Increase in PVCs?

[dolphin8808]

So I was diagnosed with PVCs, 6months ago... Was told, no big deal in a strong heart, my Echo, EKGs and monitor were good... So I should be happy right? Did I mention I have anxiety and health anxiety at that? So since I was diagnosed I have been having more and more each day. Today I was really stressed, migraine, just lots going on and I have had 50 or so today that I have felt. According to my doctor, as long as I do not have runs of them of 30 seconds or more, have dizziness, passing out etc... then I am ok, no meds needed, just watch my caffeine. Then why is this bothering so much and scaring me? They won't hurt me they say, but OMG they scare the crap out of me :s :(

[bbxx]

sorry, I just saw that you answered.

[bbxx]

I am not sure, but I (THINK), it slows your heart rate. I know one cardioloigst told me 100% not magnesium for 2nd or 3rd degree block, but he didnt say about first degree. I am not sure about wenckebach, but please call your cardiologist before taking it.

[curmudgen]

read last paragraph on this web page -
http://www.ehow.com/list_5972973_magnesium-glycerophosphate-side-effects.html

[evitabrogo]

Can you give me a link to why no mag with heartblock? It seems to help. I have intermittent wenckebach and not seen cardio yet (another 6 weeks wait). How can mag cause harm? also have PACS (lots!) and some PVC.?

[dolphin8808]

Thanks everyone for your comments. I am sure Anxiety does play a big role, in addition to stress that we don't even realize we have. I think my fear is more "what's to come" If I had a magic ball that said, "Dani, you will have a max of 200 pvcs daily for the rest of your life and it will never turn into anything more than that" Well I would just be so happy. I really don't hear stories of them going away or getting better, that is what scares me the most. I obviously have no choice but to accept them, but some days it's easier then others. I fear the unknown and when I have big days, with 50 or more that I feel, well that doesn't do any good for my anxiety.

[merly66]

Interestingly, I have had pvc's for some years without really causing me too much worry. I would have them checked, tests would come back relatively normal. So on I would go with my usual daily life. Lately, however, I am having more and more, along with other symptoms relating to heart problems. I will be seeing a gp in the next week or so, but I do have to wonder whether my symptoms are related to the fact my mum had a heart attack (relatively mild) at 45, then a major stroke at 50 (because she didn't change her lifestyle imho). I do think anxiety plays a part, and I also think that sometimes we are not aware of that because it happened too long ago and is buried in our subconscious. Just something to think about xxx

[bbxx]

Just a reminder for those with heart block, do not take magnesium unless your doctor says to.

[bbxx]

I dont know about the anxiety connection. I dont have any anxiety until my heart does a huge flip flop and causes this strange sensation. Then I have anxiety. I guarantee if  any other human being were to be about minding their own business and then suddenly feel that, they would have anxiety right then too and for a day or so after. :)
I was actually lucky when I was about 20. The doc told me it was completely harmless, and I believed him 100%. I lived for YEARS with them and never was scared of them.
The fear of them happened after my doctor freaked out over my 24 hour holter results. (had the holter test after a near faint from some sort of svt-so they are guessing).
He said he never had a patient with so many pvcs before and couplets and bigeminy. Hes not real old, but he has been a doctor a while. (hes about 45)  Anyway, HE made me nervous, so while I waited for my cardio apt., I researched it myself and learned about the (what ifs). It was a lot easier before I found out the (sometimes this can happen).....

[IMFletcher]

Hi there - I have been off the site for a while, spending a lot of time up in cottage country, as I am fortunate to be able to work from the cottage...

I am having the same issues you are...As you know, I have suffered from PVCs off and on throughout the years, and back in January, I started having prolonged episodes, where PVCs would occur many times a minute for hours at a time!! Even several bouts of trigeminy (every third beat) and that was by far the worst!! ...Back then the thought of isolated PVCs seemed like a walk in the park....Well, now I seem to have shifted into new territory...the episodes aren't nearly as frequent, but I am felling more isolated PVCs then ever before, morning through to evening, intervals will vary...I can get only a couple per hour, or a PVC every few minutes...totally random...

