Aa
Man...to be "normal"
So, I had one of those nights last night. Everything is great...I'm at a birthday party for one of my son's good friends, and life is "normal." Then...I was going into the garage (where activities were being held) holding my daughter (3) and we fell down the steps onto the concrete floor. Of course, in trying to protect my daughter from injury I took the brunt of it and she was fine.
I hurt my knee badly, and bruised many other parts of my body, but then did my famous passing out act. Everyone thought I'd hit my head, and I couldn't tell them otherwise because I was too weak to speak. So, here I am laying in the floor, trying to speak coherently and making things worse because I'm rambling, and I'm dropping in and out of consciousness scaring the he!! out of the family whose steps I fell down. I was able to talk them out of an ambulance just in time, and had enough sense to make them realize I had not hit my head, but the drama was intense. God bless them, if this family is ever brave enough to invite us over again, they'll likely treat us with kid gloves.
Then, in the middle of the night, I got up to go to the bathroom, and caused my bp to drop....boom, out again. My husband thinks I'm having a stroke and panics. I'm fine, but this stuff gets old, ya know? Sometimes I just wish for "normal" to stick around a little longer.
I hurt my knee badly, and bruised many other parts of my body, but then did my famous passing out act. Everyone thought I'd hit my head, and I couldn't tell them otherwise because I was too weak to speak. So, here I am laying in the floor, trying to speak coherently and making things worse because I'm rambling, and I'm dropping in and out of consciousness scaring the he!! out of the family whose steps I fell down. I was able to talk them out of an ambulance just in time, and had enough sense to make them realize I had not hit my head, but the drama was intense. God bless them, if this family is ever brave enough to invite us over again, they'll likely treat us with kid gloves.
Then, in the middle of the night, I got up to go to the bathroom, and caused my bp to drop....boom, out again. My husband thinks I'm having a stroke and panics. I'm fine, but this stuff gets old, ya know? Sometimes I just wish for "normal" to stick around a little longer.
Thank you for all the great information. You weren't rambling at all-so no worries there. I am still trying to digest it all, but it is VERY helpful.
I laugh when you say the "cycle" because you hit the nail on the head! As soon as my PVC's start I get real anxious which makes them worse which makes me MORE anxious, which makes them MUCH WORSE, etc. If I am at home when this happens I just go to my bed and will eventually fall asleep and of course they dissapear. So then I try to tell myself "see, you MADE them worse, it was you." But of course when they are happening I can't tell myself anything because I'm so darn afraid!
When I first started getting these I was petrifired to lay on either of my sides-my left was the worst. I would sleep with my back against my headboard or either curled up real tight on my husband's arm...kinda propped up. I actually slept on the couch and would fall asleep in front of the tv for the first few weeks. It bothered my Hubby real bad; but I was too afraid to lie down. Now....I lay on my left or right side and it doesn't bother me-go figure.
I agree with you regarding anxiety. That's what my doctors think I have, and I am pretty sure that I do, but I started out with PVC's then worked my way up to tachycardia, which thank God I haven't experienced in a few months. I have always been a high strung anxious person; always fearing the worst, and worrying NON-STOP. Over the past 2.5 years I have had a lot of extra stress in my life and BOOM everything started from there. My cardio gave me Xanax for the tachycardia, but I haven't taken that in almost three months. I have been on .25 beta blocker since May and my cardio said he would eventually ween me off of it; but he wanted to get my PVC's under control. It sounds like you are taking a smaller dose than I am, and I'm considered to be on a small dose. If you are taking 1/4 are you on like 6.25 or something?
One of the symptoms of panic or anxiety is an irregular heartbeat, but it still feels different then the "classic" symptoms i.e. rapid heartrate, dizziness, nausea, headaches, etc. I have a really hard time accepting it as panic-which keeps fueling my problem. I have health anxiety, that I know for sure. I am a bit of a hypochondria....thinking I have everything I google :-)
I have read about the vagus nerve (I don't know if I am spelling or saying it right) and how lots of stuff can irritate it and can make your heart flutter. A lot of people who suffer from acid reflux, which I do, get that. They try to correlate it to PVC's, but the doctors say there is no correlation.....I don't know about that.
Yes, I can imagine the slow heart rate is no fun at all. I used to take my pulse ALL the time. I was never pleased, if it was too fast, like over 75-80 bpm I was all nerves, but if it got down to low 60's I was a nervous wreck about that :-) When I first started the BB's my hr was in the 60's, but over time it's like the BB has lost it's effectiveness-not sure. My heartrate is in the 70's-80's. My cardio wanted to put me up to 50 again but I reminded him how out of it I felt when I took that dose.
