bigeminys

[Barbara]

For many years I have been plagued by pvc's.  Many trips to the emergency room.  All testing was done, including thalium stress test and holter monitor.  I do believe that many are caused by just being a worry wort----but not all.  Now I'm into bigeminys.  The doctors tell me they are all benign and will not hurt me.  They start and stop at random, sometimes lasting 15 minutes.  Can you tell me what is happening to make these start, and what can I do about them?  I try to watch everything I eat, and do not smoke.  Are these caused by being a nervous person also? I wouldn't be so nervous if these pvc's and bigeminys would just stop.  Thank you.

[Cleveland Clinic]

barbara,

thanks for the post.

Can you tell me what is happening to make these start, and what can I do about them?

There is a abnormal focus of electrical activity that causes an extra beat to happen from an area of the heart that doesn't normall initiate the heart beat. Yes, with all of the studies you've had, pvcs and even bigeminy are benign. That doesnt mean that you can experience discofort or annoyance with them.  Look over the muliple post in this forum, you will see that many suffer from the same experince and have been quite resourceful in dealing with them through peer support and other methods.

I try to watch everything I eat, and do not smoke. Are these caused by being a nervous person also?

Anxiety and palpitations seem to go hand in hand. Whether one initiates the other is unclear, but in some it may make them worse.  Trying alternative methods of dealing with your anxiety such as relaxation techniqies could also benefit your PVCs.


good luck

[Clenn Camp]

We wouldn't be plagued with panic/anxiety attacks if we were not constantly hammered with arrhythymias such as pvc's bigeminys, and 'you name them' etc..  I was never bothered with panic/anxiety attacks, and many other people who I have talked to that also suffers with different kinds of arrythymias, until I developed these dadblasted things.

Oh no, I am not suggesting that only heart arrhythymias cause panic/anxiety attacks.  I am aware there are a myriad of reasons other than arrhymias that cause many people to 'tailspin' into full blown panic/anxiety episodes. I am also aware that panic/anxiety attacks can cause palpitations as well.

Glenn

[pms_barbie]

I can relate to so much to you.  Bigeminy really is so bothersome.  I have been bigeminy thank God and thanks to Dr burkhardt at the cleveland clinic.  I know ablation isnt for everyone but I honestly dont think I could have gone on much longer like I was.  I am not saying I still dont have pvc's because I do.  Partly due to my heart still healing and I was told I would never be pvc free.  If the bigeminy really bothers you check into seeing an ep dr about a possible ablation.  Sometimes I would go into bigeminy for hours on end.  However I still have a lot of anxiety and fear.,  I do worry my bubble will get a burst and they will find their way  home....lol  If that happens I dont know what Ill do but its been a pretty great month for me having a mostly normal heart beat......Stephanie

[Barbara]

Yes, I thought about having an ablation.  My doctor at Hershey Medical Center said it was done only when all else fails.  You just said you still get pvc's and bigeminy.  If they would tell me I would be free of all this, I would go today.  I want them to go away.  Ablation is a dangerous procedure.

[pms_barbie]

My post yesterday was kind of confusing...I havnt had bigeminy for a month.  I have had sporadic pvc's.  I had my ablation on the 25th of August and the dr told me it would be three months before we knew for sure if the ablation had worked.  I think on my  worst day I had maybe 30 pvcs.  Which is  a far cry because with the bigeminy sometimes I would get that many in a minute.  I still get afraid when I have a pvc because it brings back all those old fears. I know hopw much risk it with ablation considering that made my second one.  The first one was an utter flop.  Good luck to you in whatever you decide.  Ablation isnt for everyone and unless your having thousands a day it isnt really and opton.  The drs wont risk it either.

[suki1724]

I am having an ablation with Dr. Burkhardt next Monday, the 27th.  I have to ask you, how was the procedure, and are you unifocal or multi?, - he's pretty sure mine are all coming from the same spot.  I am so nervous about this procedure, but I have something like 20,000 pvc's per day and can't go on like this anymore.  I would LOVE to hear about your experience.  You can e-mail me directly if you want, ***@****

[pms_barbie]

I sent you a private email....God bless

[Momto3]

We'll be rooting for you!!  Good luck on the 27th!!!

connie

[suki1724]

My ablation is over and I'm home.  It took four hours and he's pretty sure that he got the main focus that was causing most of the pvc's.  He could NOT get my heart to go into bigeminy however, but he thinks he got the spopt that was causing it.  I set a record for the amount of sedation they had to give me, so I'm still pretty wiped out. I haven't had any pvc's since the procedure, my heart rate is up, my resting pulse is about 100, but the EP doc says that's normal.  I'm home on a king of hearts monitor and so glad that this ordeal is over!!!  Thanks for all of your support and kind words, Susan