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PVC PAC

Hello and Thank you for answering my question.  First I'll give you my history.  I had SVT for 13 yrs and had an ablation done in 2000.  Approx one yr before my ablation  I started to feel flutting or skipped beats.  After my ablation i have not had one svt moment since but still feel skipped beats.  They seem to come on sometimes in my swimming pool, or when i take a deep breath.  Anyway i had an all day episodes of these and went to my Doctor  not my EP Doctor.  I wore a halter which showed  in an 18 hour period i had 15 pvc and 560  pac.   Although iam greatful  that they finally caught them on tape, i was wondering if i should be concerned about them.  They have really stole my life away from me.  They make me very scared  even though my doc says they are not harmful but annoying.  He talked about  Beta blockers  but i am very scared to go on any meds.  Is they amout of pvc  and pac  enough to go on meds ?  Are there any long term adverse side effects of beta blocker?  I seem like i cant just ignore them like i wish i could.  I guess i really dont believe that they are not harmful and need constant reasurance.  I stay away from caffene and alcohol.  Iam scared to exercise due to the fact that i hate when my heart gets elevated.  I dont know if   beta blockers is the answer to my fears or not.  What do you think?  Thank you so much for you time.  Have a nice day.
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Avatar universal
Cyn123,

Thanks for the post.

I have talked with enough patients who have similiar concerns and symptoms, that I can empathize with your problem.  One of our readers said it best when she stated that "slamming her finger in her card door each day wouldn't kill her either, but she sure wouldn't want to do it", obviously meaning that just because something doesn't kill us doesn't mean that it doesn't cause severe symptoms.

You have a decision to make.  It is your decision alone, and none of us can make it for you.  You need to decide if you are going to let these palpitations run (or ruin) your life.  Your doctors, the readers, and I can empathize with you, offer suggestions for palliative treatment, and listen to your concerns, but at the end of the day, you decide whether or not these symptoms dictate what you can or cannot do.

Beta-blockers are helpful for the majority, but they can lead to fatigue and sluggishness in some.  There are no long-term side-effects from the medicines.  Other potential therapies include "alternative medicine" such as yoga, bio-feedback, Tai Chi, and stress management.  Your doctor may or may not know about these forms of care.

Good luck.
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Avatar universal
Fear not! These premature beats will not harm you. Beta Blockers are a safe medication and has no long term side effects and will actually prolong your life as well as suppress a lot of these PVC's and PAC's. Good luck!
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Avatar universal
Thnak you Eric   You made me smile.  I needed that!!!!!!!
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Avatar universal
Actually cyn, your symptons are similar to mine...i was put on a beta blocker(low dose)and it has helped a lot...i still get them, but certainly not as much as i did before...the beta blocker is a good drug(very safe)and you'll be started on a low dose just to see how you take to it i guess....good luck, these pac's etc are annoying!
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Avatar universal
Why will beta blockers prolong her life if the PACs or PVCs won't shorten it?

BTW, I've taken beta blockers for high BP. Had no energy or desire to do anything. I'd rather live a short life without beta blockers (and feeling well) rather than a long one with (and feeling poorly).

Quality of life is important, and beta blockers trade off quality of life for length of live.

Your body makes adrenaline for darn good reasons. Switching it off (even partially) may not be such a good idea.
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Avatar universal
Hello there:

