Palpitations

[codeblue1018]

Hello Doctor.  I am a 33 yo male who been suffering from pvs/pac's for about three years.  After several doctor/specialists visits including all tests under the sun, it was determined that nothing was wrong with my heart.  The tests included the event monitors/stress test/x-ray/blood work etc. and all was good.  Cardiologist initially prescribed digitek for the palps.  My pcp thought this was an odd choice of medication as it is a "major" heart drug according to my pcp, although it seemed to work, it made me nervous and i stopped.  I am now on metoprolol 25mg once a day.  This medication however, doesn't seem to do too much.  My father passed from heart disease/diabetes at the young age of 67.  Although we are opposites in that I exercise, try to eat well and dont smoke.  In conjuntion with the palps, I was getting slight pain on my heart area when I jogged then after a few minutes in, it stop.  Since ive been on metoprolol, while running i dont get pain anymore.  Not sure if this is related.  Questions are, is digitek bad for me to take FOR JUST PALPS; Is the metoprolol working and i dont know it; Should I get more tests, i am not 100% certain that I am ok.  My dr thinks anxiety is taking a TOLL. Help.

[codeblue1018]

Thank you everyone for the helpful responses.  First and foremost, the nickname codeblue is related to my line of work and yes, I wouldn't want to be in that state.  

As far as the palpitations, I get them constantly like everyone else i'm sure.  Some days they are more noticable than others.  I believe this is due to whether or not I am thinking about it.  The doctors are all sick of me and frankly, I am sick of seeing them.. hahah

As far as stress/anxiety, I believe I deal with the same amount as most others.  I dont believe I am over stressed, which would require some type of medication.  My medication is physical exercise, which seems to work for the most part.

Initially, I was afraid to do my normal running routine due to the slight chest discomfort and palps.  Now, I do not care.  With the cardiologist advising me to continue my physical exercise I will continue to run and hopefully my heart thanks me for it one day.  haha.  

Thank you all.

[bama jane]

I get chest pressue and shortness of breath and weakness with ny palps at times.  Sort of like you stayed in a hot bath too long only multiplied. I think I use to confuse the weakness with being light headed. The chest pressure could be associated with acid reflux, but none of the meds have helped.  The only thing the beta blockers has done is too keep my heart from going to 160 to 180 when it does race. It hasn't helped much with the palps.  I have noticed that lately if I drink lots of water and keep really hydrated I seem to have fewer misbeats in a day. I haven't had a day without any in 7 years. I read somewhere on this forum that digestive problems could aggravate the Vagal nerve and so it is possible that because the vagal nerve is involved in heartbeat if it is aggravataed it could cause palps.

[Linda123]

I have had palpitations for years and beta blockers made mine worse.  I've been taking the anti-depressant "paroxetine" for a year now and feel a million times better in myself and my palpitations are at a minimum.  Life is so much better.  I never stop being grateful.

[Momto3]

That's awful!!  The more I think about the "hitting your head" comment, I could scream!  I know you are sick of docs, but perhaps a very caring and understanding EP could help.  My EP was ALWAYS asking about dizziness, chest discomfort, SOB, etc. You should not have to feel miserable...

Are you near Cleveland?  

We've just got to get you feeling better!  And, forget about waiting till you hit your head!!

connie

[Lecah]

Are you on any medications for your PVC's? I mean, what has your cardiologist said about the severe lightheadnedness you get sometimes and I am surprised they allow you to drive if they get that bad. I cannot imagine how that feels. I have seen you post before but what is your diagnosis? is it just beningn PVC's or is there a structural problem. Your post just made me worry about you. If you don't want to post here e-mail me at ***@****

[madgeOwens]

Ii am on Inderol 80 mg..and sometimes it works and other times it doesn't. I quit going to cardiology when they said all I have to worry about is when I pass out where I hit my head.
I am sick of them. They say I have benign pvc's and pac's.....but I have tried to tell them (and it was documented) from monitor that my symptoms correspond to the palps....only its not that it freaks me out, its the symptoms I get from the run ons....Ii feel like Im gonna pass right out and then it recovers.....not easy when you are traveling the highway.oh yeah once they said you better not drive when they are bad.only thing is you never know.........so I am really disgusted.