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pvcs/pacs/runs and hormones
Many thanks for such a great site. it really helps to put my mind at rest!
Some background-23F, healthy, not overweight, smoke occasionally,don't drink huge amounts, no family history. A normal 20 year old I would say!All started some years back, would notice the odd heart flutter as a teenager and think nothing of it. As the years have gone on its started bothering me more and I went to the doctors and had all the tests-24 hr tape, echo, blood works, numerous ecgs etc. all came back normal with 25 ectopic beats(mainly pvc's) in 24 hours which nobody was alarmed at.Currently on Propranolol 40mg once a day (can take twice if really bothering me). I don't seem to get many of these during the day but as soon as I lie down or relax my heart starts jumping around. Sometimes I get a big flutter and then after the flutter my heart does three or four quick beats and then back normal. I'm not sure if this is just my heart reacting to the ectopic or if its v-tach or something? Obviously, i'm terrified of having v-tach. I don't feel dizzy or unwell during these episodes, just worried. Although sometimes my body feels 'buzzy' and that's when I know i'm going to get ectopics.
I really think that these may be hormone related. I was on the pill for 5 years& never had heart problems then.As a result, I've just today gone back on the pill to see if this regulates my hormones and stops the funny beats. Do you think this may help? What about the flutter and quick beats is this ne thing to worry about? Is propranolol okay with oral contraceptives?
Many thanks!
Some background-23F, healthy, not overweight, smoke occasionally,don't drink huge amounts, no family history. A normal 20 year old I would say!All started some years back, would notice the odd heart flutter as a teenager and think nothing of it. As the years have gone on its started bothering me more and I went to the doctors and had all the tests-24 hr tape, echo, blood works, numerous ecgs etc. all came back normal with 25 ectopic beats(mainly pvc's) in 24 hours which nobody was alarmed at.Currently on Propranolol 40mg once a day (can take twice if really bothering me). I don't seem to get many of these during the day but as soon as I lie down or relax my heart starts jumping around. Sometimes I get a big flutter and then after the flutter my heart does three or four quick beats and then back normal. I'm not sure if this is just my heart reacting to the ectopic or if its v-tach or something? Obviously, i'm terrified of having v-tach. I don't feel dizzy or unwell during these episodes, just worried. Although sometimes my body feels 'buzzy' and that's when I know i'm going to get ectopics.
I really think that these may be hormone related. I was on the pill for 5 years& never had heart problems then.As a result, I've just today gone back on the pill to see if this regulates my hormones and stops the funny beats. Do you think this may help? What about the flutter and quick beats is this ne thing to worry about? Is propranolol okay with oral contraceptives?
Many thanks!
Does sotalol help with pvc's ?
I'm a PAC, PVC and anxiety sufferer, too. It is SO nice to know I am not alone. This site keeps me sane sometimes! About natural remedies, I take magnesium glycinate (which is more absorbable that other forms) and calcium which seems to help. I also take L-carnitine, taurine and am going to start Co-Q-10 which are all advised for palpitations. I'm young, exercise a lot, am of normal weight, healthy and seemingly have my whole life ahead of me. It is SO frustrating to have to live with these stupid palps that make you think you're going to keel over dead at any time! I try anything that even MAY help them! I tried birth control pills and they actually helped my palps a lot but I had to go off them because they made me nervous. I'm going to try them again now that I hear other people have had good results with their palps while on them.
This site is great. When I asked my cardiologist where all the others were with this problem, he assured me that there were many of us out there. I am 44 and have had them for over 30 years. At 17 they gave me valium, for anxiety, little did they know and coincidentally they went away. Pregnancy was a wild ride as someone else has said. PMS forget it, you can always count on them getting worse. About 12 years ago I had an episode that lasted 6 weeks. I was always able to ward them off with Propranolol. ONly 10 mg.This past Fall they lasted 8 weeks. I was feeling good for 6 months and now they are back and it's coming up on 6 weeks. I am also followed by a cardiologist who is very nice as well as being very kind and knowlegdeable (I HOPE). It's very hard not to be concerned about this condidtion when it's YOUR heart you are talking about. For those of u taking propranolol, my DR assures me it is a pretty harmless drug that will lessen the severity of the PAC/PVC, with minimal side effects. Since they are going on so long, I can take as much as 100mg a day, more if needed. I feel like an elderly person who is dependent on these pills. I am glad that they help but it is still always so scary.
It's easy to get yourself stirred up into an anxious state and start thinking the worst. But you shouldn't be looking for a zebra in a herd of horses.
That is to say, don't be overly anxious about something that isn't there, for example, people who get lots of freckles and moles on their skin--and have been told they are benign by a medical doctor, shouldn't be worried about CANCER.
Sure, if there are changes, then maybe they should get a more detailed test, a biopsy to check it out. That's just like us, if we notice changes, we should get it checked out. Maybe have a follow-up in a year or two. But in the meantime, continue to read and research and try the things that should help reduce stress and keep ourselves healthy.
Someone else wrote about quitting smoking which is THE very best advice on reducing the PVCs but more importantly may help you live to 100, if that's what you really want to do!!
That is to say, don't be overly anxious about something that isn't there, for example, people who get lots of freckles and moles on their skin--and have been told they are benign by a medical doctor, shouldn't be worried about CANCER.
Sure, if there are changes, then maybe they should get a more detailed test, a biopsy to check it out. That's just like us, if we notice changes, we should get it checked out. Maybe have a follow-up in a year or two. But in the meantime, continue to read and research and try the things that should help reduce stress and keep ourselves healthy.
Someone else wrote about quitting smoking which is THE very best advice on reducing the PVCs but more importantly may help you live to 100, if that's what you really want to do!!
I don't know about natural remedies, but when I was having alot of "heart hiccups" which is my name for the PAC/PVC's, my Mom told me to quit drinking diet soda with aspartame. I did and the frequency of hiccups went down considerably! I'm sure it also helped that when I quit the diet soda the caffiene intake went down as well. I still have PSVT, doesn't seem like anything affects that, but I don't have nearly so many, nor as noticeable heart hiccups.
I was put on 12.5 mg of Atenolol, and had HORRID side effects from it. I was so depressed and tired I could barely function. If you find out any natural remedies that might work, I'd be glad to hear about them, and even try them!
Hope you (all) are having great days!
I was put on 12.5 mg of Atenolol, and had HORRID side effects from it. I was so depressed and tired I could barely function. If you find out any natural remedies that might work, I'd be glad to hear about them, and even try them!
Hope you (all) are having great days!
Tickertock-I can see your point. However, i've found the doctors get quite annoyed at me when I press them and say 'but are you sure it can't be this or that..etc etc' I think they think I'm questioning their qualifications or their expertise, when all I want is reassurance. If I hadn't ever heard the term 'Sudden Cardiac Death' I would definitaly be feeling a lot happier now! But, I do see your point too.
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