skipped beats

[Barbara]

Is there anything that can be done for bigeminys other than an ablation?  I have been through everything possible, including a catherization.  I was going to be put on flecanide, but I do have heart disease, although it is not bad enough to do anything about yet.  It seems like it comes from the stomach, as I get bad hunger pains when these happen.  I started to take prilosec to see if that would take away some of this problem, but it has not.  Also, walking or any exercise will bring the skips on.  Any suggestions?

[Momto3]

Madge,

Hang in there!  Please be persistent with your current doctor or consider finding another.  Find one who understands what you are going through, or at lest listens with a big heart.

On my first appointment with my current doctor, she told me she understands.  She GETS PVCS, so she gets it!! Even in the 20,000/day range, they were still considered benign, but it really, really helped me when I knew she understood what I was feeling/dealing with.

I'm curious as to how the doctors know when/if pvcs can be attributed to anxiety.  When I asked my doctor that very question, she said, "No, yours are not a result of anxiety." However, they certainly CAUSE their share of anxiety.  It's like the chicken and the egg; which came first?  

At one point in time (prior to seeing my current doctor), my PCP prescribed Xanax.  Yeah, it works....sort of.  What it actually did was make it so I didn't care.  After a week or so, the dose already needed to be increased to get the same effect.  That's when I said, "no thank."  That was 7 1/2 years ago, and now I only take in on rare occasions for anxiety.

I'm so sorry you are so frustrated.  If our words of encouragement help in anyway, you got 'em!!

Feel free to email me at ***@**** if you need to vent...If you email me, please put something in the subject line that lets me know your from the forum....

What does your doctor say about the increasing palps, shortness of breath, dizziness?  I can't remember, do you have any other cardiac issues.  I don't think I remember seeing any in your posts, but I can't remember much these days.....  

Upbeat,

You are such an "unbeat" person!!!  Love reading your responses...They are so calming and empathetic.  Hope you are feeling better.  I know exactly how it feels to be in constant arrythmia...We're here for ya!!

connie

[madgeOwens]

You two have been very supportive and I thank you so much.
I am going to see if I can take zoloft or something and see if it helps.  I know I have anxiety right now with my honey so ill and maybe that is a big part of it for me. We will see.Thank you from the bottom of my flip flopping crazy heart!

[upbeat63]

Hmm, life is interesting isn't it. We all have a condition (palpitations) for which there is no known cause (lots of triggers but no single cause) and no known cure. Ablations come with great risk, and don't work for everyone.

Palpitations are not life threatening (or so we're told), but they can destroy the quality of our lives! We can have one or thousands per day, but they all suck.

I've been about as positive as a person can be with over 20,000PVCs/day, but I've had a rather bad week. I've been in constant trigeminy, with occassional dizzy moments. I'm never sure now whether it's anxiety or is there some reduced oxygen because of sooooo many PVCs?.

Madge, I'm sorry the toperol isn't working. I hope you can try another BB with the same success as the inderol, goodness knows you need to take care of yourself in order to take care of your husband. The best anti-anxiety drug for ME, was xanax, but my doctor prescribes it so grudgingly you'd think the world supply was running out(it can be addicting but I take .12mg as needed, so I have to insist and then she agrees).

Buspar, at 10mg made me so dizzy I had to go to bed for 4 hours. Even at 5mg I was flat out until it left my system. My recommendation is keep working with your doctor until you find something that works for you. And if your doctor isn't working with you, then find another. I've been paying out of pocket for all my cardiac tests so I know all this medical stuff can add up, it can be expensive, but it's also worth it. Hope you all find some relief.

[madgeOwens]

I just called cardiology and told them I cannot take toprol.....I had been on it before and told then it made more pvc's they just dont listen, I said since he thinks pvcs are caused by anxiety I will get that type drug instead.  I am sooooo fed up!

[flip-flop]

I tried Buspar as well...I know it is not an SSRI but it made my heart race terribly so that is another drug I will not take. I am very medication sensitive which really stinks because so many drugs give me side effects so severe that I can't take them....I am having a problem right now with my blood pressure going up again...I had good control for 11 years with Maxide but now it is not working well enough so my dr. started me on Avapro...I took it for five days and had a resting heart rate of 120....not fun at all so I quit taking it. Couldn't even sleep...Now I have to worry about my blood pressure being up...if it isn't palps, it is something else. I get so tired of worrying all the time. That is why I liked Ativan...it kept me calm when I needed to be calm....

