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PVC's and/or VENTRICULAR BIGEMINY
I am a 42 year old male, very active. Recently lost a great deal of weight. After a very nerve racking 2 weeks, I have been diagnosed with Ventricular Bigeminy or also PVC's. I have had every test, given what seems to be gallons of blood and am being told that my heart is chemically and physically healthy, but this is just something that I will need to live with. In this day of medical miracles, etc., I have a hard time thinking that I just have to live with this, but if that is the way it is, so be it. My question is this, I am wondering if there are any vitamins, etc., that I can take that may help these to not be so bad. I know I can take Atenolol, but that is a stronger BP med and if would only control, if there is some vitamin or something less harmfull, I would like to try that. Also, if there is anyone who is reading this that suffers from the same thing, I would love to hear from you as to how you are dealing with these. I have been given the OK to return to my regular 6 day a week work out schedule and so I do plan on doing that. I would just appreciate any advice that anyone can give me.
Thank You...RDLOVE
Thank You...RDLOVE
RDLOVE,
Thanks for the post.
Q1:"My question is this, I am wondering if there are any vitamins, etc., that I can take that may help these to not be so bad."
If there were, then I wouldn't be prescribing beat-blockers (like atenolol) to help alleviate the symptoms. You will likely read of people using all sorts of things, but I have not encountered a panacea, despite having seen many, many people with PVCs.
Treating the symptoms from PVCs can be very challenging. You may wish to look back through this forum to help see what has helped others. I recommend meditation for some -- a good book to start with is "Full Catastrophe Living".
Good luck.
Thanks for the post.
Q1:"My question is this, I am wondering if there are any vitamins, etc., that I can take that may help these to not be so bad."
If there were, then I wouldn't be prescribing beat-blockers (like atenolol) to help alleviate the symptoms. You will likely read of people using all sorts of things, but I have not encountered a panacea, despite having seen many, many people with PVCs.
Treating the symptoms from PVCs can be very challenging. You may wish to look back through this forum to help see what has helped others. I recommend meditation for some -- a good book to start with is "Full Catastrophe Living".
Good luck.
I had bigeminy for years. I laos had a friend with it who was cured via ablation. Bigeminy can be cured via ablation. You might want to look into that.
I know what you're going through!It can really bring you down.After getting the ok with my doc,I am using herbs and vitamins to control my PVCs.They have worked wonders for me.Hawthorn berry and Notoginseng are two herbs that help stregnthen and regulate heart function.There's also Magnesium,Taurine and Co Q-10.
Fish oil is usually the most effective at reducing PVC's. In fact, a few studies find that fish oil is highly effective at preventing fatal arrythmias. For doctors NOT to prescribe fish oil to heart patients is irresponsible, given the overwhelming evidence that fish oil reduces cardiac mortality by up to 60% in patients.
Ablation works for the majority of patients with frequent PVC's but there are risks involved as well.
-jeff
Ablation works for the majority of patients with frequent PVC's but there are risks involved as well.
-jeff
My cardio handed out a diet and alist of supplements I should take. Fish oil was the first supplement listed. It said to take at least 2,000 mgs aday of a combination of EPA and DHA.The paper he gave me says:
"Fish oil supplementation has been proven to substantially reduce the incidence of death due to cardiovascular disease. Even patients who experience a heart attack are less likey to die if they are taking fish oil supplements. Supplementation with fish oil has also been shown in a number of studies to improve memory and brain function."
He suggested to make sure it is the purest fish oil and then reccomened to get it from Dr. Sears labroratory at 1-800-404-9171 or OmegaPure at 804-453-3830. He also reccomends FLax seed as a plant sourse of Omega 3, He said BUy fresh and grind in coffe grinder.Use 2-4 tablespoons daily mixed with a beverage or sprinkled on food.
He also points out to use a statin medication for lowering cholestrol & states" Statin medication has been shown to decrease inflamation in heart arteries and improves endothelial function, For this reason you are 30% less likely to suffer an acute heart attack while taking these medications."
On supplementation he states "at this time there is no general agreement in the Cardiology community regarding the use of supplements. However I offer the following advise. :
Co-enzyme Q10... This enzyme helps provide energy for every cell in your body. for patients with proven heart desease who are taking statin medications.There is evidence that statin medication lower the level pf CO Q10.For this reason replinshing the enzyme is a wise diciscion, Co Q10 has beeen shown to lower lipoprtein (a), which is a fat in your blood that promotes artherosclerosis.
