Coping with arrythmia and not know what causes it

[allaflutter1213]

I am so glad I found this site and while I don't wish my malady on anyone it is comforting to know that I am not alone.
I am a 47 year old female that started experiencing palpitations and PAC's and PVC's about six months ago, although at the time I had no idea what was happening to me.
I went to my PCP and he took an ECG and refered me to a cardiologist. I did the stress test via adenosine and the stress test was abnormal as was the ECG so I was then scheduled for a heart catheter. The Dr found no blockages during the cath and said my heart looked fine outside of a congenial heart defect that I inherited from my dad but the Dr insited that this particular defect wasn't in itself harmful or related to the arrythmia's.
So after all of that I am back at square 1 with what is the cause of the arrythmia.
I have them everyday but somedays are worse as far as the severity, today is one of those "bad" days.
I have an appt. tomorrow with my OB/GYN and I plan on discussing the hormone options and having them checked as well as my thyroid.
I am currently taking a low dose of Verapamil but it doesn't seem to be making a difference at all and I am going to discuss not taking it anymore when I go back to see my cardiologist on the 20th this month since it doesn't seem to be **** anythig for me at all.
Any and all suggestions, conversations, advice, experiences are welcome.




Frustrated and scared in the South

[Wisconsin2007]

I love what the others have posted, especially Skippi's repost of Momto3's post about PVC's - I had a period where I was having 5,000-10,000 PVC's a day.  I had one small child and another on the way, and I'd go off to work wondering if today was the day I'd leave them without a father.

For what it's worth, I figured out some of my stress triggers and have been able to get them pretty much under control.  Once in awhile I'll have a few thousand in a day, while other times I'll go months without having (or at least without noticing) any.  

As to your pain or soreness - I don't think you've mentioned how many PVC's you have in a day - during those times when I'd have around 10,000 in a day, it did feel like my chest or maybe my heart was just worn out.  Tired.  Sore.  

You already are doing this, but do some additional research into things that can relax or calm you; you may find, as I did, that these can really help.  Lemon balm tea is something I drink pretty often to help quell nerves.  It's considered far more mild than something like Valerian root - you can usually buy the herb as seeds at your local Home Depot, or from a garden center, or you can buy it in tea bags from Amazon.  Personally, I think it's the placebo effect, but whatever - when they get bad, I'll make a double-cup of the stuff and they'll often just fade away in a few hours.

Here's wishing you success in finding your way through it.

[Christine0687]

bumping this thread up. everyone should read!

[Zachs]

I do have chest soreness too, and sometimes pain when lying down. I have a tendency to lay on my side with my hand balled up underneath my chest all night because I like the "bio-feedback" that comes from having my hand on my heat all night long. "so to speak"  This does give me a sore chest wall as I'm always applying pressure to the chest area.

I would tend to think maybe for women that their breasts would get in the way from doing this. :)

Also sometimes when I take a rapid breath in I can feal some muscle pain on the left side as well.  Sometimes my sternum cracks which releives pain too.  I'll get a hitch/catch in the center chest area bending over or moving side to side, and my sternum will crack, like cracking your knuckles type of sound.

Hope this helps.. Zach

[ballofnerves]

This past Sunday was my second trip to the emergency room only to be sent home with the diagnosis of, "It's only PVC's."  How frustrating and scary at the same time.  I am a long time sufferer of panic disorder.  I can deal with panic attacks but this is new.  It's uncomfortable and scary, and I'm just trying to find something to help me get through this.  My first line of comfort is always God.  My first visit to the emergency room was in December.  I had them that one day and not again until this Sunday.  I am especially paying attention to the possibility of these symptoms dealing with my hormones.  I noticed last time was within the week before my period, and, this time is a week before my period.  The list really helped me calm down.  Thank you to all who posted.

[matt_s]

just bumping this thread up.  the list provided by skippi a few posts above really helps me.  it should be read by everyone diagnosed with benign PAC/PVC.  

[allaflutter1213]

I am still stuck on #6 but I only recently started noticing my PAC's ( about 6 months now) so I hope to be able to move on with my life.
I am just waiting to see if I ever experience the "lull" that people talk about where it will go dormant for awhile, so far mine only seem to be getting worse.
I sometimes have them every other beat but most times I just have them sporadically.