[Shanny38]

Yes, I get those big scary what I call whoopdydoos and then a "whoosh" all through my body. I hop right up outta bed and just wait to die. The adrenaline rush either goes away immediately or I will need to take a tranq to get through the rest of the day/night. This all just seems so unfair.

BUT HOORAY!! I found this site Saturday morning. I had been so afraid to work out and get my heart rate up but after reading some of your stories I am going to start again. My doc told me I should but I have had a hard time beleiving what he is telling me. My heart is acting so strangley afterall. I work part time as a waitress and have scaled back because I have been afraid. I worked by butt off yesterday and felt great. My back and feet hurt but if I had any PVC's I didnt notice them. So, my plan is to keep moving, try and stay positive and take my propanolol. WOULDNT GO ANYWHERE WITHOUT MY ALPRAZOLAM.....

I hope you all have a restfull heart day!!!
Shanny

[madgeOwens]

I had 7000 in 24 hours, and Im still getting a load and the symptoms with them short of breath, dizzy, chest pain!!!

[Momto3]

I'm so sorry to hear that you are still battling pvcs.  I really thought the Inderal was doing the trick, but I guess not :(

As for the Toprol, you may want to call your doctor's office and ask about stopping/switching/changing dose.  At one point during my treatment, I was prescribed atenolol (another common BB for the treatment of pvcs).  Well, I took ONE and about 20 minutes later, my arms and legs started shaking like crazy...I was pretty scared so I called the doctor's office at 9:00 p.m. I was told that it had affected my central nervous system and that I would be OK, but not to take it any more.  NO PROBLEM : )

There are so many other BB's on the market, maybe your doctor could prescribe an alternative.  My guess is that you are not a candidate for ablation, but it may be worth asking just in case that becomes an option for you.

Good luck.  Hope you are feeling better.

connie

[flip-flop]

As needed Ativan helped me soooooo much to be able to relax and deal with the palps when I was on it, but my current dr. will not give it to me because it is habit forming....I never took much of it in the 18 months I was on it and never even took it everyday but my current dr. still will not prescibe it. I was in therapy at the time I was on it and it was prescribed by my psychiatrist. I have explained to my current dr. about how much it helped me, heck I even had good blood pressure when I was on it...but my dr. says a big fat NO to putting me on Ativan again...it is quite frustrating when there is something out there that did help me but I can't get it....my husband is retired army and I get my care at a military hospital...I have been assigned this dr. and cannot change...it stinks. :( :(

[Shanny38]

Oh and Lynn....get some anti-anxiety drugs....I promise you will feel better. It may not be a long term solution, but your not being able to concentrate and such is anxiety related. Dont let it get to full on panic....Xanax is my savior every once in a while..

Take Care....Shanny

[Shanny38]

Its me again. I see that alot of you have gone to a cardiologist. My diagnosis comes from two ER docs and my regular physician who is a FNP..a very good one. Do I need to go to a cardiologist in your opinion because my symptons are just as you all write of. I have no insurance or wouldnt even ask this question. The endural seems to be working I guess. Heck I dont know.

Thank you.....A very scared and freaked out Shanny

[lolathechi]

Does anyone ever get the "scary"pvcs?? I classify them as the annoying ones, which are the ones where they are small and a little annoying, then the big ones, which are a HUGE thump and then the scary ones.. where out of the blue you will get one sooooo severe, you think this is it, I am dying.. you get disoriented for a moment jump out of your skin and then the hardest thump hits you?? I am scared to death of these.. the others are bad and scary enough.. but these just destroy me for the day!!! I always check my pulse right after and it is normal, not fast, not slow.. just avarge.. I am so terrified of these.. I have had the echos, holters, ekgs and all were normal... Showed only single pvc's and one on holter on 8 in 24 hours!! ( this was BEFORE I knew what they were.... as soon as I found out I have a "arrythmia" I freaked out and have had tons of them ever since!! I have good days and bad days.. these things are killing me.. I cant function, I get so upset, my anxiety is out of contorl... I dont knwo what else to do anymore?? I just wish I could go back before where I would get about 10 a year... Thanks!

[madgeOwens]

Everyone posted under pals and skipped beats sounds alike I think.
Today I am dizzy and I mean DIZZY..do you think it is the toprol xl????and I am having constant pvc's?
I am trying to take care of a sick hubby and do not have time for this ****.

