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Trying to accept PVC's, and unexplained pain, medication questions
I'm really trying to accept that I have palpitations and they are benign. This has been the most frustrating thing I have ever gone through. Exacerbating the situation is occassional chest pain and other various upper body pains that sound like heart related symptoms.
My paplitations are getting worse. Still no runs from what I can tell, but I am having a higher frequency.
I've tried calcium channel blockers and beta blockers. The beta blocker (inderal la 60) works better, but when I exercise my heart rate will not go above 80% of max, which makes it hard aerobic wise. The calcium channel blocker (cardizem la, 180mg) doesn't seem to do much.
Q's
1. Is there a beta blocker that seems to have a lesser effect on heart rate, or is this just what they do?
2. Should I take a long acting beta blocker?
3. Is it normal for PVC's to go away when I do exercise? (when my rate is above 120 they are very minimal if not non-existant. Is this above a "good sign"
4. Here is the toughy for me, particulaly when I have other problem. I'm only 35, 7 months ago I had none of these things. I know they are supposidely benign, but for me, rationally something had to "change" for them to come on. I have ecg's from my physical a year ago - NO PVC's. Now, I can show anywhere from 5-20 in a 5 minute tracing. Something had to "Change" right? that is where I have to think there is a solution, or a cause... or a PROBLEM.
5. Are there blood tests that I could request that might show something? (hormonal, electrolytes, other?)
6. Other than a stress echo, other tests?
thank
My paplitations are getting worse. Still no runs from what I can tell, but I am having a higher frequency.
I've tried calcium channel blockers and beta blockers. The beta blocker (inderal la 60) works better, but when I exercise my heart rate will not go above 80% of max, which makes it hard aerobic wise. The calcium channel blocker (cardizem la, 180mg) doesn't seem to do much.
Q's
1. Is there a beta blocker that seems to have a lesser effect on heart rate, or is this just what they do?
2. Should I take a long acting beta blocker?
3. Is it normal for PVC's to go away when I do exercise? (when my rate is above 120 they are very minimal if not non-existant. Is this above a "good sign"
4. Here is the toughy for me, particulaly when I have other problem. I'm only 35, 7 months ago I had none of these things. I know they are supposidely benign, but for me, rationally something had to "change" for them to come on. I have ecg's from my physical a year ago - NO PVC's. Now, I can show anywhere from 5-20 in a 5 minute tracing. Something had to "Change" right? that is where I have to think there is a solution, or a cause... or a PROBLEM.
5. Are there blood tests that I could request that might show something? (hormonal, electrolytes, other?)
6. Other than a stress echo, other tests?
thank
Hi,
I've replied to you before. I think our situation is a little defferent than most of the other posters as far as looking for a cause(both had 2 ablations for svt). Like you, I did not have all of these skipped beats prior to ablation. I am 3 months past my second ablation and am still having them constantly. I get tired of hearing "everyone has them - you just notice them more". The bottom line is yes, I did have them before ablation - maybe 5-6 on a bad day and many days none at all. The ablation had to trigger something to be having several a minute 24/7. I wasn't having anxiety until I started having these - they are causing my anxiety. I don't know about you, but I cannot ignore or get use to these - sometimes they take my breath away. I see my EP and regular cardiologist this week. I will let you know what I find out. I also have GERD and do notice that when I feel full they are worse. They also seem to get worse lying down. Take care and please reply................
I've replied to you before. I think our situation is a little defferent than most of the other posters as far as looking for a cause(both had 2 ablations for svt). Like you, I did not have all of these skipped beats prior to ablation. I am 3 months past my second ablation and am still having them constantly. I get tired of hearing "everyone has them - you just notice them more". The bottom line is yes, I did have them before ablation - maybe 5-6 on a bad day and many days none at all. The ablation had to trigger something to be having several a minute 24/7. I wasn't having anxiety until I started having these - they are causing my anxiety. I don't know about you, but I cannot ignore or get use to these - sometimes they take my breath away. I see my EP and regular cardiologist this week. I will let you know what I find out. I also have GERD and do notice that when I feel full they are worse. They also seem to get worse lying down. Take care and please reply................
