PVC'S

[jgirlygirl]

I am a 23yr olf female, 5'3, 130lbs, no health problems.  I have had heart palpitations on and off since I was about 13.  I was in a stressful situation about a year ago and I started getting them more frequently (about 20 a day or so).  I should also mention that I have problems with anxiety and ocd.  Anyway, I went to my PCP and she checked my blood pressure (was normal), listed to my heart and lungs (nothing abnormal), and took a family history and noted my anxiety problems. She gave me Zoloft because she said from what I told her about when I get them it sounds like anxiety.  Well the Zoloft was working (I didnt get as many and they didnt bother me when I did get them) but I was getting other side effects so I stopped.  I went in to have a Holter monitor (doctor didnt think I needed it but did it cause I was worried) because I started getting them again and it came back with PVC's.  She said all was normal except a few PVC's and not to worry that I need to work on my anxiety.  Well now I seem to get them only once in awhile but I am "obssessing" on them, meaning I look up info on PVC's all day sometimes on the internet.  I keep thinking she missed something and it worries me somedays to the point I get depressed.  I am about to go on vacation to an amusment park and have a fear of riding the rollercoasters cause I dont want to drop dead.  So my question is do you think I had enough testing (blood pressure, listen to heart, took down my history of anxiety, Holter monitor with a few PVC's) to know I am OK?  I just feel like I cant relax over them and am thinking I should go back on Zoloft.  Thank you for any help!

[fearfactor]

Hey, I have been where you are now!  At one point, right after I started having bad noticeable PACs, I was researching on the internet about them about 12 hrs. per day.  I nearly ruined my life.  I still have them, but since I have gotten a better hold on my anxiety, they have improved a lot.  I do still wory (quite a bit, actually) but I don't let it keep me from doing MOST things I want to do.  I guess as far as the testing goes, maybe the only other thing you may want to get is an echocardiogram or stress test, just to be sure there is really nothing wrong.  I have had both of those, along with lots of Holter monitors.  Also, if the Zoloft works for you, maybe you can try another SSRI.  They don't really work for me, and I am scared of the weight gain but if it was helping you maybe you can try it again!  Don't obsess to the point where you ruin your life and depress yourself - you may want to try talking to a therapist about this if it's bothering you a lot.  I did that and it helped me.  Good luck and hang in there!

[Waldem]

If all your tests show is that you are having a few PVCs per day, then I would think that you have nothing to worry about. Almost everyone has occasional PVCs, although most people don't seem to notice them. If your heart is otherwise healthy, then they pose no danger. I know it's hard to ignore them when you can feel each one, but just remember that there are many people on this forum who are having up to thousands PVCs per day and are still alive and kicking.

[juniorfan32]

you will be alright.  I have had PVCs for about 15 years now and rode many a roller coaster.  The rides have never caused me to have PVCs or runs of NSVT.  I too have suffered in the past with anxiety over these things.  I have found Zoloft worked for me, but everyone reacts to meds differently.  Know that these won't kill you, they are just a pain to deal with.  You will be okay, if you have insurance you can always ask for more testing but you probably don't need it or the doc would have suggested it.

[jgirlygirl]

Thank you all so much for your comment!   I left my Dr. a message today telling her I think I need to go back on Zoloft and maybe get an echo just so I can stop worrying!  I really appreciate the comments and support.