How do you keep from focusing on your PVCs/PACs?

Just trying to bring the community together : )

As I told the folks on the other Heart Forum, I have discovered a new favorite thing!!  I love Smoothies and my son has been telling me to try a place called Smoothie King.  WELL, my dad and I took a ride yesterday and found the nearest Smoothie King.  I gotta say, the Smoothies were awesome!  I LOVE ice cream, but this treat was awesome!  I could not decide which one to try, but finally settled on the Peach, Strawberry, Papaya Smoothie.  My dad had one with Pineapple and banana.  We found a new place to frequent!!  Anyone else heard of this place? Or, do you have another favorite place for ice cream/smoothies?  I'm always open to checking these place out.  It's a tough job, but I'm up for the challenge : )

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!  Any special plans?  I'm planning to check out the Southern Home Show, looking for some landscaping ideas/tips.  

Connie

[dolfnlvr]

Cool on the smoothies. I live way out in the country.  We don't have anyplace like that around us.  We have chain places with icecreams and such, but all are a distance away.  

As for keeping my mind off the arhythmias...on a day to day, I just keep busy.  I've learned to ignore a majority of the PVC's, but when they get bad, I mean really bad, like constant you just can't ignore them.  Sometimes I wonder if they are connected with some sort of depression or something.  Because when they hit HARD it takes all your energy just to get up and live your life.  I spend a lot of time sleeping when they are constant.  Why?  Well, when I'm sleeping, either they don't happen or I just don't notice them and it's some of the only peace I get from the anxiety.  

Here's the thing, I'm not afraid of the PVC's anymore.  I'm not afraid that they'll put me in to cardiac arrest.  I'm not fearful that I'll die.  But there is a physiological response to an irregular heart rhythm that feeds the cycle.  It's a positive feedback mechanism.  The heart starts to flutter for whatever reason, your autonomic nervous system responds with increased adrenaline, which increases the arhythmia, which feeds the physiological anxiety response, and no amount of common sense seems to calm it down.  It has to play through.  And the only way I can escape some of the effects is to sleep.  The positive side effect to that is that I think that sleep is a crucial factor in minimizing PVC's so after a day or two of heavy napping, I usually notice that they start to subside to manageable levels.  

Do I take a sick day?  No.  I work, I tough it out, but my husband suffers a bit.  Once I come home, my kids are usually his responsibility if possible so that I can go to bed early etc.  Thankfully, this does not seem to happen very often anymore.  I have to say that the WORST effects of PVC's have been during the first two years of each of my children's lives.  Can anyone say sleep deprivation :-)

Anyway...that's my mechanism.  May not be the best, but it works for me.

Take care

[steph4501]

Great subject!  I think topics like this will help all of us to know that we are not alone in living with PVC's and of course ways to cope.

I started getting PVC's (that I noticed) about 8 months ago or so...  Give or take..

On my 24hr. holter  1 1/2 months ago, I had 4,280 PVC's, which I felt.  926 of those happened while I was sleeping at midnight.  So I get them in my sleep when I am calm, no anxiety, etc...  Has anyone else had them at this frequency while SLEEPING??  please tell me I am not the only one!  ;o)~

As for coping.  I have had to work really hard as I tend to be an anxious person anyway when it comes to health.  Before I would freak out really bad and think I was going to drop dead or something.. When I get them bad, I get some back to back (couplets), bigimeny, trigimeny, and random every 5-6-7-8-9-10 beats and on and on...

NOW, I can honestly say that I am beginning to accept these.  I have had all the testing, EKG, Echo, Stress Test w/ echo, bloodwork and my Cardiologist said they are benign. She said my heart is doing everything its suppose to, and she has had PAC's which are the same feeling as PVC's, but come from a different area of the heart and so she said she "understands" what they feel like and how one can get worried.

Anyway, getting off the point of this topic.

I deal with mine when they happen and I tell myself, "Steph, you have had these before and will have them again, and nothing bad has ever happened."

I distract myself when they happen by snuggling with my husband or kids (I have 3 children), or I get up regardless of the pvc's and walk around, clean up the house, get outside, or anything to just sit there and *focus* on them.  The more we give them out attention and worry the more frequent they will come and the more anxious we will get, which is turn only feeds the whole pvc/pac/anxiety cycle.

I notice when I don't focus on them when they happen, they soon let up or go away for awhile.