You are so right about these forums. I visit a few, one of them being the anxiety forum on here, and if it wasn't for these folk I honestly don't know what I would do. Now I must say that I do read my bible and pray A WHOLE lot which helps the most; but it also helps me reading the post and seeing that I am not the only one experiencing these problems. I used to get so depressed when this first started that I could hardly get out of bed in that a.m. I walked around real slow, my whole demeanor changed! All my friends were trying to figure out what was wrong w/me. They knew I was "sick" but did I really feel THAT bad? Well, when you don't have these things going on or you don't feel it, you don't understand. So I have tried to stop explaining to people, it's too frustrating.
My Grandmother had anxiety issues and my Mom is a CONSTANT worrier, but she doesn't have anxiety. I got my worrying from her-ugh.
You really did help me and I am grateful for it. I would LOVE to keep in touch. I hope I don't ask too many questions, it's just that I am still kind of new to this so I need all the help I can get. I hope one day I can help someone else the way you and others have helped me.
I sure hope your son feels better soon. There's nothing like having mommy to make you feel better:-)
Be blessed!
I laugh when you say the "cycle" because you hit the nail on the head! As soon as my PVC's start I get real anxious which makes them worse which makes me MORE anxious, which makes them MUCH WORSE, etc. If I am at home when this happens I just go to my bed and will eventually fall asleep and of course they dissapear. So then I try to tell myself "see, you MADE them worse, it was you." But of course when they are happening I can't tell myself anything because I'm so darn afraid!
When I first started getting these I was petrifired to lay on either of my sides-my left was the worst. I would sleep with my back against my headboard or either curled up real tight on my husband's arm...kinda propped up. I actually slept on the couch and would fall asleep in front of the tv for the first few weeks. It bothered my Hubby real bad; but I was too afraid to lie down. Now....I lay on my left or right side and it doesn't bother me-go figure.
I agree with you regarding anxiety. That's what my doctors think I have, and I am pretty sure that I do, but I started out with PVC's then worked my way up to tachycardia, which thank God I haven't experienced in a few months. I have always been a high strung anxious person; always fearing the worst, and worrying NON-STOP. Over the past 2.5 years I have had a lot of extra stress in my life and BOOM everything started from there. My cardio gave me Xanax for the tachycardia, but I haven't taken that in almost three months. I have been on .25 beta blocker since May and my cardio said he would eventually ween me off of it; but he wanted to get my PVC's under control. It sounds like you are taking a smaller dose than I am, and I'm considered to be on a small dose. If you are taking 1/4 are you on like 6.25 or something?
One of the symptoms of panic or anxiety is an irregular heartbeat, but it still feels different then the "classic" symptoms i.e. rapid heartrate, dizziness, nausea, headaches, etc. I have a really hard time accepting it as panic-which keeps fueling my problem. I have health anxiety, that I know for sure. I am a bit of a hypochondria....thinking I have everything I google :-)
I have read about the vagus nerve (I don't know if I am spelling or saying it right) and how lots of stuff can irritate it and can make your heart flutter. A lot of people who suffer from acid reflux, which I do, get that. They try to correlate it to PVC's, but the doctors say there is no correlation.....I don't know about that.
Yes, I can imagine the slow heart rate is no fun at all. I used to take my pulse ALL the time. I was never pleased, if it was too fast, like over 75-80 bpm I was all nerves, but if it got down to low 60's I was a nervous wreck about that :-) When I first started the BB's my hr was in the 60's, but over time it's like the BB has lost it's effectiveness-not sure. My heartrate is in the 70's-80's. My cardio wanted to put me up to 50 again but I reminded him how out of it I felt when I took that dose.
You are so right about these forums. I visit a few, one of them being the anxiety forum on here, and if it wasn't for these folk I honestly don't know what I would do. Now I must say that I do read my bible and pray A WHOLE lot which helps the most; but it also helps me reading the post and seeing that I am not the only one experiencing these problems. I used to get so depressed when this first started that I could hardly get out of bed in that a.m. I walked around real slow, my whole demeanor changed! All my friends were trying to figure out what was wrong w/me. They knew I was "sick" but did I really feel THAT bad? Well, when you don't have these things going on or you don't feel it, you don't understand. So I have tried to stop explaining to people, it's too frustrating.
