Started some meds for PAC's and PVC's...

[Mary Lou]

I am a little concerned about the two meds. I have started. I am 30 years old and my PAC's and PVC's have bothered me tremendously so I decided to start a beta blocker. They put me on Zebeta 2.5 mg. a day (which has helped alot with the pac's and pvc's) and Paxil for anxiety 10mg. for a week and then up to 20mg. I am wondering if I should have started them at all. My questions are:  1) If I decide to stop either one, especially the Zebeta, I've heard the condition could come back even worse than before. Is this true? Do you gradually decrease the dosage?  2) My heartrate goes down to about 56 beats a minute, I am concerned that while I am sleeping it could go down dangerously low. Is this possible? 3) Can these pac's and pvc's kill you if you have runs of them? I have had the tests done (EKG, Holtor, echo) and my heart is fine. MVP with regurg only. I went to the hospital because during a panic attack because I was having one pvc after another. When do you need to go to the ER for these things? 4) I read the Zebeta can be dangerous if you have a heart block. Would the tests I had shown if I had a heart block? 5) Is Paxil dangerous to your heart? I heard the old antidepressants caused some heart damage. Sorry for all these questions. You are so helpful and everyone here appreciates this board so much.

[CLM]

I also have pvcs and pacs (lots and lots) and decided to go on a beta blocker for them about a year ago.  The beta blocker does help -- somewhat -- but it isn't a "cure" so don't let it bother you if they are not going away with the drug.  What you may find helps you even more is the Paxil, which really won't kick in for a few weeks.  When you look through the archives here you will see how many of "us" there are and that we all suffer tremendous anxiety from these things but they don't kill.  I have had every bizarre kind of pvc I think you can have and I am still here.  It is a struggle to stay calm, I know, but the more balanced your life and mind, the better you will handle them when they do come (and being calmer will make them more infrequent).  In my opinion (I am not a medical doctor) you did the right thing going on the medications and I can tell from your post that you are still in "high anxiety" mode.  The two drugs will help you -- give them time.  You knew you needed extra help to get out of the dark place you are in -- trust that instinct.  All the thoughts you are getting about danger and the worry about the drugs and possible side effects, etc. are part of what we go through when we are in that bad place.  When you begin to feel better, your mental strength will return and you will begin to get your life back!  You will probably always have pvcs and pacs but your coping skills will be infinitely better than they are right now:  YOU WILL FEEL BETTER!  Keep working to live a full life, and it sounds impossible, but try try try to get used to them.  They are a part of you and now that you know your heart is actually fine and strong, look at it as a "hiccup" or "twitch."  Or as a sign that you are out of balance.  Don't look at it as a sign that you are dying:  you aren't.  It is just a bit of an imbalance.  And, by the way, I have had the runs of them you describe:  yep, it is horrible, but then you pull out and keep on going!  Just keep noting, after each nasty episode, that you LIVED.  After you have noticed this phenomenon many many many times:  you slowly do begin to believe you aren't going to drop dead and you begin to put your life back together.  Feel free to contact me, I believe my address is in the database here (I will be on vacation for a week but promise to return email upon my return).  Best of luck and be strong!

[mistymichelle]

A related discussion, Worrying makes them worse! was started.

[Yan]

Thank you guys here. It really made me feel good about it. I don't worry about my PVCs now.

[Mary Lou]

Chris,
    Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. You really said some things I needed to hear. I printed your response so I can look at it when I am having a hard time. Looking back at my post, I did sound a little neurotic, huh? I've been suffering with anxiety for 6 years, learned how to deal with it somewhat, so I thought I could handle it without any help from medicine. Until these heart flips started. I can't control them and my anxiety makes them worse. I hope the Paxil helps. I can't tell you how much I appreciate the time you took to write that wonderfully supportive post. I hope others when searching the archives bothered by these pvcs find it. I think it will help them too. Mary Lou

[CCF CARDIO MD - DLB]

Beta blocker withdrawal can cause PACs and PVCs to flare up, but this is a temporary effect, and unlikely given the small dose of beta blocker you are taking. The Paxil would not affect the PAcs or PVCs directly. It is normal for the heart rate to decrease with sleep, but this is not a danger. The PACs and PVCs are harmless in someone with a normal heart. You should go to the ER if you are having symptoms that are concerning to you. The tests you had would have already determined if you have heart block. Paxil is safe for the heart.