According to my Cardiologist and numerous studies on the use of Beta Blockers, they prolong your life in many ways. First, they keep the heart rate slower which allows the heart to rest more and keep it strong and help maintain the ejection fraction. My doctor says that the higher your ejection fraction the longer you live. Second, they are proven to prevent both first and second heart attacks. Third, they keep blood pressure in check. Fourth, they have anti-arrythmia properties which suppress annoying PVC's and PAC's and can help ward off SVT's, A-Fib and VT.
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Avatar universal
I was put on a low dose of beta blockers (metoprolol 25mg) many years ago.  The first 6 months I felt miserable, always tired and no energy.  But then eventually I felt okay again.  I guess our body does adjust to the pill.  It's a good pill, keeps my heart rate down, helps when I get AFlutters and what I like most of them is they are cheap.
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Avatar universal
I have premature beats similar to yours and every doctor I have talked to about them has told me they wont hurt me. I am on Toprol 50mg a day (beta blocker low dose) and I havent noticed any negative side effects (tiredness or weakness). My hr has slowed by about 20-30 bpm on average - my resting heartrate is now in the 60s-70s rather than 90s-100s and doesnt get nearly as high when Im nervous or doing physical activity (it used to reach as high as 190). My bp has also seen an improvement, usually around 110/70 while not physically active or nervous. I really haven't had any problems with beta blockers and would certainly recommend them to anyone whos indications might suggest them.
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Avatar universal
I'm almost 58 years old and have been on tenormin (beta blocker) for over ten years for rapid heartbeat.  I'm on a low dosage, and the medicine slows my heart rate down to a comfortable beat.  However, it hasn't done anything for my pvc's/pac's.  I've had all kinds of tests done and thankfully they come back normal.  When I worry about my heart, I get MORE pac's...you gotta get your mind on other things -- I speak from experience.  So far the pvc's/pac's haven't harmed me in any way, so I just listen to my doctor and ignore them.  Only time they trouble me is during panic attacks (I have panic disorder) and then I get positively obsessed about my heart.  Anyone here with similar circumstances?
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Avatar universal
Hello all
I to have suffered with pvc always. I have had strange attacks of them in the past year. In August I had so many of them I could barely breath, which sent me to the er many many times. The dr put me on zanex for a short time and they subsided. I went for months with very few pvc which was a relief. I started to get them again about 3 weeks ago as death of family friends seem to have set them off. i to suffer from panic attacks since I have been 5 years old. Now my dr has me on Zoloft which has reduced my panic and pvc. Of course not all the way, I still have at least 20-50 per day. i hate them so much. I teach areobics at a gym 3 times per week and exercise 6 days per week with cardio and weights. I have started to take magnesium twice per day.  Ok here is the question..
It seems as if panic and anxiety go hand in hand. And seems like alot of us have these two haunting us. Is this a fact? Do most of you have panic? The nervous system is greatly involved and when Im calm there alot more calm as well. What do you think?
I am scared of them too. I fight daily with them and Im going to win!! I love my life and refuse to let this stop me. I still teach even with my heart skipping. The dr say there benign. I have had a pluthera of tests. I havent gotten results back yet, but its been two weeks. Ya think they would had called by now? I have kaiser....
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Avatar universal
YES, anxiety has a lot to do with pac's/pvc's.  I've had panic disorder all my life...started getting a lot of pac's about 8 years ago.  Doctor and psychiatrist tell me to forget them (easier said than done).  I, too, take xanax which helps a lot.  I take my xanax at night, since one of the side effects is drowsiness, and seldom have to use it during the day, although if the panic gets really bad I take a half mg.  I think a lot of us here have a "heart neurosis".  I don't know how to get over the fear.  I'm almost 58 and I get scared.  But knowing that I'm not alone in this comforts me.  Honestly, the pac's will NOT hurt you and they don't harm your heart...your issue is probably more anxiety than anything else.  Hope this helps.  Good luck!
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Avatar universal
RCC
I too have had anxiety for many years, and recently (april 25th) had a stent  installed in my lca.

Of late I had had many more bouts with panic attacks and anxiety as many things have become uncertain in the job arena. The point and question is I have also felt more pinching pain in my chest of late and wondered if it is all connected.
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Avatar universal
Hi S,
-
Read about anxiety in the two books of Dr.Claire Weekes.
How to regognize it en how to treat it.
I suggest you go to the library or buy them at Amazon.com.
VERY HELPFUL these books. Not just me but more people here on the Forum read and talked about them.
Titles are: 'Self-help for your nerves' and 'Peace from nervous suffering'.
She's made some tapes for self-help too.
Good stuff.
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Don't fight your anxiety and other symptoms.
Fighting creates more stress.
Just try to accept them for now, and tell yourself calmly that you regognize the symptoms and that they don't scare you anymore. Then turn your attention away from yourself. Go do something physical like gardening, walking or arobics(yeah!) etc.
Do not lay down in bed or sit down and watch TV.
Breath slowly and in the belly.
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The way to do all that and more you can read in Dr. Weekes books.
-
Go for it!!  -  *Ianna*  -





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Avatar universal
Thank you everyone for your post of very kind words.  Its almost like which one came first the chicken or the egg  well for us its  pvc  or anxiety.  Sometime i dont give a sh*t  just let them go away.  Well i hope all of you have a peaceful day today and everyday.  Thank you again for letting me know, im not alone.
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Avatar universal
Hello, Well It looks like I found a place where maybe I can get some sympthy, advice, and help . I am a Veteran now of 6 EP ablation Studies in about 8 years including a tras-ceptal in february I think I spelled that right. My last ablation was about a two weeks ago and it appears that the ablations was a nightmare as he was close to the SN and the doctor fells that maybe some of the burns have caused some damage he said they did 60 burns all in the upper Q around the SN. As I now appear to have Sick Sinus Syndrome.

