PVCs and PACs

My PVCs and PACs started during pregnancy. Its been sixteen years and I still have them. However, I get a couple a day but I do get episodes that last hours and hours.  When that happens, I panic thinking it will not go back to its original beating.  I see my cardiologist year after year and he states there is nothing wrong with the heart. I do believe him, he is a excellent electrophysiologist. I just don't know what to think or do when I repeatedly get them. I was prescribed Xanax for those difficult days.  What are your thoughts?

[IMFletcher]

Hi -  haven't been on this site very frequently over the summer, but just tuned back in today as I had a brutal episode this morning, where the PVCs were coming every few beats steady for almost 2 hours...I called my family doctor - he said I was welcome to come for an ECG to record the episode, but literally 5 minutes before I arrived, the episode stopped cold....

I have been dealing with the bad episodes since December 2010, and never had to deal with them in the past. I used to suffer only occasional PVCs that would come and go, and any episodes would rarely last for more then a few minutes.

I have absolutely no answers as to what the triggers are, or how to stop them from happening. I do believe that staying calm during an episode will likely help curtail the sensations, and possibly shorten the duration. However, despite all the reassurances from doctors, my cardiologist, and many on this site, I still have a very hard time dealing with the PVCs...the sensations are really awful, and disruptive. Episodes that last for hours at a time are extremely frustrating, and it is hard to stay focused on work, family, or anything for that matter.

It all comes down to acceptance. Understanding that we are not at risk, and learning how to cope with the bad days/episodes. It is a constant struggle, and I wish I could discover the triggers, or identify some possible solutions.

Best of luck to you, I know exactly how you are feeling.

TM

[Sherry1964]

Hi, thank you so much for your reply. Knowing that others have them are somewhat reassuring. Though when happening is a completely different story... I agree with you in regard to acceptance and I have accepted them.  When they last for hours is when I start to panic, I have not yet been able to accept them but I am working on it...  Please keep in touch and e-mail if your having a bad day.  ***@****       I too have a family and its hard, they do not really understand though they try.  

Best of luck to you too!

sl

[curmudgen]

You described my symptoms exactly - been there done that - I never know how long the episodes will last and try to focus on the good days to reduce anxiety.  Just wish my doctor could appreciate the doom and gloom feeling the skipped beats cause.

[IMFletcher]

Today I was at my 10 year old son's pre season hockey training camp...I am on the coaching staff, but thought I would have to leave.... I was standing outside, beautiful morning, and WHAM - just hits me like a slap in the face...a bad episode, while I was standing with some other parents - I feared I was going down for the count...

It is so random, and they stop as quickly as they start...very frustrating...

How long are your bad episodes? Do you have isolated PVCs throughout the day as well? I hadn't had a bad episode in a few months, just daily PVCs off and on, one at a time...but today was awful. I always fear that the episode won't stop, and I will be struggling for days/weeks/months with the PVCs every few beats...that would not be tolerable...

I am seeing my cardiologist Wednesday for a follow up...sad to say it, but I am looking forward to speaking with him...how strange is that!?! There is no such thing as too much reassurance...

[saimon282]

Hi everyone, i have pvcs  everyday and every minute for the past month.  i have been on the cardiologist, and they keep saying is nothing too worry, and she put me on medication i did for two days and did not helped so i call her again and she told me to stop it.  Is causing a lot of anxiety in me, and i have to see her in two weeks to see what is going on. have any one have them for that long? i know they come and goes, but this time is taking so long and is scared

[curmudgen]

I don't think the length of the episode is my real concern.  It is when my heart pauses every other beat for 5-6 beats then switches to every second beat, then resumes a " normal " rhythm for a minute or so and then the cycle repeats itself. This pattern could last for hours.  What I can't determine is why I can have 4-6 hours of normal rhythm (not complaining) and then as you mentioned, out of nowhere they start.  Some days the episodes are few and far between and other days more frequent. I can even tell when they are going to start - get a heavy feeling in my chest and pressure below my sternum.   My latest concern is that I tend to rely on a sleep aid in order to relax at night. The only other option that I've discussed with my doctor is that my episodes have an anxiety component.  Both my PC and cardiologist agreed that ablation at this point is not appropriate.  There are times that I wish that they would find something wrong so it could be treated...  