Folic Acid.. Lowers the homocysteine level in your blood. Second it improves endotheleal function. He sugget taking 800 mg three to five times daily. (or Foltx, a prescription drug)
Vitimine E & C.. He states they are "possibly Helpful" & suggest 400 IU E & 1,000 C daily.
He also suggest a Good multi vitamin containing essential vitamins and minerals such as Dr, Atkins vitamins or the equivalent.
L-Arginine... He suggest taking 2,000 mgs (or 4 pills) three times daily."studies have shown that supplementing with high doese of L-Arginine improves the endothelial function f arteries significantly, with excellent prolonged benefit.
Now all this info came from my CARDIOLOGIST.
not an ad from a healthfood store.....so I am going to try to stick with His diet (& exercise) plan (which is eating lean protien, the RIGHT kind o fats and healthy carbs. Restricting bad crabs (straches and sugars) and the supplements he suggest taking.
Hope this has been helpful info.
"Fish oil supplementation has been proven to substantially reduce the incidence of death due to cardiovascular disease. Even patients who experience a heart attack are less likey to die if they are taking fish oil supplements. Supplementation with fish oil has also been shown in a number of studies to improve memory and brain function."
He suggested to make sure it is the purest fish oil and then reccomened to get it from Dr. Sears labroratory at 1-800-404-9171 or OmegaPure at 804-453-3830. He also reccomends FLax seed as a plant sourse of Omega 3, He said BUy fresh and grind in coffe grinder.Use 2-4 tablespoons daily mixed with a beverage or sprinkled on food.
He also points out to use a statin medication for lowering cholestrol & states" Statin medication has been shown to decrease inflamation in heart arteries and improves endothelial function, For this reason you are 30% less likely to suffer an acute heart attack while taking these medications."
On supplementation he states "at this time there is no general agreement in the Cardiology community regarding the use of supplements. However I offer the following advise. :
Co-enzyme Q10... This enzyme helps provide energy for every cell in your body. for patients with proven heart desease who are taking statin medications.There is evidence that statin medication lower the level pf CO Q10.For this reason replinshing the enzyme is a wise diciscion, Co Q10 has beeen shown to lower lipoprtein (a), which is a fat in your blood that promotes artherosclerosis.
Folic Acid.. Lowers the homocysteine level in your blood. Second it improves endotheleal function. He sugget taking 800 mg three to five times daily. (or Foltx, a prescription drug)
Vitimine E & C.. He states they are "possibly Helpful" & suggest 400 IU E & 1,000 C daily.
He also suggest a Good multi vitamin containing essential vitamins and minerals such as Dr, Atkins vitamins or the equivalent.
L-Arginine... He suggest taking 2,000 mgs (or 4 pills) three times daily."studies have shown that supplementing with high doese of L-Arginine improves the endothelial function f arteries significantly, with excellent prolonged benefit.
Now all this info came from my CARDIOLOGIST.
not an ad from a healthfood store.....so I am going to try to stick with His diet (& exercise) plan (which is eating lean protien, the RIGHT kind o fats and healthy carbs. Restricting bad crabs (straches and sugars) and the supplements he suggest taking.
Hope this has been helpful info.
"For doctors NOT to prescribe fish oil to heart patients is irresponsible, given the overwhelming evidence that fish oil reduces cardiac mortality by up to 60% in patients."
Easy there, this statement is too strong. While several studies have shown observational evidence (like that previously used to support hormone therapy for menopausal women) in support of omega-3 fatty acids, the largest trial to date actually showed an increase in arrhtyhmias (51% vs 41% at one year) in patients proned to VT who took fish oil.
I have recommended fish oil to some in the past, but have stopped doing so as a result of this trial. Time and time again in medicine it is proved to us that observational evidence is not to be trusted.
Check out the AHA 2003 scientific session for more information. The study involved 2000 people, and was based in Portland.
Easy there, this statement is too strong. While several studies have shown observational evidence (like that previously used to support hormone therapy for menopausal women) in support of omega-3 fatty acids, the largest trial to date actually showed an increase in arrhtyhmias (51% vs 41% at one year) in patients proned to VT who took fish oil.
