PVCs and meds

[Nurse2b1982]

Hello everyone, okay so I have another question! I have noticed lately that in the evening, my PVCs bother me more, it feels like the pause before the next beat is longer than usual, feels like I have the wind knocked out of me for a second and if I get more than one, it feels terrible! usually in the evening my pulse is between 50-60. I take the extended release metoprolol 12.5 at 9am in the morning and don't understand why I would be bradycardic so many hours later? My question is: Given the fact that I had a recent holter, wouldn't they have told me if my "pauses" were too long?? Is this due to my slow HR, the meds, or is it maybe anxiety messing with me? It feels really terrible and when it's happening, I get pretty scared. Also I have to pick up my prescription today for mor metoprolol and am supposed to go up to 12.5 x2 a day. Wont this make the slow HR worse? and if so the pauses, longer? Thanks in advance for any answers/ advice! I go to the dr next week and I have a list of questions for him too:)

[Mom2four85]

another thing I've read others do is an SSRI anti anxiety med.

I took lexapro for a bit after surgery because of depression similar to PTSD where I remembered every detail of my surgery, it helped for a few weeks, but then the effects tapered down and I really didn't want to keep moving my dose up so I quit taking it.  Not the smartest move but I didn't want to be on it also for life.

[Nurse2b1982]

Thank you for the advice! I have been having some anxiety due to this new health problem so I have already been wrestling with the idea that anxiety may be worsening/causing symptoms. I will mention this to my Dr. next week and see what he thinks! Thanks, again!

[Nurse2b1982]

Thank you for your input! My BP has always been normal-slightly high so that is proably why they are not concerned with uping my dose...I never thought about that. I had a sneaking suspision that this might be some anxiety, so I thought I would talk to my Dr. about some anxiety meds to help me cope w/ this new health issue. Thanks again!

[Nurse2b1982]

Thank you Lisa! It makes me feel more at ease that others have had the same issue and it is not a big deal! I am still getting the hang of  navigating the website, so I will try to find those discussions! Thanks Again!

[Mom2four85]

yes it's a common thing - when your HR is slower to feel pvc's easier;  just like exercise is supposed to help alleviate pvc's

I've been a member here since July or Aug last year and I've seen this addressed in some other posts, so you may want to search and see if you can find them

[cindy707]

Hi read your post...i am not surprised at the feelings that you are having in your chest/heart area......PVC's as you know is just that ......a premature contraction that basically slips in between the beats.  I too may be a little concerned if your pulse rate is already a little slow but for the big issue would be the blood pressure and hopefully you are monitoring it to make sure you aren't below the normal limits.  You mg. dose is very lite and moving you into .25 a day is still considered very lite but obviously the doc feels that the current dosage that you are on is not strong enough and you are experiencing some breakthrough effects.....with the BB you are on it should not make the pauses longer because you are actually having some premature contractions all a beta blocker does is regulate your heart so that it pumps in a smoother pattern and relaxes it so it doesn't have to work as hard thus lessening the chances of PVC's slipping through.  I think maybe your mind is getting the best of you here and it sounds like your doc is bery proactive so i wouldn't be too concerned.......

[nancylr]

Sounds to me like anxiety.  Since you recently had a holter monitor with no significant  conditions, it seems as though everything is fine.  I am not familiar with the medication you are taking so I don't know if it would make your HR slow.  Believe me, though, I know how you feel because, I too, have the same feeling in my heart and there seems to be a pause before the next beat.  I also get heart palps and a fluttering feeling.  I've been to a cardiologist with a complete work up ekg, eco-cardiogram, blood work and holter monitor for two weeks and was told everything was fine and that is was probably anxiety.  Its frustating though as I can be sitting and reading and feel my heart skip, etc.  I take xanax occasionally and that seems to help.  I try to ignore it convincing myself there is nothing wrong.  Good Luck and maybe your dr. will have the answers.  Keep us posted.