Aa
palpitations - why can't they diagnose anything????
I am a 38 year old female who has really been through the ringer getting my heart checked out. I have been for ultrasounds, EKG's, two unsuccessful ablations and probably any other testing that you can imagine. The doctors say that I have a structurally normal heart and not to worry about what I feel.
I have been diagnosed with PVC's, short runs of SVT, and non-sustained v-tach (which I don't think happens too frequently). I have been on numerous beta-blockers which I do not do well on and I still feel every skipped beat that I get. I find I get really bad headaches and my blood pressure is super low 80/56 when I am beta blockers. I naturally have low blood pressure so I think the beta blockers make it even lower.
Why can't they find out why my heart acts up all of the time? I constantly feel skips, a fluttering sensation and sometimes it just starts pounding for no reason at all!!!! I can't stand it anymore. There is not a day that goes by when I don't feel something funny going on in there and it really scares me. Is there not some operation that can fix what is going on???? Since they have found all of these things that are happening (ie: the PVC's - approximately 10 a day, but really hard ones, svt and non-sustained v-tach), why do they tell me not to worry????? They have said I could go on an anti-arrythmic if I wanted to but it was not necessary. I DO NOT want to go on an anti-arrythmic, I am too scared to go on it.
What else can I do? I am driving my doctor crazy, I go back to her probably once per month and tell her I can't take this heart issue anymore. She is always very nice to me but I am at the point I am embarrased to go see her because she says she does not know where else to send me.
What can I do?? Am I driving myself crazy with this. I really feel there is something wrong in there but everyone tells me there is not and a lot of people get weird sensations.
I have been diagnosed with PVC's, short runs of SVT, and non-sustained v-tach (which I don't think happens too frequently). I have been on numerous beta-blockers which I do not do well on and I still feel every skipped beat that I get. I find I get really bad headaches and my blood pressure is super low 80/56 when I am beta blockers. I naturally have low blood pressure so I think the beta blockers make it even lower.
Why can't they find out why my heart acts up all of the time? I constantly feel skips, a fluttering sensation and sometimes it just starts pounding for no reason at all!!!! I can't stand it anymore. There is not a day that goes by when I don't feel something funny going on in there and it really scares me. Is there not some operation that can fix what is going on???? Since they have found all of these things that are happening (ie: the PVC's - approximately 10 a day, but really hard ones, svt and non-sustained v-tach), why do they tell me not to worry????? They have said I could go on an anti-arrythmic if I wanted to but it was not necessary. I DO NOT want to go on an anti-arrythmic, I am too scared to go on it.
What else can I do? I am driving my doctor crazy, I go back to her probably once per month and tell her I can't take this heart issue anymore. She is always very nice to me but I am at the point I am embarrased to go see her because she says she does not know where else to send me.
What can I do?? Am I driving myself crazy with this. I really feel there is something wrong in there but everyone tells me there is not and a lot of people get weird sensations.
I can relate to everything said on this board. I am a 50 year old male. I don't know all the lingo but i know the flutter in my chest, and have been told to learn to live with it. I'm told that lots of people have it and live with it. My heart never races, nor do i have panic attacks where i have to go to the hospital. Just a flutter, a irregular beat. I've learned how to mimimize it while laying in bed at night, when it's the worst. It comes for days and weeks, and then leaves for days and weeks. I can't discern a pattern, but i think perhaps, if there's any pattern, it's worst after i eat sometimes, and after i push myself too hard, or if i don't get enough sleep.
Here's a thought. I have been diagnosed with a "mild" Irritable Bowel." This too comes and goes with stress, etc. When i have it, i feel pressure in my chest, indigestion, and have to belch alot. After i belch alot, it seems to relieve the pressure and the palpatitions don't seem as bad. I've wondered if there's a connection. Anyone else have IBS, digestion problems, and wondered if it is connected with the flutter?
Ken Waite. ***@****.
Here's a thought. I have been diagnosed with a "mild" Irritable Bowel." This too comes and goes with stress, etc. When i have it, i feel pressure in my chest, indigestion, and have to belch alot. After i belch alot, it seems to relieve the pressure and the palpatitions don't seem as bad. I've wondered if there's a connection. Anyone else have IBS, digestion problems, and wondered if it is connected with the flutter?
