still worried

[jennifer79]

I started a thread going on 2 months ago titled "heart flutters".  I am 25 yr. old female, have been having these for about 9 years. My pvc's feel like flutters in my chest. They only last a second or two and I get one about once or twice a week. I realize that I am lucky for having them so few and far inbetween which brings me to ask is pvc's really what im having or could it be something else? Hearing about other peoples symptoms it seems like they have them much more in frequency. I have been to 2 doctors,and a cardiologist just last month. I have had ekg's,bloodwork,echocardiogram,and 24 hour holter monitor. Everything came back normal. The cardiologist did say that on the 24 hr. holter it showed a "few extra beats" he said that this was nothing to worry about.I told him that I have read and been told that unless you feel one of the flutters(have symptoms) while wearing the holter then they can not fully diagnose you. He said that this is true but since I am on toprol xl and it seems to be helping,and because of my age,etc.. that I have nothing to worry about.But I still do. My question is this.. Should I seek into further testing or just learn to live with these things and stop worrying so much? This has greatly affected my life as I worry that there is something else out there that I need to do.             Thank you very much for taking my question. I was a little leery of posting as I have seen all the commotion lately over pvc postings.

[CCF-M.D.-MJM]

Hi Jennifer,

1. Should I seek into further testing or just learn to live with these things and stop worrying so much?

The next test is an event monitor.  I will order this test in cases like yours if you need the information for reassurance.  Based on your age and normal test results(and a few PVCs is normal), you need to understand that you are not dealing with a fatal heart problem, but worrying abou them could seriously affect your quality of life.  If you need the test for reassurance, I would ask for the test.  I would not get another opinion--work with the doctors that already know your situation.

Good luck---you'll be fine.

[Abeybaby]

Yes, I know the feeling you are describing and frankly I agree with the impacts on PVC's. I think most people find it very hard to tolerate and they end up wreaking havoc with peoples lives. I have just had the three worst days of PVC's since I first diagnosed when I was 31 now 39 male. And I often wonder whether the morphology has changed because now I notice that the extra beat just seems to come from no where. I used to get them when I was really stressed or very anxious- now there is no rhyme or reason. I never used to get them in the evening or during sleep now they are there. I often wonder about this flutter feeling too- are there two extra beats ocurring (couplets) or what? I spoke to my cardiologist on thurs and friday and after much the same work up like you- three echo's, ekg's, several holters, stress tests etc ... he said: "Abe you are going to have to get used to them, in your case the PVC's keep good company..." (meaning as long as the heart structurally is ok- then don't waster a minute worrying about them- ignore them!! Easier said than done. My only comfort in all this is he gets them too- he is 61 and often gets two and three extra beats in a row and he couldn't flinch and eye ...I had this happened once and I thought it was all over.
Frankly, I don't think anyone really knows anymore. I think what is known is that once upon a time they thought PVC's were dangerous now after 20-30 years of research (framingham and others) they are finding that they are no more significant if you have a normal heart. The key issue here is: COPING, yes coping how do we cope better with these PVC's? I dont have an answer and how might we reduce the frequency? Again no answer. I can say this they have at times almost ruined my life as they impacted my: marriage, sex life, career, self esteem, increased anxiety levels and brought me to levels I couldnt believe. Now I wonder whether worrying about them was worth it? As I write to you now, I am experiencing the PVC's and yes, I HATE THEM, but I will have to suck it up and try to find better things to do with my time and better thoughts to occupy my mind. I dont know whether I answered anything here other than venting a little- but one thing is for sure, I understand your position and yes, I wonder too whether the morphology has changed? I too would like to thank the dr's for being so patient with the PVC's suffer's, I think by now they must be sick of hearing about this too but it still doesn't make life easier. My cousin who is a cardiac surgeon here in Canada always says, "if only all my pateints had your problems we wouldn't have a patient to operate on things would be pretty good ..."

Stay well and try to keep your mind off them.

ABe

[jennifer79]

Thank you Doctor and abeybaby for replying. I do not think I will get the event monitor. I have decided its time to try to move on and actually live life. Abey, im sorry to hear about your obstacles with these things but it is nice to know others go through it too. Sometimes these things make me feel like im going crazy.They are all I think about. Im young,and I have a 4 year old little boy I want to enjoy them both! I have had these pvc's off and on since I was 16. They are at their worst now but I think that has to do with stress and the fact that im not working right now, my mind has more time to think about them. Well good luck to you and nice to hear from you abey

[dquenzer]

This is going to sound a bit hard, but I think it needs to be said because you are getting yourself into a cycle that is going to stress you into having the very palpiations you are seeking to avoid.