My Grandmother had anxiety issues and my Mom is a CONSTANT worrier, but she doesn't have anxiety. I got my worrying from her-ugh.
You really did help me and I am grateful for it. I would LOVE to keep in touch. I hope I don't ask too many questions, it's just that I am still kind of new to this so I need all the help I can get. I hope one day I can help someone else the way you and others have helped me.
I sure hope your son feels better soon. There's nothing like having mommy to make you feel better:-)
Be blessed!
I am a conundrum for all :-) I have problems with PVC's, rapid heart rate in the form of SVT, AND s l o w heart rate when I am injured, which results in fainting (vasovagal syncope). I can pretty much tell you that my problem is more likely my autonomic nervous system than my heart. It just so happens that one controls the other, and voila...a big mess :-)
I have no brain damage, injury or deformity. In physiological terms, the parasympathetic system is concerned with conservation and restoration of energy, as it causes a reduction in heart rate and blood pressure, and facilitates digestion and absorption of nutrients, and consequently the excretion of waste products. Just so happens that for me, after a nice pump of adrenaline (due to injury, stress, anxiety or undo fear) my parasympathetic kicks in on overdrive and lowers my heart rate and bp so far that I don't get enough oxygen to my brain and I pass out cold.
I can relate to the walking in mud or glue feeling. I was on 1/2 pill of metoprolol and felt nearly comatose for a month. I'm down to 1/4 pill now, which the doctor says should have no effect on me, but it does. He has checked my heart rate and noted that it is much lower on the BB then off, so he's amazed, but he believes me.
I have anxiety issues in my family. I have had panic attacks in my life, and I have to say that they do not feel anything like PVC's or the SVT I've recently experienced. However, the cardiologist insists that the biology is similar. At least, after the initial occurrence of SVT and PVC's in the past. I'm rambling, but I'm trying to fit in as much as I can for you. See, when I first experienced PVC's I was convinced that I was going to die of heart failure. That fear caused the PVC's to become worse, which made my fear worse, which made the PVC's more frequent...and I guess you can see the spiral. I've since learned that the PVC's will not harm me, and with the exception of the periods of time when they are relentless, I am usually able to live with them and put them on the backburner. But the SVT is different and I flip out, which increases my PVC's which increases my fear, which increases my PVC's which sometimes triggers another SVT episode which sends me to the hospital in tears. And they tell me all over again to calm down, I'll be fine and it's all benign.
So, after this last bout with all of this, my Cardiologist put me on the BB's and it seems to have increased my vasovagal symptoms which is just nifty, because the only thing scarier then an overactive heart is an underactive one!!!!!
I try to laugh at myself, and read this forum a lot. It really has helped me put my situation into perspective to hear the stories and concerns of so many others. Before I found this site, I was quite literally alone, and the doctors acted like I was just a hyperchondriac.
Finally, I'm not sure it's a higher level of adrenaline that causes many of us to "feel" so many PVC's. As stated earlier, EVERYONE has these all the time, and many do not feel them. I think that has to do with the anatomy of the human experiencing the situation. When I lay on my right side, I feel them much more then on my left. I think it has more to do with the position of my heart with respect to nerve bundles then the fact that I'm having MORE or LESS PVC's. Unfortunately, when we FEEL them, our unconcious response is to release more adrenaline, which increases their frequency. THAT is our real chain to bear.
I hope I hit on some of what you might have wanted to know. My little boy is sick and home from school. I'm typing as fast as I can so I can go cuddle up with him for a few minutes. Let me know if you want to talk or if you'd like more info.
Take care.
I have no brain damage, injury or deformity. In physiological terms, the parasympathetic system is concerned with conservation and restoration of energy, as it causes a reduction in heart rate and blood pressure, and facilitates digestion and absorption of nutrients, and consequently the excretion of waste products. Just so happens that for me, after a nice pump of adrenaline (due to injury, stress, anxiety or undo fear) my parasympathetic kicks in on overdrive and lowers my heart rate and bp so far that I don't get enough oxygen to my brain and I pass out cold.
I can relate to the walking in mud or glue feeling. I was on 1/2 pill of metoprolol and felt nearly comatose for a month. I'm down to 1/4 pill now, which the doctor says should have no effect on me, but it does. He has checked my heart rate and noted that it is much lower on the BB then off, so he's amazed, but he believes me.