Here is a whats happened after the ablation my base HR was 108 this was on Tuesday morning it stayed that way until I was awoke on Thursday morning by the nurse becase my HR had suddenly dropped to 40 well I paniced (yes for me the world was comming to an end) my base rate stayed at 50 or so for another 5 days, After I went home I had 3 days of low HR in the 40 - 60 total. I got up on thursday and all of a sudded in was at 93 it has now been in the hi 80's to about 110 at rest,mostly sitting about 90  on top of that they had stopped my med which consisted of lopressor and flecinide, and Im getting alot of PAC skipps or pauses I should sayu that at the hospital the Dr. origonall wanted to put a pacemaker in I opted to wait as I was not happy with the outcome of the procedure.

So my Q is has anone had these types of probelms and how do you cope and what do you do, I wish I didnt feel every Beat and chaeck my rate every two seconds I dont sleep well as I fell all the pac and like many am afraid that my hear will just stop.

Well maybe Il like a few here frantic and lost.If anyone wiould like to contact me my email is ***@****

Thanks

John
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Avatar universal
Hi everyone!!
I was on vacation at the hottest place on earth.. "THE RIVER"
126 degrees in the shade!! I thought for sure my panic would kick right in over this heat and that my pvc was for sure going to take my life.  Not!! I was feeling great out there. Im not sure if any of you have reserched taking a drug to help cope with pvc. I have been taking zoloft for three weeks now and it has really slowed my pvc and taken the edge off. It does not make me sleepy anymore, only for about a week. I take a low dose of only 25mg per day. This is a kids dose but for now does me well.
I also am 37 years old  and teach areobics 3 times per week and work out 6 times per week total.
I have to say to you all. I hate pvc! I am so so sad when i have the attacks. I feel for all of you that have this.
I have had many tests with no results yet. Today I went in to  have my thyroid scanned because my t-1 is slightly high. The doc's say this can cause many pvc's. We will see..
I will say this, I am so happy that you all are here and together were trying to figure this mess out. I am grateful..  :)
I to have heard that this pvc thing is harmless. Yea right! When your chest is doin a dance and you feel like you want to jump out of your skin. Sure tell me another. The zoloft helps and I urge all of you to not let life go on with this craziness. Find something that works for you. Life is to damn short. You all are great.. If you want to talk email me at ***@****
talk to you soon! :)
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Avatar universal
Hi  You might be on to something with the zoloft thing because i was on it for only about 1 1/2 months and i also noticed a difference in my pvc and pac.  But went off of the med and now they are back.  thinking of going on beta blockers but trying to use a natural way first.  Good luck
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Avatar universal
Thanks for the comment. I was in hear about a year ago, when i was reading lots about zoloft and pvc and pac. They suddenly subsided which was weird, but I was taking zanex at night only and for a very short time. That episode last august cost me $300.00 in co payments at $50.00 a visit to the er in one week. Thats how many pvc you can imagine I was having at the time. I must tell you what happened. I work at a gym in calif. I had just taught a 5:00 am class of step areobics. I was in a hurry to get to my next job on time and was flying down the street in my car when i felt a flutter in  my chest. "this has happened before and all my life". But this time I lost my breath, I began to panic and they started firing one right after another. Scared the *%#@ out of me! I called my husband on the cell and really started to panic. I felt as if I was going to faint, they were coming so rapid. By the time i got home they had exausted me and i wanted to go to the er in which I did. They hooked me up and yes I was indeed having 6 to 9 pvc a minute. They gave me aspirin and valume which slowly stopped the pvc. At that time I was sent home and told they were benign. As soon as i got in the car they started to fire again and faster but I went home anyway. That night and the next day and so on I was in and out of that er like crazy. Scared to death I even went to the bank and signed everything over to my husband. It took three long weeks for that episode to subside, in which they did for 10 months with  out even a few pvc per day that i normally get. Till June they started to fire again crazily. Back to the er again and again and again. O god i thought i would give my left arm for this to stop! Now i take zoloft and im back to a few a day and I feel alot better. I take lots of good vitamins and hawthorne berry for my heart. I take magnesium and calcium to and really watch my diet well. NO SUGAR! I am an addict to sugar. I can eat it from start to finish. Well thats my story and im sticken to it..  :) Take the zoloft again.. Its a great drug.

