Aa
switching meds?
Hello, I need an opinion. I have been dealing with frequent PVCs for a year now. I have had all the usual testing, all of which were supposedly normal. I have tried beta-blockers and am now on cardizem 300mg(recently increased the dose) But neither helped very much. In fact, sometimes I feel I am having more PVCs than ever. They do not stress me out as much now as they did because I have gotton somewhat used to them. I ahve a Drs appt. in 3 weeks and we have discussed switching to beta-pace. I am concerned about the pro-arrythmia effect with that drug. My cardiologist says that he seriously doubts that I would have any ominous effects. What do you think about that drug? Right now I am in trigeminy a lot of the time and have had what I thought was a couple short runs (3- 10 beats) of v-tach. Occasionally I will have a minute where I may have only 1 or 2 PVCs. I have had a 30 day event monitor which just showed frequent PVCs. Thanks in advance for your opinion.
Chrismcg,I sent you an email....I hope you are able to get it. I am so grateful to have found others who have these frequent pvc's...Thanks again for your support!
Beth,
OH YES, I definitely believe hormones are a major trigger for pvc's. I have had pvc's for over 20 years, but for many years they seemed a bit quieter. (My frequent flier friends know that "a bit quieter" is a relative term...hahaha) About 2-3 years ago, they surged with a vengeance. Yep, in my early 40's, though many women have high frequencies even in their 30's. Mine were like a roller coaster....but NEVER gone. I have noticed that a lot of the women who have high frequencies of pvc's have the same problems around pms time and ovulation time. Leaves little "good" time, huh? LOL.... I know what you mean, if perimenopause is any indication, we are in BIG trouble : )
Take care!!
Beth,
OH YES, I definitely believe hormones are a major trigger for pvc's. I have had pvc's for over 20 years, but for many years they seemed a bit quieter. (My frequent flier friends know that "a bit quieter" is a relative term...hahaha) About 2-3 years ago, they surged with a vengeance. Yep, in my early 40's, though many women have high frequencies even in their 30's. Mine were like a roller coaster....but NEVER gone. I have noticed that a lot of the women who have high frequencies of pvc's have the same problems around pms time and ovulation time. Leaves little "good" time, huh? LOL.... I know what you mean, if perimenopause is any indication, we are in BIG trouble : )
Take care!!
Just thought I'd share my thoughts on hormones and PVCs. I haven't visited this board in awhile and was intrigued by your last paragraph.
I am 44 and have definitely noticed a difference in PVC activity around ovulation and PMS time. I will have to take notice during the 10 day period you mentioned.
If this is what menopause is going to be like, I can't wait! haha I just hope it gets better.
Thanks for all your sharing everyone.
Beth
I am 44 and have definitely noticed a difference in PVC activity around ovulation and PMS time. I will have to take notice during the 10 day period you mentioned.
If this is what menopause is going to be like, I can't wait! haha I just hope it gets better.
Thanks for all your sharing everyone.
Beth
Hi there! I laughed out loud about your ekg strip with NO PVCs on it!!!! What is THAT like?! I myself have not been able to generate a pvc-free strip for some time now, ha ha! (Although I definitely have nice periods of very few pvcs -- God knows how grateful I am for them!)
Momto3 -- I have been following your posts very closely and know all about your ordeal. I am so happy that your EF is up again! How great! My gut feeling for you is.... drum roll please... an ablation. I really do think it could be an awesome thing. Like I said, I have made the decision, it is just a matter of time. I have researched this to death (I have a PhD and one thing I know how to do is research) and all looks very good. I have not come across much that says otherwise, only that in some cases they cannot ablate. In other words, my understanding is that it really is low risk -- that they simply stop the attempt if it is risky. Then you aren't cured, but you aren't screwed up either. In any case, I think it helps to find someone that does a lot of them.
I am going to begin my new dosage of tenormin tomorrow. I don't get the shakes from it, thank goodness, though my already low heartrate may not appreciate the drug (cardio today says I can go down to 45bpm!!!! whoa) I am finding that exercise is keeping me sane and the more I do, the less I feel like a "heart patient." And aren't these perimenopause hormones the WORST for pvcs???? I can chart the clusters of them right around ovulation and pms. My "best" pvc time is the ten days during/after menstruation. Have you noticed similar patterns? Feel free to email anytime: ***@****. Keep up the good EF work!!!