Ken Waite. ***@****.
To Neil,
I have to agree with John 100%. I have also recently begun magnesium, potassium, vitamin B complex(with Vit C), and Selenium. I also have been eating healthier and drinking more water. I have to say that my symptoms of the 'skipped beats' have improved drastically!!! I still feel it once in a while but it is way under control. I will continue this for the rest of my life if need be because the daily anxiety is being lifted and it feels wonderful!!
Lenore
I have to agree with John 100%. I have also recently begun magnesium, potassium, vitamin B complex(with Vit C), and Selenium. I also have been eating healthier and drinking more water. I have to say that my symptoms of the 'skipped beats' have improved drastically!!! I still feel it once in a while but it is way under control. I will continue this for the rest of my life if need be because the daily anxiety is being lifted and it feels wonderful!!
Lenore
Hi all,
I cannot say it strongly enough that people who are suffering from these symptomatic PVC need to go see an electrophysiologist. Not just any doctor, but one with a good reputation. The problem is, as explained to me by my doctor, is that most cardiologists deal with coronary artery disease and HTN. They are the "Plumbers". Most of us on this thread have a problem with the electrical system in our hearts and that requires an "electriction". That is what the Electrophysiologist is. My EP doctor got on my good side right away when he told me that even though these pvc are not going to kill, it is your quality of life that counts. How do you concentrate on work or read or sleep when you have a constant pounding in your chest. I do not panic anymore. I know that this is a benign arrythmia, but I want it to go away. I, as a RN, have read many medical journal articles on ablating pvc and my doctor says that there is a 90 to 95% success rate. I hope I am in that majority. I am having it done tomorrow. Just seek out the best physician in the medical community and don't stand for, "it will be allright". Be advocates for your own health and seek out more opinions if you dont like the one you got. I have been through many medications in 1 1/2 years and now it is time to try something new. hope it works. I will reply back after the procedure.
Paul
I cannot say it strongly enough that people who are suffering from these symptomatic PVC need to go see an electrophysiologist. Not just any doctor, but one with a good reputation. The problem is, as explained to me by my doctor, is that most cardiologists deal with coronary artery disease and HTN. They are the "Plumbers". Most of us on this thread have a problem with the electrical system in our hearts and that requires an "electriction". That is what the Electrophysiologist is. My EP doctor got on my good side right away when he told me that even though these pvc are not going to kill, it is your quality of life that counts. How do you concentrate on work or read or sleep when you have a constant pounding in your chest. I do not panic anymore. I know that this is a benign arrythmia, but I want it to go away. I, as a RN, have read many medical journal articles on ablating pvc and my doctor says that there is a 90 to 95% success rate. I hope I am in that majority. I am having it done tomorrow. Just seek out the best physician in the medical community and don't stand for, "it will be allright". Be advocates for your own health and seek out more opinions if you dont like the one you got. I have been through many medications in 1 1/2 years and now it is time to try something new. hope it works. I will reply back after the procedure.
Paul
Niel. John here, 56 yrs wt/ht average in otherwise good health. I was diagnosed with "RVOT Vtac" after a treadmill stress test three weeks ago and the Card. MD put me on 25mg Atenolol Beta blocker twice a day. I have had "missed" heartbeats with the BIG THUMPS after the missed beats for over three months now and my Dr. sent me for the stress test. My missed beats happened all of a sudden one morning after breakfast on my way to work, scared the wits out of me. They continued happening daily, mostly after meals. The meds lowered my blood pressure and heart rate but also increased the amount of missed beats significantly. It also took "all" my energy away, to the point where it was a chore to walk even slowly. I stopped the meds after one week and started Magnesium supplements and a multiple vitamin, (about 350mg magnesium a day.) After one week of magnesium supplement my bloodpressure is still low,(107/74 after my morning shower)but my heart rate has increased to between 80 and 110. The thing is I feel so much better. I still get missed beats a couple of times a day but nothing compared to before the meds and the stress test. My energy is back and my quality of life is getting to near normal. I am going in for an Echo Cardiogram tomorrow and an appointment with an Electrocardio MD next week. This forum has helped me understand my problem and given me peace of mind. Thanks to all who have contributed.