Deb spachic1
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Avatar universal
I just starting having PVCs about three weeks ago. I have Gerd pretty bad and an on Prevacid for it.  I noticed that I get PVCs during the time and after I workout with weights.  Can the gerd trigger the PVCs or is it because my heart rate gets increased. Does anyone get them after they exercise? I would appreciate any feedback.  Thanks Trig
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Avatar universal
I am a 31yr old male, fit, non smoker. Started suffering from skipped beats last Feb, lasted one day, came back three weeks later, lasted a few days, went away. They came back last friday and they are constant night & day. It is so uncomfortable. Due to see a cardiologist in 3 weeks. Am I dying? Is it serious? I've read comments on this forum about PAC's & PVC's. Should I stop exercising? I'm worried/nervous/scared! Is there reassurance out there? I'm a worrier by nature which probably doesn't help. I've noticed if i try to concentrate on something they go away....for a while and then bang their back. Is there a fix for this...medication, pacemaker...anything?

I'm distressed at this stage!
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Avatar universal
Wow  that story sounded so scary. I have had a few days like that as well. When i have a quiet day i just sit and wait for the  bad days.  Im slowly learning that they wont hurt me and maybe i just have to live with them.  If they get to crazy i will go on meds.  Zoloft made me gain 10 lbs and i hated it. The funny thing is sometimes reading these post makes me feel better.  They remind me that they wont hurt me, and sometimes it freaks me out wheni read what people go through everyday. By the way i live in NY, and im 34.  Take care.
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Avatar universal
I am 34 and have mvp,cardiogenic syncope, heart murmurs since birth. I suffer with Pvc's,Pac's and and increase this past year. Keeps me up at night. Option for Inderal or and injection of rhythmol.
Have to be careful due to side effects with other conditions. I walk daily , follow all heart healthy guidelines and offer a support as well for mvps.
I was told some patients have thousands of pvc's but don't feel them as we do. Yuk ! I already have low b/p and heart rate so this worries me too. I will have a few days with none and so appreciate the quality of those days. Heres to healthy steady hearts.........
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Avatar universal
A COUPLE OF COMMENTS ON SOME POST.  TO THE ONE THAT QUESTIONED WHETHER GERD CAN CAUSE PALPS THERE IS AN EXCELLENT WEB SITE CALLED HEARTBURN-HELP.COM THAT HAS MANY POSTS ON GERD AND PALPS AND IT ALSO HAS A MAN WHO SWEARS BY THE FACT THAT HE CHANGED HIS DOSAGE OF MAGNESIUM AND CALCIUM AND HIS PALPS HAVE STOPPED.HIS NAME IS IAN ON THIS SITE ALSO.  AS FOR ZOLOFT AND PALPS, ZOLOFT ACTUALLY INCREASED MY PALPS AND MADE ME HAVE MORE ANXIETY AND FEEL DEPRESSED.  I STARTED Z BECAUSE OF ANXIETY NOT DEPRESSION AND IT MADE ME WORSE???
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Avatar universal
Hello there to you and all..

I love my zoloft!! I am not anywhere nerar depressed at all. I never have been. I am a worry wart. I fear it all and always have. I think this comes from a long family history, the only thing with me is that I refuse to let my fear get in my way. I go and do and go and do more. I feel as if life is to short and I want to get it all in while I can. Zoloft works for me. It may not have worked for you because we are all so very differant. I just know one thing for sure. There is help for benign pvc and no one should have to live with this awful feeling of doom.
yes magnesium is awsome. I take it too. I plan to take the zoloft for some time because it really controls my ugly negative thoughts that cause me do lots of self negative talk. I feel calmer and can breathe a little easier. I also see a theripist that is great! We together are finding out lots of yukky stuff about me. But I have to bring it out to solve it. I will go to that web site you speak of right away, I would be excited to hear what ian has to say about mag. It's some great stuff!!  :)
take care!
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