Momto3 -- I have been following your posts very closely and know all about your ordeal. I am so happy that your EF is up again! How great! My gut feeling for you is.... drum roll please... an ablation. I really do think it could be an awesome thing. Like I said, I have made the decision, it is just a matter of time. I have researched this to death (I have a PhD and one thing I know how to do is research) and all looks very good. I have not come across much that says otherwise, only that in some cases they cannot ablate. In other words, my understanding is that it really is low risk -- that they simply stop the attempt if it is risky. Then you aren't cured, but you aren't screwed up either. In any case, I think it helps to find someone that does a lot of them.
I am going to begin my new dosage of tenormin tomorrow. I don't get the shakes from it, thank goodness, though my already low heartrate may not appreciate the drug (cardio today says I can go down to 45bpm!!!! whoa) I am finding that exercise is keeping me sane and the more I do, the less I feel like a "heart patient." And aren't these perimenopause hormones the WORST for pvcs???? I can chart the clusters of them right around ovulation and pms. My "best" pvc time is the ten days during/after menstruation. Have you noticed similar patterns? Feel free to email anytime: ***@****. Keep up the good EF work!!!
Good morning!!
Yes, it is definitely great to be amongst friends on these boards. I had been on Inderal (propanolol) for probably about 10 years, and as time went on it seemed less effective. As I recall there were MANY times when the pvcs were worse even on the medicine. I only took 80mgLA, and a 20mg for breakthrough episodes. However, there came a point where I didn't want to take the meds anymore, so I opted out and decided to deal with my "benign" pvcs. Well....that worked great for about 2 years (cool, huh?) and then I was back at square one! During the two years, I still had the pvc's but they didn't seem to bother me near as much. I understand about the getting to sleep thing...that's a tough one. I bought some "bedtime tea" (decaf) made by Yogi and it seemed to help. WAY back I tried another beta blocker (Tenormin). I think that may be atenolol. Anyway,I took one dose and got the shakes. Not for me! Of course, LOTS of people take it and have great success...I understand your "chickenness" about Tambocor...I felt the same way when I was offered it in l998! NOPE! Not me! No way!! Things changed this past winter when my tests revealed some myopathic changes to my heart...Long story very short. I started on the Tambocor and in 3 months there was significant improvement, but I didn't like the side effects. Hence, the Rythmol. I go back in July and I'm going to ask the doc about an ablation again. I agree with you that maybe the ablation would be safer in the long run, though the jury's still out. Now it's me who is chicken! I'm also hoping they are able to perfect the procedure for ventricular ablations...time will tell : )
I am not afraid of the pvc's. After so many years, and lots of wasted anxiety, I just kinda realized my heart "beats to a different drummer." I was also getting them every day, hour, minute, you know the routine :) When I was in the hospital to start the Tambacor, the staff was so excited when I had an EKG strip with NO pvcs! We all laughed about that! And, do stay away from that coffee. If there was only some way to avoid chocolate : )
Yes, it is definitely great to be amongst friends on these boards. I had been on Inderal (propanolol) for probably about 10 years, and as time went on it seemed less effective. As I recall there were MANY times when the pvcs were worse even on the medicine. I only took 80mgLA, and a 20mg for breakthrough episodes. However, there came a point where I didn't want to take the meds anymore, so I opted out and decided to deal with my "benign" pvcs. Well....that worked great for about 2 years (cool, huh?) and then I was back at square one! During the two years, I still had the pvc's but they didn't seem to bother me near as much. I understand about the getting to sleep thing...that's a tough one. I bought some "bedtime tea" (decaf) made by Yogi and it seemed to help. WAY back I tried another beta blocker (Tenormin). I think that may be atenolol. Anyway,I took one dose and got the shakes. Not for me! Of course, LOTS of people take it and have great success...I understand your "chickenness" about Tambocor...I felt the same way when I was offered it in l998! NOPE! Not me! No way!! Things changed this past winter when my tests revealed some myopathic changes to my heart...Long story very short. I started on the Tambocor and in 3 months there was significant improvement, but I didn't like the side effects. Hence, the Rythmol. I go back in July and I'm going to ask the doc about an ablation again. I agree with you that maybe the ablation would be safer in the long run, though the jury's still out. Now it's me who is chicken! I'm also hoping they are able to perfect the procedure for ventricular ablations...time will tell : )