I have recommended fish oil to some in the past, but have stopped doing so as a result of this trial. Time and time again in medicine it is proved to us that observational evidence is not to be trusted.
Check out the AHA 2003 scientific session for more information. The study involved 2000 people, and was based in Portland.
I'am glad the Doc responded to your statement on the fish oil etc. I have "suffered" from pvcs for 17 years and outside of pharmacalogical{sp}means there are no real cures.I've tried them all believe me I have and no vitamin or supplement known is more than a relief to a lucky few. No research backed study in a reputable medical journal to date has shown otherwise and I wish they had!! Over the years I believe I have had at times the world"s most expensive urine from all the things you mention and more and still the pvcs are there and then gone for a while only to return again.So listen to the research and realize your cardiologist may be trying his best to allow you to use mind over matter to help yourself and all those supplements are likely no more than that.
Magnesium Oxide 400 mg has worked wonders for my PVC's and A-fib. It may work for you too. Although I must say that my Magnesium level was low prior to taking it.
Doctor,
One study is NOT enough to discount several observational studies. Don't just discount fish oil based on ONE study. Tell your patients about this study along with several observational studies regarding fish oil. They deserve to know all studies, even if they conflict each other.
And to gaspipe who wrote: "I'am glad the Doc responded to your statement on the fish oil etc. I have "suffered" from pvcs for 17 years and outside of pharmacalogical{sp}means there are no real cures.I've tried them all believe me I have and no vitamin or supplement known is more than a relief to a lucky few."
Well, do you realize that there are studies that shows that people with PVC's who take medications have greater mortality than those with PVC's that don't take medications? Does it mean that we should stop giving drugs to all of them? NO!
That is exactly the same idea with fish oil. Just because a single study finds increased arrythmia (VT in particular) doesn't mean fish oil is no good. I argued that it reduces cardiac mortality and the doctor didn't say anything about it in that new study. He may explain more.
Drugs and supplements ONLY work if patients RESPOND to them. Keep that in mind. For example, my mother takes Prozac and responds to it well while my friend took it and didn't respond anything to it. Patients with nutritional deficiencies will respond to supplements or diets but it turns out that there's a possiblity that some people need greater amount of nutrients to make it work optimally.
-jeff
One study is NOT enough to discount several observational studies. Don't just discount fish oil based on ONE study. Tell your patients about this study along with several observational studies regarding fish oil. They deserve to know all studies, even if they conflict each other.
And to gaspipe who wrote: "I'am glad the Doc responded to your statement on the fish oil etc. I have "suffered" from pvcs for 17 years and outside of pharmacalogical{sp}means there are no real cures.I've tried them all believe me I have and no vitamin or supplement known is more than a relief to a lucky few."
Well, do you realize that there are studies that shows that people with PVC's who take medications have greater mortality than those with PVC's that don't take medications? Does it mean that we should stop giving drugs to all of them? NO!
That is exactly the same idea with fish oil. Just because a single study finds increased arrythmia (VT in particular) doesn't mean fish oil is no good. I argued that it reduces cardiac mortality and the doctor didn't say anything about it in that new study. He may explain more.
Drugs and supplements ONLY work if patients RESPOND to them. Keep that in mind. For example, my mother takes Prozac and responds to it well while my friend took it and didn't respond anything to it. Patients with nutritional deficiencies will respond to supplements or diets but it turns out that there's a possiblity that some people need greater amount of nutrients to make it work optimally.
-jeff
im 5'3, 100lbs
i take
fish oil 1000 mgs
coq10 50mgs
vitamin b complex (the recommended dose on the bottle dont remember the mgs.)
magnesium oxide 500mgs
i dont know how much they help with my pvc's because i still have my bad days and good days, i think the magnesium helps alot with the pvc's , the vitamin b complex helps for energy and i take the coq10 and the fish oil as more of a preventative measure because i have heart disease in my family. im only 18 and have alot of pvc's i cant even imagine what they are gunna be like when im 30.
atenolol is a strong medicine and usually doesnt even work well with pvc's. when i started taking atenolol right away i got like 6 pvc's in a row, i had never had pvc's in a row before...i was having constant pvc's while taking it so it didnt do any good for me.
