Nighttime PAC's,Irregular beats and pain

[steveki]

I have posted on here before but never with a question topic. I am 32 (almost 33) I first had Pvc's at 19 which got worse until the age of 21 then kind of went away only happening oaacasionally through my 20's. About a year ago I started getting them again along with occasional atrial fluttlers and pac's and also stabbing pains seemingly around my atrium. Last march I went to a reputable cardiologist, I had an ecg, ekg, and full stress test with dye. Everything was normal. My BP is always borderline 138/80 but i am an anxious person esp. when the cuff comes close to my arm. I declined beta blockers because they did NOTHING for me when I was 19. I try foods, nutrition, magnesium, vitamins...some stuff helps sometimes.

I workout alot and have always gtten through them with little problems, but my main concerns are no longer the pvc's.

For about the last moth, I get these what I think are pac's--very deep long pause that shkes me to the core then a restart. Upon getting more mild ones I can almost tell they are PAC's without a doubot. I will get them every 3-4 beats until I fall asleep. At any point as I wake at night, I am getting them..then at daytime, they go away. I now have to take either ambien/ or other mild sedatives to even make sleep a possibiliy. Also of concern are stabbing pains which last a minute and dull achy pain which last  several minutes..never does my heart rate change or do I ever feel week or out of breathe, whish is promising i guess.
I am an anxious person and i suffer from mild OCD,I need whatever help or feedback i can be given,thanks so much

[Cleveland Clinic]

steve,

thanks for the post.

As a follower of the oard, you should be aware that PVCs/PACs can cause a lot of mental anguish even with the reassurace that with a normal cardiac workup, they will cause no serios harm to you.

Unfortunately, these extra beats have become a focus of your anxiety and OCD and focusing on treating those conditions would probably provide you the best and most significant long term benefit.

Look to the forum to see how others have successfully dealt with their symptoms. Discuss your worries and concerns with a counselor or psychiatrist.

good luck

[Heart3]

Hi:  I also have those feelings of the long pause and hard thump that scard the shiatzy out of you.  I also have anxiety generalized, and choose not to take any meds.  I do carry atenol and lorazapan I guess more for reassureance than anything else.  I also get the what if's bad.  And the only way I can handle the days is to stay busy and focus on other things.  My bouts with PVC's are so random I can never find a common set off except for when they start and I get anxiety they get worse.  And of course the older we get the more difficult it gets -  I also have 3 children and I worry that something will happen to me and that creates more anxiety.  Visicious circle I guess.


Good luck and happy holidays:)

[lolathechi]

I tooo have anxiety/panic and pvcs.. it is so hard to deal with everyday.. and going to bed is the worst.. I have all sorts of strange beats/feelings, etc.... sometimes I feel as though my heart is beating 150 bpm, when in reality my pulse is 70...

I have also been getting strange PVCS lately, they are more like a huge lump that goes to your throat and stays for 5 seconds... it feels like you are going to drop on the spot.. With these there are never those hard recovery beats afterwards./// Have any of you guys felt these??? They scare me half to death!!!!!

Happy Holidays!! ;-)Jodie

[jeff 67]

My PVC's can be very painful sometimes.  Other times when the PVC's happen instead of the early beat being a nice clean quick thump it feels like it tumbles about with the duration of the tumbling being much longer than the duration of the thump with a normal beat.  Sometimes the pauses I get following a PVC seem to be so long that it is hard to believe they are not R on T PVC's ... anyone else feel like that?

[PikaPika88]

Hi Steveki, may I asked what is the different with ECG and EKG?  Thanks.  Pika.

[Veritas01]

I too have PVCs that stop me in my tracks.  I liken them to somebody poking a finger hard right into the center of my chest.  They startle, they are painful, they take your breath away for a second, you feel a wave of coldness and ill feeling pass over you, and then you are left sitting or standing there looking around like you were just hit by a bus and nobody saw it happen.  I also get a sore sternum and chest muscles concurrent or before a bout of PVCs PACs.  It can last for days or weeks and the activity subsided when the chest tenderness dissipates.  I have been told there is no connection but it is looks and quacks like a duck...it is a duck.

[kimmieqt]

I get heart palpitations all the time, and it can be scary especially when they are strong enough to make you feel like your whole heart is going to stop. Mine feel like a fluttering with a few Big thumps. Sometimes one can last a few seconds, or longer. It feels like it takes your breath away. Anybody have those type of symptoms? I started only having a few a month to at least one episode a day. Did go to the emergency room once, and of course everything was normal. Anybody else share my frustrations as well?

[woodruff]

kimmi, there are about a whole bunch of us here with these funky beats.  Just reading through the posts or searching "pvcs", "arrhytmia," etc., will show you how we feel, and how we deal with it all.