I also listen to soothing music, laugh about things that were really funny (like my daughter when she was 3 yrs old, and I had just brought my 2nd born home from the hospital, she ran to the front door and was hanging off the door knob, like "Get me outta here.")  so I can think of that and laugh and laughter really helps!!  Good medicine! And it's free!  ;o)~

Aside from all this, I know what everyone is going through and vice versa, so let's stick around and help each other.  Just having support and knowing you are not alone is really helpful.  

I don't think we can find a magic cure, but just like someone who has depression, anxiety, or diabetes, or whatever, we feel comfort knowing someone else out ther has these pvc's and I think the *cure* will be to get support from others who understand and know that these will not harm us physically.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!  No real plans for us today, yet...

Steph

[sueinns]

When I had SVT and it got really bad, I would turn inward and take calming breaths which worked amazingly well.  Haven't noticed that there is much that helps with the PVC's except avoiding stress (yeh right).  But I'm luckly in that I can ignore them.

When I'm having a lot of skipped beats, etc., I'm more tired than usual and my normally high energy level is quite diminished.  But I keep doing my thing, knowing it will eventually settle down.  For me, learning all I can about the condition works wonders in dealing with it.

Last night my heart was out to lunch because I went to a hockey game which I knew would affect my stress level.  Now I'm Canadian and love hockey, especially my home team.  It's playoffs (major junior) and my team's biggest rival was in town.  No amount of calming breaths helped last night.  When the game was over and my team won, my heart finally settled.  Maybe a smoothie would have helped.

[ljd]

I just want to say thank you to everyone.  I have been reading these posts for  2 years since I had sinus tach.  Now I am experiencing PVC's and it does help to know that I am not alone.  We can all help each other through and maybe one day someone will find out exactly what causes this.  

[WvMomof3]

Hello my Fellow Skippers....*Smile*

Well...I have been having these durn "beasts" for about 2 months now...They still scare the living **** out of me and I had a nervous breakdown because of them...no exaggeration...so I am living proof they can drive u insane...but we have to realize we will be fine...How can so many cardiologists be wrong? lol...

So...I try to snuggle with my hubby when I am really scared and focus on my children...it helps...

God Bless Us and Our "Crazy" Hearts...
Cathy

[artskip]

It really isn't easy living with this condition.I find it hard to be light hearted (pun intended). I've started to call it a condition cause it has lasted so long for me. Everyday, everything I do there's always the thought how will my heart be acting. Some days are a wash, and I don't do to much, I just get by. When the PVC's aren't to bad I try to do as much as possible. It's more than my heart beating irregularly, it really effects me emotionally. So rather than focusing on the negative(which I did for a long time),I quilt,I get in my sewing room and try to be ask creative as I can be, and it does help. Right now I'am into making purses. I also draw and do some pen and ink work.

[Momto3]

This is great!  Thanks everyone who has contributed so far. I love all of these ideas and what's great is sharing what works for us may help other people.  What about the rest of you guys?  I know there are "others" out there (Anyone watch "LOST" with the "Other".....LOL.  How do you cope?  

I went for a Smoothie again.....ahhhh.

Now, about that Hockey win....Our "Hurricaines" lost last night, but we've got another chance: "In charge of their own destiny with a chance to clinch the Southeast Division title on the last day of the regular-season, the Canes dropped a 4-3 decision to Florida and must now hope for a Washington loss Saturday at home to these same Panthers to make the 2008 Stanley Cup playoffs."   congrats on the win!

Yep, ldj, let's kick this condition (I agree artskip...it's like an affliction) to the curb!

[Jimdeez]

sorry momto but im rootin for the caps, i Love Ovechkin

[Momto3]

Hahahaha!!  I'll root for them (a little).....LOL

[ddavey]

i wonder if the reason that amber doesn't have these daily issues with hers is because her arrythmias are atrial rather than ventricular  (pac's vs pvc's)    but i do know that even though she doesn't mention any issues, when she had an event monitor she was able to get a few recordings on a daily basis, so she obviously feels them    i notice that if she is having a stressful day (this week it was every day!!) she will take a nap when she comes home, could be from stress causing a few more pac's than usual, don't know.   what i do know is that she has about 15,000 + pac's a day and a probably a few svt's thrown in there and she doesn't mention them at all.   if her bp drops a bit she will feel a little dizzy, but she will sit down or calm down until it passes.    

[Momto3]

Hi Dawn,

You know, it's really weird when you have a lot of ectopics, they actually feel "normal" to you.  I'll bet they're just normal for Amber.  After my ablations, I was in NSR and it was a very strange feeling.  Now, I'll have an isolated PVC or run or whatever and it really catches my attention.  Doesn't scare me, I just notice it.

