them and suffered the worst withdrawal symptoms for nearly 12 months, much worse than the PVC's which I still had anyway.

I strongly advise anyone against using anti-anxiety drugs for any length of time for PVC's, sure it helps your perception of them but its not a cure for them and the risk of addiction is always a worry.  My PVC's actually settled down somewhat after I had gone through withdrawal and they are not nearly so frequent now.  How wonderful is that blissfull feeling when the heart is quiet and beating normally? something most people take for granted and we desperately long for.