Hi all to make a long story short i was having them to the tune of about 10 a minute... Went to an electro and he dx me Toprol XL After about 1.5 yrs on the Toprol im relatively pvc free on MOST days... It took a long time to work.... (i guess it is helping) but ive had relief now for a bout 6 months... i had sudden onset of them like eddie at 49yrs old... im now almost 52 good luck all... these have changed my life too...but there is hope....
A few questions for you:
Have you asked your cardiologist the questions you ask here?
Have you typed "pvcs" into the search box up on the right of the page? If you do, you will learn a lot about these strange beats, and how so many of us cope with them.
Myself, I have had pvcs for years. At one point, I wore a Holter which showed that I was getting over 4800 pvcs and a fair number of couplets in 24 hours. I also have mild aortic incompetence (my aortic valve doesn't shut all the way when it's supposed to).
I go to the gym and exercise hard six days a week. This routine seems to make no significant difference in the number of pvcs I get, but since I'm still alive, I figure I have nothing to lose, exept pounds I don't need. The exercise is good for the space between my ears, and is good for the rest of my body as well, so I do it.
As for anxiety, in all seriousness, I suggest seeing a psychiatrist. I have done that, and, for a period of time, have taken the medication he recommended. It's very, very difficult to get anxiety "under control" without help. The way it works is that when you try to "control" it, it winds up controlling you.
Have you asked your cardiologist the questions you ask here?
Have you typed "pvcs" into the search box up on the right of the page? If you do, you will learn a lot about these strange beats, and how so many of us cope with them.
Myself, I have had pvcs for years. At one point, I wore a Holter which showed that I was getting over 4800 pvcs and a fair number of couplets in 24 hours. I also have mild aortic incompetence (my aortic valve doesn't shut all the way when it's supposed to).
I go to the gym and exercise hard six days a week. This routine seems to make no significant difference in the number of pvcs I get, but since I'm still alive, I figure I have nothing to lose, exept pounds I don't need. The exercise is good for the space between my ears, and is good for the rest of my body as well, so I do it.
As for anxiety, in all seriousness, I suggest seeing a psychiatrist. I have done that, and, for a period of time, have taken the medication he recommended. It's very, very difficult to get anxiety "under control" without help. The way it works is that when you try to "control" it, it winds up controlling you.
Watch supplementing magnesium. You may get more palpitations instead of less. Your doctor should be aware of any supplementation for your safety.
Anyhow, I can relate to the frustration of ectopic beats. I'm the opposite, mine come with exercise. It sometimes makes it difficult to stay active, but on my cardiologist's advice I have kept plugging along and keeping fit. They come in patches for many of us, and a few months back I hit a horrid patch. I was convinced something horrible must be wrong with me, but I checked out okay. They are still there more than before, but they're easing up. I'm looking forward to my next palpitation-free stretch, and hopefully yours will come soon too! ;) Hang in there.
Anyhow, I can relate to the frustration of ectopic beats. I'm the opposite, mine come with exercise. It sometimes makes it difficult to stay active, but on my cardiologist's advice I have kept plugging along and keeping fit. They come in patches for many of us, and a few months back I hit a horrid patch. I was convinced something horrible must be wrong with me, but I checked out okay. They are still there more than before, but they're easing up. I'm looking forward to my next palpitation-free stretch, and hopefully yours will come soon too! ;) Hang in there.
Hi, Iv just been on the site you recommended and found it VERY interesting....im going out to buy some magnesium asap!! Thanks again B-)
Hi Eddie,so many on this board have your same problem. We all can understand you!!! I hope what the doctor and others said is reassuring you. My fear of PVCs is decreasing with time, as I receive more reassurance and hear the experiences of others.
I would like to address the issue in your post
I would like to address the issue in your post
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