Can taking anitdepressants help PVC's?

[artskip]

I just need some help. I'am trying to find a way to keep my palps under control. I just started a new job, full time. I haven't worked full time in 21 years. I am so bone tired when I get home, all I want to do is go to sleep.  Now the PVC's have really amped up,for the obvious reasons, and my meds aren't working so well (xanax and inderal). I can't sleep very well, then the vicious circle starts. Has anyone really been helped by antidepressants? I'am willing to try anything. My Dr. is away till the 4th, any thoughts would help. Thanks all!

[SillyHeart]

I did go back on the Celexa.  Unfortunately it didn't work the same the 2nd time around.  Apparently this is kind of typical, for some reason (antidepressants working less effectively the 2nd time on them).

[artskip]

Thanks so much for you help.
Momto3, Yes I drink honey chamomile tea by celestrial seasons, I don't have any caffeine, at all. O.K. maybe alittle chocolate but not solid, usually something coated in chocolate. The new job was really overwhelming, and it took me till Sunday to feel a little rested. I called my boss and asked if I could cut my daily hours down and he agreed, so today I feel pretty good and PVC's are back to there normal level.

BLM 56, So glad all went well!!  I really don't feel depressed, or overly anxious. My Dr. gave me xanax because when the PVC's hit non stop I couldn't sleep, I don't take it daily only when I can't sleep. The  inderal is to keep me from feeling the PVC's so intensily. There is a vicious circle of anxiety and PVC's, I'am sure thats why antidepressants must work for some. Thanks

[upbeat633]

another anecdotal story, I had a friend who took cymbalta for anxiety, and now, in trying to come off of it, she gets terrible pvcs and she didn't have those before.

[BLM_56]

I've been on effexor (started @ 75mg and up to 225mg qd now) since 02 and it never made any difference in my PAT.  Of course my arrhythmia was atrial whereas PVCs are ventricular.  I did a quick scan of the web and the only references to SSRIs (which celexa and effexor are members along with several others) and palpitations list it as a side effect and not something helped.  I can see no reasonan SSRI would help directly since it has no effect on the chemistry of conduction and rhythm in the heart.  Celexa is used in treatment of anxiety and that could help reduce the causes of incidents of palpitation.

Talk to your doctor about your problem.  Tell him/her you know someone who was on celexa and seemed to have improvement while on celexa.  I don't know why you are on xanax but inderal is used to treat high blood pressure.  Remember that Sillyheart's report is entirely anecdotal and could be explained simply by heaving their anxiety reduced.

Hope you are successful treating your palpitations.

[Momto3]

I used to be on Inderal (80mg LA and 20mg for breakthrough episodes) and after awhile it seemed to lose its effectiveness.  I also took Xanax, but only rarely and it helped with the anxiety.  At one point, I was put on a daily dose of Xanax and within a couple weeks, I realized I had to increase the dose and/or frequency to maintain the effect. I stopped taking it daily, and for the past 10 years, I have only taken it on rare occasions...

Not sure if an anti-depressant would be helpful, but that's a great question for the doctor when he gets back.  The 4th isn't too far off and between now and then, just be sure you get rest (even if you are not sleeping well), some exercise (steps at work, park farther out, whatever works for you right now), eat a pretty good diet and take a little time for yourself every day.  Have you tried chamoille tea?  caliming tea? (sold in grocery stores) Ovaltine before bed?  Believe it, or not sometimes those little things help....Let us know how you're doing.  How's the new job (beside being tired)?  Hope you're having a good weekend!

connie

[artskip]

Why haven't you gone back on it? Did you have any side effect on it?

[SillyHeart]

I was only antidepressants (Celexa) for 5 years.  During those 5 years my heart felt the best it ever has in my life.  Fewer than 1 PVC per day and not a single episode of SVT.  I wish I'd not been stupid enough to go off of the Celexa.