Frankly,  I think you are fixating on something that is really of no consequence.  I get palpitions every day just like you are describing.  I've had them since I was a kid.  I'm 49.  I run 40 minutes 3 times.  For 8 years I've had AFIB, Atrial Flutter, and constant PAC' until after an ablation this past year.  So I know what arrythmias feel like.   But I still get a few palpitations.  I consider myself fortunate and I get up grateful every day.  Until you have a real heart arrythmia you don't know how fortunate you are in just having a few palpitations once or twice a week!!!  Consider yourself blessed.

My suggestion is that continuing to go to a cardiologist is simply a waste of your money and time.  It's pointless.  You are just making some easy money for a cardiologist.  Instead you need to go to a counselor to get you over an unreasonable paranoia about your heart.  

[jennifer79]

dquenzer, im not upset with your post. In fact I  think you are right on the money.It actually did me some good to read your post. My family says the exact same thing you do but when its in writing and from a stranger it has a different(positive) effect on you.I am young and I want to enjoy life, Its time to do just that...

[jumboexpress]

This is more of a question more than a comment, Like many of u I am suffering from PVC like symptoms. The skipping of a heartbeat like fluttering feeling, but the problem I have is that whenver I have this episodes it is never during any test ive had done. Like numerous ecgs,holter,stress test, or echo. Therein lies my concern about my condition am I really suffering from a PVC or something else. All of the test that have been done thank God have came back normal. Still I dont know if my condition really is a PVC coz lately Ive been getting of the palpitations more frequent. Whereas before it used to occur in every once or 3 times a week even a month. As recent as Friday it started going off almost every 2 min. twice. I was just recently admitted to the ER coz of my concern for it but the test such as EKG came back normal I was put under observation for overnight but my symptom did not occur which irritate the hell out of me. Whenver I see a doc or go to a hospital none of these pesky feelings occur. The second concern I hve which I hpe will be address objectively is that I had an episode quite differnt from the usual thing I get. As I was going to work climbing to the stairs hurriedly for I was almost late. My heart was pumping hard as it should be but when I was goint to the washroom to chnge for work my heart beat started skipping continous. It's sound like this tud.tud.tud.tud.paused feeling.tud.tud.tud.tud.tud.pause.tud.tud.tud.tud.puase. This went on for at least 1 minute. which gave me a great concern. The thing is whenver I go to work and face that stairwell I almost anticipate somethings gonna happen like skipping beat to my heart. My heart beats fast from anticipation so when I climb up even slowly it feels like I climb the stairs running. This is really getting long I am sorry for this, its my first time here to post but hve been readng for a while. So question 3 should I insist for my Doc to have me on event recorder and another holter? or what should I do. I dont want to take medication as much as possible but I cant take this thing if the palpitation is more frequent. Lastly, I forgot to mention this as a result of this condition which I call PVC I got anxious feeling everyday that even when im not having it I feel its just a matter of time till it start of again. So lately sometimes my heartbeat just beats fast even when Im not doing anything. I have this episode twice so far. First when I was having like an anxiety attack undiagnosed or panicky feeling. The second one was just this month after a meal of fries I felt my heartbeat rasing I was getting anxy but I calmed myself down. Before ending this question when I have the holter thy told me to write down any activity Ill be doing while wearing it in order to properly and accurately diagnose my condition. The thing is that I forgot to do that and while wearing the holter I had a panicky feeling which I tend to associate with my PVC but I thought I dont have to list it since theyll look up on it anyways and will certainly be found out. When I got my result that it was normal I was relieved but not assured coz I always have this thought that maybe it was nrmal or somehitng coz I was not writing the feeling that I should have done. Am I right or am I just insane now. I am really desperate pls. tell me if I am having PVC or something more dangerous. God hope not thanks for the patience.