I am not afraid of the pvc's. After so many years, and lots of wasted anxiety, I just kinda realized my heart "beats to a different drummer." I was also getting them every day, hour, minute, you know the routine :) When I was in the hospital to start the Tambacor, the staff was so excited when I had an EKG strip with NO pvcs! We all laughed about that! And, do stay away from that coffee. If there was only some way to avoid chocolate : )
Hey gang! Seems like posts like this bring us all together! There are so few of us that have pvcs at these high levels! Yes, age does seem to have a lot to do with it: I am nearing 40 and they have definitely increased. In fact, I just spent some time this morning writing DOWN (for a change) some questions to ask my cardio tomorrow. I have been so plagued with these lately (getting to sleep at night is taking over an hour there are so many darn pvcs) that I have at last decided to step up my treatment of them. For me, I think that means either going from 25mg atenolog to 50mg or switching to Toprol XL (any feedback from those of you who have tried these???). I have been offered Tambocor (too chicken) or an ablation (Fred -- it is Dr. Mackenzie in Glendale, CA). I have decided to DEFINITELY try the ablation (honestly, I think it may be safer for us than an extended period on the major drugs ) but I really want to wait 2 or 3 more years and let them perfect the ventricular ablations (they are so good with the atrial ones, but the ventricular ones are more complex). I would strongly suggest considering it also. So, I am just trying to hang in there in the mean time. I, too, have become accustomed to them for the most part in terms of being afraid, but I am still quite distracted and UNCOMFORTABLE with these. I get them every day, sometimes all day. Bigeminy at times, coupets and triplets regularly (during bad phases) and the occasional run of something, possibly vt or svt, who knows! Anyway, anyone who has had some luck with good old beta blockers, I would love to hear it! I have been told that the measly 25mg I have been taking just cant make a dent in the high numbers of pvcs I get -- that I have got to wake up and smell the coffee (oh, no, wait -- we're supposed to avoid that!) and recognize that I need to take more. Hang in there everyone!
HI!!
Yes, Rythmol is an anti-arrythmic medication. I think it is normally started in a controlled setting (hospital), but probably not always. You take it 3x/day to keep it in your system. I understand that sometimes it can cause new arrythmias, so docs are careful in administering it. For me, side effects have been minimal. I have been experiencing some digestive problems, but I don't know if it because of the medicine. Also, I do tend to get anxious, but hey....that's not really anything new...hahahaha....
The Rythmol definitely keeps my pvc's in check...Even when I do have them, they don't last FOREVER. I have talked to my doctor about an ablation and she said the doctors feel confident they can take care of at least some of the foci that are causing the pvcs. What's weird is I had actually gotten used to the pvc's, until a fairly recent echo indicated that there some "myopathic" changes to my heart. The doctor(s) feel strongly that it is because of the frequency/consistency of the pvscs....So, they are trying to suppress them to see if there will be a positive change in the heart function....So far, so good. My EF went up about 10 percentage points in only 3 months...Good Luck to you!!! Us frequent pvc'ers understand your frustration : )
Yes, Rythmol is an anti-arrythmic medication. I think it is normally started in a controlled setting (hospital), but probably not always. You take it 3x/day to keep it in your system. I understand that sometimes it can cause new arrythmias, so docs are careful in administering it. For me, side effects have been minimal. I have been experiencing some digestive problems, but I don't know if it because of the medicine. Also, I do tend to get anxious, but hey....that's not really anything new...hahahaha....
