PAC problem

[TedCa]

For several weeks, I have been experiencing "fluttering" in my chest that lasts many hours per day. My cardiologist says it is PAC and harmless. EKG, echocardiogram, Holter monitor, blood work all within normal limits. But the fluttering is driving me crazy. If it lasts several hours each day, will it wear down my heart and damage it? My cardiologist says it's due to stress. In fact, if I take a single xanax, the symptoms will disappear within 10 minutes and I'll get 5-6 hours of peace. However, I don't want to develop a drug habit. What are my alternatives?

[tsco]

I agree with Thineline, if something helps go with it.  I was stuck in constant PACs, non-stop, one beat after another.  They will not hurt you my Doc also said but the problem was they were driving me so crazy I was going to hurt myself.  I started on flecainide and they reduced.  Still have 10 or so a day but not every beat.  I probably should have tried the Xanax because the heart meds give me other side effects.  I have a lot of anxiety with them.  Try to minimize your anxiety.
You know I have asked my doctors before if they say anxiety is the problem then why don't they treat the anxiety instead of altering my heart function?    A cardiologist doesn't seem interested in that way of thinking...go figure.

[Thinline]

I know lots of people will disagree with me, but what is so wrong with taking the Xanax for a short while, unless you have a problem with substance abuse, which seeing how concerned you are about getting addicted to Xanax, I doubt you have.  If your symptoms disappear when you are on the Xanax then you know that your problems are not caused by a heart issue, they are caused by an anxiety problem.  Once you have established the cause of the problem, then you can go to a doctor who can treat you, whether it be a cardiologist, psychiatrist, or psychologist.  I’d take the Xanax.