How do you live with your arrythmia

[Carey01]

I would love to know how everyone carries on with their arrythmia's.  I have PVC/PAC's, I have had a couple episodes of A Fib, and I have SVT from time to time.  I also have HBP that soars when I have any of the episodes listed.  My problem is ... how do I live?  Ive basically become a person who ONLY goes to work and comes home to lay down and wait for the next episode.  I have tried seeing a therapist which hasnt really helped and I take a 1/2 Xanax when i get myself too worked up.  I am on the brink of divorce because my husband doesnt understand and isnt supportive.  I just cant figure out how to continue living life when Im always around the corner of a miserable episode. And it seems like every year I get older, another rhythm issue shows up.  Would really appreciate some advice.  Thanks      

[merileegal]

To sonny and carey: The more you know, the less threatening they are. The less threatening they are, the less you'll have them because the level of stress will diminish about them. Wish you both well.

[sonny372]

Hi Carey. I am in the same position as you. I have had numerous tests and checkups and just recentley a stress test treadmill that was fine. Even went to the Cleveland Clinic last year, however I still can not seem to cope with the fear of my arrythmias. I am always anticipating the next event and saying, will it be one where i need help. I can not enjoy life. My spouse to is unsupportive and I am driving her crazy with it. I can not eat in many restraunts because of the salt content, I can not be around household chemicals, I have to have at least 6 hours uninterupted sleep and it affects us. I have had to leave work a few times and been carted away in an ambulance from work before. I do not have an answer for you obviously here, but just wanted to sympathize with what your going through, because many of us here think and do the same things, but some have learned to deal with it better than others.

[Mom2four85]

I've had some type of arrhythmia and fainting episodes since I was 9.  When I complained to drs or was taken to the dr for fainting hurting myself from the falls, I was told it was nothing and just ignored all this and lived my life.  If i fainted I just got back up and went on because I really believe nothing was wrong; if I felt my heart "stopping" I just waited until it was done, rested then went on.

I walked, ran, played with my kids, went to Disney every weekend, museums, parks, work, kids school stuff...I even push mowed the yard in the 100 degree weather, dug ditches, fixed a roof... you get the picture, I never let anything bother me.

2 years ago my life changed dramatically and something happened they don't have any explanations for.  My increasing arrhythmia's turned deadly and I've been through every test imaginable with no answers just probabilities.

I had to have a pacemaker/defibrillator implanted due to polymorphic VT runs and they found my heart stops when I faint.  Oh how I wish I had never gone to the dr; my life was ruined by the ablation and my dr triggering PVT 3 times which caused my heart to stop and left me with all over body damage.  If I had died, at least I would have died happy and healthy in our minds.

I would stop worrying, live your life like nothing's wrong and enjoy every minute you have; because as worrisome as arrhythmia's are; you're spending precious energy that you could be doing something else.  

If I could turn back the clock, I would do it and live with those 50,000 pvc's and other stuff I was going through and consider myself lucky.

[merileegal]

Bbxx head it right on the head. Don't let these rule your life. I have PACs everyday and I choose not to let them interfere with living life. They've done some good things for me like making better food choices. I try to eat healthier and stay away from things I know are triggers. There is a lot you can do to take control of them rather than them controlling you.

[Mikew904]

Hi Carey,
I've become a little "obsessive" about mine for the last month or so,
that's how I found this Site!  
Prior to that, I boycotted the medical community and just quit listening to them
(I really showed them) I figured I'd live my life, and hoped for the best.

I'm back trying to take care the the stuff, never know what they'll come up with next.  
I'm tired and stressed, although I think many people are (even without medical stuff going on)  I get home from work and I'm not as active as I'd like to be, as my work takes a lot out of me, alway's on the go and under pressure to increase sales (mostly self inflicted)
I just have the PVC's, and they currently have a defibulator and battery pack strapped to me 24/7 (kind of limits the ablility to take up ballroom dancing)
But this weekend I rebelled again, unstrapped it and hopped in the boat and went fishing!
(I'm in Florida, It's hot with metal paddles strapped to your chest and back)
I've had these PVCs for years, they continue to provide incorrect diagnosis which doesn't phase me much, I have no idea what it next, internal defib, pacemaker, who knows?
Just needs to hobbies away from this stuff, fishing is one (dancing won't be the other one)
Sorry about you situation at home, live your life and have fun, work with what you got.
Have a great week!

[Jerry_NJ]

Sorry you are having such a trough time and I know we are all "pulling" for you to get a grip on dealing with your condition.  If your doctors can't come up with something that really helps, then it is all in your hands.  I do read that you deal with them at work, which gives you some indication of what to do at home to reduce the problem, or deal with the problem(s).  

You didn't mention, or did I not read correctly?, heart medications you are taking.  You said HBP, so I assume you are already on a beta blocker.  If not, I think you should discuss with your doctor.

Wishing you some comfort,

[dolphin8808]

I understand your fear and frustration. I was diagnosed with PVCs 9 months ago. Scared the crap out of me and have since. I have good  days and bad when when I have days with a high number of them, it's like starting all over. Sometimes  they just tick me off, I think "why me" etc...  But think, sooo many people have hearts that beat funny. But many are  lucky in not feeling, noticing or caring. I was so obsessed with my heart beats that I developed very site specific "heart" pain on the left side of my chest. All of my docs say it was psychosomatic and since then, it has gotten better. I am on an antidepressant and have Xanax if need be. I still feel them, everyday... but they do not bother me as much as they once did. I think the fear of "what could they turn into" gets me the most. I am so scared of them developing into VT etc...  But the EP told me the chances of that are very very low.

Its about acceptance.  You will always know you have funky beats. But it's about trusting your heart enough to know it will recover. Take care of yourself physically, it allows you to feel a bit of control over the situation. Exercise for me helps to decrease them I think. It also helps to reduce the anxiety and stress (which contribute to them as well).

[Carey01]

I am distracted at work.  Yes I feel them and they still show up and a few times Ive had to leave work because of them but after dealing with stress, work and heart stuff all day, I come home truly exhausted.  For now I feel like im not living -- just existing.

[jimbeau]

If a cardiologist tells you that your condition will not harm you ( as they have told me about my pvc's and svt  and afib) believe them. You have to  learn to ignore irregular heart rythmns that are not dangerous or your life will be miserable. How do you feel you at work? I have found that the more active I am the easier it is to ignore the pvc's. Laying in bed counting heartbeats is definitely not the way to go. Don't let anticipation of a problem rob you of life. Good Luck.

[curmudgen]

Did I read your post correctly?  You come home and wait for an episode to occur? Nothing at work?  Is there any way you can occupy your self when you come home so as to not think of having episodes.   From your comments,  I suspect there are deeper issues at home that need solving. Hope you can get the help you need.

[bbxx]

Hey there...that is the question isnt it?
I guess live...is  what it all boils down to. If we are just anticipating in fear, the next episode, then we are not living are we? This (thing) is winning. What is it that give this thing so much power? The fear of death has to be why it has so much power.
We may as well be dead if we are going to be tossed around in fear constantly. Thats how I see it and I have had enough.  I am going full force head long in to praying and asking God to heal me and until then, to show me what I need to see in his word to get rid of the fear once and for all.....This is my plan of action. lol