The Rythmol definitely keeps my pvc's in check...Even when I do have them, they don't last FOREVER. I have talked to my doctor about an ablation and she said the doctors feel confident they can take care of at least some of the foci that are causing the pvcs. What's weird is I had actually gotten used to the pvc's, until a fairly recent echo indicated that there some "myopathic" changes to my heart. The doctor(s) feel strongly that it is because of the frequency/consistency of the pvscs....So, they are trying to suppress them to see if there will be a positive change in the heart function....So far, so good. My EF went up about 10 percentage points in only 3 months...Good Luck to you!!! Us frequent pvc'ers understand your frustration : )
Hi everyone! Thanks for your tips. The dr. did say I have benign PVCs which would be easy to ablate, but I think I'm too big a chicken to go through with that.I keep hoping a med I try will be a miracle drug for me. I have never heard of Rythmol. Is that an anti-arrythmic? What are some of the side effects you are referring to? Does it really seem to help you guys? I may have to mention it to my cardiologist when I see him in two weeks.
Momto3
Talking to others that suffer from pvc's has been my sanity since the internet. Before that I was a basket case. I also read a book recently that was published in the early 80's about a guy (now he must be my age) that suffered from pvc's. I couldn't believe there was an actual book out there. It is so out of date. They didn't have the internet back then, so it seems to distant when I read it.
Well, I hope today finds you pvc free. Mine are not too bad today, so I hope the weekend continues to be the same. It sure makes my life a lot easier.
Take care and have a great weekend...
Roxanne
Talking to others that suffer from pvc's has been my sanity since the internet. Before that I was a basket case. I also read a book recently that was published in the early 80's about a guy (now he must be my age) that suffered from pvc's. I couldn't believe there was an actual book out there. It is so out of date. They didn't have the internet back then, so it seems to distant when I read it.
Well, I hope today finds you pvc free. Mine are not too bad today, so I hope the weekend continues to be the same. It sure makes my life a lot easier.
Take care and have a great weekend...
Roxanne
Hi MOM22!!
I understand what you mean about the anxiety. I started in January on Flecainide (Tambacor) and the associated anxiety was pretty bad. That's why I was switched to the Rythmol. I take it 3x a day since they say it is best to have it in your system. Sometimes I can tell when it's time for the next does, although most of the time it seems to be working. I still have anxiety, but it seems to be a lot less. Xanax helps : )
Ah, the magic age of 40! As if dealing with 40 isn't enough : ) I'm in my mid-40's and I've noticed that the last couple of years my pvc's have been much more frequent. Oh well! I am not sure if I am a good candidate for an ablation, but the EP says they feel that it may help. We'll see how I make out on the Rythmol....So far, seems to be helping...Thanks for writing...it's always helpful to talk with my fellow pvc'ers.
I understand what you mean about the anxiety. I started in January on Flecainide (Tambacor) and the associated anxiety was pretty bad. That's why I was switched to the Rythmol. I take it 3x a day since they say it is best to have it in your system. Sometimes I can tell when it's time for the next does, although most of the time it seems to be working. I still have anxiety, but it seems to be a lot less. Xanax helps : )
Ah, the magic age of 40! As if dealing with 40 isn't enough : ) I'm in my mid-40's and I've noticed that the last couple of years my pvc's have been much more frequent. Oh well! I am not sure if I am a good candidate for an ablation, but the EP says they feel that it may help. We'll see how I make out on the Rythmol....So far, seems to be helping...Thanks for writing...it's always helpful to talk with my fellow pvc'ers.
Hi,
I have been on sotolol, or betaspace for 8 years now, and they have increased my dose to 240mg twice a day. I am going for an ep study end of July, and hope to have an abulation done. just recently the pvcs, and the pacs have been getting worse, but the runs of VT seem to be controlled by the sotolol.
I am 32 years old, and would like to get off the sotolol, hope fully the ep will allow that if I am a canidate for abulation
I have been on sotolol, or betaspace for 8 years now, and they have increased my dose to 240mg twice a day. I am going for an ep study end of July, and hope to have an abulation done. just recently the pvcs, and the pacs have been getting worse, but the runs of VT seem to be controlled by the sotolol.
I am 32 years old, and would like to get off the sotolol, hope fully the ep will allow that if I am a canidate for abulation
The doctor that I saw was out of a hospital in Philadelphia, but I can't for the life of me remember his name...I think he was out of Hannehmann University...
Take it easy.
Roxanne
Take it easy.
Roxanne
Hi MOMto3.. I am MOM22.
