I hate PVCs

Once again, just as I was lying down to try to get some sleep....bam...my heart starts a fluttering. I try to lay there and ignore it but I can't so here I am at the computer trying to work through another episode. I am just so frustrated that I want to scream but what good what that actually do? Wake up the hubbie and the dog? Nah...I will just sit here and hope it is a quick episode and can fall asleep.

I am thinking I probably should call my cardiologist again but I was hoping to make it to my next appt in May. I just don't get it. The beta blocker is supposed to help so why do I continue to have PVCs? I know I am only taking a low dosage but still. When I came back from my vacation (where I had two whoppers of episodes) about 6 weeks ago, they had subsided a bit. And for a period of time, I didn't feel any!!  But about two weeks ago, they came back and each day I have at least one episode. Most days I have many episodes of varying intensity. But I particularly HATE the ones when you are  trying to fall asleep. My PCP told me to take a valium when that happens but I need to be up at 5:30 and it is now 11:30. I am not sure I will be able to wake up in six hours after taking a valium. I do know I will be exhausted in the morning but what can I do.

I have tried figuring out my triggers but no luck. I am sure lack of sleep is one of them but short of taking a sleeping pill of some type, I don't know what else to do. No alcohol, caffeine, chocolate....try to keep myself hydrated...can't control the stress too much but I try...but the lack of sleep is becoming  a major issue.

Any suggestions out there? Should I call the cardiologist again? I am just sooooooo tired.....

[CFS56]

When I have problems with the heart flops at night I take a half of an ativan.  Same drug class as valium and it relaxes me, helps with the palpitations and I go to sleep (usually).

[Ida22]

I understand you. it's ok to have pvcs in the daytime, but when you try to sleep; its torture. I hope that you'll get some help or find a way to deal with it. when I get it at night, I go for a little walk, and sometimes it helps.

[Mom2four85]

oh I know what you mean, bad night for me also - woke up several times with NSVT runs that drive me crazy with knocking thumping in my chest and HR high.

I know there's a technical reason...it has something to do when our hr's are low there's more time between heart beats for pvc's to hit and because there's more time between the blood pushes harder making us feel them more...or something like that...either way I can't stand them like this either.

[bbxx]

They all stink in my opinion. If it were me I would wait for the apt. in May. I remember when I suddenly went into 20-30 pvcs per min. and I wanted to run to the doctor, but then I thought about all the others that have bad episodes of them as well, I prayed my way through it and ended up with  waiting it out. As to bb, I think everyone says they work differently for them. Some people feel them more on bb. I dont take anything, so that is a possibility for you too, but only you know how you deal best with them. Hopefully you are up and having a better day. :) ps be careful with the valium. You dont want do have more issues than you need. Check with your pharmacist on interactions between the valium and the bb and also for any side effects on the heart. Doctors dont usually have that knowledge.

[Mom2four85]

this is true bbxx; I think my primary back in 2007 should have been like my GYN now - he has a laptop on his desk and sat there with me for about 20 minutes looking up drug interactions and side effects of meds for me; because I didn't want a hysterectomy and he wrote a note to my cardiologist hehehe asking his permission and stating the reasons for his meds and interactions plus side effects...

too bad more doctors aren't as diligent and take that extra step to ensure our well being

[dmacd74]

When the pvcs are wrecking havoc with my life I take a small dose of klonopin to try and calm down and get some sleep.  I am very aware of taking a drug of this nature due to the addictive nature of it, but I have not had a problem with that.  Two or three nights in a row with a half a dose of klonopin (.25 mg is a half a pill) gives me rest and that combined "wipes" the pvcs away.  Remember, these damn things are fueled by adrenaline in a lot of cases (but not all I realize), if you can get your body to a state of relaxation, they might just go away.