kim
i take
fish oil 1000 mgs
coq10 50mgs
vitamin b complex (the recommended dose on the bottle dont remember the mgs.)
magnesium oxide 500mgs
i dont know how much they help with my pvc's because i still have my bad days and good days, i think the magnesium helps alot with the pvc's , the vitamin b complex helps for energy and i take the coq10 and the fish oil as more of a preventative measure because i have heart disease in my family. im only 18 and have alot of pvc's i cant even imagine what they are gunna be like when im 30.
atenolol is a strong medicine and usually doesnt even work well with pvc's. when i started taking atenolol right away i got like 6 pvc's in a row, i had never had pvc's in a row before...i was having constant pvc's while taking it so it didnt do any good for me.
kim
Hi jeff I'll make some follw up comments and rest my case. As a healthcare provider myself I often "observe" things when treating patients however I realize my observations are likely just that..my observations; and may be the result of other unknown factors. So clinical recommendations must be based upon scientific evidence gained from well documented and well conducted research. Incidently the one study I know of that showed antiarrthymics are dangerous in patients with certain arythmias was the CAST study and I believe this study was done on patients with known cardiovascular disease. In patients with pvcs and structurally normal hearts as verified via testing some antiarrthymics do not pose a greater risk. Just my humble opinion and nothing more .As I said i've been there and done it all. And i'll keep trying...
Well as the originator of this conversation I hope I have not started a big old fight here. :-)
I appreciate all comments, believe me I do.
At this point I am sort of feeling cheeted since I have worked so hard and come so far in bettering my health that to be faced with this now seems to be a real set back for me.
However, that being said, because I have worked so hard I am not going to throw in the towel over this. I returned to my health club this morning for the first time and it felt great! I was a little scared, but I did it.
Also, it wont hurt me to try some of the things mentioned if I decide to and I greatly appreciate everyone comments.
I still welcome anything else anyone else has to say or contribute.
Thanks,
Rick
I appreciate all comments, believe me I do.
At this point I am sort of feeling cheeted since I have worked so hard and come so far in bettering my health that to be faced with this now seems to be a real set back for me.
However, that being said, because I have worked so hard I am not going to throw in the towel over this. I returned to my health club this morning for the first time and it felt great! I was a little scared, but I did it.
Also, it wont hurt me to try some of the things mentioned if I decide to and I greatly appreciate everyone comments.
I still welcome anything else anyone else has to say or contribute.
Thanks,
Rick
Good luck with getting your pvc's to behave :)
I had them for over 20 years. Some of my holters showed 22,000 in 24 hour period and too many bigeminal cycles to even bother counting. I guess my point is, if the doctor tells you that your ectopic beats are benign, it comes down to finding a coping mechnism, as opposed to an actual cure.
I took beta blockers on/off for years, and they helped on/off. For about 5 years, I was able to use the beta blocker (Inderal) on an as-needed basis, which really worked pretty well for me. Because I ran into problems because of the increasing frequency of my pvcs (tens of thousands/day), last year I was put on antiarrythmics. After 7 months, I finally was brave enough to try an EPS and ablation. For me, it was like a miracle. I am feeling better and I have very few pvcs. Work with your doctor to develop a regimen that works best for you, and don't be afraid to check out biofeedback and/or relaxation techniques....Take care and good luck
I had them for over 20 years. Some of my holters showed 22,000 in 24 hour period and too many bigeminal cycles to even bother counting. I guess my point is, if the doctor tells you that your ectopic beats are benign, it comes down to finding a coping mechnism, as opposed to an actual cure.
I took beta blockers on/off for years, and they helped on/off. For about 5 years, I was able to use the beta blocker (Inderal) on an as-needed basis, which really worked pretty well for me. Because I ran into problems because of the increasing frequency of my pvcs (tens of thousands/day), last year I was put on antiarrythmics. After 7 months, I finally was brave enough to try an EPS and ablation. For me, it was like a miracle. I am feeling better and I have very few pvcs. Work with your doctor to develop a regimen that works best for you, and don't be afraid to check out biofeedback and/or relaxation techniques....Take care and good luck
Where can I get more information on ablation? Why doesn't everyone get it done?