[Momto3]

How are you doing?  I'll bet you are getting so excited : )

Wishing you a stress-free holiday : 0

Connie

[viktoriag]

Hi, I just joined here and am unable to post new or reply to PVC threads because they are full! So I hope this is an appropriate spot for me to jump in.

A few years ago I went to a new doctor who told me I had a heart murmur (and a slew of other scary things, which she wanted me to fully investigate). The reason for that visit was an unexplained case of hives, so I never went back to her but rather to my old doctor an hour away.  He said I had a mild murmur, had me go for an echocardiogram and holter monitor testing.  I was told that I have benign PVCs and PACs (or one or the other, not sure) and that I shouldn't worry about them.

Meanwhile, they remain the same. Truly they don't really trouble me except usually at night when I first lie down and notice them. They are worse when I lieon my right side. If I fall asleep on that side I will often wake with a joly shortly thereafter, and my heart will thump for a little while, then I will be fine and can go back to sleep, it won't happen again all night.

Most of the time if I have them when I am up and walking, there is no pain.  I just feel anxious or nervous, and sometimes there is an issue actually troubling me.

A new twist is that I have a 10 year old son who was diagnosed and had surgery for a neurological condition known as Arnold Chiari Malformation, where the brain sits low and herniates into the spinal column space. This can cause a host of symptoms, amazingly among them: irregular heartbeat!

So now I am trying to decide if I should invite further stress by requesting an MRI. Ten years ago I had one, since I have always had migraines (also, of course a symptom of chiari). I was told the result was normal but was unable to track down the films when my son was diagnosed.

Sorry for the length of this post. It sounds like so many people live with these heart issues every day and really they didn't bother me until I began to have new concerns that there is a cause after all.

Happy Holidays to all who managed to read this post!

Jane

[Gary-Fisher]

i get them all the time. i too get them when im trying to go to sleep. i dont know whay tho. it did this last night. every time i would be close to sleep, id get this "flop" feeling, and a weird tingling feeling shoots thru my body and i have to breathe in real fast. scary, very scary. :/. makes me not wanna sleep cause im afraid im gonna die in my sleep.

not a good way to live, ill tell ya that much :/

[howiesmom]

God works in amazing ways! I just discovered this site and am relieved and encouraged to hear so many people experiencing sensations similar to mine - thank you!  I have spent the last week or two waking up several times each night with similar sensations, so I empathize with your worries. In the past 8 years, I've done the monitors, ECG, ultrasound, etc.,  and had the cardiologists tell me "not to worry", but at 3 AM with a heart dancing around when it's supposed to be sleeping, it's hard not to.  I have been experimenting with my own home remedies in an attempt to find something to make it settle down: sometimes a glass of warm milk works, or banana, or a TUMs or other calcium/magnesium tablet, and I even tried something recommended by Dr. Batmanjani, the "water" treateent doctor: some table salt with a glass of water. Each of these works sometimes, but nothing seems to be a consistent "cure."
I've also noticed more "heart flips" and AF when I have gone too long between meals (blood sugar related?) and I know that stress and lack of sleep seem to bring them on, as well. (a real catch 22, since they are the cause of the lack of sleep!) I suffered from panic attacks in the past (20 years ago, big time, and a few high-anxiety times since then), but, although I experienced tachycardia with the attacks, I did not have any A-Fib or other 'flutters' until 8 years ago when I tried the infamous "protein diet" for a week and wound up in the ER one night with my heart going crazy. Ever since that episode I have had periods of arrhythmia in various forms most of the time, with occasional weeks where I blessedly noticed nothing out of the ordinary with my heart - what a gift! I have also kept records for the past several years which link the episodes to my cycle (hormone related?) Anyway, I encourage you to try to relax and remember what the specialists have told you, and most of the rest of us, it seems: that these sensations are terrifying, but not life threatening. It has also helped me to pray ("Be still and know that I am God") and try to focus my thoughts on something other than myself and my heart - even simple things like, "should I get groceries tomorrow or do laundry?", or to think/pray about the needs and concerns of my family and friends. I wish you peace and  courage. Keep talking - that, in itself, is a comfort and means of coping - for you and for the rest of us!!  Thanks.

[Carey01]

I'm new here and fnd all these pvc posts very helpful.  I am hoping someone can help put my mind at ease -- or point me in the right direction. So tonight I was talking with a client and I started laughing.  As I was laughing I felt my heart start skipping. I couldnt feel it in my pulse but it did it for about 2 minutes -- VERY NOTICEABLE.  I coughed real hard several times and tried to relax and it stopped.  Im so worried this is serious.  Any response is truly appreciated.