[Shanny38]

I just posted at another forum and am new to all this PAC stuff. I hate it!!! Im scared!!! I feel like Im going crazy and then I find this site today. I dont feel so alone anymore. I cant imagine at this point going through a day without knowing I have tranq's if I need them. The anxiety that came into my life along with these stupid heart beats is awful. Propanolol seems to be working so far somewhat. I just wish I could stop thinking about it ALL THE TIME. Always afraid Im going to have a heart attack...ALWAYS!!! How in the heck does something like this just come outta nowhere. I have 4 kids, 1 hubby and 2 jobs, I dont have time for this ****. UGH!!! I bet I learn to deal much better after reading all of the postings. Thanks a ton!!!

[dmdj]

Exactly what you have described as a beat, beat, ..........beat (what seems to be pausing)is what I am experiencing right now.  Along with other irregularities such as beat, beat, beat-beat-BEAT, beat, beat, etc..  Should I be alarmed?  I am trying not to freak out, but am so consumed by every single beat that I cannot think straight, listen to other people talking, or take my mind off it.  I am considering a visit to the cardiologist on Monday because I think the only way I will have peace of mind is if I have an event monitor record this arrythmia.  I've had two 24 hr. monitors (within the last two years), but of course, no real irregularities as the ones I mentioned occur at that time.  Any thoughts out there?

[madgeOwens]

I was recently on time release inderol which helped like a wonder drug for about three weeks and then it started to lose its potency. They switched me over to metroprolol 50 time release also known as toprol xl (time release) I have had constant palps and skipped beats about every two to three beats today. I also get short of breat and chest pain etc.....it is frustrating no one takes you serious for this and from the looks of things in here there are alot suffering from pvc's and pac's.
I am going to see about going on anti anxiety med as well to see if that helps.  I am so frustrated as you aldent....your not alone!

[LynnSB]

You can google "electrophysiology study", i.e.an EP study, and get lots of info.. here's a bit ( scroll down to find): http://www.massgeneral.org/cardiology/cardiology/arrhythmia.html#hdiag

[miche35]

What is an EP study?  I have a lot of PVC's and PAC's, and they are getting progressively worse.  I was in the Emergency Room tonight convinced that I was finally having the heart attack, because they were making me dizzy and my chest aches when they happen, but lucky me, I'm "JUST FINE" and to go home and take some Ativan.  What a way to live.  I am interested to hear what this EP study is.  Michelle

[LynnSB]

I hear you! Aren't these the most ANNOYING and, let's face, frightening things.  I'm goign through a rotten time.. i'm having the kind that feel like beat, beat...............beat. A pause type skip, every 20 beats or so. This has been going on a week. I've been checked out by world class cardiologists, EP docs, you name it.. every test in the book just about. My last event monitor was in March.. had an EP study and ablation a couple of years ago ( they got one pathway causing tachycardia of 220 and I was so hopeful I was "cured" of the dreaded by palps, but no). I have started on a very, very low dosage or prozac due to my panic and anxiety about all this.. naturally, i am not in a panic and anxious the )(#*@&* prozac ( just 2.5 mg. at present) is CAUSING the more frequent palps. These things have literally wrecked my life. I try my best to ignore them, to do the self talk but I guess i am just a weak person. Beta blockers did nothing but make me super fatigued depressed and -- get this -- INCREASED the palps.. to the point that thats' when the doc finally wanted to do an EP study! Go figure!!!! Good luck to you and i hope you feel better soon and your PVCs, etc. calm down. -- Lynn

[Barbara]

Thanks for your interest.  I am on atenolol.  25mg in the morning and .25mg in the evening.  This has been going on at least 20 years.  Lately they are becoming worse.  I want to avoid an ablation.  My girlfriend had one and last month she was taken to the emergency room with the same problem after one year.  There is no test I haven't had done in all these years.  I also take synthroid .112mg and avapro 150mg daily for blood pressure.  I also go to a teaching hospital and they tell me these no much can be done for these skips.

[fearfactor]

Hi - I occasionally have trigeminy or bigeminy - it never lasts very long, thank God.  I have had all the tests and got the ol' "benign PVCs" diagnosis - nothing is wrong with my heart at all.  So, I guess you're saying bigeminy is OK as long as your heart is OK, right?  It is so scary to have bigeminy, I just want to make sure it's really OK and not something to worry about!  Thanks.

[Cleveland Clinic]

barbara,

Some people respons to different antiarrythmic medications. As you have already faced, these medications have some side effects and some people arent eligible for them at all.

Some people have thier arrythmias at higher heart rates and some at lower. Given yours are associated with activity, the former may be true and beta blockers might help you as they tend to lower your heart rate response to activity.

good luck.