PVCs are ruining my life

[jazzmynn]

I have had the feeling of my heart jumping or an extra beat for 30 years.

This caused me to be on several holter monitors, have EKG's and other heart tests.
Doctors tell me I'm fine and that everyone gets these.

The problem is that when it happens, it causes a feeling of panic along with it.
Recently during two social get togethers, I had one episode of this after another and started to cry.
My doctor tells me it's nothing to worry about, but they are happening more often lately.

I heard magnesium helps, but what helps you?

[Mom2four85]

sorry didnt mean to sound callous :P  I'm cutting out coffee and down to 1 cup arrgg :)

I've had continuous (24/7) pvc's for so long I can't remember - I know 2 1/2 years ago they were caught on EKG's as bigeminy/trigeminy.  I've been told nothing was wrong since 2004 because nothing was caught on my ekg at that time.

I've had CP, SOB, fainting, dizziness since I was 9 - finally last year at age 42 I found out that I have a malignant form of pvc's and autonomic nervous system dysfuntion/failure; along with some other stuff.  I developed non ischemic cardiomyopathy from pvc's and how long they were ignored; ignored not only by drs but by me because drs convined me "nothing" was wrong.

I had an ablation in Aug 09 on the lower back thin outside part of the heart and had to have a pacemaker/icd implanted, pvc's went away for a bit, pac's replaced them and then these dreaded things returned.  I don't suffer nearly as bad as I did before surgery, but they're increasing again and my EP told me in Dec I would need another ablation - but that's not going to happen my first EPS was enough for me.  I have VTach episodes that scare me completely and make me wonder if I'm going to get shocked from my icd and I am scared that one day the increasing problems will make my heart finally give out.

Whether you're suffering 1 or 50,000+ pvc's they're no fun to deal with and can be very scary.  You have to learn to be cautious of them but not obsessed by them - don't let them ruin your life.  Keep a journal (try the heart rhythm tracker here  it's easy), dates - what happened - bp/hr - what you were doing at the time.  Try to find what your specific triggers are and eliminate them/avoid them and def get a full blood workup to see if any blood levels are off.

[oz7]

I am right there with you, it rules my life, I've had them for over 26 years, a good day is when I have a couple a bad, like now, is when they come continuously.  It's really hard to handle, I've tried de-stressing, walking, ignoring, it's hard to do I so understand what you're feeling....I don't understand why some of us are burdened with this and others don't have a clue what we're dealing with...find peace I guess in knowing you're not alone and we can all chat this way.

[Mom2four85]

for panic & anxiety if natural things aren't helping you deal with pvc's/pac's then you may want to ask your dr for an anti anxiety med to see if it helps

you can rule your pvc's or you can let them rule your life - the choice is yours; I tell myself that on a daily basis and I have some weird stuff going on in my system :P

[jpek]

Hi,

I have been suffering for several months.  This is all new since October 2009.  You say you have had panic issues.  Me too.  The only relief I have got came from stress treatment.  Are you under stress ?  I have been without PVC for 2 full weeks, and felt good until I experienced severe stress at work.  Here is what worked for me.  I went to an accupuncturist.  He gave me Chineese herbs (some kind of baked licorise) and needle treatments.  I quickly discovered that laying down for half and hour listening to soft music was a huge benefit.  I am not sure how much the needles helped, but I am continuing treatment, and make it a practice to lay down for half and hour everyday after work.  I dont move and listen to soft music.  I know this sounds very simplistic, but if you are experiencing any stress this could help.  
I hope you fell better,
jk

[jondsam]

Well there are certainly things that can help pvc's but usually when the pvc's decide they like their new home, they are there to stay.  Once PVC's always pvc's.  I would just ignore it and go on with your life.  That is what I do, I have had them for years.  I have treid many different supplements and they seem to do a bit of good but never a cure.  Good luck