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Avatar universal

some days better than others

i have a few questions first this forum has helped me tremendously. I'm a 40 year male  with anxiety problems after having a severe case of pneumonia 8 years ago  which in turn attacked my heart putting it into a-fib and a heart rate of 180 for a few days till hospital finally caught it  i have had a 24hr holter monitor done. many trips to er rooms and finaly a year ago er doc found pvc's as well as holter monitor i was told they were benign. my question is is when i get pvc's they are very painful which increases anxiety which increases pvc's. A lovely ficious cycle.second question will weight loss help and is there a specific diet out there to decrease pvc's as well.3rd question can  they increase with age and how often should i see my doctor  about them. I"m currently taking xanax for them  which helps,i did take atenolol but hated it had stress test done 6 yeears ago said heart find but benign pvc's. any answers would be great   signed mr worry40
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Avatar universal
I have PVCs all day long every day.  I am 47 years old and have been diagnosed with bradicardia with the PVCs.  My heart rate is 41-48.  The PVCs are so awful but if I stay busy I am not so worried.  Each time I go to the ER thinking this is the big one, I am told to find something to keep my mind off of them as they will not harm me. Mine are painful also but more pressure than pain sometimes.  When you watch them on the monitor it helps because you feel it coming, it shows on the moniter and then it passes.  Makes me feel that I am not insane.   Xanax has been very helpful to me and I am on Prozac also.  Sometimes I take Soma as it is a muscle relaxer and this helps me sleep.  Keep you chin up and don't let this get you down.  People have let this ruin their lives and I am not going to let it.
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Avatar universal
thanks for everybody's help this forum helps my day go by easier knowing i'm not alone and that there are some things i can do to help with my pvc's. plus the xanax a take lasts me about 6-7months for 10 tabs. i do watch my intake and thanks for the messages
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Avatar universal
Hello I'm also a 40 year old male who has experienced PVC"S  and Atrial Fib.  I can relate to the anxiety and worry. I also can't count the numerous trips to the ER.  I've had this condition for the last 4 years. I have had a full work up. I had a nuclear stress test and  echocardiogram. The only thing it showed was that I had border line mitral valve prolapse. I will get a bad case of A Fib about every 3 months.  It usually last around 4 hours. I usually get around 50 pvc's daily. I take toprol to some what control the a fib.  It works for the most part.  I have found stress and anxiety really triggers these irregular heartbeats. It has driven me crazy for the first 2 years thinking I'm going to die any minute.  Then , I finally got fed up and didn't let the pvc's or afib put me in a panic mode.  I have found that exercise has help me alot.  I think you should be careful with the xanax.  The xanax can be very addictive like the doctor said.  I know first hand. The xanax can make things worst in the long run.  Trust me.  Its good for short term use.
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230125 tn?1193365857
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
my question is is when i get pvc's they are very painful which increases anxiety which increases pvc's.

I have heard of a few people describing their PVCs as painful.  I agree the cycle is tough to get out of.  Some people have stress as a trigger for PVCs and the PVCs cause stress.  Xanax should help with that but it is a very addictive medication.  Be careful with xanax and don't take too much.

second question will weight loss help and is there a specific diet out there to decrease pvc's as well

It is hard to tell if weight loss will help the PVCs, it will definitely help your overall health if you are overweight. The only way to find out is to try and lose some weight.


3rd question can  they increase with age and how often should i see my doctor  about them.

I have seem them increase with age and I have seen them disappear with age.  Only time will tell how it will affect you.  If you did not tolerate beta blockers, some people notice symptomatic improvement with calcium channel blockers.

If your symptoms remain the same and your evaluation suggests that they are benign, you do not need frequent doctors visits.  I will either see people yearly or as needed.

I hope this helps.  Thanks for posting.
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Avatar universal
"some days are better than others"...I agree completely.  I usually have 2-20 pvcs per day.  today i bet i have had close to 100.  tuesday too.  something funky going on and i wonder what it is.  wish there were answers.
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