[jumboexpress]

This is more of a question more than a comment, Like many of u I am suffering from PVC like symptoms. The skipping of a heartbeat like fluttering feeling, but the problem I have is that whenver I have this episodes it is never during any test ive had done. Like numerous ecgs,holter,stress test, or echo. Therein lies my concern about my condition am I really suffering from a PVC or something else. All of the test that have been done thank God have came back normal. Still I dont know if my condition really is a PVC coz lately Ive been getting of the palpitations more frequent. Whereas before it used to occur in every once or 3 times a week even a month. As recent as Friday it started going off almost every 2 min. twice. I was just recently admitted to the ER coz of my concern for it but the test such as EKG came back normal I was put under observation for overnight but my symptom did not occur which irritate the hell out of me. Whenver I see a doc or go to a hospital none of these pesky feelings occur. The second concern I hve which I hpe will be address objectively is that I had an episode quite differnt from the usual thing I get. As I was going to work climbing to the stairs hurriedly for I was almost late. My heart was pumping hard as it should be but when I was goint to the washroom to chnge for work my heart beat started skipping continous. It's sound like this tud.tud.tud.tud.paused feeling.tud.tud.tud.tud.tud.pause.tud.tud.tud.tud.puase. This went on for at least 1 minute. which gave me a great concern. The thing is whenver I go to work and face that stairwell I almost anticipate somethings gonna happen like skipping beat to my heart. My heart beats fast from anticipation so when I climb up even slowly it feels like I climb the stairs running. This is really getting long I am sorry for this, its my first time here to post but hve been readng for a while. So question 3 should I insist for my Doc to have me on event recorder and another holter? or what should I do. I dont want to take medication as much as possible but I cant take this thing if the palpitation is more frequent. Lastly, I forgot to mention this as a result of this condition which I call PVC I got anxious feeling everyday that even when im not having it I feel its just a matter of time till it start of again. So lately sometimes my heartbeat just beats fast even when Im not doing anything. I have this episode twice so far. First when I was having like an anxiety attack undiagnosed or panicky feeling. The second one was just this month after a meal of fries I felt my heartbeat rasing I was getting anxy but I calmed myself down. Before ending this question when I have the holter thy told me to write down any activity Ill be doing while wearing it in order to properly and accurately diagnose my condition. The thing is that I forgot to do that and while wearing the holter I had a panicky feeling which I tend to associate with my PVC but I thought I dont have to list it since theyll look up on it anyways and will certainly be found out. When I got my result that it was normal I was relieved but not assured coz I always have this thought that maybe it was nrmal or somehitng coz I was not writing the feeling that I should have done. Am I right or am I just insane now. I am really desperate pls. tell me if I am having PVC or something more dangerous. God hope not thanks for the patience.P.S. I am male just turned 26 yrs.old I have this skipping beat for about almost 2 yrs. now thanks again for your patience and wisdom.

[jennifer79]

jumbo, I know exactly how you feel to worry over these things day in and day out. From reading your post I would say that you are having the same problem that I am. I have had the testing,been to the ER,seen a cardiologist,so on and so on.They have never captured one of the "flutters" on any of my tests either which is also why I still worry. The best advice I can give at this point is to read what the doctor wrote to me..considering all other tests came out normal you are most likely fine BUT if you need the event recorder for reassurance then go for it. Myself I am tired of these things taking over my life. I have decided against getting the event monitor because I am tired of all the testing and I do believe that it would come out normal.Good luck to you and I hope this helps!

[Guss]

Folks, I have had 6 weeks of hell.  But I recently realized that I was my own worst enemy.  I stopped worrying about these PVC’s and my life is back to normal.

I never felt a PVC in my life until about 6 weeks ago.  After I flet my first PVC, I became obsessed with them.  I stressed myself so hard and I would sit and miserably count my PVC’s around the clock.  I recall one time I counted over 30 per minute.  The anxiety caused me to become depressed and started to affect my stomach and digestive system as I was really in a downward spiral.  I had all kinds of tests and they all came back negative.  My heart was healthy.

Then two nights ago, I talked to a close friend.  She said that she herself gets these PVC's but rarely feels them.  As we talked, she showed me that she got about 4 per minute.  She said that she's had them all her life and she got tested and as a result, she is not worried. That was like a wake up call.  I immediately remembered that my cardiologist said that 90% of people get PVC's, but only 15% feel them.  

Since this conversation, I stopped worrying about these darn PVC, and I tell you what, they suddenly seemed to have stopped for the most part!!!  I do get maybe a total of 10 per day whereas I used to get 10 to 30 per minute.  I realized that by worrying over these things, I was really magnifying these PVC's to the point that my entire life revolved around these "thumps."  I say, for those who have benign PVC's please enjoy life.  Nothing is perfect and we are full of faults otherwise.  Why should our heart be perfect?  I have talked to 4 physicians and they all said the same thing: STOP OBSESSING OVER PVCS.

Best wishes to all.

