The LINGO (and a question about SSRI's)

[sinead]

Hello again,

I am wondering what all these acronyms mean & more importantly what they FEEL like physically expressed, ie: SVT, PAC, PVC's etc... Are these things (or others) what make the skips group together, get erratic, last for longer periods, etc...) I read about them all the time here & sometimes they sound familiar to my situation... I do try to look around & figure these things out online, but I never get a clearer understanding, than I do from some of the great veterans here.  thanks you guys :)

I am also wondering if anyone here has successfully found an SSRI that helped with their anxiety.  I took Effexor a few years ago (which is considered a "stimulating" like prozac) & it made me so much more anxious.  Weening of that hellish drug was a nightmare that took a year & I didn't even have PVC's back then...  I am leery of taking another SSRI but am starting to feel that maybe I need to.... my life & mood needs to improve really badly!

I have heard that there are more sedating SSRI's like Celexa, Lexapro & Zoloft . I would really appreciate input from ppl who take them & also  *know about palps* because they are the main reason why I am so scared to take SSRI's & potentially make these skips & thumps worse.  Has anyone found something less "stimualting" that has helped them? If so... what?

thanx :)

[sinead]

Thanks very much. That is exactly what I am afraid of... making these damned things worse.  I'm glad you found something that is working for you Brooke.  Take care  :)

[Brookia05]

Hello there,
I started taking Lexapro about three years ago and to me, I think it's a great SSRI. BUT since then I have had palpitations, and I have never had them before, so after an echo, a Holter and a visit to the Cardiologist, everything looks fine and normal. So I am thinking that Lexapro is the cause of my PVC's. The meds may not make everyone have them, but they sure do with me. Ask your doctor about all kinds of SSRI's and unfortunately you may need to try a few before you find one that works just for you. I hope this helps, and take excellent care of yourself.

Brooke

[Momto3]

pvcqueen....Yep, I agree that Xanax can be addictive.  The first time the doc put me on it (10 or so years ago), he wanted me to take 1-2 pills twice a day every day.  That seemed like a lot (I'm kind of a pill phob...lol) so I started with 1/2 - 1 per day.  It didn't take long before that didn't work (like 2 weeks!) and then I needed more.  I increased the dose a little and the same thing happened.  That's when I stopped taking it...scared me big time!!

The second time it was suggested, I talked with the doctor about taking it only as needed and that has worked GREAT!  I've used it for  7-8 years that way, and only need it now and again.  But, it's like an American Express card - there when I need it : 0

Now, about that phonebooth...LOL!!  

Thanks for the nice comments Sinead.  It's just that a lot of us have been there, done that and we really do understand the anxiety.  But, I gotta tell ya once you've kicked the anxiety in the @##, you'll feel so much better.  Then, you'll be helping the newbies.  Hang in there.  Enjoy the day!

Connie

[sinead]

Momto3: thanks for all that info!  you also helped me back in the winter with your kind advice, when these damned flops first hit me.  Thanks so much for taking the time to explain all that stuff Connie! You are awesome :)

Sillyheart & pvcqueen thanks for the info... I know that Effexor is INSANE... never ever again (but I didn't have palps back then). I have heard that Lexapro & Celexa are both more "sedating" SSRI's so are much better for anxious types.  Prozac & Effexor are the worst & are "stimulating".

As far as Xanax goes... I read once that a Psychiatrist said that all the ppl who kicked their addiction to it, meet in a phonebooth once a year to discuss their success.....

[pvcqueen]

having been hooked on xanax twice.............be very careful of it.........it will sneak up on you.  It really made me angry, because I thought I knew better the second time, and I thought I could be on top of it.  wrong.

[SillyHeart]

Lexapro and Celexa both helped me very much.  Effexor is a heavy-duty medication that I'm surprised was prescribed to you.

[Momto3]

SVT - supraventricular tachycardia (meaning a fast rhythm originating in the atria, upper chambers)
PAC - premature atrial contractions (the ectopics originate in the atria, not necessarily a fast rhythm)
PVC - premature ventricular contractions (the ectopics originate in the ventricles, lower chambers)

The pacs and pvcs feel pretty much the same.  Some people can tell the difference, but most cannot really distinguish between them, and they are essentially benign, regardless of which form.

For me, an isolated pvc or pac usually feels like a "flip-flop" or a "thump."  When pvcs or pacs are grouped together, they feel more like my heart is tumbling, trying to catch up with itself.

Some people have found SSRIs to help, overall.  My doctors had me try a few different medications (paxil, prozac, zoloft), but for me, Xanax worked best at calming the anxiety.  I still had the extra beats, but they didn't bother me as much.  I found that taking .125 (1/2 of a .25mg) on an "as needed" bases was enough to take the edge off.  To calm the pvcs themselves, I was taking a beta blocker (Inderal).  After many years of taking Inderal on a daily basis, it seemed to have lost its effectiveness.  I was off of it for quite awhile, but then found that I could also take it on an as needed basis.  I can still do that today when the pvcs are kicking up a bit.  I probably use it 2-3 times/year.

All medicines have side effects so sometimes it's just a matter of working with your doctor to find the right one for you.  Good luck and keep us posted as to how you're doing.  Enjoy the day!

connie