Thanks,
Carey

[howiesmom]

I've had similar things happen, and had a nurse (who had heart irregularities herself) tell me that coughing is a good idea - you instinctively made a good choice. On the flip side, I've often noticed that when I am upset enough about something to cry, my heart starts flipping out along with the crying. Having "studied" life with my own heart palpitations for years, and reading about others' situations, I'm noticing that, so much of the time, our emotions play a big part in how our heart reacts. I think I've also read somewhere that, physiologically, laughter can trigger some heart arrhythmia. You might mention it to your doctor, but DON'T PANIC! Our hearts are tougher than we think they are, even when the sensations are terrifying. And don't give up laughing - that's healing in itself.

[howiesmom]

Just read your post and have had almost identical symptoms for years. Lots of doctors and cardiologists (even the ER nurses!) have just told me to relax, they're annoying but not dangerous, and try to ignore them. I am believing more and more that there's a link between women's hormones and heart palpitations. Check out some of Dr. Christianne Norhthrup's work on women's                                                                                                     health - she has some smart things to say about our heart symptoms, and offers some good coping skills.

[tickertock]

Just wanted to say when I had my episode the other night that I thought was a-fib/pvcs , but with a regular pulse, I started to cough after about 2-3 minutes in the episode , i think the continuous coughing and clearing my throat real hard is what got it stop.

Also want to add laughing real hard will almost almost always at least trigger a pvc or two for me also or some kind of palpitation.

[Carey01]

Thanks everyone for the answers.  It seems like ALOT of people have these.  Will a rush of adrenaline also cause them???

[rickyc]

Hi Steveki:

Have been reading your thread.  I am 61 and have had these darn skips since I was eighteen or round about.  The last few years they have become more persistant.  If I am out in the yard working I do not notice them as much.  However, being retired
over the lasdt few years, I don't do as much and think about them all the time. Right now my excercise level is around "0"
I've been checked by many different doctors. Several cardiograms,

[rickyc]

Hi Steveki:

Have been reading your thread.  I am 61 and have had these darn skips since I was eighteen or round about.  The last few years they have become more persistant.  If I am out in the yard working I do not notice them as much.  However, being retired
over the lasdt few years, I don't do as much and think about them all the time. Right now my excercise level is around "0"
I've been checked by many different doctors. Several cardiograms, holter moniter, bloodwork and about ten years ago, a stress test.  All appeared normal.  Doc had mentioned another stress test here a while ago, at that time I declined due to my lack of excercise. Now like I've stated before, I chew a great amount of tobacco and have been told to quit as that would more likely than not help.  I guess I'm thick headed.  Anyway:  How many of these rascals do you get a day?   Later

[timebomb]

I hope I finally found a site to help.  I have been diagnosed with a lot of PAC's.  All heart tests ok (so they say).  Then follows the comment, just live with them.  I don't know how to do that, get them off my mind, and carry on a life, with continuous thumping in your chest.  It is truly ruining my life, and work and at home.  Can anyone give me any suggestions on how to deal with this.  Any help is appreciated.  I have had them for almost 2 months, are they here for life.  Thanks

[rickyc]

I've had them off and on since I was about eighteen.  I recall and elderly lady, whom happened to be a doctor, tell me that caffeine and nicotene can play a large roll in bringing them on. I've always smoked and drank coffee.  However, 20 odd years ago I quit smoking and started chewing copenhagen.  Didn't do much good to quit the smoke and go to another bad habit.  I believe the chew has more nocotine than the smoke.  I would more likely than not be of more help to you if I did neither.  As to whether or not they are here for life I cannot tell you.  I am not a doctor.  I have however studied the heart to a great degree by reading some medical journals, learned much from this site, and have been to many doctors.  I've had a stress test some ten years ago. I had skips then so if there was a problem then I guess they would have seen it as well as now. I've declined on one as of late.  Have had many electrocardiograms, bloodwork and even went to emergency one night when I had skips every couple beats. As to putting up with them; it can be a stickler.  Regardless, you have to push on and do the best to ignore them -- which by the way can be almost impossible.  My wife gets a few as does my father-in-law. I know a lot of individuals that get them, however, I get a lot more.  Good Luck

[adam blum]

advice please . . . i have periodic daytime PACs and PVC's which i have come to deal with . . . but just recently for first time woken up in middle of night during a regular dream with "hard fast beats" in my throat. was sleeping on left side. when roll to back and get up it stops, but of course anxiety from event prevents sleeping.

recent stress echo and EKG all normal. Loop Recordings show occasional extrasystoles from the top and bottom part of the heart. i had a lone atrial fib about 11 yrs ago (im 35 yr old now) so im particularly sensitive to these extra beats etc to make sure it is not the onset of Afib - which it since 1994 has not been.