I have PVC's even on the beta blocker. I am 30. I was having bigeminy for about 2 weeks and the beta blocker stopped it. It however has tapered, but not eliminated the PVC's. Now it is very nerve wracking because when I have a palpitation, I am ten times more scared, and when I have 3 or 4 in a few second or minute period, I get really panicky, thus starting the cycle. I don't think I would be a candidate for ablation, but I would do it in a heart beat if it meant I didn't have to live this way. I hope all is well.
i noticed you are a mom to 3 and wondered if your pvc's started before or after your last baby. if so ,did pregnancy make your pvc's alot worse?? did they ever return to the pre-pregnancy state? i didnt start getting pvc's until after i had my son, we really want another baby in the next few years but im SCARED TO DEATH it will make them worse and my entire pregnancy will be one big panic attack or worse i develope VT or some other scary arrythmia. my last pregnancy i had a psvt or an avnrt episode every two weeks that lasted for hours. that was cured with ablation but now i have pvc's. a big reason why i had the ablation was so i could get pregnant again someday without having to worry about my heart the whole time, i had no idea i would start to get pvc's. the only thing the ep said was you might notice your heart skip whenever it tries to go back into your old arrythimias, yeah right, i wish i only had pvc's every two weeks.
kim
kim
I know this probably doesn't belong on this thread, however, I have no other way of asking.
I've suffered with SVT since I was about 10 years old. It would happen maybe once a year, then nothing for a few years, then two or three times in the next year. Basically it was fairly rare. Along with SVT I would have PVC's off and on, which would make me think an SVT episode was coming.
Then I joined the military at 18, although I was nervous about having an episode of SVT during training, I went anyway. I did not have a single SVT episode in the 3 years I served, nor 2 years after the Army. The PVC's were extremely rare as well, mostly they would happen after I finished exercising, and my heartrate was coming down. Wasn't really anything big. Then for the first time in 5 years, I had a case of SVT while driving to work, my heartrate was nearly 240, which scared the hell out of me. A week later, it happened again. In the year since this has happened, although I haven't had another case of SVT, the PVC's seem to happen ALL the time now. Sometimes 4+ in a row, and about 20-30 a minute for hours. I haven't had a single day in the past year where I didn't have PVC's.
My question is, why did all these symptoms go from mild, to totally gone, then to worse then before?
I get so nervous anymore, because of the PVC's that I take anxiety pills. I want to exercise again, thinking that is why it didn't happen in the Army, but because of how often and constant the PVC's are, I'm too afraid to even jog up the street, much less run a few miles.
Once again, sorry this isn't related to the orignal topic of the thread, I just can't seem to get a question on the board in the past 6 months.
I've suffered with SVT since I was about 10 years old. It would happen maybe once a year, then nothing for a few years, then two or three times in the next year. Basically it was fairly rare. Along with SVT I would have PVC's off and on, which would make me think an SVT episode was coming.
Then I joined the military at 18, although I was nervous about having an episode of SVT during training, I went anyway. I did not have a single SVT episode in the 3 years I served, nor 2 years after the Army. The PVC's were extremely rare as well, mostly they would happen after I finished exercising, and my heartrate was coming down. Wasn't really anything big. Then for the first time in 5 years, I had a case of SVT while driving to work, my heartrate was nearly 240, which scared the hell out of me. A week later, it happened again. In the year since this has happened, although I haven't had another case of SVT, the PVC's seem to happen ALL the time now. Sometimes 4+ in a row, and about 20-30 a minute for hours. I haven't had a single day in the past year where I didn't have PVC's.
My question is, why did all these symptoms go from mild, to totally gone, then to worse then before?
I get so nervous anymore, because of the PVC's that I take anxiety pills. I want to exercise again, thinking that is why it didn't happen in the Army, but because of how often and constant the PVC's are, I'm too afraid to even jog up the street, much less run a few miles.
Once again, sorry this isn't related to the orignal topic of the thread, I just can't seem to get a question on the board in the past 6 months.
Kim,
It is so hard for me to remember back to my pre-pregnancy days...lol Prior to my second pregnancy,I was not really aware of any pvcs, etc. During my second pregnancy, my OB INSISTED I see a cardio which I think was when I was diagnosed with pvcs as a symptom of mitral valve prolapse. According to the doctor, not to worry. The first time I REALLY REALLY remember noticing my pvcs was probably after my 3rd pregnancy. I would say for the most part my pvcs became worse AFTER my pregnancies. Pregnancy did not seem to make them worse, but I have seen cardios since my third pregnancy. Somewhere along the line I was diagnosed with mitral regurgitation (which is why they were keeping an eye on me).