Sorry about the bad week....Hope this weel is stellar!
connie

[upbeat633]

It is very strange that after so many years of pvcs, that even long runs of them can go unnoticed. I wish it were true for every single on of them. Maybe that is what Amber is experiencing.

I was having a pretty typical day on Saturday, on average 20 pvcs/minute. But by 6pm I was so tired I fell asleep on the couch. That's not like me. But this morning I woke and thought that they had stopped again. I thought all that sleep must have done some good. But when I listened with a steth, I was having 4 pvcs together, followed by two regular beats, another 4 pvcs followed by three regular beats, and on it went. Well at least I wasn't feeling them!

I took a food allergy test last week, and even though my medical doctor pooh-poohs it, I wonder if all the foods that I'm allergic or sensitive to--dairy, eggs, some nuts and BEEF of all things (that's very uncommon)...I wonder if eating them means that I'm increasing an inflammatory response and thus irritating my heart tissue among other organs. Sadly, that means no ice cream based smoothies for me. I'm going on an elimiation diet to see if that helps. I've tried cutting things out before, but now that I have a defined list, I'll make sure those foods are avoided without exception.

[Momto3]

Good luck in tangling with the PVCs!  I used to have that happen - I'd think I wasn't having any PVCs based on how I was feeling.  I'd listen with a stethoscope and there they were...crazy.

Good luck with the elimation diet!  Let us know how it goes...Maybe you're onto something big!

[Jerzeegal]

Most of the time I notice mine more at night when I am getting ready to go to sleep so it's hard to not focus on them and has definately been the cause of some anxiety( to put it mildly).  What I have been doing instead of listening with the stethoscope is to either listen to my ipod or just sit up and read for a bit. Sometimes listening to TV switches my concentration so I focus on the tv rather than the pvcs and will fall asleep.

During the day I agree with Momto3s method.. if I do happen to have a run of them during the day I'll take one of the dogs out for a walk or do some housework ( yuck) At this point I am all about whatever works. :-)

Jerz

[Momto3]

Hey Jerz, I didn't say anything about housework!!  LOL  If I did, I'll have to ask MedHelp to delete the post quickly!  hahahaha......

Great ideas Jerz!  Those nighttime PVC can be really bothersome.  For those times, I tend to watch TV or read.  I used to watch late night medical and trauma shows...DUMB!!  That did NOT help the palps!!  Now, I stick mostly to sitcoms or old reruns.  You know, like Andy Griffith -- simple time, simple place : )

Now, put that vacuum away and grab the dog's leash : )

[dolfnlvr]

Put the stethoscopes away!!!! :-)  Out of feeling out of mind I say.  If you don't feel them, they aren't happening, and it's a good day.  Shoot...I don't think I care if I have them, it's the feeling them that causes the problems :-)

So...put down the stethoscopes and put on those MP3's, dance to some loud and obnoxious music (can you believe it?  My kids have me ENJOYING Hanna Montana of all things) and try to pretend they don't exist.  That's my second favorite technique.

Good night everyone.

[Jerzeegal]

Uhmmm dare I ask what your FIRST favorite technique is??????  LOL

[WvMomof3]

I so agree with dolfn...If I couldn't feel them...I wouldn't give a lick if I was having them...lol...that is what scares me the most...the sensation...I have been trying to keep myself busy and so far it is helping...I am still scared to death, but the days are getting easier to handle...Once again...Ty all for your support...

Love, Huggs, and Many Prayers...
Cathy

[Momto3]

I kept reading your post thinking, "I know exactly what she means!"  I am not afraid of the PVCs either, no fear of "heart problems" because of them, none of that.  It's the systemic reaction that they set off!  UGH!!  I used to LOVE to sleep also...As you said, it was the only escape from the lousy feelings associated with the nervous system and adrenaline rushes.  My favorite time of day was the time I was sleeping...crummy way to live.  Fortunately, I found ways to cope and learned to live with the buggers and not against them.  

Cathy,
Try to set aside the fear -- you are not going to die from the PVC's.  However, I know that they can make you FEEL like you might die from them (you will not).  So happy to hear the days are getting easier to handle : )  

Connie

[BLM_56]

I have been living for sure with PAT (Paroxysmal Atrial Tachycardia) since 97.  I was feeling odd things in my chest and the left side of my neck over a year before I got sent to the hospital (by my family Doctor) and met my Cardiologist.  During the 14 months or so before I was diagnosed with PAT I would feel the oddness in my chest - sometimes approaching pain - but would do a quick inventory of what I knew to be heart attack symptoms.  I had the pressure/discomfort in my chest but it was in front and stayed in front - no radiating down my left arm or to my back.  I was not sweating at all so I knew no diaphoresis was present.  Since I remembered the two biggies were radiating pain and diaphoresis I decided what was happening wasn't likely to be lethal and just ignored it.  It was a case of mind over matter - if you don't mind it doesn't matter.