[jkfrench]

Hi Sherry, I also have had managable pvc and pacs, plus pat most of my life.  Last October my pvc''s started up and as everyone else commented on this thread, were non stop for hours.  They would start up in the late morning and go throughout the afternoon.  pvc every 3 beats, then every 5 beats, then maybe every 20 beats and so on.  Sometimes double beats that I think were pacs were also joining the pvcs.  Sometimes, horrible pauses that scared me so much.  I have had test after test and see my cardiologist every year.  He also decided to perscribe xanax (.025 mg broken in half) .  I hesitated to take it for months.  Finally I decided that I would try it and I started taking 1/4 of a 25 mg of atenolol (beta blocker) in the morning along with 1/2 of the .025 xanax.  Then I took another 1/4 of the atenolol with the other half of the xanax in the afternoon, then 1/4 of atenolol before bed.  After a few weeks, I noticed that I wasn't as anxious about the pvc's which allowed them to decrease to a managable amount, which broke the cycle of fear.  My doctor assured me that .025mg once a day of the xanax wouldn't hurt me.  It really helps.  That was about 2 months ago.  I think breaking the atenolol up also helps.  If I took 1/2, it slowed my heart too much and the pvc's would feel even worse.  I am now down to just taking the 1/2 of the .025 xanax in the morning and I plan to stop that in a few weeks.  For me, that did the trick.    Try not to worry.   I know it is hard.  These forums are great, but if you read too much looking for answers, they can do more harm than good.  Try to believe what your doctors tell you.  That is what is most important!
Jodie

[Sherry1964]

Hi Guys, again thank you for your responses, it sure does help. As for Jkfrench, you are absolutely right regarding anti-anxiety medicine. I have been takling Paxil 20 mg. and that has helped sooooo much over the last 10+ years. When I get the isolated ireegular beats now, I can continue my day. However, it is those EPISODE events that happen every once in a while that puts me into the PANIC, FEAR mode.  My doctor just gave me Xanax when those EPISODES happen so I feel I have a security blanket even though it SCARES me.  IMFletcher, are you on any medications?  Good luck at the doctor's today. Let us know....  
Saimon 282, hang in there dear!  Some things I have tried in the past, is bearing down, a cold splash of water in the face, sitting up somewhat when going to bed, a tight hug from someone, and I have noticed once I stand still, I feel them more so I take a short walk or just keep moving because if I stand still or lay down, I feel them so MUCH!!  Have a good day everyone, we'll talk later.

[dmacd74]

This is a great thread, I can relate to it all.  JK, as you know, I sometimes take a half of klonopin, and it has helped so much.  I have had pvcs every day now since July 5th!!!  I have gotten them to subside once and a while during the day, but they keep torturing me.  Curmudgen, your symptoms are most like mine.  Used to be mine came on with exercise.  This summer they have done the old switcheroo on me - if I exercise they leave me alone, but if I slow down they start.  Damn buggers!

[dolphin8808]

Can relate to everyone on this post. Xanax helps me as well but I am still waiting for that magic pill that makes them go away for good :)

[Sherry1964]

I hear ya! I was hoping this link was going to tell me about the "magic pill."   However, when I started taking Paxil 20 milligrams they went away for a very long time.  I am now on a diabetes medicine and that is MAYBE a contributing factor to me getting them more often.  I don't know anymore... I just take it day by day....  Hang in there!!!

[viperron]

Try Natural Calm, mix 1 teaspoonful in hot water , put it in a plastic soda bottle, fill with cold water and sip thru out the day, I take it 3 to 4 times a day, every day and it's helped me by about 90%. I do not sell Natural Calm,,, I don't know of anyone that does however after many years of no help from doctors I finally found that magic bullet. I believe it would help over 50% of the people on this site except I don't have DR. in front of my name and I'm not a big PHARM house trying to make big bucks on you so almost no one listens. I do believe that eventually several of you will try it and when you do you will kick yourself for not doing it sooner....I admit you have to experiment with the dosage etc. but when you find it you will be amazed. JUST DO IT...I also take a pinch of xanax once in a great while but just by carrying it with me I feel much Safer, I know Safer sounds like a dumb statement however it's my security blanket. Good luck and take time to read about MAGNESIUM

[bbxx]

curmudgen...I too get that
dmac..yes
jkfrench...the LONG pauses like where you suddenly just feel you rheart STOPS for WAAAAY to long..yes

Soooooo so so so many pvcs...a few pacs....the doubles are the worst!
Pairs of PVCs or PAcs....yikes...

[bbxx]

ps...I am on a monitor right now...and I forgot to say that its so scary when they feel differntly and then too...here I am on the monitor and I call in a double (just to be sure) and I know I have a LOT of pvcs....so I hear the
beat PVC beat PVC beat beat PVC beat PVC beat beat beat beat beat PVC
and this goes on, but then I hear some I never felt.
all strange....too bad we didnt feel any of them!

[Sherry1964]

The monitor will definitely pick them buggers up!  Keep in touch, let us know the results...
Good luck!!!

[dolphin8808]

I think if we all could get away with not feeling any of them... We could accept them so much easier! lol At least I know I could, they wouldn't bother me a bit :)
Please keep us updated, let us know how you are doing!

[bbxx]

Well, I only have another few days to go..and i have not had another faint. Sooo its not getting anything new.