PVC??

[SamuelS]

I've been having a PVC since March of this year. In May, I had a holter monitor, EKG, and echo, and all findings were normal. Lately, I have been having many neurological symptoms as well, plus my PVC has gotten worse. I now notice it even when I am exercising, and I have had coupling. My question is, what neurological disorders could cause heart palpitations? I know these symptoms are all related, I'm a 20 year old male and I was completely healthy until about 4 months ago. I'm being tested for Lyme disease right now. Obviously, I know that the coupling is not a good sign. If I do have Lyme, and I am treated and cured, will my PVC stop? Or, would the damage be permanent?

[dolfnlvr]

First of all, the PVC's are not caused by damage to the heart muscle.  The heart muscle can be 100% normal and you can still have PVC's.  PVC's are caused when cells in your heart that do not normally send electrical signals that cause a muscle contraction do so causing your heart to beat prematurely.  This "hiccup" is completely benign, but can be a symptom of more serious issues.  Many of us have PVC's that are not connected to anything serious, and the hiccups come and go.....reassuringly, they cause no damage and are not at all dangerous.  However, when you first begin to experience PVC's, doctors run a battery of tests to determine whether your symptoms are being caused by other factors, like Lyme disease, thyroid problems, electrolyte imbalances, heart damage etc.
     You've been placed on a holter monitor and the only observable cardiac "abnormality" was the PVC's.  This is good. That indicates that heart damage is not the issue.  Though doctors often request blood work and a stress test to be sure.
     The fact that your doctor, and you, suspect Lyme disease indicates that you are experiencing some other symptoms that point in that direction (arthritis type symptoms, ephasia--having a hard time finding the words for things, visual difficulty, dizziness, vertigo etc. to name a few).  If this is the finding, then you will be put on a regimine of high powered antibiotics for as much as 8 weeks and you will be monitored for quite a while after that to ensure that the damage to your systems is minimal.  Usually, if caught relatively early, the damage from Lyme disease is minimal.  So far, there has been no cardiac damage (as I said, the PVC's are not damaging) and so treatment should prevent damage from occurring.

    Just be sure to finish ALL OF YOUR TREATMENT if and when you are placed on an antibiotic regimine.

Good luck,

[SamuelS]

Thank-you!

[SamuelS]

If I may ask one more question --

When my cardiologist was examining my ultrasound, him and the tech made a comment about "cusping," and immediately wrote it off as due to my muscular build. I didn't ask them what they meant by that because they seemed to believe it was nothing to worry about, and my mind didn't want to consider the possibility that it was something serious.

However, looking back on it now I'm curious if that was some possible foreshadowing into the continuing problems?

My questions are: 1. What exactly is 'cusping'? and 2. Could it have been due to something other than my build?

[RNRita]

Cusping is a pointed or rounded triangulation on the flap of a heart valve.  I had to look it up.  In all my years, I've never heard the term used and don't think it has much value in your case.  

[dolfnlvr]

And if I may add, RNRita is a nurse who deals with cardiology on a daily basis.  At least if memory serves that's what she does, so when she offers this type of advice, she has some backing!!!  :-)

[upbeat633]

Please let us know if the titers from your blood work come back positive for lyme disease.

I have had other people ask me whether or not an arrythmia and lyme disease could be connected.

But as dolfnlvr pointed out, you would probably have other symptoms associated with lyme disease primary of which could joint pain and fatigue. Do you remember a specific exposure (tick bite)?

[SamuelS]

The test results came back negative for Lyme disease. I have not been noticed any palpitations since the night I made the first post.

I am completely stumped as to what's wrong with. Does anyone have any ideas? I'm in a lot of pain right now..

Symptoms, in order of appearance (started about 6 weeks ago:)

Fatigue, Tingling/Numbness in Legs, Muscle Weakness, Soreness in Legs, Erectile dysfunction (I'm 21 years old..), Soreness in Muscles, Cramps, Muscle Spasms/Twitches

All the symptoms above stopped. Then these began:

Headache, Aching Legs, Sore Ribs, Chest Pain, Back Pain, Body Aches, Chills,
Heart Palpitations..

[upbeat633]

Are you working with a neurologist or general family practioner? It's interesting you were being worked up for possible lyme disease. You must have noticed an insect/tick bite, most doctors don't usually do blood work for that unless you knew you were exposed/bitten (even though some people never knew they were bitten in the first place and your symptoms do seem consistent with something systemic since it's full body).

However, your first set of symptoms almost sound like a disc problem. Have you had any trauma, or when you exercise do you do so vigoursly with weights? Did your doctor recommend xrays or MRI to rule out any spinal involvement?

I hope that your doctor can form a diagnosis for you soon. In my own experience with pvcs I've not had any of the muscular or sensation changes you've noted. I do not think that is a commom occurrence for those of us who have pvcs/pacs, although other posters on this forum may.

[SamuelS]

Well, I went to see my regular GP about a month ago when I was only experiencing numbness/weakness. She ruled out ALS and that was about it. I haven't been to a doctor since then. The Lyme disease was my idea..I know, I'm a brilliant diagnostician.

I'm going back to my GP on Wednesday to talk to her, and I've also got an appointment with a neurologist on Thursday.  

[SamuelS]

Tonight I'm trying a new painkiller called Crown Royal. Time to see if it works!