Hi. So many of us have posted under this one thread, and eventually the thread will be gone. I suspect this board is actually more for people to post a question to the doc, rather than be used as an actual message board.
So what I'm wondering is.....does anyone know of a good cardiac message board that we could all post on? I've been looking lately and haven't come up with one that appears active at all. So I'm hoping that if anyone can find one that we could frequent, that'd be great if you'd come back to this thread and post the url for the message board. There really seems to be the need.
So what I'm wondering is.....does anyone know of a good cardiac message board that we could all post on? I've been looking lately and haven't come up with one that appears active at all. So I'm hoping that if anyone can find one that we could frequent, that'd be great if you'd come back to this thread and post the url for the message board. There really seems to be the need.
Well, I've since been to the cardiologist for my following checkup. I got the "your heart is structurally sound" speech. He ordered one more blood tests for thryoid conditions...waiting to hear back on that one this week. Turns out the echo was fine as well.
Okay, great - so I'm not going to die. That doesnt seem to help me in the 'quality of life' category. I've started taking the Atenenol after I had to leave work early again with a fast heartbeat, flushed feeling, some nausea. 25mg every day..which has noticeable slowed my heart rate. So now I dont get those mild heart ramp-ups. Instead, i'm getting more of the really strong, slow, out-of-synch extra beats for hours. Those are really wearing me out (both from anxiety and the slow rate). Are these common? Do the rest of you experience these? It feels like someone's standing on my chest, and then i get those totally odd strong beats. They seem to really throw a wrench in the beating pattern too... thump...thump..........THUMP.....THUMP........thump thump... It's driving me batty. They're tiring, I'm weak and lightheaded, get a headache feeling as well - and have to try to lie down to mitigate them some. I've tried the coughing, torso stretching, brisk walks...not much seems to make them go away. I'm going to cut back the Atenenol to 12mg tomorrow...I think my heart rate's too low (I know it's below my normal resting rate now), and try to talk to the doctor again. I'm trying to plan some active vacations (hiking and snow skiing) but I don't simply see how those would be possible at this point. Any one have more experience with PVCs? Mine only started a week ago, and i'm getting them for hours straight every day...sometimes i'm fine for several hours (and it feels SO peaceful). Once you remove the source of these (be it stress/lack of sleep/caffeine) do they take a while to go away? I'm trying to stay positive, but it's really starting to hamper my functioning in life. I just feel lousy way too often. Any tips/opinions appreciated.
Okay, great - so I'm not going to die. That doesnt seem to help me in the 'quality of life' category. I've started taking the Atenenol after I had to leave work early again with a fast heartbeat, flushed feeling, some nausea. 25mg every day..which has noticeable slowed my heart rate. So now I dont get those mild heart ramp-ups. Instead, i'm getting more of the really strong, slow, out-of-synch extra beats for hours. Those are really wearing me out (both from anxiety and the slow rate). Are these common? Do the rest of you experience these? It feels like someone's standing on my chest, and then i get those totally odd strong beats. They seem to really throw a wrench in the beating pattern too... thump...thump..........THUMP.....THUMP........thump thump... It's driving me batty. They're tiring, I'm weak and lightheaded, get a headache feeling as well - and have to try to lie down to mitigate them some. I've tried the coughing, torso stretching, brisk walks...not much seems to make them go away. I'm going to cut back the Atenenol to 12mg tomorrow...I think my heart rate's too low (I know it's below my normal resting rate now), and try to talk to the doctor again. I'm trying to plan some active vacations (hiking and snow skiing) but I don't simply see how those would be possible at this point. Any one have more experience with PVCs? Mine only started a week ago, and i'm getting them for hours straight every day...sometimes i'm fine for several hours (and it feels SO peaceful). Once you remove the source of these (be it stress/lack of sleep/caffeine) do they take a while to go away? I'm trying to stay positive, but it's really starting to hamper my functioning in life. I just feel lousy way too often. Any tips/opinions appreciated.
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