Guss

[dafan]

Thanks Guss for the words of encouragement. Mine came out of the blue last February. Although i must say that i had them before that but didnt know what they were, just not in the same frequency. Mine occurred in the evening only. Since then they have become much less frequent and never in the evening ... go figure. Anyway my life has been hell too. At times i think about them continously. But I did have the holter, echo and ekg which my cardio said all normal. He told me that there was nothing wrong with my heart and if i wanted to worry about something worry about something besides my heart. Then dabbarao comes in here with his statement. But as you have done i am going to stop worrying about them.

[hankstar]

Hi,

   I understood what dabbarao was saying to some extent and no offence intended him/her or anyone else. I posted alot of comments on this forum, but never have I once said to anyone if you have runs of this or couplets of that then you need to be on a specific medication, I might have mentioned medication that seem to help me or someone else , but everyone is different and respond differently and should take the advice of their trusted doctor/ cardilogist/ EP, whatever specialty the doctor might have.

   Always beware of persons that just come out of blue suggesting that persons need to take this medication if they see this or have that without actually seeing the patient even if the person is a medical doctor. Not even the doctors that answers the questions posted here do that, they merely suggest a further evaluation or provide reassurance based on the questions posted or information provided or advise of a second opinion.

   Be very careful of seeking information by strangers on the net and relying on the information provided by them without consulting with your doctor or doctors(some have more than one), it is not wise. This is place for sharing experiences, symptoms, and opinions, maybe even looking for reassurance and comfort through reading similiar situation, but never rely on the comments posted here over the advice and reassurance provided from your trusted doctor.

Regards.

[Cheryl M]

Hello everyone

While its great to know others suffer and we are not alone , the anxiety is the hardest part ........

As I had said before ..... for a woman the week before her period is hard , for some strange reason they increase .. I know this , my husband knows this and sure I can tell myself over and over its ok but when it happens alllllllllllllllll that common sense flys out the window ...so indstead of panicking and reaching for my pulse I simply get up and get busy ..... it wont work for everyone but you have to work it out on what is best for you individually ..........

PVC's, they can tell me over and over are ok , they are normal ,, hell I was having 4 and 5 at a time on my holter , yet my Ultrasound and EKG for so long was normal ....but nothing prepares you for them .. its scary , its hard and we seem to be all looking for a miracle cure ..... I would love one .... see Mine are from my thyroid , I can bet my last dine on it , I have a goiter and high T4 , but until my Dr decides to kill that gland I guess I will have to deak with it ,,,,

If we look at others in this world who have worse , PVC's take a backstage to the rest ..... dont fear them I am told embrace them .. relax and go with tnem .....  


a great big hug for everyone who suffers , we all need it .....


One question for the masses or any MD that wishes to answer , once a thyroid is destroyed ....... do the PVC's stop or will I just have to deal with it ??




Thanks
Cheryl

[Barbarella]

Like I posted on another thread on this board.  I had the PVC's from hell, and I mean literally.  One every other beat for a very long time, day and night, and after a meal was the worst.  I was afraid to eat.  At this time period I was under a tremendous amount of stress.  I've been having PVC's off and on for over 40 yrs now, but ten yrs ago was the absolute worst.  After many tests, including the heart, and all came out o.k. my cardiologist told me that when the body is fatigue either emotionally or physically the PVC's come out more often, and more severe. Not  getting enough sleep can also bring them out. And he told me the more I worry about them the longer they will stay with me. Also, to much caffeine or alcohol or cigs can bring them out in some people.

Only people who have been through this hell or are going through this know what this is like.  I know the docs mean well when they say "live with it, and don't worry" it helped me a lot, but when the PVC's come back they are still very scary to me and this after 40 yrs.  I absolutely HATE THEM. Especially when they come out of the blue while I'm on an airplane.  At least if they come while I'm in a store I can leave.  My Cardiologist said "let them come and ignore them" I wish it was THAT easy.

For the families and friends who don't understand I say most people have got something. They might don't get the PVC's but have other things we don't get i.e. migraines, IBS etc. and again there are people who have it all.

[jennifer79]

Well after reading the comments the Dr. and everyone has given my palps got better I didnt have one for 11 days then I got some really bad news and their back. My mother just found out that after being sick for about 2 months that she has congestive heart failure. After some testing it showed that she had 2 mild heart attacks. I have been worrying alot about my mother (by the way she is only 58) we have talked about palps before and she said along time ago she use to get them but hasnt in a really long time. I cant help now to worry that these are going  to lead to future heart failure for me.