Dr. Says dont worry.

1. Is the night time event - which does not seem to be irregular beats but rather fast beats in the throat tachycardia and different?

2. could the throat - where i feel most of these - be part of the problem if i am having some heartburn or acid reflux? I wonder if related?

3. Last night was a feeling them right around the adams apple. regular PACs and PVC's i get are more to the sides of the neck. Is it possible that my throat closing up during sleep is causing onset of the fast, hard beats?

4. a few other times i have woken in the AM with irregular beats but they tend to resolve upon getting up and moving around.

am taking 25mg zoloft in AM and 1mg klonopin at night to help sleep a nd reduce stress. I feel fine now except for dealing with this now intrusive bout of sleep - awakening hard beats / PAC's.

[sarasusan]

Hello Everyone,

I have experienced just about everything that everyone has been talking about. I am a healthy 25 yr old female, i eat well, don't smoke, rarely drink, i avoid caffeine, and i get exercise whenever i can. i started having anxiety when i was 19, and ended up in the hospital with my first panic attack, which scared the s*** out of me, when i was 21. I've had an echogram, stress test, and 2 holter monitor tests which all came back fine, i was diagnosed with having pvc's and pac's. i first started taking xanax to help with my anxiety, but it made me feel loopy. i read many self-help sort of books about anxiety and panic attacks which really helped. i cut out foods such as meat, dairy, sugar, chocolate, or anything that can increase anxiety or make it worse. i drank lots of chamomile tea, even in the mornings which helped calm my nerves. i meditated, tried getting 8 hours of sleep, practically avoided everything that would increase my pvc's. it worked for a while, but as soon as stress and worries came back, the pvc's came back. i also have acid reflux which is worse when my anxiety and stress is bad.

the past several months i have been under a lot of stress, so my anxiety has been pretty bad. besides having pvc's and pac's, ive been having palpitations like many of you have described as being fast beats you feel in your upper chest/throat area. they last for about 30 seconds. i also have strong beats that take my breath away. i also haven't been able to sleep at night because my heart has been acting all crazy with skipped beats, strong beats, and any other type of beat you can get. i just lay in bed up to 4 hours before i can even fall asleep, its really bad. sometimes when i start falling asleep i get jolt like my heart had stopped and started again which gives me more anxiety, it never stops. its a cycle that keeps repeating itself. stress=anxiety=heart palpitations=more anxiety=more palipitations, and so on. i also get chest pain as well. i didn't start getting chest pain until i started getting anxiety so i think its completely related. i think it has more to do with  tensing my muscles in my chest as well as shallow breathing when i feel nervous. i sometimes have to dig my nails into my leg just to calm down, its kind of weird.

i just started yoga and that is actually helping quite a bit. not only is it great exercise, its very relaxing for your mind. ive learned quite a bit about breathing which is so great for anyone with anxiety. after yoga i feel great for a few hours, but my anxiety and palpitations come back. i feel like ive tried everything to relieve my anxiety but its just not helping. i think i just need to focus on where it is coming from and find the root of it rather than trying to just fix the physical symptoms. im not really interested in taking xanax again or any other medication, but just finding natural ways to help.

the only thing i can say is that if you're not feeling comfortable with what is going on, it wouldn't hurt to see a doctor about your heart. if you've been told you are fine and you're still not sure, get a second opinion. ive read many pvc/pac forums and there are so many of us that are experiencing the same thing and have been told our heart is fine. its unlikely that there's a conspiracy to drive us crazy, so i would find the root of the problem and work from there, its easier said than done, but just know that you're not alone :)

[Skyfae]

Hello Everyone-

I am a 25 year old female who was recently diagnosed with PSVT. I'm in pretty good shape although I haven't been working out like I should- I'm a full time college student who also was working full time. I have been put on a beta blocker and a calcium channel blocker which did not work.  I just had an echo done and they are upping the dosage on my calcium channel blocker to 240 mg.  I am growing very frustrated.  Some nights I wake up and my heart is going at least 140. I get very hot and clammy and my arms, legs, and neck feel numb like they are going to sleep.  During the day I get painful episodes of skipped beats and sometimes it feels like something is slamming in my chest.  I'm putting my trust in God.  However, it is still very frightening and frustrating when the doctors don't know what it is caused from. I was first told it was anxiety and they sent me to a counselor.  Thanks to the heart monitor I found out I was not crazy.

The doctor has suggested that if the new calcium channel blocker does not work I should get ablation done. Has anyone had this? I would LOVE to find a natural remedy for this and avoid surgery altogether if possible.