My pvcs did not prevent us from having children. When we considered a 4th (I was CRAZY back then..lol), the doctors were a little more concered because of the MVP/MR, but even then they were OK with it (as long as I was checked periodically). Have you discussed your desire to have more children with your doctor? Have you had all the standard cardiac tests? Sounds like pregnancy really brought out your pvcs, or was it the ablation? Are you taking a beta blocker?
Prior to my first ablation, I was a "walking pvc!" 25% of my beats were ectopics...that was exhausting! I can definitely relate to your anxiety. Over the last 5-7 years (late 30's - mid 40's), I noticed a major increase in the number of pvcs. The ablation has been a miracle for me!
It is so hard for me to remember back to my pre-pregnancy days...lol Prior to my second pregnancy,I was not really aware of any pvcs, etc. During my second pregnancy, my OB INSISTED I see a cardio which I think was when I was diagnosed with pvcs as a symptom of mitral valve prolapse. According to the doctor, not to worry. The first time I REALLY REALLY remember noticing my pvcs was probably after my 3rd pregnancy. I would say for the most part my pvcs became worse AFTER my pregnancies. Pregnancy did not seem to make them worse, but I have seen cardios since my third pregnancy. Somewhere along the line I was diagnosed with mitral regurgitation (which is why they were keeping an eye on me).
My pvcs did not prevent us from having children. When we considered a 4th (I was CRAZY back then..lol), the doctors were a little more concered because of the MVP/MR, but even then they were OK with it (as long as I was checked periodically). Have you discussed your desire to have more children with your doctor? Have you had all the standard cardiac tests? Sounds like pregnancy really brought out your pvcs, or was it the ablation? Are you taking a beta blocker?
Prior to my first ablation, I was a "walking pvc!" 25% of my beats were ectopics...that was exhausting! I can definitely relate to your anxiety. Over the last 5-7 years (late 30's - mid 40's), I noticed a major increase in the number of pvcs. The ablation has been a miracle for me!
Hey I started at 17 having PVC's very rarely, mostly accompanied with PSVT once in a blue, and I mean blue moon. However, I turned 30 last year and about 2 months ago, out of the blue, I have been hit with PVC's. Bad, like what you described. Mine were occurring in bigeminy (every other beat), or 16 or so a minute, for hours. All day. I went on a beta blocker and it stopped the bigeminy almost immediately. Now I still have PVC's, they are better, but the medicine did not completely get rid of them. I am on a low dose beta blocker. You may want to talk to your dr. about meds. It is still very scarey, but at least I have small reprieves at times.
good luck.
good luck.
What is ABLATION that everyone talks about?
RDLOVE,
The following explains a little about ablations. Check out www.heartcenteronline. This portion of the articl can be found at: http://www.heartcenteronline.com/myheartdr/common/articles.cfm?Artid=14&startpage=2
"Ablation is a procedure to destroy very small, carefully selected parts of the heart that are causing tachycardia
The following explains a little about ablations. Check out www.heartcenteronline. This portion of the articl can be found at: http://www.heartcenteronline.com/myheartdr/common/articles.cfm?Artid=14&startpage=2
"Ablation is a procedure to destroy very small, carefully selected parts of the heart that are causing tachycardia
Hello,
I've tried for many weeks to post a comment here, but the board has always reached it's limit for the day. I would like to say that DOCTORS ARE TRAINED TO TREAT SYMPTOMS AND THEY CANNOT AND WILL NOT COMMENT ON VITAMINS AND/OR HERBS OR ANYTHING THAT HASN'T BEEN BLESSED BY THE FDA. Now with that said, I can tell you that electrolyte balance is EXTREMELY important in preventing and eliminating these PVCs. A large majority of the population does not get adequate minerals in their food intake, and this can lead to electrolyte inbalance. Supplementation with minerals (particularly magnesium and potassium) will make a significant difference in reducing, and in some people, eliminating those PVCs. The reason I know is because I eliminated mine by getting my electrolytes balanced, particularly magnesium. Start taking a good mineral supplement (liquids absorb quicker), and in the meantime, if you want faster results, get the homeopathic version of the magnesium pellets and put a few under your tongue. Trust me - IT WORKS!!