[Barbarella]

Hi Jennifer,

So sorry to hear about your mom.  Stress can bring out these PVC's big time I know from my own experience.  You said in your previous post that you had all tests done and they all came out fine.  This is good news, but I know how you feel.  I've been having these PVC's off and on, sometimes very severe for over 40 yrs, and I STILL worry when they come.

[red_hush21]

Hi !

I just saw your post about the bubbles you are getting.

I am a girl, 23yrs, 5'1 and 115lbs - i do smoke but not too much....
do drink a glass of red wine once a day. It helps me calm down !

Pressure used to be quite low - around 100/60 - now am at 120/80 - 110/70

Get this, i have been feeling the same porblem too for over 1 year now.
It started after i did a small overdose of cocaine.
I just did too much and had to lay down for a while - did'nt have a heart attack or anything.
I don't do any anymore - don't eiven smoke the gringo !

What i get is this:

Dypnea - pain over left breast - flushing in the face and obviously i am a type A personality with anxyity disoder too so i freak out.

What i get is this pattern:

Beat beat - POUND - STOP for 2-3 beat times - POUND and beat again......

It freaks me out too.

I feel this emptyness in my chest like a big drop in pressure and i get very dizzy for a fiew seconds. My reflex is to caugh really hard too and it goes away.
It does work.....

But i have noticed that when i get mad or have an argument, i get this fluttering feeling like my heart is going to jump out of my chest and i then get these bubbles again.

I also have been getting supraventricular tachycardia episodes where i can stop them at all
Showed up at the ER with a pulse over 200/min at rest.... The nurse could'nt eiven count it.
These stop within 10 minutes max, but boy do i feel awfull after.

I went to the ER 3 times for these weird episodes and had all EKG, stress test, blood test ect...
I saw the cardiologist when i did the stress test and he told me i was timed like a swiss clock.

My pulse at rest is around 55 and 80 at light activity.

I say many doctors and all told me i was perfectly healty.
Some told me is was anxiyty and stress, others said it was natural heartrate arrythmia like RSA.
Some doctors also told me that PVC is sometimes a way for your heart to regulate it's activity and to adjust to blood pressure or respiratory activity. I was told it is a good thing since most people with heart deseise loose this ability to adjust.

I do have obvious respiratory arrythmia but apperantly it is very good to have that as well.

I still can't admit it but it is true. I get bubbles only when i am pissed, tired or really hyper.
So i guess if you are a type A too, your problem just might be related to stress.

A doctor told me that sudden death is more likely to happen to people like us than a heart attack due to coronary blockage.  Altough sudden death is very rare, it usually starts by ventricular tachycardia than developps in ventricular fibrilisation and then CRP arrest.

By the time you would be dead - the paramedics would have time to zap you back on track 10 times ! Rarely do people die of a heart attack before the ambulance gets there.
Only people that ignore the symptoms do.

I was told by my Doc. that if i'm having a crissis and it does'nt go away within 15-20 min, i have to call 911. No chances....

They never mess around if you call in a heart related condition - they just come right away and it is better to call 911 therefore you don't wait around in the car, ER room ect...
They can get you on a monitor right away and the recording begins.
They also have all the drugs you may need too.

So hope this helps and plesae know that you are not alone to get these weird '' bubbles ''.

Take care,

Adele

[jennifer79]

After doing research and talking to many people I have realized that were not going to die from these things just learn to except them and thats the hardest part. I just wish these things would magically go away for all of us

[Riker1964]

I know there are ALOT of people who post on this board about palpitations, but I am wondering - do people have a few "missed" beats here and there or do you have like 7-9 "missed" beats PER MINUTE, for 1-3 hours straight?

What is the frequency of these things for people? Is it BAD to have 7-9 PACs per minute for 1-3 hours straight, then they go away? (My situation)

Thanx,

-Riker1964

[Barbarella]

Hi Riker,

10 yrs ago I had skipped beats every other beat for almost 6 months in the row.  I had all kind of tests done, and they found nothing.  Meds to slow down these skipped beats/PVC's only helped a little and made me so fatigue that I hardly could do my job.  The cardio told me "the more I worry about them, the stronger and more frequent they will be".  He told me to "ignore" them.  This psychology helped me a lot.  I started to have skipped beats 40 yrs ago, off and on.  I still have them off and on, but 10 yrs ago the skipped beats were from HELL.

Its important to have your heart checked out first.  That you get a complete physical because skipped beats can come from other causes than from the heart.  To little potassium for example can also give you skipped beats.  I know now that my worrying over them made them worst.

Nobody knows or understands what hell us people go through unless they experienced these PVC's themselves.