PVC's Feels like multiples

[mary56]

I am 56 years old and have had PVC's for years. I recently have been very ill and been out of work.  I do go to a Cardio and I have told him about this weird type of arrythmia, but never can catch it.  It now seems to be getting a little worse.  Just saw them the other day would not even give me an EKG as they did not hear anything.  My question is that I just had an echo, not a stress echo, as I may have some type of Chronic Fatigue or thyroid issue.  
If the echo was fine, that means my heart is structrually fine?  Also, when I get these arrythmias it feels like there are bunches in a row and then it goes back to regular rythum.  I do not get dizzy or light headed, it did happen after I walked for about 20 mins but I also have gerd and I have been having problems with that.   What does anyone think?
Also, my brother dropped dead in 2006 at 54 of a massive MI due to CAD.  He was a 2 pack a day smoker and overweight.  I need some reassurance or some guidance.
Thanks

[upbeat633]

I hope I can provide some reasurance. I have pvcs in the thousands per day and most of mine come in multiples. It's funny, but sometimes it a very regular pattern, 3 pvcs, 3 regular beats, 3 pvcs, 3 regular beats and so on.

When I get long strings, 3,4,5 10pvcs and more, I usually don't feel any symptoms. but when my heart is irregular, 2 beats, 3 pvcs, 1 beat, 1pvc, 10 beats, 2 pvcs, I sometimes feel like my breath is stuck in my throat, like I have to cough, and sometimes do.

I have been told the multiples are no different in prognosis, still benign "in a structurally normal heart". ;-)

[njl093038]

Are you still there guys. ? I'm newby here!

[Momto3]

You have come to a great place for support!!  There are many, many people here who have PVCs (some in bunches, called "runs").  They can occur in all kinds of patterns, but still be normal.  That's not to say, they don't feel really weird!!

Have you even worn an "event" monitor?  You generally wear those for about 30 days (they can be better than a Holter b/c you have 30 days to capture the buggers!!...LOL).  Is your doctor convinced that the PVCs are not a problem?  If so, you may just want to let him know that they really scare you and you'd feel a lot better if you knew he could see exactly what you're feeling.

Great that your parents are in their 80's and doing well!  Is your mom on coumadin for the Afib? A lot of people have Afib, but I think it's more common as we age (what isn't?...LOL).

Sorry you're having a bad day!  You can stop by to visit, talk, vent, share here anytime!

connie

[mary56]

Actually,  my tsh is normal but have very high antibodies.  They tell me I may have  autoimmune thyroid disease. Going to an Endo on Tuesday.  I have been on the thyroid site since I got the results back from my antibodies test.  It is wonderful, just like this one.    I have had a ton of holters and never can get the "weird" beats.   I just had one in November when my heart was going @120 beats per minute.  The MD's think that my thyroid was in the "hyper" phase.  Who knows.
There is no CAD in our family, my parents are 83 years old, but my mom has a history of PAC's and at 70 she got AFIB, but otherwise ok.  My brother was a schizophrenic and also on many meds, drank heavily, heavy smoker.   It still scares me, though, especially when I get the "bunches".    Thanks for listening, I just am not having a good day and needed someone to talk to.   Mary

[Momto3]

Hi Mary!!

An echocardiogram is one of the tests that can be used to determine if the heart is "structually normal".  So, in that regard, sounds like you're doing well.  

Have you had your blood tested for thyroid problems?  There is a great community for people with thytoid problems - check it out, but come back and see us too : )

What you describe with the back-to-back weird beats sounds like a short run of ectopics. The good news is, in someone with a structurally normal heart, they are considered no more harmful than an isolated PVC.  Have you even worn a Holter or event monitor to capture what you're feeling (on tape)?  When the doctor can actually "see" what we are feeling and he still considers it benign, it sometimes helps us to have a lot more faith in the "benign" diagnosis.  You may want to ask your doctor about wearing a monitor.

I'm sorry about your brother, that is such a young age.  Does CAD run in your family?

Take care and keep us posted!
connie