Ectopics and menopause

[jazzmowsky]

Hi to everyone.


I am in the UK and have spent an evening reading a very long thread going back to 2007 regarding PAC', PVC's and arrythmia of all sorts, then lost it when my pc crashed, so I thought I would perhaps start another thread and hope that some of the contributors from previously will get in touch. RNRita was one particular poster that I enjoyed reading. I have been experiencing PVC's for around 16 years and although most of the terror has gone from them, I still get very anxious, the periods of peace are uncertain because I know that inevitably they will start again at some point. ! What I have noticed is that now I am in my 50's the misbeats have changed and thanks to this forum I know I am having episodes of bigeminy which are peppered with extrasystoles in between times. The runs of bigeminy's come about every two weeks. I am going back to the cardio clinic next week for an annual review and may well get the Reveal device as it was discussed last year, they have never been able to capture an episode on ECG and the monitor they give you is never worn long enough to see an episode. Reading other folk's experiences I know my problems are anxiety based; we have a disabled daughter of 21 and I look after Nikki full-time now and although I enjoy my life and love her very much, her epilepsy and quadraplegia mean day to day life can be chaotic and I never quite know what is going to happen next. She has had pneumonia for a month and I have been frightened so the bigeminy has moved in to stay for a while !!!! I would love to hear from anyone who is in a similar position to me with the ectopics, when I was reading the previous posts I was constantly nodding as so many people were telling my own story. Has anyone noticed a change in arrythmia due to menopause ? I have, and the problems I have after food, when trying to sleep etc have got quite a bit worse. But I am still here to tell the tale, which is amazing to me sometimes. Anyway, hope to hear back. Regards to all.

Julie.

[jazzmowsky]

Hi Jerry,

    I will, and I will be so glad to get back to the cardio clinic next week, even just to discuss what has been happening to me lately. I try to be sensible and level-headed, and long sometimes for a bit of indigestion so I could pop a pill and it would settle down ! The heart thing is inescapable, it's there in the middle of your being and interferes with everything !!!  Oh that we could take it out, bit of spit and polish, put it back and hey presto !!  I had a cardiac arrest when Nikki was born and my heart hasn't been regular since, 21 years and I haven't got used to it yet !!!  I was told to make the beats old friends, but they are old friends I dislike !!!   I have alot to ask next week, just hope the doc is in conversational mode ! That will be a first. Thank you for getting back to me and I hope your day is peaceful today. Regards. Julie.

[jazzmowsky]

Hi Jodie.

   My heart went out to you when I read your post - I don't think people realise the courage needed to keep going when out in 'public' and having misbeats at the same time. Mine changed last November when I had two hours of bigeminy which sent me scuttling to our GP and he ordered blood tests and referred me back to a cardiologist ( next week thank god ). The blood tests came back normal, so I was relieved that thyroid was ok because I had read that sometimes that is a problem in menopause. I try to deal with the flashes and the emotional issues with a sensible head ( until I REALLY want to kill something or someone !!  )  and I hope to travel this road trying to help myself; but when you add the symptoms to arrythmia, it's enough to test a saint !  I fear eating and tend to eat very little and often, but I love chinese food and curry especially when my son comes over and we have a takeaway. Sometimes I suffer, occasionally I am ok it's very hit and miss. Sometimes just a mouthful sets it off.  I have a flick-flick rhythm usually, perhaps a misbeat even seven beats, and it does feel as if my heart is flickering; I can live with that. These recent episodes which seem to start when I get up to walk around and the misbeats are every beat or every other beat, scares me more than I can tell you. As I am here with Nikki by myself at night ( and nights are the worse ! ) I don't call an ambulance for fear of them carting me off, so I go into try and cope mode. Up to now they have settled by themselves, and I think  ok so I'm not dead yet !!!   But I shall be so glad to go and get myself checked out next week. I have decided to accept the Reveal device if they offer it, I would be glad of a definitive diagnosis and maybe some treatment. I have always thought beta-blockers an excuse for proper treatment and assessment, especially if they think we are anxious, they look at my daughter and think I should be at least suicidal !!!!  and push a presciption at me !!!  Anyway - did you phone for an appointment today ?   The other thing I wanted to say to you was a couple of years ago I was put on a statin for medium high cholesterol ( my parents both have high readings ) and I recently stopped taking it and have been feeling increasingly better. Apparently they can cause heart rhythm issues and a whole lot more. So does HRT or any hormone replacement medicine. Looking forward to hearing back from you. Kindest wishes. Julie

[jkfrench]

Hi Julie~
I am certain there is a connection to peri menapause/menapause and pvc's.
I have had them for 20 years.  I was keeping them at bay with just 1/4mg of a atenolol.
Two months ago at 48 they increased out of the blue.  Then continue to increase.  Today at church I was having so many I couldn't keep up with them.  One every 4th beat, then 8 normal beats and another one, then maybe 20 or 30 good beats then another one.  For the entire hour and for a few hours afterwards.  I feel every one and they all feel different.   I have noticed an increase when lying down to try and sleep and after I eat and drink.  It is an exhausting way to live and add everyday stress to it.....well it is almost unbearable.  I don't know how so many people on this forum can live with them every day.  I could live with the 50-150 in 24 hours that I used to have.  
I'm hoping to get some relief with vitamins.  We'll see.  Just know you aren't alone and you are clearly a very strong wonderful woman and mother.  Please let me know what your doctor thinks.  I'm calling mine tomorrow for another holter as well.
Jodie

[Jerry_NJ]

Well I'm a guy so you'll have to wait for input form experience with arrhythmia and menopause.  But, it is clear to me you have much stress, and god bless you for dealing with it all like a great mom does, and then there's the passing of time.  All health issues, including, maybe especially the heart, get more problematic as we age.  

Not sure any of this helps ... other than to let you know someone is "listening" and cares.
Keep a positive attitude and make all check-up appointments with your cardiologist, be sure to write down anything new that happens so you'll have it when you next talk with your doctor.