I have tried every trick in the book, including a BB (metroprolol)...I believe I have investigated EVERY theory and home remedy - and - I firmly believe there is NO common trigger...I haven't had caffeine in 3 months and the PVCs seem to be worse...go figure...I exercise daily, drink lots of water, eat well...blah blah blah...no luck!!

However, the only thing I can surmise that likely unites all of us is anxiety...I am also dealing with chemo - my younger sister..it has been brutal. There are so many layers of stress in all of our lives, and we all cope in different ways. If you are prone to worry, then PVCs are the worst enemy...Once your mind starts to hyper focus on heart rhythm, PVCs/PACs, odd sensations etc, you are in for a rough ride. Some people don't take notice, and can be dismissive toward PVCs when the doctor gives them a clean bill of health...unfortunately the rest of us find it necessary to seek constant reassurance. Every PVC feels like the beginning of the end.

I am with you, and I am struggling every day to put this behind me...I wish they would stop, and I need to get control of my mind when I start to worry..Trust me - if it was a muscle twitch in my arm, I could learn to ignore it...but my heart??

If anyone has any new home remedies or coping techniques, I am always game.

Sorry for the long post - I have been away for awhile!!

[viperron]

When you read about the symtoms of low mg you have already mentioned a couple of them in you explanation,,skips, migrianes.... most people that take mg refuse to read everything they can and normally do not take enough and more often take the wrong kind. When you start the proper amount and type you will see a difference within 24 hour

[itdood]

I kinda hit rock bottom when I moved on.  It came down to either I give up or I move on.  The former isn't an option.

[dolphin8808]

Thanks for that, I will give Magnesium a shot as well. I just wonder how people cope, how they just accept them and move on. I sooo wish I could do that, not let them bother me....

[mzak69]

You're not alone. Since January, my PVCs have increased as well. I keep hearing over and over about magnesium. I am taking it now, and hoping it kicks in soon. PVCs are a problem that can only be appreciated by us who have them. To the dr's, it's benign so just live with it. Yeah right.  

I had a stressful work issue the other day and boy did I get more of them. Stress is definitely a trigger, and during periods of extreme stress I think our bodies produce chemicals that aggravate the heart into more PVCs. I've been trying to not get upset when something bad happens; easier said then done.

Hang in there and try the magnesium, maybe it will help.

[achillea]

There are mental & physical exercises you can do that *may* help; these are described in a very nice little old book by Dr. Claire Weekes, "Hope and Help for Your Nerves," in which she specifically addresses ectopic beats in their relationship to stress, anxiety, and so on.  That part of the book is really quite good, and I recommend it to you.  

Personally, I have not found the exercises to be useful, though they could probably help some people.  My approach to benign PVCs worsened by anxiety is to see a doc who specializes in treating the aforementioned anxiety.  I have found anti-anxiety medications (specifically SSRI antidepressants) to be remarkably successful with this problem.  

[dolphin8808]

I need to find some stress release I guess. Its like my body is telling me that, but when I got that big increase in PVCs, it makes me want to be a hermit. Not do anything that would provoke them....  I didn't realize though that stress could make them worse.

[itdood]

absotively.  You've got TONS of life events going on, about everything that can be going on!

[dolphin8808]

Yes that is true, I have lots of stress, my Father is going through Chemo, my mom is about to move out of state, my job is about to relocate, money is tight and I stress myself with health anixety. I make things worse I know. And I guess that can contribute to PVCs?

[itdood]

Sorry to hear you are going through it.  Sometimes the anxiety is coming from other places too and we just don't realize it.  One of the things I did was to get a new job closer to home.  I was incredibly scared to make the move.  It really did help my stress level.  Here I thought I was managing it well...