These days I cannot ignore what is happening.  I have been in A-fib continuously for at least 6 months.  Lord willing and the creek don't rise a week from tomorrow (Monday the 14th of April 2008) I am going to have an ablation.  But for now I have had to quit my job - I am a stste-licensed armed security officer (fortunately there are more positions than there people with licenses and the positions for armed officers is growing).  I do not have either the vitality or the endurance I used to have.  I get winded very easily.  Sometimes it is all I can do to get out of bed.  When I can get out of bed I try to keep my mind busy.  I repaint virtual airplanes or fly in MS Flight Simulator or such.  Sometimes I just sit and play solitaire.  I just keep my mind off of it.  But it is hard.  I tend to be a brooder -i.e. I sit and brood about things.  I know that doesn't help me or my condition.

You gotta ask yourself.  Is what I have likely to be lethal?  If not then there is nothing to worry about.  If it IS likely to be lethal, is brooding about it likely to help?  Is brooding about likely to make any difference?  If the answers to the last two are "no" then it makes no difference whether you brood or not.  The only difference it makes is to make your world darker.  Our world is dark enough.  Armed fanatics could attack any time.  No need for us to add to our own burdens.  Get a hobby.  Go visit really sick people.  There is an old saying "I complained about having holes in my shoes till I met a man with no feet".  I guarantee there are people worse off than you are.

Bill

[Momto3]

Mind over matter is a great way of coping!  I think we often struggle much more with what we are "thinking" is wrong than what's really wrong.   We can convince ourselves of almost anything.  For some things rational thinking is enough.  But, as you have said sometimes it just doesn't cut it....that's when we look for alternative coping mechanisms.  My son has MS Flight Simulator -- let's just say I don't think I'll ever be flying any planes!  I'll bet it's a lot of fun once you get pretty good at it.  Repainting virtual airplanes sounds like a lot of fun...is that an MS product?  part of Flight Simulator?  I also play a little Solitaire, but I alos like Free Cell.   Those are great ideas!

I agree about the worrying, but sometimes that's much easier said than done. This forum is a great place for releasing some of the worry and finding out that others have the same problems.  Kind of like, "I'm OK, You're OK." Thanks for sharing the old saying -- powerful stuff!!  

I hope the creek doesn't rise and you are able to have your ablation!  Here's to a very successful procedure!  Will you return to your former line work after the procedure?  Or, maybe this is a great time to explore new opportunities.  Let us know about the creek : )

Connie

[upbeat633]

Ok, so I know you've just about had all there is to have when it comes to PVCs, so I wonder if you've ever had this sensation.....waking early morning around 3am with the sensation of your heart pounding and going faster than normal. When I count, it's usually in the high 90's, but not much more than 105bpm (including the extra beats which are frequent). I also feel hot and sweaty. It's happened a couple of times now, I wondered if it was because I'm taking a BB irregularily so my heart rate is going up after the effects of the BB wears off, or ughh, a hot flash?

I took 10mg of inderal when it happened this morning, but it still took over an hour before I noticed it was slowing down, then I was able to get some more sleep. I also know that yesterday I ate a lot of stuff I shouldn't have because these were items that came up on my allergy test--but that I foolishly wanted to have one last time. Duh.

[artskip]

Inderal takes about an hour before it works. My Dr said to take it 1 hour before I excercise for it to be effective.

[Momto3]

You are too funny!!  As I was reading your post, I was thinking....Hmmmm...I wonder if that could be hormone related (ie: hot flash)?  Sorry : (  Are you even old enough for that?  I think I started down :"the path" when I was about 42 or so....still walking!!

I have not had the racing heart sensation during the night, but I have woken up VERY warm!!  UGH is right!!  It's like being in an oven with the broiler on....lol.

I'm wondering if you're right about the BB since they work to keep things slow and steady.  What if you try taking a 10mg (or half of it) before you go to sleep?  Maybe that would work (as long as your doctor is OK with you taking it as needed).  I used to take 20mg for breakthroughs and it would usually take 20-30 minutes to kick in.  In the meantime.....Beat, pvc, beat, pvc, beat....pvc,pvc,pvc, beat.....you know the drill.