I have anxiety issues in my family. I have had panic attacks in my life, and I have to say that they do not feel anything like PVC's or the SVT I've recently experienced. However, the cardiologist insists that the biology is similar. At least, after the initial occurrence of SVT and PVC's in the past. I'm rambling, but I'm trying to fit in as much as I can for you. See, when I first experienced PVC's I was convinced that I was going to die of heart failure. That fear caused the PVC's to become worse, which made my fear worse, which made the PVC's more frequent...and I guess you can see the spiral. I've since learned that the PVC's will not harm me, and with the exception of the periods of time when they are relentless, I am usually able to live with them and put them on the backburner. But the SVT is different and I flip out, which increases my PVC's which increases my fear, which increases my PVC's which sometimes triggers another SVT episode which sends me to the hospital in tears. And they tell me all over again to calm down, I'll be fine and it's all benign.
So, after this last bout with all of this, my Cardiologist put me on the BB's and it seems to have increased my vasovagal symptoms which is just nifty, because the only thing scarier then an overactive heart is an underactive one!!!!!
I try to laugh at myself, and read this forum a lot. It really has helped me put my situation into perspective to hear the stories and concerns of so many others. Before I found this site, I was quite literally alone, and the doctors acted like I was just a hyperchondriac.
Finally, I'm not sure it's a higher level of adrenaline that causes many of us to "feel" so many PVC's. As stated earlier, EVERYONE has these all the time, and many do not feel them. I think that has to do with the anatomy of the human experiencing the situation. When I lay on my right side, I feel them much more then on my left. I think it has more to do with the position of my heart with respect to nerve bundles then the fact that I'm having MORE or LESS PVC's. Unfortunately, when we FEEL them, our unconcious response is to release more adrenaline, which increases their frequency. THAT is our real chain to bear.
I hope I hit on some of what you might have wanted to know. My little boy is sick and home from school. I'm typing as fast as I can so I can go cuddle up with him for a few minutes. Let me know if you want to talk or if you'd like more info.
Take care.
Wow, I must say you are an inspiration to me :-) No, I don't aspire to fall down the steps anytime soon, but the way you handle it....I love it! Here I am scared to tears of PVC'S (just started in May of this year) and feeling dizzy, etc. and I don't handle it like you do at all. I am a big baby! I have fainted before...w/my pregnancies, and it is one of the WORST feelings. So whenever I get dizzy....oooh, my memory goes way back and I get all worked up. You know, there are such conflicting reports about being anxious, etc. Some say you won't pass out but others prove them wrong. I don't want to sound like an idiot, but do you have panic along w/PVC's? I too take a beta blocker and had to have my does lowered because it was making me feel like I was walking in glue. What is it that makes our bodies kick up so much adrenaline and other people....NADA!
I love the input of humor :-). It made me laugh, as it sounds like something my husband would tell me.
I do plan to tell the doctor about the recent increase in the passing out stuff. I'm pretty sure it has to do with the beta blocker. I'm prone to vagal episodes anyway, then you lower my bp and heart rate and put me in a stressful or painful situation and BOOM...out I go.
Again...thanks to you all for the supportive words. I've found that visiting this site has greatly improved my ability to laugh at myself (regarding these "things") and to put them into the perspective that is best for me. They WILL NOT KILL ME, and there are others who understand.
Have a good day everyone!!!
I do plan to tell the doctor about the recent increase in the passing out stuff. I'm pretty sure it has to do with the beta blocker. I'm prone to vagal episodes anyway, then you lower my bp and heart rate and put me in a stressful or painful situation and BOOM...out I go.
Again...thanks to you all for the supportive words. I've found that visiting this site has greatly improved my ability to laugh at myself (regarding these "things") and to put them into the perspective that is best for me. They WILL NOT KILL ME, and there are others who understand.
Have a good day everyone!!!
Don't you hate unwittingly finding yourself wrapped up in an ill-timed drama? Ugh, been there. Glad your little one is okay, and you too. Sounds like a painful tumble. I'm also not a fan of SVT. I have a very irritable atrium.
I assume you've been through the workup for the passing out, but if the spells are increasing again I would talk to your doctor about it. Mine always says he wants to know if things change. Hope all is well. In the mean time, maybe a helmet? Hehe, just kidding ;)
I assume you've been through the workup for the passing out, but if the spells are increasing again I would talk to your doctor about it. Mine always says he wants to know if things change. Hope all is well. In the mean time, maybe a helmet? Hehe, just kidding ;)
Oh my! What a night you had! I hope the bumps didn't leave you in too much discomfort today...When I read your story, I was thinking of how Marie Osmond must have felt on Dancing With the Stars (when she fell the other night). She humbly explained how she has this "condition......"
