antianxiety for pvc

[ljd]

HI,

I have started experiencing pvc's.  I've read many of the posts here.  I am already on toprol for sinus tach.  Has anyone noticed a difference if you take an anti anxiety such as ativan or xanax?  Thanks

[bgrimes86]

Xanax completely eliminated my PVC's and heart palpitations, so I started taking it everyday. BIG MISTAKE; I am now hooked on them and cannot go for more than 6 hours without feeling the withdrawals begin to creep up on me. It no longer does anything for my anxiety and heart palps; it just keeps me from getting very, very sick. When I try to stop it, the palps return with greater force. Even a slow taper makes me feel miserable. Please be careful with this stuff, and use it sparingly.

[Jerzeegal]

Sometimes with PVCs and anxiety you can feel like a hamster in a wheel... or like the chicken or the egg which came first. :-)

The thing to remember is that regardless of which is first anxiety does feed the cycle of pvcs so learning to control the anxiety and accept and believe that the pvcs are harmless is a big step in decreasing them. Most of us experience pvcs or pacs daily for many years and we are still here to tell about it. :-) The fact is most of the time they don't go into a rhythm that can't be controlled. Personally I wouldn't increase any cardiac med without checking with the doctor.

Take care
Jerz

[ljd]

I can't thank you all enough.  It is so much better to know that I am not alone, though it is terrible that we all have to experience these things.  I am so tired of being told that it is probably stress related.  This is the cause of my stress!  I do notice that they come around the same time each day and last for  a couple of hours.  My 2 biggest fears-1. that my heart will just stop and 2. that it will go into a rhythm that can't be controlled.  I only take 1/2 of 25 mg. toprol at night.  I am thinking of increasing it to see if it will help.  Thank you all again for listening.

[artskip]

I take xanax, if the palps are keeping me up at night. Bad palps and no sleep is horrible combination.

[SillyHeart]

Anti anxiety meds calm my heart down.

[twisskofthis]

Hi,

I know it is sooooo hard to just try and forget about it. I have them also and it is such pain in the you know where to deal with these things. I too am on Toprol for a little faster than normal heart rate. I just went back to the doctor today to get a new prescription for it because I was on it before and weened off of them but now I know I need them to control my rate. Anyways I just wanted to say hang in there. We all know how you feel. Have you noticed a pattern to when you experience them? I have and know when to expect them and it kinda makes it easier to deal with. I know if I eat a big spicy meal I will have a few, and a few other times I know to expect them. See if you can relate them to things and that may help you to relax a little bit. Hope you feel better soon! :)

[ljd]

Thanks for your help.  I just came from my therapist and she told me to just live my life and don't worry.  Easier said than done.

[Momto3]

I can take a low dose Xanax.  It doesn't do anything to get rid of the PVCs, it just kinda gives you less to worry about.  The doctor told me it's like a band-aid, feels better, but the wound (in this case, PVCs) are still there.  Some people find an anti-anxiety helps.  Talk with your doctor since some of them can be addictive and they are careful when prescribing.  I've taken Xanax as needed for probably 10 years and it works fine on "those days."  Otherwise, I don't take it.

[Jerzeegal]

I've tried valium for mine and sometimes it makes it seems like it makes mine worse other times it helps. I think it depends on my frame of mind when I take it. :-)

Jerz