[dolfnlvr]

You know what though?  Blood tests for Lyme disease are only about 50% accurate.  They can run a titer, and do an ELISA test, but sometimes, if the bacteria is "hiding" it can still go undetected.  Ask if your doctor would be willing to run a urinalysis with PCR for Lyme disease.  If you live in an area that is prone to Lyme then you may want to continue the follow-up.

[RT273]

Lol, don't think the Crown Royal will help much. Are you getting any other kind of irregular beats? Like faster than should be, not just skips. Regardless, I agree with dolfnlvr, get tested again just to be certain. You've definitely got something, and probably something bacterial. Maybe mono? I'm just talking out my *** there, truth be told, I only know about rhythm stuff. Good luck!

[SamuelS]

Well, I had a whole new set of tests today including some STDs, kidney function, and another test for Lyme. She claims the titers should be able to detect it even due to past activity of the bacteria?

She also had another test performed, I believe she called it an "ecg", that should detect an infection in general. Not any type of specific infection, but whether or not my body is fighting something. I still have the neurologist appointment tomorrow.

Today I am actually feeling a lot better than I have been for the past week or so. Not fully back to my old self, but getting there. My doctor said I may be suffering from stress, whether conscious or not, but I don't really buy that. I think people just look at a seemingly healthy 21 year old and their first instinct is to believe that nothing is really wrong.

Hopefully I'll get some answers soon. I really appreciate the help that everyone has offered here.

[SamuelS]

I had a "tripling" PVC last night when I was exercising. But I'm still alive!

[SamuelS]

OK well I went to see the neurologist today. He said he thought it sounded like I have a virus. He prescribed me some anti-viral medication (Tamiflu) and a painkiller (naproxen). I have an MRI of my brain and spine scheduled for tomorrow morning. He said to let him know when my blood work came back.

I don't feel like I need to take the naproxen, since I am not in pain anymore, but the directions say take twice daily for a week and after that take as needed. I am wondering if he prescribed it primarily for muscle inflammation rather than pain? What do you guys think?

I did not notice my PVC today. I kept my pulse about 150 bpm on my bike and it never happened. I could feel something in my chest, but it wasn't my heart. I think a lot of the time I get worked up about it for no reason.

[RT273]

I'd keep up with the meds, even if you don't feel like you need them. Just a good idea.

As for exercising, you've got the right idea: don't get your heart going too fast. The more electrical activity, the greater the chance you'll heart will get off beat. The 'tripling PVC' you mentioned getting, was it like your heart would go - /, - /, -///, -///, -///, - / ? I've had that before, but it cleared up on it's own. Probably won't for you :(

Just remember that if you get them while exercising, you need to cool down rather than stop altogether. I got an attack of them while doing laps up and down a stairwell, just stopped running, and it was three hours before my heart stopped flopping around. I got another attack while jogging, slowed to a stop, and they subsided.

[SamuelS]

No man, tripling like beatbeat pause beat, beatbeat pause beat, beatbeat pause beat. I have not had any other palpitations since then, thought, and I have exercised every day. The whole left side of my boy aches. The left side of my chest, my left arm, and the left side of my rib cage all ache. Is there any chance this is heart related? Does anyone know what kind of illness would affect the left side of my body like this? My neurologist said it sounded like some sort of virus to him, and prescribed me Tamiflu and naproxen, but it's been two days and after an intial improvement, I am hurting again. The pain is unbearable, but it is bad enough that it is affecting the quality of my life. Please, if anyone has any ideas I would love to hear them. My GP suggested stress, but I am not buying that,

[RT273]

Whoa. Ask for heart tests. A lot of them. Anyone that you can afford. Is the pain a sort of crushing feeling? Especially if it's traveling, it points to the heart. Your doctor might be reluctant because it doesn't make sense that a 21 yr old would have a heart problem, but it does sound heart related. Have you had any kind of injury to a limb within the past two or three years? Something major, like a breakage. Sometimes clots can form there and travel.

[SamuelS]

No, I haven't. What do you mean by the traveling pain? My left side stopped hurting. It went from my ribcage and back to my left arm, and now my legs. I've been taking 1000 mg of naproxen a day. What kind of a problem could this be?

[SamuelS]

And no, I haven't had any sort of major injury to a limb.

[Lynn63]

You might want to check out the forum (at this site) on Dysautonomia.... might find some answers there.  POTS and other dysautonomia types have some of your symptoms.  Good luck:)

[manny777]

Hi Samuel, pvc's would give us alot of symptoms at different times, it would give you chest pain, leg pain, arm pain, dizzyness, nauceaus, etc.
your best bet would be to send RNRita an email and tell her your symptoms, she is a cardiac registered nurce (RN), very knowledgeable and smart.

I hope this helps.

[RT273]

As for the 'traveling pain,' truth be told i don't know what it feels like. If the pain in your chest feels sort of crushing, like a weight is on your chest, then you should care about my suggestion; if not, it's likely something else. Lynn and mannys' suggestions are both great ideas, though. I'd look into them.

[SamuelS]

It's not a crushing pain brother, it's more of an ache. You know how your whole body hurts when you get the flu? This is like that, except instead of my whole body it flows around, only affecting certain areas at one time -- my back, legs, chest, or arm. Still waiting on my neurologist to tell me something, but he's out of town this week.

[SamuelS]

Vomiting this morning...

[RT273]

Whoa. That's rough.... Yeah, I'm out of ideas. Definitely sounds viral, though. Sorry to hear it.