I hope you enjoyed your goodies...gotta treat ourselves sometimes :)

[upbeat633]

Thank you for your quick responses.

I thought the inderal I was taking was a fast acting one, because my doctor said she could prescribe an extended release if I wanted to try that. So I'm glad to know that the length of time to react was not unual.

I'm nearing 45, so it's not out of the realm of possibility that what I'm experiencing is associated with a hot flash. The faster heart beat might only be noticed because I'm usually in the high 70's not high 90's.

I was taking 100mg of sectral for about a week. Initially it seemed to reduce but not eliminate the PVCs. So I added back the 10mg of inderal as needed.

My doctor raised her eyebrow at that, but only asked if it helped--otherwise she didn't discourage it or seem too concerned.

Adding the inderal seemed to help too. But it's hard to know. Is going from 20 pvcs per minute to 15 pvcs per minute a decrease related to the BBs? Or is just a change that would occur anyhow? Because even with the BB, I have some periods when I can reach 35pvc/minute.

Today is my first day avoiding allergy foods. I'm excited about that. Somewhere on this forum recently someone said they were affected by eating garlic--that's another allergen for me. I love garlic and used to take garlic capsules for it's health benefit. I always thought I had more pvcs with the capsules.

[dbranden]

It is so good to come here and be among others who understand. I have been battling heart issues for 7 years now, and I still struggle. The PVC's came about 5 years ago (and are slowly increasing) and even though I know they are benign, I still get frightened every time I get one. Isn't that dumb? I mean, I KNOW they are ok, yet there is some part of me that is still scared that I am going to keel over from them. I have had so many stress tests, echos, EKG's that you would think I would feel reassured, but yet I don't. I will get an ectopic that feels a bit different and then I worry. My husband and I want to have another baby and since I am 38 the clock is ticking, but I have so many fears about my heart that I am scared to try. For me, it has become a huge mental issue. I have even considered therapy or hypnosis--anything that might finally convince my brain that I am ok even if I get skipped heartbeats regularly. I feel like my life is getting smaller and smaller, since there are so many things I don't do now since they cause me to get more skipped beats. I'd like to ride my bike, go for a walk, etc, but every time I do, I get PVC's and bigeminy and then I get upset about it.
Anyway, thanks for letting me rant! I know there are bigger problems in the world than PVC's. I am reminded of that every time I have an appointment to see my EP and I see so many patients coming and going from the hospital who have much bigger problems than I do.

[WvMomof3]

Well...I agree with u also...there are bigger problems...but it sure doesn't feel like it when it is happening to u...I am right there with u Hun...I feel like it is controlling my life...but it is getting better...I am learning to deal a little more each day with the help and support and love of all those around me and on this forum...Please don't apologize for ranting...I am here anytime u would like to talk...

Love n Huggs n Prayers...
Cathy

[lol7]

Hi Momto3,
I haven't posted with a long time! Just wanted to say congratulations on your promotion! Looks like you're doing a fab job as Community Leader. Undoubtedly others are getting comfort in your ever kind words as I did pre and post ablation :-)

[Momto3]

GREAT to hear from you!!  How are you doing?  Please bring us up-to-date!!  We've missed you around here : )

Thanks so much for the kind note!  That really means a lot to me.  I'm just helping out where I can.  I used to tell my kids I had a big "V" on my head for "Volunteer."  LOL.  It's so nice to be able to do something I enjoy and at the same time helps other people (and myself...lol).

Don't forget about that update.
Connie

[lol7]

Hi Mom to 3,
This is my update!

The ablation I had on the 16th of November for the Pvc's was very successful :-) Before the ablation I was having around 20,000 Pvc's in 24 hours. On a holter monitor that I had a month later I was only having 4 Pvc's per 24 hours! It's great. The dizziness is gone and my heartbeat feels very regular.

Last week wore a holter monitor again for a check up. I am awaiting the results, which I think will be fine.

As you probably remember from my previous posts, I was wide awake for the ablation. It was very painful while they were ablating the different areas but it was worth it in the end!

Here's to being PVC Free :-)

[Momto3]

Thanks for the update!  Don't be a stranger : )  We need you around here.

There are so many people that come here asking about ablations and you would be able to give first-hand information of your success!!  I know what you mean about living PVC-free after having so many years of thousands/day!  I'm so happy to hear your are doing well.....and we just won't talk about that pain right now.  Maybe someday, but right now I'm going to revel in your cure!!  

connie