Anyway, I took the Rhythmol about 4 years ago for a week. I think I took it twice a day. I'd take it and my pvc's would go away until the next dose was due and I took it like clock work. The anxiety was great, due to the side effects that I decided to try Paxil and Xanax to calm me down and back then that did the trick, so NO I don't take the Rhythmol any longer... I hit 40 in March and maybe that is why they've kicked in so bad... bummer/
Anyway, I took the Rhythmol about 4 years ago for a week. I think I took it twice a day. I'd take it and my pvc's would go away until the next dose was due and I took it like clock work. The anxiety was great, due to the side effects that I decided to try Paxil and Xanax to calm me down and back then that did the trick, so NO I don't take the Rhythmol any longer... I hit 40 in March and maybe that is why they've kicked in so bad... bummer/
Are you still taking the Rythmol? I just started on that about 2 months ago, and wondered how you made out. It has significantly reduced my pvc's. I have had pvc's for 20+ years also and I still think hormones play a role.....Hit 40 and they seem to kick into high gear :)
Your symptoms sound a lot like mine do. I take Atenolol, but feel that this betablocker does not help much, but in fact makes them worse. I've had pvc's for 20 years (I am now 40) and have been on and off beta blockers..I've even been on Rhytmol for a short while, because they made me crazy...I started to take Inderal and then Atenolol because of tachycardia over the summer. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and the chronic inflammation was causing my heart to beat fast (120 to 130) and that was driving me crazy too, but then as soon as I started the beta blockers my heart started to pvc out the wazoo.. Some days I am getting them contantly (bigem or trigem) or I may even skip a minute or two. I don't know why this happens (meaning some days worse than others). I did see an arrhythimia specialist a few years ago and he said he would ablate them if I wanted him to. I chose not to because there was no guarantee... Mine were all coming from the same foci, but coming from side that could cause a stroke or something.. He told me then that they were benign. I see my cardiologist regularly and he has felt and heard my pvc's but only when I get them one per minute. I wish we had more answers to our pvc problems and simle solution to fixing it. Take care and hope this finds you well. Roxanne
Maybe you should consider an Ablation for your PVC's. That would cure them and you would be able to get off the medication. It sounds better than the potential side effects of an anti-arrythmic that could cause other life threatening arrythmias itself. If you can live with the PVC's, then the Beta blockers and calcium channel blockers are safe drugs.Good luck.
Pat65,
Thanks for the question.
Sotalol (Betapace), like most any drug, has an up-side and a down-side. I can't say that I "like" any medication, but it is certainly a medication that I occasionally use for a variety of indications. The decision to use sotalol in your case depends on what bothers you more: (1) the PVC symptoms, or (2) the fear of what side effects sotalol might cause. The drug may very well be effective in your case (or then again maybe not), but if you will experience increased anxiety about unlikely side-effects, then the drug may not be for you. Regardless of which medication you decide to take, it is worthwhile to look into alternative forms of dealing with your symptoms: yoga, tai-chi, bio-feedback, or other stress relievers are all potential options.
Hope that helps.
Thanks for the question.
Sotalol (Betapace), like most any drug, has an up-side and a down-side. I can't say that I "like" any medication, but it is certainly a medication that I occasionally use for a variety of indications. The decision to use sotalol in your case depends on what bothers you more: (1) the PVC symptoms, or (2) the fear of what side effects sotalol might cause. The drug may very well be effective in your case (or then again maybe not), but if you will experience increased anxiety about unlikely side-effects, then the drug may not be for you. Regardless of which medication you decide to take, it is worthwhile to look into alternative forms of dealing with your symptoms: yoga, tai-chi, bio-feedback, or other stress relievers are all potential options.
Hope that helps.
You are reading content posted in the Heart Disease Forum
Is a low-fat diet really that heart healthy after all? James D. Nicolantonio, PharmD, urges us to reconsider decades-long dietary guidelines.
Can depression and anxiety cause heart disease? Get the facts in this Missouri Medicine report.
Fish oil, folic acid, vitamin C. Find out if these supplements are heart-healthy or overhyped.
Learn what happens before, during and after a heart attack occurs.
What are the pros and cons of taking fish oil for heart health? Find out in this article from Missouri Medicine.
How to lower your heart attack risk.