You are not alone...we're walking right along side of you (and those of us who are not inclined to pass out, will hold you up whenever we can).
I remember when my sister was on jury duty. She interrupted the judge (YIKES!) to ask to use the restroom...He asked if she could wait a few minutes. While she would have preferred not to wait, she didn't want to make a scene. WELL, down she went and woke up on the floor looking up at paramedics! I have not passed out, but I've grabbed a few walls, railings, etc. Please try to take it easy today...After a night like that, you should just relax. It's so nice to hear that your hubby understands. I know how difficult life with "us" can be : )
Now, about "normal......" I also understand what you're saying. I am not afraid, but I sometimes just don't like to explain why some situations put me into a cardiac whirlwind...and then there's the dumb anxiety. As I said, I am not afraid, but my parasympathetic nervous feels otherwise....ho hum. Hang in there, not literally. We prefer you on two feet : )
connie
You are not alone...we're walking right along side of you (and those of us who are not inclined to pass out, will hold you up whenever we can).
I remember when my sister was on jury duty. She interrupted the judge (YIKES!) to ask to use the restroom...He asked if she could wait a few minutes. While she would have preferred not to wait, she didn't want to make a scene. WELL, down she went and woke up on the floor looking up at paramedics! I have not passed out, but I've grabbed a few walls, railings, etc. Please try to take it easy today...After a night like that, you should just relax. It's so nice to hear that your hubby understands. I know how difficult life with "us" can be : )
Now, about "normal......" I also understand what you're saying. I am not afraid, but I sometimes just don't like to explain why some situations put me into a cardiac whirlwind...and then there's the dumb anxiety. As I said, I am not afraid, but my parasympathetic nervous feels otherwise....ho hum. Hang in there, not literally. We prefer you on two feet : )
connie
Oh my goodness what a rough time!!! I'm so sorry you went through that. I had an experience like that, but farrrrrr from what happened to you. I have a 1 year old and lost footing going down stairs. More a slide down on me bum. :)
I know what you mean about being "normal". Somedays I think I do such a great job convincing myself that I do feel normal, and others I struggle to feel "okay". It's so great that you have a supportive husband. I hope you get to feeling better. Big hugs to you. :)
I know what you mean about being "normal". Somedays I think I do such a great job convincing myself that I do feel normal, and others I struggle to feel "okay". It's so great that you have a supportive husband. I hope you get to feeling better. Big hugs to you. :)
Yeah, I usually pretend too. And usually, I get away with it. Usually it's the PVC's and I've learned to deal with them well. It's the vasovagal that gets me. I haven't had this much trouble with passing out since I was in my early 20's. I think it's because of the beta blockers. It lowers my BP and HR already, then the slightest (though falling down steps isn't really "slight") injury pushes me over the edge. But the BB's are keeping the PVC's and SVT at bay. The SVT scares me a lot, and the passing out does too. I need a medium.
Just to clarify though, I'm not passing out for "no reason." I didn't pass out then fall down the steps. My daughter was scared of a mask she saw and caused me to lose my balance, then I fell, THEN I started the passing out stuff.
Thanks for the support. Hubby puts up with it, and others don't understand. I knew I'd find generous support here. I don't want "sympathy" and I don't want "fear" I like that you all have weird issues too and that you can empathize honestly when something acts up.
Have a good day...I'm resting :-)
Just to clarify though, I'm not passing out for "no reason." I didn't pass out then fall down the steps. My daughter was scared of a mask she saw and caused me to lose my balance, then I fell, THEN I started the passing out stuff.
Thanks for the support. Hubby puts up with it, and others don't understand. I knew I'd find generous support here. I don't want "sympathy" and I don't want "fear" I like that you all have weird issues too and that you can empathize honestly when something acts up.
Have a good day...I'm resting :-)
WOW-not fun! Sorry you had a bad evening. Hang in there! Hope that today is better. I have an eleven year old daughter who sometimes does the passing out thing. It is not often but still scares the he!% out of me. Doesn't really make her feel too good either...lol...I keep thinking that we'll eventually get used to it but hasn't happened yet. :) ....at least it is rare...for us anyway. Hope it is for you too.
Gosh, what a rough time you had. I guess you could say the birthday party was memorable :-p How are you feeling today? Just take it easy and give your body a break (not the kind that requires a cast). As for being normal - we can pretend. I do it all the time. Then again, I can hide my quirks better than you. I don't do tumbling acts down stairs. Please be careful.
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