You can get these at a local healthfood store.
I want everyone to know that YOU DON'T have to live with those annoying things for the rest of your life. After being told I had a perfectly functioning heart, there was NO WAY I would accept that answer, and I refuse to take medication (beta blockers) for a "healthy heart". That's crazy!!! So I looked for other answers. And this is what I found. If you want relief, give it a try. You'll be pleasantly surprised.
Good luck to everyone !
I've tried for many weeks to post a comment here, but the board has always reached it's limit for the day. I would like to say that DOCTORS ARE TRAINED TO TREAT SYMPTOMS AND THEY CANNOT AND WILL NOT COMMENT ON VITAMINS AND/OR HERBS OR ANYTHING THAT HASN'T BEEN BLESSED BY THE FDA. Now with that said, I can tell you that electrolyte balance is EXTREMELY important in preventing and eliminating these PVCs. A large majority of the population does not get adequate minerals in their food intake, and this can lead to electrolyte inbalance. Supplementation with minerals (particularly magnesium and potassium) will make a significant difference in reducing, and in some people, eliminating those PVCs. The reason I know is because I eliminated mine by getting my electrolytes balanced, particularly magnesium. Start taking a good mineral supplement (liquids absorb quicker), and in the meantime, if you want faster results, get the homeopathic version of the magnesium pellets and put a few under your tongue. Trust me - IT WORKS!!
You can get these at a local healthfood store.
I want everyone to know that YOU DON'T have to live with those annoying things for the rest of your life. After being told I had a perfectly functioning heart, there was NO WAY I would accept that answer, and I refuse to take medication (beta blockers) for a "healthy heart". That's crazy!!! So I looked for other answers. And this is what I found. If you want relief, give it a try. You'll be pleasantly surprised.
Good luck to everyone !
I know exactly how you feel, because I had PAC's that bad.
I know that my PAC's varied in intensity from time to time.
If you are highly symptomatic I would try going to an EP. This is a cardiologist that specializes in arrythmias. But go to a good one at a large university hospital that has a long track record of doing ablations etc. (See previous post on ablations.)
It took me 9 years to finally receive significant relief, and that was through an ablation.
I know from my experience that my PAC's went up and down due to a number of factors: the biggest factor was stress. Stress reducing measures helped me immensely. Exercise definitely is helpful. But get a doctor's OK.
If you want to start exercising, you probably need to work at it slowly to build up confidence that you can do it. Just start with a short 3 to 5 minute jog. Sometimes we are so anxious about the activity that it becomes a phobia. One of the ways to deal with phobias is to just try a little and then try more to get over the fear. I also found that as I exercised my mental ability to deal with the PAC's was better because I didn't feel like they (PAC's) controlled me.
Trust you will feel better soon.
I know that my PAC's varied in intensity from time to time.
If you are highly symptomatic I would try going to an EP. This is a cardiologist that specializes in arrythmias. But go to a good one at a large university hospital that has a long track record of doing ablations etc. (See previous post on ablations.)
It took me 9 years to finally receive significant relief, and that was through an ablation.
I know from my experience that my PAC's went up and down due to a number of factors: the biggest factor was stress. Stress reducing measures helped me immensely. Exercise definitely is helpful. But get a doctor's OK.
If you want to start exercising, you probably need to work at it slowly to build up confidence that you can do it. Just start with a short 3 to 5 minute jog. Sometimes we are so anxious about the activity that it becomes a phobia. One of the ways to deal with phobias is to just try a little and then try more to get over the fear. I also found that as I exercised my mental ability to deal with the PAC's was better because I didn't feel like they (PAC's) controlled me.
Trust you will feel better soon.
rdlove,
An ablation is done with catheters inserted through the arteries and veins of both groins and in some cases a catheter also inserted in a neck artery into the heart for the purpose of detecting hot spots that are emitting erratic signals that causes disarrhythymias of the heart and are ablated,(burned), to kill those erratic signals with radio frequency power. This results in scar tissue that is formed as a result of the ablation process and the scar tissue blocks the bad signals that have been 'spilling' into the atria and other areas like a Christmas sparkler.
