PVCs that won't stop-dr. talking ablation-HELP

[zinger1960]

I was told in November that I had atrial fibrillation, now told I have PVCs instead.  I had episodes that were not that bad as far as preventing me from doing normal things.  They would come in groups, then go away for maybe 15 minutes, then come back but I would have a couple weeks where I did not have any.   Now, I have had an episode that has lasted over a week and they have been constant.  My heart will beat only 2 times normal then skip, beat 2 times then skip and on and on continuously.  I constantly feel lighthearded like I am going to pass out and it is worse when I walk or first stand up.  Also, can't do the simplest things such as getting dressed without feeling short of breath.  The dr. said this is not life threatening but a "quality of life issue".  He. wanted to schedule me for PVC ablation but I made appt with him first because I know nothing about the prodedure, short and long term effects, risks, etc.  Please help!   I don't want to have this done but I'm so scared I won't be able to do anything in my life because of feeling so bad like I am.  I was put on 110 mg Toprol XL but then it was changed to 50mg generic Lopressor twice a day.  I was on Coumadin for about 6 months but was taken off it last month and put on daily aspirin therapy.

[Wisconsin2007]

Zinger - That must be 1200 an hour or 1200 a day.  1200 a minute and you would certainly not by typing.

@smconorm - your username sounds familiar to me.  I think that's great that you had a successful ablation!  Congrats!

[smconorm]

I experienced problems similar to yours starting last October when a 24 hour Holter recorded 24,608 SVE beats in 24 hours or almost 30% of all beats.  I went through the normal treatment of Toperal and Rythmol for over six months.  The Meds helped but did not prevent the SVE, and the side effects were causing problems for me.

Thursday, July 9th, I went through the ablation procedure.  I was also scared as I have never been admitted to a hospital and have significant anxiety related with anything to do with needles.  In my case, I did not experience any pain during the procedure or afterwards.  I was awake for at least part of it and felt fine .  Following the procedure the process is to lay on your back for six hours.  I was able to manipulate the hospital bed and TV channels and time passed without a problem.  There is also the distraction of the friendly medical people constantly checking vital signs and so on.  For me the most unpleasant part was how hungry I felt ---since you are not allowed to eat or drink after midnight the night before the procedure.  

   It has been 12 days now, and so far, I have had perfect heart rhythm. I was advised to avoid heavy lifting or significant exercise for one week as there is a concern related to the proper healing of the sites where the catheters are inserted.

Last Saturday, after waiting a week I went on a 45 mile bike ride without problems. It felt great!  Obviously I am  an advocate for this procedure and would recommend you think about what it could be like without the PVC's and medication to motivate you through your fear.  I understand that my symptoms could redevelop over time and the procedure does not work the first time for many people but the potential benefits verses the hassle I feel are well worth it.

[zinger1960]

What is Bigeminy Triplets?  Is VT a fast heartbeat?  I have never had a fast heartbeat.  I am having constant PVC's...1200 a minute.  Even though the dr. said they are not life threatening, I am concerned that letting them go on like this could damage my heart.  While looking on the internet yesterday, I cam across alot of posts where people were talking about getting sick when the dr, changed their Toprol XL to generic.  I was on name brand Toprol XL for probably 10 years or more...no problems.  They changed me to generic in October and in November is when I started having the PVC's.  Has anyone heard of this causing the PVC's?

[Mom2four85]

I definitely know what you're saying.  I am in the same boat and supposed to go next week for Ablation.  I'm getting a second opinion on my med group first though and have them look over all the test results just to ease my mind.

Mine are so severe they said it can cause a heart attack before or if the surgery doesn't work or I choose not to have the surgery I can go into heart failure due to the heart weakening.

I have PVC's, VT's that just do not go away, 24/7 of every day and have had them for 6 mths to a year that I know of.  Some older EKG's show I've had pvc's for years and I have attributed them to alot of things but never my heart - I thought since I was being seen by a primary doctor they would have told me if I had problems right?

I have couplets, Bigeminy's Triplets, VT's that have made my life miserable and like you not able to breathe and I pass out.  I passed out on the stress treadmill test as it was done and standing there to get rid of the dizziness and had 5 of them in a row.

On my holter I had 54,000 extra beats, with every 3rd beat being a PVC consistently over a 24 hr period had like some crazy 51,000 bigeminy's.  Nothing wrong with my heart thankfully :)

[Bon-Bon]

It is good news that your doctor said that your condition is not life threatening.  

It is also good that you made an appointment with your doctor to learn more about the ablation procedure, any option/s, etc.  

Afterwards, I believe you will be more informed and comfortable in making your decision/s.

Blessings and Pleasant thoughts to you.