verapamil

Has anyone ever taken verapamil?? I was just prescribed that today to try and help control my PVCs...Also a couple of years ago when I asked my doc about an ablation he said he wouldn't even be able to map my PVCs....Is that because I wasn't having enough? As of 3 months ago I was having over 1000 a day. Has anyone had an ablation that was successful for thier PVCs???

[mariop]

I take 180mg twice a day (Verapamil SR).  It helps me with my blood pressure and lowers my heart rate.  Constipation is a problem, but all the other meds I tried were way worse, with serious side effects.  Most meds are not very effective with PVC over long periods of time.

I had a PVC ablation last month.  The doctor was not able to reproduce the problem so he guessed and made 23 burns.  About 3 weeks ago for about 5 days the PVCs came back.  So I'm going for round #2 on the 28 of this month.  Strangely enough I have been PVC free for the past 10 days and I'm trying to find a way to get them active again by the 28.

[sickofpvcs]

I have heard that most meds are not very effective on PVCs.

If you had an ablation...How many PVCs were you having a day?? I feel like I am not taken very seriously when I go to the doc..And I have been to many!!

I know they all tell me I don't have anything dangerous, but when you're in a run of them it sure doesn't feel that way!!

[CollegeGirl143]

wow.. hopefully those palps stay away and you dont need the second ablation... Two ablations in two months, thats intense!

[sb786]

I took verapamil when i was diagnosed with svt but my doc said it should help decrease the pvcs too. Unfortunately i had to stop taking it after a week because it gave me real bad constipation which is a common side effect. I have a freind who takes verapamil for svt and pvcs and she said it helped alot

[CollegeGirl143]

Definatly give it a try if your doc is suggesting it :)

momto3 girls has had a successful pvc ablation, hopefully she'll see this:) i know she had more than 1000 a day but she might be able to give you some insight.

[sb786]

do any of you guys get runs of pvcs?? I have been getting about 3-4 together in a row and i'm very afraid :(

[PikaPika88]

Ablation will left over with scars in your heart muscle.  Later (I don't know how long) now mine one is 21 years.  My cardio is talking about the infarction could be due to the ablation or pacemaker because all my atries are open wide and nice flow.  The scars also would cause the impair movement of the heart wall.

Anyone received information like that from your EP yet?  I'll put ablation as the last chance!  I tell you, it was the big mistake that I made in my life!

[mariop]

My insurance will cover ablations for PVCs only if at least two meds have failed.  You have to be highly symptomatic.  Meaning they disrupt your life so that you are unable to do normal daily things.  If you have PVCs you would not operate a table saw or go on a roof, etc.  If you have them continuously for a period of time, like a month, they can aggravate the arteries in you chest and neck and head.

Your best bet is to check out some of the replies on this by the doctor on the medical side of this board.  It is a myth that all PVCs are harmless.  Sure they may not kill you.  Neither do warts on your face, or crooked noses.  Moreover, RF ablations if successful are more permanent of a fix than anything else.  The risks with an experienced EP are minimal.  Dr. Natale of the Cleveland Clinic is famous worldwide for doing ablations and not for writing prescriptions.

[sickofpvcs]

The only reason I would consider an ablation is because I have dealt with this **** for over 25 years now and I am only 45. The PVCs have gotten worse every year for the past 4 years and I wonder how bad they have to get b4 they are actually harmful. And what about the long term for meds??????? I have put off any treatment including Rythmol and Flecainide (powerful drugs) prescribed by other Cardiologists. I have ingnored PVCS and got on with life....NOW almost everyday I have at least 3-5 episodes where I feel like I am going to faint. I don't sit at home, I work, play with grand kids and do all the normal things I always have. It would just be nice to not worry about when I am going to really faint!! I have this fear about it happening at work. I don't know why, but I do. That is why I would consider ablation. Until I discovered this site I felt so alone with all of this. Thanks everyone who has responded to me. I take all of you advice serious because I know you understand how it feels!!

[va_tony]

Given that PVCs are inherently harmless in a normal heart, why are you even considering an ablation? After all, there are risks (not insignificant) and expense associated with the procedure. The odds of success also aren't favorable. It seems to me that the benefit to risk ratio is unacceptable. Many EPs won't agree to ablate for simple PVCs, even for 1000/day. Ypu admit that even your cardiologist seemed reluctant. Wouldn't it be better to learn to live with the PVCs? I realize that it is difficult to do so but wouldn't this be the best alternative?

You can find some info on patient experience with verapamil on a site called askapatient.

Best wishes

Tony

[sb770]

I have just had an ablation 4 days ago, my PVC count was 16,000 in a 24 hour period. The operation was not successful, as now I am taking 1 &1/2 50mg Flecainide twice a day  and 1 120mg Verapamil  once a day. I am very concerned about the drugs because of the warning information that I got from my pharmacy. Does anyone have any advice for me? Thanks .