Armyman,
I think your questions and concern are entirely appropriate on this thread. I have experienced pvc's since July 1964 and afib since May 1971. I have taken every kind of medication and tried all kinds of supplements and eating programs includingn distilled water/osmosis water trying to control afib and pvc's throughtout all those years.
I eventually became debilitated with the devilish mess last year espically in May. From last May and forward, the afib increased in frequency along with pvc's. Sometimes I would have just afib which was bad, but then I would have episodes of afib and pvc's at the same time and that combination would 'take me down' everytime. Frequent and urgent urination would start in. I mean every 4, 5, 6 minutes have to urinate during these episodes as if I hadn't urinated in five or six hours each time I did. I still don't know why the nerves trigger my bladder to go into overtime. But it's the pits especially when you are not near a bathroom. These attacks made me feel as if I were dying or at least going to pass out. Terrible feelings.
Twenty days ago I had a Pulmonary Vein Ablation and have not had afib since. However, I can't say that about he pvc's yet. I am still plagued just as much with them with sometimes 5 - 35 - 50 a minute. Sometimes I have pvc's and I just know I've had a pvc and doesn't bother me. Too many times I have pvc's that are very forceful and give me the anxiety/panic feeling and a few seconds to recover and then another one hits.
I am taking 100 mgs of flecainide twice daily to help prevent afib from returning during the healing process and also 25 mg of atenolol twice a day to help control the pvc's. I only wish the atenolol would completely control pvc's but it doesn't. Only helps somewhat. One of the bad side effects of atenolol is extreme fatigue.
The EP that did my ablation is confident that the pvc's will subside during the healing process of the pva. I certainly hope he is correct. If they do not subside there is the alternative of another ablation for pvc's. I am trying to have patience during this process.
Most people are fortunate not to have bigeminy and pvc's and only experience afib, which is bad enough, but not as bad and having them all.
Regards,
Glenn Camp
An ablation is done with catheters inserted through the arteries and veins of both groins and in some cases a catheter also inserted in a neck artery into the heart for the purpose of detecting hot spots that are emitting erratic signals that causes disarrhythymias of the heart and are ablated,(burned), to kill those erratic signals with radio frequency power. This results in scar tissue that is formed as a result of the ablation process and the scar tissue blocks the bad signals that have been 'spilling' into the atria and other areas like a Christmas sparkler.
Armyman,
I think your questions and concern are entirely appropriate on this thread. I have experienced pvc's since July 1964 and afib since May 1971. I have taken every kind of medication and tried all kinds of supplements and eating programs includingn distilled water/osmosis water trying to control afib and pvc's throughtout all those years.
I eventually became debilitated with the devilish mess last year espically in May. From last May and forward, the afib increased in frequency along with pvc's. Sometimes I would have just afib which was bad, but then I would have episodes of afib and pvc's at the same time and that combination would 'take me down' everytime. Frequent and urgent urination would start in. I mean every 4, 5, 6 minutes have to urinate during these episodes as if I hadn't urinated in five or six hours each time I did. I still don't know why the nerves trigger my bladder to go into overtime. But it's the pits especially when you are not near a bathroom. These attacks made me feel as if I were dying or at least going to pass out. Terrible feelings.
Twenty days ago I had a Pulmonary Vein Ablation and have not had afib since. However, I can't say that about he pvc's yet. I am still plagued just as much with them with sometimes 5 - 35 - 50 a minute. Sometimes I have pvc's and I just know I've had a pvc and doesn't bother me. Too many times I have pvc's that are very forceful and give me the anxiety/panic feeling and a few seconds to recover and then another one hits.
I am taking 100 mgs of flecainide twice daily to help prevent afib from returning during the healing process and also 25 mg of atenolol twice a day to help control the pvc's. I only wish the atenolol would completely control pvc's but it doesn't. Only helps somewhat. One of the bad side effects of atenolol is extreme fatigue.
The EP that did my ablation is confident that the pvc's will subside during the healing process of the pva. I certainly hope he is correct. If they do not subside there is the alternative of another ablation for pvc's. I am trying to have patience during this process.
Most people are fortunate not to have bigeminy and pvc's and only experience afib, which is bad enough, but not as bad and having them all.
Regards,
Glenn Camp
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